Francis X. Morrissey Jr., 65, a New York attorney formally turned himself in to face criminal charges related to the alleged bilking of philanthropist Brooke Astor’s $198 million estate — with the alleged cooperation of her son Anthony Marshall. This is not the first time Morrissey has faced such allegations. Continue reading “Francis Morrissey, Lawyer to Brooke Astor, Indicted”
Category: Criminal law
For those of us concerned about the expanded use and abuse of taser technology, we have not seen anything yet. A French company is developing a flying drone that can shoot tasers at people in large crowds. Continue reading “French Developing Air Drone to Shoot Tasers into Crowds”
Large crowds in Sudan are calling for British teacher Gillian Gibbons, 54, to be put to death for allowing her young students to name a teddy bear “Mohammad.” Continue reading “Protesters Call for the Death of the Teacher in the Mohammad Teddy Bear Case”
Police have been accused of protecting fellow officers in the high-profile Peterson and Crane cases in Georgia and Illinois. Continue reading “Officers Accused of Protecting Fellow Officers From Criminal Charges in Illinois and Georgia”
The New York police are using a very controversial decoy operation to arrest people who steal personal items from s Continue reading “New York Police Placing Decoy Items to Arrest Thieves — and Possible Good Samaritans”
The Bush Administration is seeking to train firefighters to serve as eyes and ears in the war on terror: a role that raises significant civil liberties questions. Under this plan, firefighters would look for evidence of possible terrorism in the homes and businesses that they inspect or enter. Continue reading “Homeland Security to Use Firefighters to Spot Potential Terror Suspects”
In another entry into the abuse of tasers, this video shows police using a taser to the neck of a pregnant mother after throwing her on her stomach to the ground. Continue reading “Shock Video: Police Taser Pregnant Mother”
Many observers have long believed that there was a federal cover-up in the alleged suicide of Kenneth Trentadue in a federal prison. His brother has long argued that federal officials, not suicide, were behind the death in August 1995. Now, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against the federal government’s effort to withhold a critical report on the case. Continue reading “Federal Appellate Court Rules Against Government in Trentadue Case”
Given the recent ruling in the case, this prior column on the scandal and saga of Kenneth Trentadue may be of interest. Continue reading “The Kenneth Trentadue Scandal”
In a chilling account, the Saudi woman who was first gang raped and then sentenced to 200 lashes (for being with a male non-family member) has given a full account of her ordeal. The woman’s story is an insight into the plight of woman in a country where they are restricted in their travel and subject to the harshest possible punishments. Continue reading “Saudi Rape Victim Gives Her Chilling Account”
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., entered an Alford plea to criminal trespass — avoiding a trial on assault and battery charges over allegations he pushed a United Airlines baggage employee at Dulles International Airport. Continue reading “Rep. Filner Enters Plea in Criminal Trespass Case”
In a shocking case for the academic community, former University of Penn. Economics professor Rafael Robb has entered a guilty plea in the murder of his wife, Ellen, shortly before Christmas. Continue reading “Former Penn. Econ. Professor Rafael Robb Pleads Guilty to Killing Wife”
The Supreme Court has refused to give a death row inmate, Thomas Arthur, access to critical DNA evidence that he is seeking to prove his innocence. Continue reading “Supreme Court Refuses to Order Access to DNA Evidence Sought to Clear Death Row Inmate”
Senators Ted Kennedy and Arlen Spector are drafting legislation to finally address the widespread abuse of the military and state secrets privilege, a law that would require courts to seriously review the basis and scope of these assertions. As lead counsel in the Area 51 cases involving the privilege, it is welcomed and long over-due news. Continue reading “Kennedy and Spector To Offer State Secrets Legislation”
The Bush meat case in New York is moving toward trial with new arguments, including the use of the monkey meat as religious expression and the argument that the amount was too small to have a significant impact on conservation: a type of one monkey limit for chefs. Continue reading ““Bush Meat” Case Moves Toward Trial Amid Claims of One Monkey Exception”