Bizarre, Courts, Criminal law

Trouble in the Stevens Jury: Juror Number Nine Triggers Hearing

For most of the trial, many observers were waiting for the infamous temper of Sen. Ted Stevens (R. Alaska) to be unleashed before the jury. It now appears that the attention should have been directed on the ninth juror from the left. The other jurors have formally requested that Judge Sullivan replace Juror Number Nine who has reportedly been causing a ruckus in the jury room. It is only the latest problem in this star-crossed trial. Prior evidence of prosecutorial misconduct now joins juror misconduct in the trial of Ted Stevens.

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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Politics, Religion, Society

Louisiana Court Recognizes Marriage Between Couisins as Valid

In a very interesting decision (with implications for same-sex marriage), a Louisiana court has held that the state must recognize a foreign marriage between cousins despite the fact that such a marriage would be null and void in the statem The 1st Circuit Appeals court ruled that there is no strong public policy that would bar such a recognition. The case involved a divorce case where the East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court judge declined jurisdiction.

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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Society

Judge Bars Gang Members and Associates From Distributing Mongol Logo and Symbol

A federal court has issued an interesting ruling after the arrest of various members of the Mongols motorcycle gang: gang members, their family and their associates are enjoined from wearing, licensing, selling or distributing the gang’s logo. It is a novel and questionable order, in my view, by U.S. District Court Judge Florence-Marie Cooper.
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Politics, Society

Zamboni Palin: Track’s Missing Sibling

Ok, I will miss her. Gov. Sarah Palin today not only stated that she is an intellectual (despite all outward appearances and available tests would indicate) but that she wanted a sixth child named Zamboni. I have been searching for video of this interview to determine if the Zamboni thing was a joke, but it appears that most viewers concluded that she was serious.
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Constitutional Law, Justice, Torts

Lipstick on a PAC: Palin Criticized for Using Campaign Funds for Clothing and Alaskan Funds for Kids’ Travel

If the difference between a Hockey Mom and a pit bull is lipstick, Gov. Sarah Palin may also want to throw in “and $150,000 in expenses.” It turns out that the lipstick is paid for by the Republican National Committee. This week Palin has been hammered by disclosures that she spent $150,000 of campaign money on clothes and make-up. In the meantime, another report has disclosed that she used state funds in Alaska to pay for the travel of her children — including changing records to indicate that they were on official travel despite the fact that the event organizers did not invite family members.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Acting Her Age: 76-Year-Old Woman Arrested for 73rd Time

Katherine Kelly is a one-woman crime wave with 73 arrests in her 76 years (those first three years appear to have been spent as a criminal apprentice). Her latest arrest was for stealing a police decoy wallet in a supermarket and stuffing it in her bra. In addition to 73 arrests, she has 36 alias.

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Bizarre, Society, Torts

Dr. Phil Sued by O.J. Simpson Memorabilia Dealer

Dr. Phil is again in hot water. This time, he is being sued by Thomas Riccio — the memorabilia dealer who led O.J. Simpson to a hotel room to regain sports memorabilia. In his torts action, Riccio says that Philip McGraw and Stage 29 Media committed defamation, fraud, and infliction of emotional distress in editing his interview to leave a false impression.

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Academia, Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering, Society

Not Such a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Tulane Law Student Accused of Stealing Shoe of Mister Rogers

Faculty members at Tulane Law School (where I began my teaching career) are searching for the culprit in a dastardly crime: the theft of one of Mr. Rogers’ shoes from the Children’s Museum during the Barrister’s Ball. It appears that someone took a different meaning to his question “could you be mine?” when they spotted the unguarded display. As Mister Rogers might say, the question is now “can you return it?” — I knew you could.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Religion, Society

Afghan Journalism Student Sentenced to 20 Years for Asking About Women’s Rights in Journalism Class

As the fighting in Afghanistan continues to worsen, there are new questions about the government that we are fighting to maintain. An Afghan appeals court sentenced journalism student Parwez Kambakhsh, 24, to twenty years in prison for asking questions about women’s rights under Islam. The sentence for blasphemy was considered a bizarre civil liberties victory since he was facing the death penalty.

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Academia, Bizarre, Religion, Society

Brigham Young University Denies Diploma to Creator of Shirtless Morman “Men on a Mission” Calendar

When Chad Hardy created the “Men on a Mission” Calendar of shirtless Mormon hunks, he thought is was a fun idea. Church elders disagreed and excommunicated him. Now, Brigham Young University has denied him a diploma and said that he cannot receive on until he is reinstated by the Mormon church. This could make for a very interesting constitutional and contractual challenge.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Society

Pig Skin Could Land Jester in Pen: Ohio 89-Year-Old Grandma Charged For Keeping Football in Yard

The police in Blue Ash, Ohio have finally got their man. Well, in this case, their 80-year-old grandma. Edna Jester was tired of balls going into her yard, so the last time she refused to give it back. Her neighbor called the police and she is now charged with petty theft.

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