A New York woman has filed in interesting torts case against ABC News over a “Primetime” segment called “Stepfamilies in Crisis.” On the 2006 segment , ABC showed Kyle Nelson, then 15, being held down and punched by her stepfather Joe Nelson. She is now suing the network for failing to intervene and invasion of privacy, among other torts. Continue reading “Abused Girl Sues ABC for Over Filming of Her Beating by Step Father”
I cannot find any reason to post this video of an African lion greeting his rescuer in Columbia. There is not a single legal, social, policy or political element. It is just pretty darn cute. Continue reading “Video: Lion Embraces Rescuer”
As the legacy of the Roberts Court has started to form over the last few years, one of its most pronounced trends has been a highly pro-business bent. This trend continues this term with a series of rulings, including a very significant ruling in favor of medical manufacturers on the question of federal preemption in torts in Riegel v. Medtronic. Continue reading “Open for Business: Roberts Court Delivers Another Victory for Business in a Major Torts Ruling”
Rep. William Jefferson filed an appeal on Wednesday to the Fourth Circuit to challenge 14 of 16 charges against him. The appeal could delay the prosecution for months. Continue reading “Rep. Jefferson Files Appeal to Challenge Counts in His Criminal Indictment”
More than three dozen current and former lacrosse players at Duke have sued the University for its actions during the infamous rape case. They have grounds for the lawsuit after the University discarded every principle of legal process and fairness to join the mob against its own students. Continue reading “Duke Lacrosse Players Sue Duke University Over Rape Case”
A week after he was criticized by his state supreme court on a matter of judicial ethics, faux TV judge Alex Ferrer (aka “Judge Alex”) lost handily before real jurists on the Supreme Court. With a 8-1 ruling, Judge Alex can claim to have brought a rare degree of near unanimity on the divided Court in rejecting his legal claims. Continue reading “Supreme Court Justices Rule Against Faux TV Judge: “Judge Alex” Loses Contractual Case 8-1″
Sen. Ted Stevens (R, Alaska) has long been criticized by good government advocates for his practice of earmarking money to help family and friends — not to mention his notorious fight to give hundreds of millions of dollars to build “the bridge to nowhere.” While he has been under continual scrutiny and criticism for some of his shady dealings, it has not stopped his effort to direct money from public coffers to friends. In 2005, Stevens forced through an earmark of $1.6 million that allegedly guaranteed the purchase of property by his former aide, Trevor McCabe, an Anchorage fisheries lobbyist. Continue reading “Sen. Stevens is Accused AGAIN of Earmarking Money in a Sweetheart Deal for Friends”
Another taser abuse allegation has surfaced in an incident outside of a Maryland gym. A small altercation broke out after a basketball game — a not uncommon occurrence. Parents and officers were separating the youths when Deputy Anthony Lenzi allegedly shot Brandon Bennett in the chest –against direct orders by a superior. Continue reading “Maryland Police Officer Tasers High School Student After Allegedly Being Ordered Twice Not to Do So”
The use of videos to record custodial conditions and arrests has yielded some surprising evidence of abuse over the years. However, this video is perhaps more chilling for what was not filmed. Shreveport, LA Officer Wiley Willis is shown clearly getting angry with Angie Garbarino, who was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. After roughly handling Garbarino, Willis is shown turned off the video. When it is again turned on, Garbarino is shown lying in a pool of her own blood. Continue reading “Video: Police Officer Turns Off Video Before Woman is Found in a Pool of Blood”
Saudi Arabia’s legal system has long been a nightmare for civil libertarians and anyone on this side of the dark ages. However, in the face of the arrest and coerced confession of an American businesswoman for sitting next to man at Starbucks (who was not a relative), the religious police is defending its action in the case. It appears that it was the woman’s fault entirely for committing the offense to Islam — a helpful clarification from those who bring us weekly examples of why the separation of church and state is so essential for liberty. Continue reading “Lattes and Lashes: Saudi Religious Police Defend Their Arrest of American Woman Who Sat Next to a Man at a Starbucks”
Belarus has long been a dangerous place for both free speech and a free press. However, many gasped when a court sentenced journalist Aleksandr Sdvizhkov to three years hard labor for publishing the cartoons of Muhammad that led to worldwide protests. This follows an equally abusive decision of the government to shutdown his newspaper, Zgoda (Consensus), over the incident. Continue reading “Free Press: Journalist Sentenced to Three Years Hard Labor for Publishing Cartoons of Muhammad”
A Bush appointed federal bankruptcy judge was arrested for driving drunk and has resigned. A torrent of coverage followed the arrest after it was disclosed that Judge Robert Somma, 63, was dressed as a woman at the time of the accident. The case raises some questions over the treatment of judges who follow alternative lifestyles. Continue reading “Federal Judge Resigns After Arrest for DUI”
Two Army Colonels at the Army War College are facing criminal charges in a perfectly bizarre effort to allegedly switch identities to avoid paternity payments. Col. Scott Carlson, 51, allegedly wanted to avoid paying additional paternity payments for a child with a Virginia woman. So, Bruce Adkins allegedly showed up at a paternity test center, claimed to be Carlson, and asked to take the test. They now face charges of tampering with public records, tampering with evidence, forgery, theft and obstruction of justice. Continue reading “Two Army Colonels Accused of Identity Switch to Avoid Paternity Case”
Wen Louis Porreco married his ex-wife Susan Porreco, the Erie, Pa. auto dealer insisted that she sign a prenuptial agreement that guaranteed her only $3,500 for each year that they were married — a total of $50,000 (for ten years of marriage plus some other marital value). She claims, however, that she was counting on the fact that Louis had given her a fat a 4-carat marquis-cut diamond worth at least $21,000. It turns out worth pennies. It was cubic zirconia. After winning in the an action to set aside the agreement due to fraud (and potentially claim more than $1 million), Susan lost before the Superior Court that held that it was her duty to confirm the value of the ring. Continue reading “Cubic Zirconias are a Boy’s Best Friend: Husband Wins Prenup Challenge After Disclosure that Engagement Ring is a Fake Diamond”
A case in Central Florida could present an interesting tort claim. Natasha Hall, 17, repeatedly called the local police about her violent ex-boyfriend and her fears that he was going to harm her. The police allegedly told her that if she called again about the boyfriend, they would arrest her. She didn’t call again. Clay Coffner killed her and then himself. Continue reading “Police Allegedly Warned Victim Not to Call Again About Violent Boyfriend — Before She Was Killed”