In yet another failure of an appellate court to check the excessive use of the military and state secrets privilege, the Ninth Circuit has ruled that Al-Haramain cannot use a critical piece of evidence that was inadvertently disclosed to it — evidence showing potentially serious violations by the government. Continue reading “Ninth Circuit Rules Against the Plaintiffs in Al-Haramain Case”
Two cases have raised questions about the right of self-defense of a homeowner — where the intruders in both cases were killed. Continue reading “Two Cases Raise Questions of Self-Defense by Homeowners”
Jim Stevenson is facing two years in prison for shooting a cat that he said was stalking an endangered bird in a case that contains a fascinating question of what constitutes a “pet.” Continue reading “Murderous Ornithologist or Just Protective Bird-Lover? Texas Man on Trial for Shooting Cat to Save Bird”
In an interesting torts case, the judge ruled that prominent businessman Fred Blackmon of Montgomery Alabama must pay his daughter $8 million dollars for sexual abuses in her childhood. Continue reading “Father Told to Pay Millions to Daughter Who Was Allegedly Raped”
Disney in Anaheim were forced to close the Disneyland workers were recently forced to close the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction after a ride security camera caught a woman apparently dumping human remains. Continue reading “Disney Shuts Down Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction After Woman Appears to Toss Out the Cremated Remains of Loved One”
Barry Bonds faces a classic grand jury trap indictment. Continue reading “Barry Bonds Indicted in Classic Grand Jury Trap”
It is foruntate for a repo man in Spokane that intent is required for either kidnapping in criminal law or false imprisonment in torts. Continue reading “Repo Man Takes Car with Kids Inside”
A 19-year-old woman was gang raped and probably thought the worst was over when she survived and went to the authorities. Continue reading “Rape Victim in Saudi Arabia Given 200 Lashes and 6 Months in Jail”
A tragic case has emerged in St. Charlies MO, where there has been a horrendous wrong committed by adults against a child but no legal action. A chld Megan Meier is dead but neither criminal nor civil action will be taken. Continue reading “Girl Commits Suicide After Adult Neighbor Allegedly Fakes a MySpace Personality to Become Her Friend and Then Attack Her”
In the ever-increasing list of taser controversies, a new video has surfaced showing a very graphic and disturbing example of how this device can kill. This video comes from the Vancouver airport. Continue reading “Shocking Video Shows Man Tasered to Death at Vancouver Airport”
Two-thirds of NYU students polled said that they would give up their right to vote for a year’s tuition and twenty percent would sell for an IPod. Continue reading “NYU Students Overwhelmingly Would Sell Their Vote for as Little as an IPOD”
Given the controversy over the use of carbon monoxide in beef, this prior column on the hold of the meat industry over government policy may be of interest: Continue reading “The Beef People: The Creekstone Controversy and the Bush Administration’s Effort to Prevent Private Testing of Meat Products”
The Democratic plan for improving civil liberties protections in national security surveillance programs has been criticized as facially weak, but it appears too much protection for Michael Mukasey. Continue reading “Mukasey Starts Service as AG By Opposing Civil Liberties Reforms in Surveillance”
Congress is holding hearings on the use of carbon monoxide by retailers in meat. Continue reading “Congress Probes Widespread Use of Carbon Monoxide in Meat”