A man, trying to sneak into a concert, impaled his thigh on a 12-foot, wrought-iron fence. The fence has sharp-ended spikes that rise about 8 inches above a horizontal bar. Under common law, a landowner has no duty to trespassers. Continue reading “Man Impales Himself on Fence in Trespass Case”
Category: Lawyering
In the August hearing involving rapper Foxy Brown, her counsel made a surprising revelation that she was pregnant in a clear effort towards a more lenient statement. That claim has now been withdrawan — raising issues of a possible false statement. Lawyers are subject to rules concerning candor to the tribunal and false statements. Such statements in court can be the subject of sanctions by both the court as well as the bar. For the full story, click
September 11, 2007 Los Angeles Times
In his closing argument last week in the murder trial of pop music legend Phil Spector, prosecutor Alan Jackson encouraged jurors to ignore the experts who testified for the defense because, he said, “if you hire enough lawyers who hire enough experts who are paid enough money, you can get them to say anything.” He went on to inform the jury that “Phil Spector thinks if he throws enough money at a problem, he can solve the problem.”
It was a highly unprofessional argument that encouraged jurors to dismiss the opinions of any experts who appear on behalf of wealthy defendants as, in effect, purchased testimony. Yet the fact is that such witnesses are not only available to the rich; even a public defender is allowed to call such witnesses, at public expense, who would probably have made the same arguments. Continue reading “The Spector of Celebrity Trial”
The trial of music legend Phil Spector for murder has gone to the jury. Continue reading “Spector Goes to Jury After Improper Prosecution Arguments Over Celebrity Justice”
Philadelphia criminal defense attorney Larry Charles was found by security naked with a minor in the lawyers lounge of the Courthouse. He has pleaded no contest to the charges and stands accused of repeated cases of statutory rape with various underaged girls. For the story, click here Given the common increases for aggravating factors such as the abuse of positions of authority, Charles is looking at some very serious time.
The papers of Craig to withdraw his guilty plea are now public. For the papers, click here As expected, they argue that Craig’s decision (despite many days of consideration) was made without counsel and sufficient thought. This falls under the category of more stupidity and manifest injustice. The officers clearly misled Craig on the strength of the evidence but Craig is now trying to address a self-inflicted wound.
In the endless saga of Sen. Craig, his attorneys are now prepared to file as early as this week for the withdrawal of his plea. Continue reading “Craig Reportedly Ready to File to Withdraw Plea”
Rep. William Jefferson has filed motions challenging his criminal complaint and the venue of his trial. The motions are actually quite strong on their face, particularly the notion that the government failed to allege a connection between the alleged bribe and some official act. Continue reading “Jefferson Challenges Criminal Complaint in Alexandria”
Mike Nifong formally went to jail today. After taking the mugshot below, he will spend 24 hours in jail. He still faces civil liability for his role in the Duke scandal. For the story and mugshot, click here
The Duke lacrosse players falsely accused of rape are now seeking as much as 20 million dollars and changes in state law. These type of lawsuits constitute an important deterrent to prosecutorial abuse and thus the lawsuit is likely to be greeted by many. For the story, click here
Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas is accused to taking prisoners about the jail, ordering them to remove or drop their pants, and spanking them in a room in the Courthouse. Thomas has refused comment. However, if true, this would follow a gradual erosion of judicial restraint and growth in novel punishments, which appear to cable shows and public sentiment. For prior column, click here
For the story, click here
Sen. Craig’s attorneys have challenged the basis for a Senate investigation into his conduct, arguing that such minor crimes are historically not the subject to such congressional action. This is largely true. Continue reading “Craig’s Attorneys Challenge Senate Investigation”
A man seen in the Borat film has filed a complaint alleged unlawful use of his image as well as other torts. Click here for the court papers.
A divorce attorney had his office torched by a disguntled ex-husband of his client in a divorce case. For the story, click here
In an incredibly sad story. Jonathon Edington a lawyer in Connecticut has been sentenced to 12 in prison for killing a man that he thought molested his 20 year-old daughter. Edinton stabbed Barry James in his bedroom after his wife told him that James had molested their daughter. Ultimately, Edington’s wife, Christina, refused to cooperate with the investigation and a defense expert found that she was suffering from d postpartum depression.
The case left the court with few options and many regrets in sentencingfor first-degree manslaughter.. For the full story, click here