The bizarre case of Texas Lawyer Mary Roberts has captivated the bar and, with her testimony, did not disappoint those following the sordid details of the efforts by Roberts and her husband Ted Roberts. Both were rightfully labeled as two of the worst human beings to put a J.D. after their names (a tough competition). Remarkably, Mary Roberts still believes that it was perfectly legal to hold up her lovers under threat of public disclosure of their affairs. However, until she cited Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” in her testimony, I was not sure of the depth of her depravity. Continue reading “If You Like Pina Coladas and Walks in a Prison Yard: Lawyer Explains Her Effort to Extract Thousands from Former Lovers”
Category: Justice
The family of former judge and Denver City Attorney Larry Manzanares announced their intention to sue Jefferson County district attorney, Scott W. Storey, his deputy and an investigator for contributing to her husband’s death. It is a case that raises disturbing questions over the causes of suicide and the increasing tendency of prosecutors to play to the media in high-profile cases. Continue reading “Family of Former Judge and Denver City Attorney Sue District Attorney Over Suicide”
On a Saturday, the Justice Department and the CIA announced that they would conduct internal investigations of the destruction of the CIA interrogation tapes. The announcements are clearly designed to forestall an effort to have an independent counsel or independent investigation, which is clearly called for in this instance. Continue reading “Justice and CIA Launch Investigations into Destroyed Tapes”
As a general rule, it is good form not to destroy the courtroom during sentencing for a crime — a helpful hint for any future appearance of Antonio Rosales. Continue reading “Video: Child Rapist Destroys Courtroom After Sentencing”
Chicago has agreed to pay roughly $20 million to four former death row inmates who claimed they were tortured by Chicago police and wrongly convicted. Continue reading “Chicago to Pay $20 Million for Men Tortured by Police”
While the President insists that he has “no recollection” of being told about the plan to destroy CIA interrogation tapes, the White House admitted late Friday that former White House Counsel Harriet Miers knew. Continue reading “White House Knew of Plan to Destroy CIA Interrogation Tapes”
As noted earlier, Germany is moving toward a ban of Scientology. Now, both federal and state interior ministers have joined the effort to ban Scientology as a danger to the country and its citizens as a cult and criminal enterprise. Continue reading “Germany Takes Major Step Toward Ban of Scientology”
Teenager, Erik Crespo, used his MP3 player to secretly recorded an abusive interrogation by a New York Detective, Christopher Perino, that may not land the detective in jail for perjury. Continue reading “New York Detective Nailed on Perjury Charge By Teen MP3 Recording”
A video shows officers beating a suspect after a car chase after he had clearly surrendered and was not resisting. Two officers have been suspended. Continue reading “Shock Video: Two Miami-Dade Officers Suspended for Beating Suspect”
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has handed down an interesting decision that rejects a defense of innocent possession of ammunition by a felon. James Baker of Wichita claims that he was in possession of a speed loader with bullets because he found it on the ground outside of a party and was in the process of turning it in. Continue reading “Court of Appeals Rejects Necessity and Innocence Defenses to Unlawful Possession of Ammunition”
Two leading Democrats, Jane Harman and Jay Rockefeller admitted that they knew that the CIA intended to destroy the tapes of interrogations of a leading al-Qaida figure, but never knew for sure that the destruction was carried out. The startling news raises serious questions of acts of malfeasance by the Bush Administration and nonfeasance by Democratic members. Continue reading “Democrats Admit Knowledge of the CIA’s Plan to Destroy Tapes”
As the Supreme Court deliberates on the most recent Guantanamo Bay cases and whether detainees can be denied of access to a real court, the Washington Post is reporting that American officials held a teenager for years despite their knowledge that he was innocent. Indeed, only months area the U.S. seized Murat Kurnaz in Pakistan, it concluded that he was not guilty. However, he sat for four more years in Cuba. Continue reading “U.S. Held on to Teenager at Guantanamo for Years After U.S. Concluded that He Was Innocent”
There is an extremely interesting case developing in California over the release of graphic photos ofNicole “Nikki” Catsouras, 18, who was decapitated in a two-car crash on a toll road near Lake Forest, California. Continue reading “California Parents Suing Police for Release of Decapitated Daughter Found on Internet and MySpace”
Given my testimony today in the House Judiciary Committee on prison reform and older prisoners, I thought this previous column may be of interest. Continue reading “Older Prisoners and Overcrowding”
Casselberry Police Chief John Pavlis has fired Sergeant Andrea Eichhorn for her lawsuit against a victim in a frivolous slip-and-fall lawsuit. Now, the termination raises additional interesting questions in this sordid affair. Continue reading “Cop Fired After Suing a Victim for a Slip and Fall”