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”
A British Appellate court has ruled that a mother should be allowed to prevent a father from learning of the birth of their child and to secretly put the baby up for adoption. Continue reading “British Court: Mother May Conceal Fact of Birth from Father and Put Child Up for Adoption”
In a chilling account, the Saudi woman who was first gang raped and then sentenced to 200 lashes (for being with a male non-family member) has given a full account of her ordeal. The woman’s story is an insight into the plight of woman in a country where they are restricted in their travel and subject to the harshest possible punishments. Continue reading “Saudi Rape Victim Gives Her Chilling Account”
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., entered an Alford plea to criminal trespass — avoiding a trial on assault and battery charges over allegations he pushed a United Airlines baggage employee at Dulles International Airport. Continue reading “Rep. Filner Enters Plea in Criminal Trespass Case”
Thomas Nelson, an Oregon attorney representing two lawyers has filed a public complaint against individuals responsible for the interception of attorney-client communications as part of the NSA domestic surveillance program. Continue reading “Attorney Files Ethics Complaint Detailing Illegal NSA Surveillance Discovered in the Al-Haramain Case”
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”
In what must count somewhere toward credit, law students have sued American Justice School of Law in Paducah, Ky, for $120 million in a class action lawsuit. Continue reading “Law Students Sue Law School for Racketeering and Fraud”
In a shocking case for the academic community, former University of Penn. Economics professor Rafael Robb has entered a guilty plea in the murder of his wife, Ellen, shortly before Christmas. Continue reading “Former Penn. Econ. Professor Rafael Robb Pleads Guilty to Killing Wife”
The Supreme Court has refused to give a death row inmate, Thomas Arthur, access to critical DNA evidence that he is seeking to prove his innocence. Continue reading “Supreme Court Refuses to Order Access to DNA Evidence Sought to Clear Death Row Inmate”
The highly controversial contract that could bring as much as $52 million to John Ashcroft’s new consulting firm seems to follow a trend in the Bush Administration of steering money to loyalists. A glimpse at the principles of the firm show that all but one of the leaders are former Ashcroft aides or major Republican operatives or both. Continue reading “Ashcroft Firm that Received $52 Million Contract is Filled With Republican Insiders and Former Aides”
The Senate has rejected a retroactive immunity deal for telecommunications companies. However, lobbyists remain hard at work on some form of immunity and revisiting the issue of retroactive immunity. Continue reading “Bravo: Senate Rejects Retroactive Immunity Deal for Telecoms”
Officials have arrested a teacher in Sudan who allowed her class to name a Teddy bear “Mohammed.” Gillian Gibbons is accused of offending Islam. Continue reading “Sudan Arrests Teacher for Naming Class Teddy Bear “Mohammed” – Faces 40 Lashes”
Three people have been killed thus far in Wisconsin’s deer season — after only nine days. Continue reading “Buck Fever: Three Killed in First Nine Days of Deer Season in Wisconsin”
Senators Ted Kennedy and Arlen Spector are drafting legislation to finally address the widespread abuse of the military and state secrets privilege, a law that would require courts to seriously review the basis and scope of these assertions. As lead counsel in the Area 51 cases involving the privilege, it is welcomed and long over-due news. Continue reading “Kennedy and Spector To Offer State Secrets Legislation”
Federal trial judge Samuel Kent is facing possible criminal charges and impeachment after accusations of sexual harassment and assault. The judiciary itself is under criticism for its handling of the allegations stemming from the United District Court in Galveston and court employee Cathy McBroom. Continue reading “Federal Judge Accused of Sexual Assault: Could Face Criminal Charges or Impeachment”