Category: Torts

Bizarre, Criminal law, Media, Politics, Society, Torts

Columnist Robert Novak Accused of a Hit and Run in Washington

Columnist Robert Novak has a reputation for being an aggressive and fast driver. It may now have put him into legal jeopardy. He is accused of hitting a man in his black Corvette who was lawfully crossing in a pedestrian walkway in Washington and then speeding from the scene — only to be stopped a block away by an attorney who chased him on a bicycle. Novak joked in 2001 about his hatred for jaywalkers and the option of running them over. A video of the aftermath is linked below.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Torts

Natural Born Killer Sequel In Real Life: Wisconsin Teenager Strangles Girlfriend After Watching Movie

Over the years, various lawsuits have been filed against movie makers for the alleged influence that their films had on kids who acted out stunts or acts of violence. They have been entirely rejected, but there may be one more on the way. Eric Tavulares, 18, strangled his 18 year-old childhood girlfriend, Lauren Aljubouri.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Torts

The Simpson Effect: Doctor Accused of Conspiring to Commit Perjury in ’93 Death of Girlfriend

A truly strange case in Boston has now gotten even stranger. Dr. Timothy Stryker, 56, was accused of involvement in the death of his longtime girlfriend, Dr. Lynn Goudey. The 42 year-old doctor’s body was found in her locked Saab at New England Memorial Hospital. In 2006, Stryker was ordered to pay $7 million after a jury found him responsible for the wrongful death. Then, before payment, a witness suddenly came forward to claim to have seen Goudey in her car. The witness Craig Pizzano, was 18 in 1993 and claimed that, after hearing about the O.J. Simpson book, he wanted to clear an innocent man. Now, both Pizzano and Stryker are charged with perjury and subornation of perjury.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Justice, Society, Torts

Holy Assault and Battery, Batman: Batman Star Christian Bale Arrested for Assault on Mother and Sister

Not exactly the press that the flaks were hoping for. Batman star Christian Bale has been arrested for assault on his mother and sister. He could also face a personal injury action — a possibility that seems a bit more likely with a film that shattered the earlier record held by Spiderman (who notably stayed felony-free during both production and syndication). With $156 million in a three-day weekend of sales, it is likely to draw not just viewers but litigants aplenty.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Torts

Girl Interrupted: Woman Accuses Spitzer Call Girl of Stealing Her Identity to Appear on Girls Gone Wild

Amber Arpaio, 26, was a “Girl Gone Wild” and apparently didn’t know it. She has sued Ashley Dupre, the former call girl to former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, for stealing her identity. As shocking as it may seem that a high-priced prostitute might also be an identity thief, Arpaio says its true. For her part, Dupre, who recently dropped a lawsuit against Girls Gone Wild, is saying nothing at all.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Torts

Putting the Rat Back into Ratatouille: Wisconsin Woman Accused of Planting Cooked Lab Rat in Dish

Seasons Restaurant in Grand Chute, Wisconsin likes to proclaim that “our achievements are the result of your expectations.” However, it is the expectations of Debbie R. Miller, 41, that is now the subject of a criminal case. Miller has been arrested for allegedly planting a dead lab rat in a dish and the demanding $500,000 to keep quiet. Prosecutors served up a steamy dish of extortion this week..

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Bizarre, Columns, Criminal law, Society, Torts

Bullies in the Dock: Some Parents Take Their Complaints from the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse

Below is today’s column on a growing national trend of parents taking bullying cases to court after receiving no action from school officials. This may be a case where litigation is needed to concentrate the minds of some school officials (and parents of bullies) on the costs of such violence in schools.

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Society, Torts

I Had a Dream [Trust Fund]: King Kids Fight Over MLK Estate

The family of Martin Luther King are at it again. The siblings are in court alleging misrepresentation and self-dealing in the handling of the MLK estate. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III are accusing Dexter King of effectively transferring “substantial funds” from Bank of America to accounts he controls.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Torts

Having It His Way: Man Bites Off Nose of Customer at Burger King

In a continuation of the day’s murder and mayhem thing, here is one equally bizarre and grotesque. Gary Eastwood, 38, came to Burger Kind and is accused of “having it his way” with an off menu selection. After a fender bender, Eastwood bit off the nose of Tommy Easterling after ramming Easterling’s car with his truck.

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Bizarre, Religion, Society, Torts

Spiritual Slip and Fall: Knoxville Man Sues for Evangelical Injury After Being Touched By God

In Knoxville Tenn., Matt Lincoln wanted to be touched by God when he went to the Lakewind Church. It was the contact with the floor that he did not plan for when he was consumed by the holy spirit. He is not suing the church for negligence in failing to take preparations for those who lose their balance or consciousness when visited by the spirit during services. He is seeking $2.5 million of a more earthly reward.

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Academia, Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Society, Torts

Teacher Marie Jarry Sues School Over Howard Stern Bikini Controversy

Marie Jarry, the former second-grade teacher who resigned after making an appearance in a bikini on the “Howard Stern Show,” is suing Southington, Connecticut school officials as well as her union. She has good reason to complain about being fired for an appearance in a swimsuit on a television program on her own time. The increasing enforcement of after-hours codes of conduct by employers should be viewed as a cause of alarm for a society that prides itself on freedom of association and speech.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society, Supreme Court, Torts

Hi, I’m Justice Breyer and I Want a Lexus: Jurist Part of Security Breach of Personal Data

Justice Stephen G. Breyer was among the clients of Wagner Resource Group that had his personal data made public — after an employee used the firm’s computer to swap music on the file-sharing network LimeWire. It included his name, date of birth, and social security number. As someone who had a former CBS employee steal his identity to buy two Lexus cars, I can sympathize.

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