Category: Torts

Illinois: Women Sues Parents of HIV-Positive Fiance for Failing to Disclose Son’s Condition

An extraordinary torts case is now before the Illinois Supreme Court where a women is continuing a fight to hold the parents of a former lover liable for their failure to tell her that their son had AIDS. A jury found the parents, Elizabeth and Kirkpatrick Dilling liable for $2 million. Continue reading “Illinois: Women Sues Parents of HIV-Positive Fiance for Failing to Disclose Son’s Condition”

Widow of Luciano Pavarotti Sues Friends: Seeking $44 Million for Defamation

Luciano Pavarotti’s death appears to have left a perfectly operatic scene of an irate widow and accusations of false friends bent on her destruction. Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovanis, is suing two friends of the singer for defamation based on their claims about the state of her marriage with the star. Continue reading “Widow of Luciano Pavarotti Sues Friends: Seeking $44 Million for Defamation”

Megan Meier Case: A Test Case for the Crime of Internet Annoyance?

The use of a fake MySpace identity by adult neighbors to trick and then crush a young girl (who later committed suicide) has outraged Americans. One possible charge would involve a controversial new law barring internet abuse — a law that is ripe for challenge. Continue reading “Megan Meier Case: A Test Case for the Crime of Internet Annoyance?”

Fox and CNN Withhold Identity of Woman Accused of Faking MySpace Identity and Attacking Girl Who Later Committed Suicide

In the follow-up to the disturbing story of Megan Meier, Fox has now covered the story and like the local paper has decided not to disclose the identity of the woman who faked the identity of a cute boy named Josh to develop a friendship with her — only to crush her in a series of messages.   Continue reading “Fox and CNN Withhold Identity of Woman Accused of Faking MySpace Identity and Attacking Girl Who Later Committed Suicide”

Murderous Ornithologist or Just Protective Bird-Lover? Texas Man on Trial for Shooting Cat to Save Bird

Jim Stevenson is facing two years in prison for shooting a cat that he said was stalking an endangered bird in a case that contains a fascinating question of what constitutes a “pet.” Continue reading “Murderous Ornithologist or Just Protective Bird-Lover? Texas Man on Trial for Shooting Cat to Save Bird”