Academia

Northwestern Journalism Professor Pulled From Class

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Famed Northwestern University professor David Protess, whose class helped free more than 10 innocent men from prison, won’t be teaching the investigative journalism course in the upcoming quarter. Protess will continue to head the Medill Innocence Project, but any affiliation with the journalism course is unknown.

Cook County prosecutors had subpoenaed the notes and grades of the students in what appeared to be a case of prosecutorial intimidation.

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Constitutional Law

Student Arrested With 4th Amendment on Body Sues DHS and TSA

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

Government photo of Aaron Tobey being held at Richmond International Airport on December 30

The Rutherford institute, on behalf of Aaron Tobey, has filed a civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of Virginia. Aaron Tobey was arrested for disorderly conduct at Richmond International Airport (RIC) when he stripped down to his shorts exposing a portion of the Fourth Amendment written on his torso.

Aaron Tobey, an architecture student at the University of Cincinnati, was arrested and handcuffed after successfully passing through the security screening.

 

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Former High-Ranking Democratic Officials Charged With Wide Array of Fraudulent Election Documents

Two former high-ranking members of the Oakland County (Michigan) Democratic Party are facing election corruption charges in an alleged scheme to to trick Tea Party supporters to draw votes away from Republican candidates. Former Democratic Party Chairman Michael McGuinness and ex-operations director Jason Bauer were arraigned this week. The scheme described by prosecutors is quite bold . . . and reckless.

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Bizarre, Religion, Society

Pay and Pray: Pastor Accused of Withholding Communion After Parishioners Refuse To Hand Over Their Tax Refunds

Pastor John Goodman is accused of having a rather curious view of attending his flock: fleecing before ministering. Members of the Houston Unity Baptist Church have accused Goodman of refusing to give them communion after they declined to hand over their tax refund to the church.
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Society, Torts

Swill and Swim: Royal Caribbean Offers “All-You-Can-Drink” Package

We have often discussed dram shop actions and liability for “over-serving” patrons at bars and other businesses. Royal Caribbean appears willing to go where few other businesses are now willing to venture. The cruise line has introduced a new one-price, all-you-can-drink cruise package. I wonder how much legal analysis occurred before this floating dram shop case was launched.
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Media, Society, Torts

The Hurt Lawsuit: Soldier Sues Makers of “The Hurt Locker” Over His Portrayal in Movie

Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver who is currently deployed in Afghanistan has sued over his alleged portrayal in the hit movie “The Hurt Locker.” Sarver says that movie was based on him and shows him committing unprofessional acts and practices. This has led, he alleges, to comments and teasing from other soldiers.
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Congress, Criminal law, Society

Obama Yields To “Copyright Hawks” and Lobbyists To Seek Criminalization of Copyright Violations

The Obama Administration has again yielded to a powerful lobby over objections from citizen groups. We have been following the increasing draconian and excessive copyright claims made in the United States. Now, President Obama wants to make it a crime — a change long sought by the Chamber of Commerce and so-called “copyright hawks.”
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Criminal law, Society

Fowl Play: New Jersey Teens Criminally Charged With School Prank

We have been following the trend toward using criminal penalties to handle pranks and simple misconduct by students in our schools. Now, three high school students in New Jersey are facing criminal charges for a simple senior prank of releasing chickens at the school. They may also be barred from graduation. It is part of the criminalization of our society where we are turning our children into little felons because school officials blindly call police at every little infraction.
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Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Society

Minnesota Court Rules Against Ex-Nurse in Assisted Suicide Case

A judge in Minnesota has handed down a controversial verdict of guilty in the case of former nurse, William Melchert-Dinkel, 48, who encouraged people to commit suicide online. Civil libertarians and right-to-die advocates have criticized the prosecution as an assault on free speech. I share those concerns and believe that there is a strong basis for appeal in this case.

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Animals, Criminal law, Environment, Politics, Society

Iowa Legislators Seek To Criminalize Those Who Disclose Abuses At Factory Operations

Iowa lawmakers have introduced two bills (SF 341 and HF 431) that would make it a crime for activists to procure evidence of animal abuse by factory operations. Many of the past disclosures of abuse by circuses and industry have been the result of activists gaining access to factory operations through employment (as here). This law would specifically target such investigations to protect these companies.

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Criminal law

Bus Driver in New York Crash Had Long Record

The bus accident this weekend that killed 15 people has taken a potential turn toward criminal charges with new disclosures about the bus driver, Ophadell Williams. Williams has reportedly stated that he was hit by a truck before losing control of the bus. Witnesses have now contradicted that account and police have learned that Williams has a long and disturbing record.

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