Harold J. Stewart may be a high school dropout, but he is no fool –despite that fact that he had himself for a lawyer in a first-degree murder case. Stewart not only was acquitted of all charges, but the pro se defendant had previously rejected an agreement that his defense attorney supported for a second-degree murder plea. Continue reading “No Fool I: High School Dropout Represents Himself and Beats Murder Charge”
Category: Lawyering
In the latest rebuke of U.S. District Judge Manuel Real, the Ninth Circuit has again reversed a sentence by the judge viewed as too lenient and too little justified — in this case, the sentencing of ex-producer Jospeh Medawar. Continue reading “The Real Deal: Ninth Circuit Reverses Sentencing of Hollywood Producer Medawar”
Fundamentalist Islamic nations and leaders are speaking of unleashing a new weapon against those who defame Islam: lawyers. Continue reading “Litigating Against Free Speech in the Name of Free Exercise”
There has been much speculation about the expected criminal indictment of former Eliot Spitzer, but relatively little about Client No. 9’s co-conspirator, Ashley Alexandra Dupre (AKA “Kristen”). In reality, she faces not just possible criminal but civil charges while rapidly losing her own ability to sue for defamation and privacy violations. With the reported $1 million deal to pose for Hustler magazine, civil litigation may well be considered to ensure that Dupre does not enrich herself on the scandal.
Continue reading “Call Girl Interrupted: Ashley Dupre Could Face Potential Criminal and Civil Charges”
Judge Thomas E. Stringer Sr., who sits on the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Florida is facing allegations that he helped a stripper hide over $300,000 from creditors. Stringer admits a relationship but denies a direct role in the concealment of money to help Christy Yamanaka, a New York City stripper. Stringer’s controversy is not unique on the bench. Continue reading “Florida Appellate Judge Accused of Helping Stripper Shield Funds”
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia blocked the $5000 a day fines imposed on former USA Today reporter Toni Locy by Judge Reggie Walton for refusing to reveal her sources in stories about the criminal investigation of the 2001 anthrax attacks. The lawsuit was brought by Steven Hatfill, a scientist ruined by intentional leaks by government officials. Continue reading “Court Stays Running Fines Against Locy in Anthrax Litigation”
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s problems are mounting. GOP legislators are pursuing impeachment while reports have surfaced that he spent over $80,000 on prostitutes over ten years. If true, the sheer scope of his involvement with prostitution rings will almost certainly force the hand of prosecutors to bring a substantial criminal charge. Continue reading “Spitzer Reportedly Spent $80,000 on Call Girls Over 10 Years”
One of the more interesting aspects of the Spitzer prostitution scandal is the possibly of a charge under the Mann Act. It is quite a difference for the governor. Under the Mann Act, he could be looking at 20 years while under the D.C. law it would be only 90 days. Continue reading “Could Spitzer Be Charged Under the Mann Act?”
While New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is dealing with a criminal investigation into his alleged use of a high-priced call girl service, a similar investigation is being conducted by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit into the alleged use of prostitutes by Chief U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham. It is not the first alleged misconduct by the jurist. Continue reading “Chief U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham Tied to Prostitution Ring In Denver”
Former Superior Court Judge Michael T. Joyce is seeking a venue change from Erie to Pittsburgh, Pa., for his criminal trial on insurance fraud charges — the first such trial of a former judge in 14 years. Once an appellate judge Joyce’s recreational activities — and abilities — will be at the heart of the case. Continue reading “Pennsylvania Judge to Stand Trial for Criminal Fraud — After Claiming “Excruciating” Injuries in 5 MPH Crash”
As counsel to older pilots around the country challenging the Age 60 Rule, I have been litigating the FAA’s orders forcing hundreds of experienced pilots into retirement upon turning 60 years old. The recent enactment of the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act merely replaced one Age 60 regulatory rule with an even more arbitrary and capricious Age 60 statutory rule. Below is our contesting the enforceability of the act in our ten pending appellate cases. Continue reading “Airline Pilots Challenge the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act”
Former USA Today reporter (and now West Virginia journalism professor) Toni Locy faces financial ruin after an extraordinary order from U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton. The court imposed $5000 a day on her personally for refusing to disclose her sources in the case filed by former Army scientist, Steven J. Hatfill related to the 2001 anthrax attacks. The question is whether this order will finally prompt Congress to pass a need federal shield law. Continue reading “Federal Judge’s Order Could Financially Ruin Former Reporter for Protecting Sources”
Representatives of the Sikh faith have been barred by the Secret Service from participating in a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI next month because they wear the Kirpaan, or ceremonial knife. Given the fact that these would be leaders of the Sikh faith, the Secret Service appear like perfect morons in barring the Sikhs. Continue reading “Secret Service Bar Sikh Leaders From Meeting with the Pope over Ceremonial Knife or Kirpaan”
President Bush waited until Saturday to veto the ban on waterboarding, hoping to diminish press and congressional attention. He had nothing to fear. Both democrats and republicans have already guaranteed that Bush will not be held accountable for the torture program. After effectively decriminalizing torture, the objections heard from Democrats should be met with a healthy degree of scorn. Continue reading “Bush Vetos Ban on Waterboarding — Democrats Feign Shock”
Pensacola News Journal faces possible insolvency if the Florida Supreme Court upholds an $18 million judgment against it for publishing true facts in a false light case. At issue is the inclusion of true facts about how Joe Anderson, the owner of one of the state’s largest paving companies, killed his wife. The inclusion of those facts in a series on the paving company was viewed as actionable false light — an allegation that a Florida jury accepted. Continue reading “Newspaper Appeals $18 Million for Publishing True Story in False Light Case”