Bizarre, Society, Torts

American Freestyle Motocross Champion Jeremy Lusk Dies After Trying a Backflip

180px-mikeadair2Jeremy Lusk, an American freestyle motocross racer, died of head injuries this week after failing to complete the rotation in a “Hart Attack backflip.” The move caused severe brain damage and possible spinal cord injury. The accident follows complaints over the danger of such activities, particularly for kids trying to mimic their heroes. The video below raises serious questions about the safety of this sport.

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Criminal law, Politics, Society

The Phelps Eight: Richland County Rounds Up Bong Buddies of Olympic Swimmer

phelpsWord to the wise, don’t smoke dope with celebrities in Richland County, South Carolina. Media reports indicate that the Sheriff’s Department have arrested eight people in connection to the controversy. It would also indicate that criminal charges are being contemplated against Phelps since such arrests are often useful in coercing cooperation from witnesses.

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Criminal law, International, Politics, Religion, Society

Saudi Arabian Judge Sentences Pregnant Gang Rape Victim to Jail and 100 Lashes

A Saudi judge in Jeddah has again given the world a taste of law under the country’s medieval Sharia system. A 23-year-old pregnant woman who complained about being gang raped has been found guilty of adultery (even though she is not married) and ordered that she serve one year in jail and receive 100 lashes.
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Criminal law, Lawyering, Society

Ken Lawson to Be Sentenced for Drugs While Former Clients Sue Over Malpractice

gavel2Drugs appear to have claimed another leading lawyer — cautionary tale for law students and lawyers alike. Ken Lawson has assembled a reputation in Kentucky for his defense of celebrities and suing police departments. Various clients have sued Lawson for malpractice and Lawson, 45, will be sentenced on federal drug-conspiracy charge.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, International, Politics, Society

No Mondavi for Mugabe: Zimbabwe Demands Birthday Contributions of 2000 Bottles of Champagne, Lobsters and Other Delights

thumb_birthday_birthday_cake_4200px-mugabecloseup2008thumb_birthday_birthday_cake_4With unprecedented inflation making its currency worthless and rampant starvation and cholera, most people would have a hard time celebrating, but not the family and friends of President Mugabe, who have drawn up the list of items needed to celebrate his 85th birthday. The list (below) includes 2,000 bottles of champagne (Moët & Chandon or ’61 Bollinger preferred); 8,000 lobsters; 100kg of prawns; 4,000 portions of caviar; 8,000 boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocolates; 3,000 ducks; and other essentials. One thing barred is “No mealie meal” — the corn product that is sustaining millions of people in the country.

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Courts, Criminal law, Politics, Society, Torts

Texas Judge Accused of Failure to Pay Legal Costs in Daughter’s Manslaughter Case

judgeTexas Judge Pat Shelton has already attracted a great deal of controversy over his role in the defense of his daughter, Elizabeth Shelton, who was convicted of drunk driving that led to the death of her boyfriend, Matthew McNiece. Not only did Shelton sue the car that she hit but Judge Shelton attacked the man who is credited with saving his daughter. Now, Judge Shelton is accused of not paying his legal bills in the case.
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Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Religion, Society

English Diplomat Arrested for Shouting Anti-Israeli Comments At Gym

175px-her_majestys_government_coat_of_armssvgA top aide to British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has been arrested for shouting at the “telly” at his gym. The 47-year-old diplomat is accused of shouting “F***ing Israelis, f***ing Jews” while watching news reports of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza last month at the gym.

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Criminal law, Politics, Society

Y’All Come Again!: Town Accused of “Highway Piracy” in Seizing Property Without Bringing Criminal Charges

TexasThe Town of Tenaha, Texas (population 1000) is accused of rising revenue the old fashioned way: by stealing it. Citizens who have passed through the town have complained that property has been seized by Tenaha police and never returned, even though they were never charged with a crime. Tenaha Mayor George Bowers, 80, is remarkably unapologetic or concerned, noting that the seizures helped them build a new police station and add a second police car for the town: “It’s always helpful to have any kind of income to expand your police force.”
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Academia, Politics, Society

Beaver Damned: Wisconsin Teacher Suspended For Picture on Facebook

9801650_bg1There is another case of a teacher being punished for legal activities outside of the school setting. The latest case comes from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin where teacher Betsy Ramsdale has been put on leave after someone found a picture of her holding a gun on her Facebook site.

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Academia, Society, Torts

Florida Law Professor Sues for Discrimination

6a00d8341c4eab53ef011168516c81970c-120wi Sherrie Russell-Brown, a former law professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law has filed a racial and sexual discrimination lawsuit against the school and its dean. Her allegations could force the entire faculty to face discovery and a potential trial on actions taken against her and statements made in faculty meetings. She has named Dean Robert H. Jerry, the University of Florida and its board of trustees as defendants.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, International

Police Tell Teenager to Lay On the Road or Be Tasered, The Boy Complies and Is Promptly Run Over By Car

85px-coat_of_arms_of_australiasvgIn Ipswich, Australia, a 16-year-old boy who was told by police to lay down in the street or be tasered by police. The boy complied and was then run over and killed by a car. It is a compelling case of negligence, even if the boy was acting “aggressive.”

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Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Religion, Society

Schiavo Mediterranean Style: Italy Halts Effort to Terminate Woman in Vegetative State

eluana-englaro-001Italy is in the midst of its own Terri Schiavo controversy. Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has intervened to prevent doctors from carrying out the wishes of Eluana Englaro and her family to discontinued life support. Englaro has been in a coma for 17 years after a car crash in 1992. Berlusconi consulted with the Vatican and declared: “This is murder. I would be failing to rescue her. I’m not a Pontius Pilate.” The prime minister added that one of the things that persuaded him is that she was “in the condition to have babies.”

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Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Lawyering, Politics, Society

Texas Court Finally Clears Man of Rape . . . . Ten Years After He Died in Prison

image_8396603You would think that Timothy Cole would be a happy man. Texas State District Judge Charles Baird has expunged his conviction of a 1985 rape in Lubbock, Texas of Texas Tech University student Michele Mallin. The problem is that he died in prison ten years ago.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Military, Society, Torts

Cutting a Deal with the “Death Dealers”: Soldier Attempts Suicide So Army Charges Him Criminally and Has His Mother Paint His Suicide Note On His Bedroom Wall

storyAs Congress struggles to understand the shocking report of a massive increase in suicides in the Army, they might want to study the case of Army Pvt. Adam Lieberman to see how some officers treat soldiers in mental distress. Lieberman was experiencing severe mental problems after a year in Iraq qith the Ist Battalion, 67 Armored Regiment — known as “the Death Dealers.” When he tried to kill himself, he wrote his suicide note on the wall in his room. The Army reportedly responded to the suicide attempt by charging him criminally and cut a deal with this mom. If she re-painted the wall, his charges would not include defacing of government property. After she painted the wall with the help of her handicapped sister, they charged him anyway with the crime.

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