David Kernell, 22, the college student and son of a Democratic Tennessee state legislator who hacked into the e-mail account of Sarah Palin was convicted Friday on two counts. After four days of deliberations, a federal jury found Kennell guilty of obstruction of justice and unauthorized access of a computer, a misdemeanor. He faces 20 years in jail, though the sentence is likely to be much less. I will be discussing the case this morning on ABC Good Morning America.
Category: Criminal law
This interview on National Public Radio explores the two cases of Jason Chen and James Risen in the news this week.
Continue reading “Will Gizmodo Set the Standard for Journalistic Privilege?”
Wired Magazine has identified the “finder” of the next generation IPhone given to Gizmodo for $5000. He is Brian Hogan, 21, whose lawyer has stressed that he regrets his actions and is a good kid who helps orphans in Kenya. I will be discussing the case on NPR’s On The Media today.
Continue reading “I Help Orphans: “Finder” of 4G IPhone Identified and Expresses Regrets”
This video shows a disturbing scene as a man, Brennan Hamilton, who is arrested after he asks for the name and badge number of a Fort Lauderdale police officer who is identified as Jeff Overcash. On the video, Overcash is asked why he is arresting Hamilton for just asking for his badge number and he responds by saying it was for something that he did earlier (but apparently something that Overcash did not appear to believe warranted an arrest at that time).
Continue reading “Video: Ft. Lauderdale Officer Arrests Man After Being Asked for Badge Number”
Rep. Debbie Riddle of Tomball, Texas has announced that she will seek to introduce the Arizona immigration law in Texas. While criticized as unconstitutional by both conservatives and liberals alike, Riddle wants to see the law adopted in the Lone Star state. I will be discussing the constitutionality of the law on tonight’s Countdown.
Continue reading “Riddle Me This: Texas Rep Calls for Adoption of Arizona Immigration Law”
Iranian police have found another pocket of immorality amidst their population. Of course, it is again women — specifically sun-tanned women. Brig Hossien Sajedinia, Tehran’s police chief, announced that his officers would be looking for suntanned women as a mark of immorality. It appears that the good people at Arrest Sun Lotion may have found a niche.
Continue reading “Shades of Satan: Iran Cracks Down on Suntanned Women”
When off-duty Chicago Police Officer John Ardelean, 36, was involved in a suspected DUI accident on Thanksgiving that killed two people — Miguel Flores, 22, and Erick Lagunas, 21 — he was not arrested immediately after the crash or at the hospital. Instead, a police Lt. John Magruder ordered him arrested hours after the crash when he smelled alcohol on the officer. An judge has now thrown out the charges due to a lack of probable cause. In the ultimate twist, family members of the victims were then arrested when they express outrage at the decision.
Continue reading “Charges Against Chicago Police Officer for DUI and Killing Two People Are Dropped — Police Then Arrest Upset Members of Victim’s Family”
Waltia Funches, 28, and Kenyana McQuay, 27, have a curious way to showing a man how to treat a lady. After a man failed to hold an elevator door for them, the two women proceeded to dump pasta on him, kick him, and beat him with their handbags.
Continue reading “Why Funches Throws Punches: Women Attack Man for Failing to Hold Elevator Door”
We have been following the story of the stolen IPhone and the implausible arguments of Gizmodo that it was merely playing a “source” when it bought the phone and took it apart. Now, police have raided Gizmodo’s offices, whose editors may want to look for a handy App for lawyers in the area. I discussed the issue on this segment of Countdown.
Continue reading “Rotten Apple II: Police Raid Gizmodo’s Office and Seize Computers and Servers”
Literature and life has countless examples of criminals who are spared long incarceration or death and become model citizens who use their “second chance” to live a worthy life. Thomas Anderson, 57, is just not one of them. After since he was spared death in 1988, Anderson has racked up seven felony cases — and supplied pro-death penalty advocates with a rallying cry for tougher sentencing laws.
Continue reading “Former Death Row Inmate is Arrested for Seventh Time”
We have another case of religious homicide and a comparatively light sentence (For a prior column, click here). In the case of Javon Thompson, he was starved to death because he would not say “Amen” after meals. The mother received no jail time and five years probation.
Continue reading “Mother Starves 16-Month Baby To Death — Receives No Jail Time”
Today’s column is on the continued criminalization of adultery in states across the country. It is a critical battle over morality legislation in the United States.
Continue reading “Criminal Adultery: States Ponder The Continuation of Puritanical Laws”
This is a disturbing video that purportedly shows a homeless man who was stabbed when he intervened to help a woman in New York City.
Continue reading “Shock Video: Homeless Man Reportedly Left To Die on Sidewalk After Rescuing Woman”
There is a fascinating case in Minneapolis that raises some important free speech issues in an assisted suicide case. William Melchert-Dinkel, 47, was charged with two felony counts of aiding suicide under a Minnesota law that criminalizes even verbal encouragement of suicide. Adding to the novelty is the fact that state prosecutors are charging Melchert-Dinkel in deaths that occurred not only outside the state but outside the country.
Continue reading “Prosecutors Charge Former Nurse With Encouraging Suicide”
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed that state’s new immigration bill despite widespread questions over its constitutionality. Shortly before Brewer announced the signing, President Barack Obama ordered the Justice Department to monitor possible civil rights violations, here.
Continue reading “Governor Signs Controversial Immigration Law Amid Promises of Legal Challenges”