Category: Criminal law

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Religion, Society

Meet Andy Martin: The Man Behind the Obama is a Muslim Rumors

The New York Times has an interesting profile of the man who is credited with fueling the false stories that Obama is a Muslim. What has been astonishing for many of us is that being a Muslim would even be an issue — even if it were true. What is even more astonishing is the man who has appeared on national television pandering this story. Andy Martin, 62, is someone barred from a court for frivolous lawsuits, barred from becoming a practicing lawyer for mental problems, and accused of hateful and antisemitic ravings in the past. He was just on Fox News as part of a story on Obama’s possible secret Muslim identity.

Continue reading “Meet Andy Martin: The Man Behind the Obama is a Muslim Rumors” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Justice, Lawyering, Military, Politics, Society

Guantanamo Bay Prosecutor Calls Bush Tribunals Fundamentally Unfair and Resigns His Post

When the military tribunals were being created at Guantanamo Bay, some of us publicly stated that we would not take cases because the rules written by the Administration were fundamentally unfair and did not recognize core principles of due process. Since then, there have been a steady stream of prosecutors and defense lawyers in the military who have resigned in protest. The latest is Lt. Col. Darrel J. Vandeveld, who decided that he could no longer live with himself as a person or an attorney to participate in such a sham legal system.

Continue reading “Guantanamo Bay Prosecutor Calls Bush Tribunals Fundamentally Unfair and Resigns His Post” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Religion, Society

Lawsuit Filed to Unfreeze Assets of Muslim Charity

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio has filed an important case. On Friday, the group filed a lawsuit on behalf of KindHearts for Charitable Humanitarian Development, Inc. The charity was founded in 2002 after the Administration shutdown other Muslim charities, including the very controversial action taken against the Holyland Foundation. Now, the Administration has frozen this charity “pending investigation.” It appears that any major Muslim charity is presumptively frozen by this Administration in a trend that should be the subject of a congressional hearing.

Continue reading “Lawsuit Filed to Unfreeze Assets of Muslim Charity” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Religion, Society

Iran Set to Execute Another Christian for Converting From Islam

In another flagrant violation of international law and human rights, Iran is set to execute Ramdin Soodmand for the crime of converting from Islam. Sharia law mandates such punishment and Islamic countries continue to apply the penalty despite the fact that it violates core international principles. Indeed, Rashin’s father was executed eighteen years ago previously for the same Sharia crime.

Continue reading “Iran Set to Execute Another Christian for Converting From Islam” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Torts

Beaten to Death In Club City: Australian Tourist Killed by Staff at Indian Restaurant for “Arrogant” Attitude

Now, here is a respondeat superior case: a tourist goes to a bar in Goa, India where he is beaten to death by the staff for being rude. This is what the family says happened to Austrialian John Kelly, 65, at the Club City Restaurant.
Continue reading “Beaten to Death In Club City: Australian Tourist Killed by Staff at Indian Restaurant for “Arrogant” Attitude” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Fifteen-Year-Old Student Charged with Child Pornography in Sending Pictures to Friends — Of Herself

Now, this is a new one. prosecutors in Newark Licking Valley, Ohio have charged a 15-year-old of sending child pornography to friends at a high school. However, the cell phone pictures are of herself. The illegal use of minor referenced in the charge is herself.

Continue reading “Fifteen-Year-Old Student Charged with Child Pornography in Sending Pictures to Friends — Of Herself” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Politician’s Son Indicted for Hacking into Gov. Palin’s Email Account

David Kernell, 20, of Knoxville, Tenn., the son of state Rep. Mike Kernell, has been indicted for hacking of the e-mail account of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. He should have known that only the Administration can hack into accounts and intercept calls on citizens without a warrant.
Continue reading “Politician’s Son Indicted for Hacking into Gov. Palin’s Email Account” →

Criminal law, Environment, Justice, Society

Guiltless Pleasures: Administration Settles With Developer Who Allegedly Bulldozes Huge Area of Land, Destroys Archealoglical Sites, and Redirects River in Arizona Without An Admission of Guilt

For some environmentalists, there are few people as vile as Scottsdale-based developer George H. Johnson and his associates. Johnson was accused of bulldozing, filling and diverting a 5-mile stretch of the Santa Cruz River and its tributaries. As Joe Biden would say, “let me repeat that” 5 MILES. While the government reached a settlement with a $1.25 million penalty, Johnson and his contractor will not have to admit guilt and will not face any possible criminal charge.

Continue reading “Guiltless Pleasures: Administration Settles With Developer Who Allegedly Bulldozes Huge Area of Land, Destroys Archealoglical Sites, and Redirects River in Arizona Without An Admission of Guilt” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Society

Delay and Conquer: White House Succeeds in Running Out the Clock on Meirs and Bolten Subpoenas

The White House has long been obvious in its effort to run out the clock on the constitutional challenge to the subpoenas for former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten. As a court found, the White House arguments are meritless, but the Administration has been relying on the calendar more than the Constitution. This week, that strategy succeeded with an appellate court issuing a stay that guarantees that the subpoenas will expire with this Congress.

Continue reading “Delay and Conquer: White House Succeeds in Running Out the Clock on Meirs and Bolten Subpoenas” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Step Away From the Shoes, Ma’am: Police Officer Tasers Woman for Trying to Put on Her Shoes

In our expanding list of “things you can do to get tasered by police,” we have another outstanding entry to add to getting out of a bath naked and calling for help. Catherine Isebelle Morris, 34, was tasered by Gaston County Police Officer G.S. Kendall because she insisted on getting her shoes in the house when questioned outside about a domestic disturbance. She is lucky. Under this operational standard, Imelda Marcos would have been lit up like the Chrysler building.

Continue reading “Step Away From the Shoes, Ma’am: Police Officer Tasers Woman for Trying to Put on Her Shoes” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Torts

Pledge Problems at Phi Mu:University of New Hampshire Suspends Fraternity

University of New Hampshire officials have suspended Phi Mu Delta after two students were sent to a hospital with alcohol poisoning after a pledge period. Police arrested seven students on alcohol possession. It is a classic example for potential vicarious and personal liability that we have discussed in class.

Continue reading “Pledge Problems at Phi Mu:University of New Hampshire Suspends Fraternity” →

Criminal law, Politics, Society

“We might . . . spend a little time in jail”: Stevens Caught on Tape Discussing Criminal Investigation

Sen. Ted Stevens was caught on tape discussing the possibility of a prison sentence with his former friend and wealthy businessman Bill Allen. Unbeknownst to Stevens, Allen was recording the conversation as an informant with the FBI. Stevens sounds every inch a felon on the tape, advising Allen to “really lay low” and be tough. In one particularly damaging section for the jury to hear, Stevens acknowledges “We might have to pay a fine and spend a little time in jail.”
Continue reading ““We might . . . spend a little time in jail”: Stevens Caught on Tape Discussing Criminal Investigation” →