New Jersey officials are dealing with a tragic suicide of a freshman from Rutgers University after Tyler Clementi was allegedly filmed illegally in a sexual encounter by fellow freshman students Dharun Ravi, 18, and Molly Wei, 18. In an example of the merging of tort and criminal law, the two students have been criminally charged with invasion of privacy.
Continue reading ‘Rutgers Student Commits Suicide After Two Other Students Secretly Film Sexual Encounter’
Archive for September, 2010
Rutgers Student Commits Suicide After Two Other Students Secretly Film Sexual Encounter
Published 1, September 30, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 34 CommentsCanadian Court Strikes Down Prostitution Law
Published 1, September 30, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Politics 35 Comments
There is an interesting ruling out of Canada where Justice Susan Himel of Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice has struck down Canada’s prostitution laws as violating the basic rights of prostitutes and their clients. It is a position that many libertarians and some civil liberties advocates have long advocated — objecting to the criminalizing of such agreements between consenting adults absent some injury to a third-party or cognizable crime.
Continue reading ‘Canadian Court Strikes Down Prostitution Law’
Elderly Lady Shoots 12-Year-Old After He Threw Brick Through Window — Only The Child Is Charged
Published 1, September 30, 2010 Criminal law , Society 40 Comments
In Chicago, police and prosecutors are dealing with a shooting in an unexpected way. Margaret Matthews, 68, had long complained about a 12-year-old who has been “terrorizing” her. When the boy joined friends in throwing bricks through her windows, she shot him. Police, however, did not charge her — instead charging the boy.
Continue reading ‘Elderly Lady Shoots 12-Year-Old After He Threw Brick Through Window — Only The Child Is Charged’
Does This Man Deserve a Tax Break? Blog Triggers Bizarre Debate Over a Law Professor’s Finances Swirls
Published 1, September 30, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Congress , Media , Politics , Society 39 Comments
University of Chicago Professor Todd Henderson has found himself in the curious position of being the focus of a national debate over tax rates — and his family’s finances. The corporate law professor wanted to show that people making more than $250,000 a year are not super rich and indeed can be struggling in this economy like other families. The response to this argument on his blog was fast and furious — leading Henderson to shutdown his blog and decline further commentary.
Continue reading ‘Does This Man Deserve a Tax Break? Blog Triggers Bizarre Debate Over a Law Professor’s Finances Swirls’
Lawyer Sues California Law Firm After Refusing To Attend Retreat With Alleged Male Nudity
Published 1, September 29, 2010 Bizarre , Lawyering , Society , Torts 36 Comments
A former partner with the California law firm of Bisnar Chase is suing the firm for sexual harassment and breach of contract. Stephen Eggleston claims that he was forced out of the firm after he refused to attend an office retreat where male attorneys were expected to strip naked and engage in an exercise with a Phallus.
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Supreme Court Accepts Case Involving Anna Nicole Smith’s Probate Claim — For The Second Time
Published 1, September 29, 2010 Bizarre , Society , Supreme Court 5 Comments
While there are hundreds of thousands of probate cases each year in the United States, the Supreme Court has decided to take up the case of Anna Nicole Smith for the second time to determine if her estate should get part of the fortune from her late Texas oil baron husband.
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Iran Sentences Leading Blogger To Almost 20 Years in Prison
Published 1, September 29, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion 7 Comments
The Iranian courts have produced their weekly outrage. The leading blogger in Iran, Hossein Derakhshan, 35, was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison for his writings. Derakhshan was the founder of one of the first Farsi-language blogs and helped instruct others in how to create their own blogs. The authoritarian regime views such blogs as a threat to its control over the population.
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Death Ray: Hotel Design Blamed For Burning Guests in Pool
Published 1, September 29, 2010 Bizarre , Science , Torts 14 Comments
This could make for an interesting torts lawsuit. A new hotel, The Vdara, is a modern glass structure with a curved design. The striking architectural design has one other novel feature: a “death ray” that cooks people in the pool.
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Prosecutor in Stevens Case Commits Suicide
Published 1, September 28, 2010 Justice , Lawyering 22 Comments
Nicholas Marsh, a Justice Department prosecutor who was under investigation for his role in the botched prosecution of former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), has committed suicide. It is a sad end to a promising career for Marsh who was removed by the Public Integrity Section after the investigation was commenced at Justice.
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Federal Prosecutor Arrested For Lewd Conduct in Pool
Published 1, September 28, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering 21 Comments 
A federal prosecutor, Sean Cronin, 35, has been arrested for stripping down to his underwear and then taking a dip in a pool at a local bar. Police report that Cronin fled at the sight of police out a back door and then jumped over “multiple fences” to evade them.
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Biden Tells Democratic Voters to “Stop Whining” and “Buck Up”
Published 1, September 28, 2010 Congress , Politics 1,014 Comments
We previously discussed the disconnect between Democratic leaders and liberal voters in the increasing complaints of leaders like Vice President Biden over Democratic “lethargy.” Democrats in Washington once again seemed shocked that voters are not eager to fight for their retention. Now, Biden has added the helpful advice to Democratic voters to “stop whining” about things that they did not get in Washington and to “buck up.”
Continue reading ‘Biden Tells Democratic Voters to “Stop Whining” and “Buck Up”’
Maryland Court Rules Citizens Have Right to Videotape Officers in Public
Published 1, September 28, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics 10 CommentsWe have been discussing the abusive trend across the country of police departments arresting citizens for videotaping them in public. Now, in Maryland, Circuit Court Judge Emory A Pitt Jr. has ruled that a Maryland State Trooper was wrong to arrest Anthony Graber for filming him brandishing his weapon at a traffic stop. The basis of the decision is precisely what many of us have been arguing for months (here and here and here and here): police officers have no expectation of privacy in public arrests and conduct.
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Tackle Me Elmo: Costumed Character Sends Alleged Attacker To Hospital
Published 1, September 28, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 5 Comments
A Florida man was under arrest after assaulting customers in a guitar store and knocking over a display. His alleged rampage ended when he turned on the wrong guy: Elmo. The encounter ended with the man sustaining bruises and broken fingers after a beat down by the costumed character.
Continue reading ‘Tackle Me Elmo: Costumed Character Sends Alleged Attacker To Hospital’
Pretty in Pink? English Woman Faces Charges For Dyeing Cat To Match Her Hair
Published 1, September 28, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law 7 Comments
Here is an interesting question: is it animal cruelty to dye your cat’s fur to match your own hair? That is the question to be answered in a proceeding in England where Natasha Gregory, 22, has been hunted down like Jack the Dyer.
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The Ultimate Segway: Company Owner Drives Segway Off Cliff
Published 1, September 27, 2010 Bizarre , Society 16 Comments
Segway owner Jimi Heselden, 62, died yesterday when he rode his Segway off a cliff and into a river at his West Yorkshire estate. He often used a Segway to explore the grounds of his estate.
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Hello Dalai: Spiritual Leader Hands Out $50,000 To Study Happiness
Published 1, September 27, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Religion 11 Comments
Dalai Lama has given researchers at the University of Wisconsin at Madison a donation of $50,000 to study happiness. Once again, I remain unclear why I am not the recipient of such academic grants. I could show that giving me just $25,000 would produce considerable happiness.
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Report: Police Officer Allegedly Shoots Pregnant Woman and Pulls Her Through Bedroom Window
Published 1, September 27, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 6 Comments
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations that an officer shot a woman through a window who was 39-weeks pregnant and then pulled her through a bedroom window into the street.
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Operation Book Burn: Pentagon Buys Thousands of New Book To Destroy Them
Published 1, September 27, 2010 Bizarre , Military , Politics , Society 20 Comments 
Army Reserve Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer would normally feel honored that the Pentagon was so interested in his memoir “Operation Dark Heart” that it purchased thousands of copies. The problem is that the Pentagon bought the books to burn them. Now that must set a new low for a bad review.
Continue reading ‘Operation Book Burn: Pentagon Buys Thousands of New Book To Destroy Them’
Now this is trunk space.
Continue reading ‘Introducing The Kennel Car’
French Court Convicts Google and Schmidt of Defamation
Published 1, September 26, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society , Torts 16 Comments
Google and its chief executive Eric Schmidt have been convicted of defamation in France in a decision that, in my view, defies logic and legal principles. The company was convicted due to the results of its “suggest” function which lists words commonly used by users. In this case, the plaintiffs’ name produced automatic suggested words of “rapist” and “satanist.”
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North Carolina Race Leads To Defamation Lawsuit
Published 1, September 26, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics , Society , Torts 4 Comments
There is an interesting defamation case coming out of a race in North Carolina. GOP candidate Eldon “Buck” Newton is claiming that Sen. A.B. Swindell (shown left) and the Democratic Party knowingly made misleading statements about him in a campaign mailer in the race for the 11th Senate District.
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In California, It’s BYOTP
Published 1, September 26, 2010 Bizarre , Environment , Politics , Society 13 Comments
Why is toilet paper so high on the list of budget cuts for states? We previously noted how states moved immediately against toilet paper after tightening their belts. Now, we can add California as places that are announcing BYOTP (Bring Your Own Toilet Paper) for tourists in some state parks.
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DOJ Official: Black Panther Decision a “Travesty of Justice”
Published 1, September 26, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Criminal law , Politics , Society 49 Comments
This week Congress held hearings on the controversial decision by the Obama Administration to drop charges against Black Panther members for voter intimidation in Philadelphia in 2008. I have previously criticized the decision since I fail to see how these pictures did not show intimidation and the Obama Administration has created a dangerous precedent (if not an invitation) for other groups to engage in the same practices at polling places. In the hearing, Christopher Coates, former voting chief for the department’s Civil Rights Division, called the decision a “travesty of justice” and deepened the controversy over the policies and practices in that division.
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Who Needs Surgery? Bam, Bam, Bam, You Have A New Hip
Published 1, September 25, 2010 Bizarre , Religion , Society 26 Comments This video is making the rounds of a preacher who “installs” a new hip for this woman with the magic words “bam, bam, bam, bam, bam.”
Continue reading ‘Who Needs Surgery? Bam, Bam, Bam, You Have A New Hip’
Polly Want a Crack? Michigan Man Arrested in Fight With Parrot
Published 1, September 25, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 18 Comments
A 49-year-old man in Michigan has been arrested following a novel alleged crime: a man-on-parrot fight. Police say that the man was seen shaking and punching his pet parrot.
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Judge Orders Lesbian Nurse Reinstated While Obama Administration Fights To Limit Earlier Ruling Finding DADT Unconstitutional
Published 1, September 25, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Justice , Military , Politics , Society 8 Comments
Civil libertarians enjoyed a major victory yesterday against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) with the ruling in the case of Maj. Margaret Witt — ordering her reinstatement despite the fact that she is a lesbian. This important victory, however, was tempered by the news that the Obama Administration is seeking to limit the earlier blockbuster ruling that found DADT unconstitutional. The Administration had the option of not seeking such a change (an option taken by Governor Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Brown in the Proposition 8 case) but decided to try to gut the national impact of the court’s order.
Continue reading ‘Judge Orders Lesbian Nurse Reinstated While Obama Administration Fights To Limit Earlier Ruling Finding DADT Unconstitutional’
Copter Dipping: Navy Pilots Suspended After Damaging Two Helicopters in Water Play
Published 1, September 25, 2010 Bizarre , Military 11 CommentsYou heard of cow tipping, this is copter dipping. Two Navy helicopter pilots from North Island Naval Air Station have been grounded after this video showed them “copter dipping” with $33 million aircrafts in Lake Tahoe.
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We Are Not Amused: Queen Sought Low-Income Funds To Heat Palace
Published 1, September 24, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 12 Comments
It appears that, before the Queen asked the government to take over responsibility for the finances of her palace, she had asked for the government to use energy-saving grants for low income families to heat the palace.
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Fowl Crime: Marine Pleads Guilty to Killing 50 Ducks at Petting Zoo
Published 1, September 24, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Criminal law 9 Comments
Marine Shayne Smalling, 20, appears to have a curious way of having fun. He pleaded guilty to stoning of 50 ducks to death June 2008 in a petting zoo in Cedar Rapids.
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Biden Laments The “Lethargy” of Democratic Voters
Published 1, September 24, 2010 Bizarre , Politics 266 Comments
Vice President Biden noted yesterday that he hoped that the Tea Party might finally get Democratic and liberal votes out of their “lethargy.” The comment struck a nerve with me since various Democratic leaders have expressed surprise and mild criticism over the lack of enthusiasm by Democratic voters. What is striking is the fact that Biden and others continue to consider their own failure to give voters a reason to become active after years of broken campaign promises and outright betrayals of core values. The best that they can come up with (yet again) is that the other people are worse than we are.
Continue reading ‘Biden Laments The “Lethargy” of Democratic Voters’
Can You Hear Me Now? Chinese Teacher Terminates Cellphone Call in Class
Published 1, September 24, 2010 Academics , Bizarre 24 Comments This video of a Chinese teacher responding to a student speaking on his cellphone has appeared on the Internet. I must confess considerable sympathy (and, yes, a degree of vicarious pleasure) in watching her response to a rude student.
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Uncivil Action: Was Lincoln Wrong on Secession?
Published 1, September 24, 2010 Academics , Congress , Constitutional Law , Lawyering , Military , Politics , Society 227 Comments
With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, I was asked in this cover story for the Civil War Magazine to explore the rivaling constitutional claims that were made at the start of that bloody conflict. As a military history buff, I have occasionally written for these history magazines but I found this assignment particularly intriguing.
Continue reading ‘Uncivil Action: Was Lincoln Wrong on Secession?’
Florida Trooper Fires Nine Rounds in Retirement Center Area After His Car Is Innocently Bumped — But Is Given Only One Week Suspension
Published 1, September 23, 2010 Criminal law , Society 24 Comments
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was given only a one-week suspension without pay after he fired nine rounds at a vehicle that bumped his cruiser. In the incident caught on this videotape, Trooper Timothy E. Nichols was responding to a call about a man suspected of stealing two bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches from a Palm Harbor gas station. However, an investigation showed that (as indicated on the video) the driver was innocently backing up his SUV when the bumping of the cruiser occurred — triggering Nichols’ shower of bullets.
Continue reading ‘Florida Trooper Fires Nine Rounds in Retirement Center Area After His Car Is Innocently Bumped — But Is Given Only One Week Suspension’
Report: Israel Offers To Extend Freeze on Settlements in Return for The Release of Convicted Spy Jonathan Pollard
Published 1, September 23, 2010 Bizarre , International , Media , Military , Politics , Religion , Society 14 Comments
The Washington Post is reporting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered to extend a freeze on new settlements in exchange for the release of convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard. It is an astonishing offer, if true, since the settlements have long been a major barrier to peace negotiations but under this deal would be frozen in exchange for a spy’s release. It would seem to undermine the substantive arguments in favor of such settlements.
Continue reading ‘Report: Israel Offers To Extend Freeze on Settlements in Return for The Release of Convicted Spy Jonathan Pollard’
Pennsylvania Police Officer Charged With DUI Accident While Not Be Charged With Leaving Scene of Accident
Published 1, September 23, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Society 4 Comments
In Pennsylvania, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala (shown here)has made a controversial decision not to charge a Kennedy Township police officer with leaving the scene of a crime after he allegedly drove drunk and hit a man — leaving him critically injured. Zappala announced that, because Frank Caliguiri eventually came back, he will not be charged with leaving the scene. What is astonishing is that this is not the only such case recently against an officer in this area.
Continue reading ‘Pennsylvania Police Officer Charged With DUI Accident While Not Be Charged With Leaving Scene of Accident’
Three Former Male Church Members Sue Megachurch Pastor Eddie Long For Sexual Harassment
Published 1, September 23, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society , Torts 11 CommentsIt has become almost a mantra in contemporary news articles: a minister who preached against homosexuality accused of hidden homosexual relationships. In the case of Atlanta-based megachurch pastor Eddie Long (shown here in a past sermon), he is by last count accused in three lawsuits by young men who claim that they came to him for spiritual help and were used for his sexual pleasures.
Continue reading ‘Three Former Male Church Members Sue Megachurch Pastor Eddie Long For Sexual Harassment’
For Whom The Bell Tolls: Eight City Officials Arrested in Pay Scandal
Published 1, September 22, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Society 15 Comments
There has been a development in the story over the officials in Bell, California. As we previously discussed, city officials raked in obscene salaries until exposed by the media. Eight of the officials have now reportedly been arrested, including former Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo. Also reportedly arrested were Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia; Mayor Oscar Hernandez; Councilmembers Luis Artiga, Teresa Jacobo and George Mirabal; and former Councilmembers George Cole and Victor Bello.
Continue reading ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls: Eight City Officials Arrested in Pay Scandal’
Russian Party Leaders Call For Branding Of Corrupt Officials
Published 1, September 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Society 11 Comments
Russian politicians appear to be adopting the methods of some Sharia courts in proposing that corrupt Russian officials be branded with the letter K (the Russian symbol for a bribe taker) on their left hands.
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Getting to the Bottom of Crime: Spokane Man Given Rare Warrant For Fanny Flexing
Published 1, September 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 9 Comments
Criminal defense attorneys often challenge the showing of probable cause used as the basis for search warrants. That is the argument of a Spokane, Washington man who was given a search warrant for his rectum simply because police officers said that he seemed to be tightening his cheeks and refused a rectal exam.
Continue reading ‘Getting to the Bottom of Crime: Spokane Man Given Rare Warrant For Fanny Flexing’
The Java Defense: Kentucky Man Alleges Caffeine Ingestion Led Him Kill Wife
Published 1, September 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
A Kentucky man is claiming something akin to a “java defense.” Woody Will Smith, 33, claims that his ingestion of caffeine left him unable to control himself — leading to his killing his wife.
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Elderly Man’s Neck Broken in Confrontation With Orlando Police Officer Over Illegally Parked Car
Published 1, September 22, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 27 Comments
Daniel J. Daley, 84, is in critical condition after an Orlando police officer broke his neck in a confrontation on the street where the officer threw him to the ground. Witnesses say that the World War II veteran merely touched the officer during an argument over the towing of his car while the officer describes it as being “struck.”
Continue reading ‘Elderly Man’s Neck Broken in Confrontation With Orlando Police Officer Over Illegally Parked Car’
The fifth day of the Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous starts today at 8 a.m.
Continue reading ‘PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY FIVE’
Is Coons a Failed Bearded Marxist?
Published 1, September 21, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Politics , Society 23 Comments
We just followed the debate in Delaware over whether the GOP candidate for governor is a failed witch or a witch wannabe. Now, new reports have raised the question whether her Democratic rival, Chris Coons, 47, is a failed bearded Marxist. You have to love this race.
Continue reading ‘Is Coons a Failed Bearded Marxist?’
Florida Wife Charged With Manslaughter For Giving Husband Gun Used in Suicide
Published 1, September 20, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Lawyering , Society 30 Comments
There is an interesting case out of Miami where Valerie Jenkins, 56, has been charged with manslaughter after she allegedly handed her husband the gun with which he committed suicide. Robert Jenkins, 51, told her that he wanted to die and, when she threw him the gun, he proceeded to make good on the threat.
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ABC News Anchor in Washington Fired Over Alleged Partisan Comments and Fight With News Director
Published 1, September 20, 2010 Media , Politics , Society 130 Comments
This weekend WJLA-TV announced that it had fired veteran anchorman Doug McKelway for a verbal confrontation this summer with the station’s news director. McKelway is a longtime journalist in the Capitol and his termination raised questions about the limits on fair commentary for anchors in political coverage.
Continue reading ‘ABC News Anchor in Washington Fired Over Alleged Partisan Comments and Fight With News Director’
Extremists in Gaza Burn “Crazy Water” Park For Allowing The Mixing of Men and Women
Published 1, September 20, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Politics , Religion , Society 18 Comments
In what is believed to be the action of Hamas gunmen, the popular “Crazy Water” park in Gaza was burned down by 25 assailants who beat the security guards before torching the popular entertainment site.
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Poll: Americans More Supportive of Torture — Though Still a Minority
Published 1, September 20, 2010 Congress , Courts , Criminal law , International , Military , Politics 208 Comments
For civil libertarians, the decision by President Obama to bar the prosecution of Bush officials for the torture program was always a flagrant choice of politics over principle. Now a poll ratifies that decision. A poll commissioned by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found that Americans are accepting torture in greater numbers. The study also shows a decrease in support for Israel in any military conflict and two-thirds saying that they would like the U.S. to be neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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This young man has friends in low places . . .
Continue reading ‘We Got Your Back . . .’
Is Christine O’Donnell A Failed Witch?
Published 1, September 19, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 43 Comments
That seems to be the thrust of reports over Christine O’Donnell’s past references to dabbling in witchcraft before she became the Republican nominee for Governor of Delaware. You have to love this country. Who needs an immigration debate when Delaware is debating whether one of its major candidates “is or was ever a practicing witch?” If true, this could prove an advantage with Sarah Palin going to Iowa to campaign this week. Palin has had prior experience with people working in the area since she has been given a protection from witchcraft. This could make for an interesting first meeting between President Palin and Governor O’Donnell. Indeed, Palin could argue that she is the only expected presidential candidate currently able to meet with O’Donnell without fear.
Continue reading ‘Is Christine O’Donnell A Failed Witch?’
Fake Florida Doctor Arrested After Using “Fix-a-Flat” to Augment Woman’s Buttock
Published 1, September 19, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 38 Comments
Florida police have arrested faux doctor Ana Josefa Sevilla in one of the growing number of cases involving unlicensed cosmetic operations. In this case, Servilla is accused of using “Fix-a-Flat” aerosol instead of Botox.
Continue reading ‘Fake Florida Doctor Arrested After Using “Fix-a-Flat” to Augment Woman’s Buttock’
Montana GOP Reaffirms Position on Criminalizing Homosexuality
Published 1, September 19, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 30 Comments
The Montana Republican Party has adopted its official platform, which contains a standout provision: a call to criminalize homosexuality.
Continue reading ‘Montana GOP Reaffirms Position on Criminalizing Homosexuality’
Teen Who Killed Dog in Home Invasion Given 20 Years in Jail
Published 1, September 19, 2010 Animals , Criminal law , Society 68 Comments
I saw this story out of Grand Rapids, Michigan of a 15-year-old boy who was sentenced to 20 years for invading a home and killing a dog. Jonathan Castelan said that when he broke into the home, the family’s 8-pound dachhound bit him and he killed it with a hammer.
Continue reading ‘Teen Who Killed Dog in Home Invasion Given 20 Years in Jail’
English Woman Sentenced to Year in Jail For False Rape Allegation
Published 1, September 18, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Society 9 Comments
Elizabeth Wilkinson, 21, has been sentenced to a year in jail after ruining a man’s life with a false rape allegation after he spurned her advances. Wilkinson resides in Foulridge, England, and had had a consensual relationship with David Lord, 23, and decided to make the rape allegation after he told her that he did not want to see her again.
Continue reading ‘English Woman Sentenced to Year in Jail For False Rape Allegation’
Kettle Calling the Pot Black: Alcohol Lobby Pumps Money Into Anti-Pot Legalization Campaign
Published 1, September 18, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 105 Comments
California campaign finance disclosures reportedly show that the campaign to defeat marijuana legalization is being funded in part by the alcohol industry which does not relish the idea of joints replacing shots as intoxicants of choice.
Continue reading ‘Kettle Calling the Pot Black: Alcohol Lobby Pumps Money Into Anti-Pot Legalization Campaign’
Dirty Politics: New York GOP Nominee for Governor Sends Citizens Garbage Scented Mail
Published 1, September 18, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 26 Comments
Something stinks in the campaign of New York GOP Senatorial nominee Carl Paladino. Over 200,000 citizens received a mailer that Paladino intentionally scented with a “landfill” odor in his campaign against Democratic nominee Andrew Cuomo.
Continue reading ‘Dirty Politics: New York GOP Nominee for Governor Sends Citizens Garbage Scented Mail’
Note to Self: Mask First, Robbery Second
Published 1, September 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 16 Comments
Jamie Carlos Hernandez, 41, may have lost that note to self reading “mask first, robbery second.” The Michigan man put on his son’s Darth Vader mask to conceal his identity but waited to put it on after he entered the store and while being filmed by security cameras.
Continue reading ‘Note to Self: Mask First, Robbery Second’
Canadian Woman Admits to Faking Acid Attack
Published 1, September 17, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 16 Comments
Police in Vancouver, Washington have found the culprit in the horrific acid attack of a woman — it was the woman herself. Bethany Storro has admitted that she did it to herself.
Continue reading ‘Canadian Woman Admits to Faking Acid Attack’
PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
Published 1, September 17, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society 40 CommentsThe Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous has been suspended for the the Jewish holiday. It will resume on Tuesday.
Continue reading ‘PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL’
PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY FOUR
Published 1, September 16, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics 111 CommentsThe fourth day of the Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous starts today. Yesterday, we called Timmy Porteous, son of Judge Porteous and one of the judges who pleaded guilty in the Wrinkled Robe investigation. The latter was a House witness who was dropped at the end of their case in chief.
Continue reading ‘PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY FOUR’
PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY THREE
Published 1, September 15, 2010 Bizarre , Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Politics , Society 109 CommentsThe third day of the Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous starts today. The witnesses include a former judge and former prosecutor. We are likely to start our case on Wednesday . . .
Continue reading ‘PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY THREE’
Who Is A Citizen?
Published 1, September 14, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics , Society 51 Comments
Here is today’s column in USA Today giving a bit of constitutional and historical context for the raging debate over illegal immigration.
Continue reading ‘Who Is A Citizen?’
PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY TWO
Published 1, September 14, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Politics , Society , Supreme Court 62 CommentsThe second day of the Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous starts today. The witness list include Lori and Louis Marcotte . . .
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PORTEOUS TRIAL — OPENING STATEMENT
Published 1, September 13, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 60 CommentsWe have completed the opening statements. While I deviated a bit in presentation, here is the written opening statement.
THE PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY ONE
Published 1, September 13, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Criminal law , Media , Politics , Society 41 CommentsThe Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous begins today at 8 a.m. Today we will hear opening statements and the testimony of Robert Creely, Jake Amato, Joe Mole, and others.
Continue reading ‘THE PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — DAY ONE’
Dedicated to the Porteous defense team which is currently running on a mix of pure caffeine and adrenaline.
Continue reading ‘Breakfast of Champions’
Hello, Dave: Scientists Develop Robot With Ability to Deceive Humans
Published 1, September 12, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , Science , Society 14 Comments
And so it begins. Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have taught robots for the first time how to deceive humans. Didn’t we learn anything from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey?
Continue reading ‘Hello, Dave: Scientists Develop Robot With Ability to Deceive Humans’
THE PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT CASE STARTS MONDAY
Published 1, September 12, 2010 Congress , Criminal law , Lawyering , Media , Politics , Society 48 CommentsThe Senate trial for United States District Court Judge Thomas Porteous begins Monday morning. I will be therefore out of pocket for the coming week and part of next week. Unfortunately, that means that postings will be extremely limited but I expect the denizens of this blog to post stories as comments in my absence. I will try to post a little each day on the schedule for the trial and maybe even a story to facilitate discussion depending if I have a second in the morning.
Continue reading ‘THE PORTEOUS IMPEACHMENT CASE STARTS MONDAY’
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy Found Unconstitutional
Published 1, September 11, 2010 Congress , Constitutional Law , Courts , Military , Politics , Society 73 Comments
U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips in California has found the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to be unconstitutional under the 1st Amendment and due process clause. She has informed the Obama Administration, which is defending the policy, that she intends to issue an injunction.
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German Leader Suggests Poland Partially Responsible for Nazi Invasion
Published 1, September 11, 2010 Academics , Bizarre , International , Military 59 Comments
A top party leader and associate of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is under fire this week for arguing that Poland may have been as responsible as Hitler for the outbreak of World War II. Erika Steinbach said Poland had mobilized its troops months before the Nazis invaded in September 1939.
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Former Officer Drinks, Drives, Kills Man, Flees Scene, and Then Orchestrates Cover-up . . . Receives One to Two Years in Jail
Published 1, September 11, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 27 Comments
We previously followed the case of former Officer Donnie Breeden, 39, who was accused of killing David Hall in a hit and run and then telling friends “I’m a cop. I can’t go to jail.” Well, he will but only for one to two years.
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North Carolina Sheriffs Demand Access To State Records on Citizen Prescriptions
Published 1, September 10, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Society 71 Comments
Sheriffs in North Carolina are demanding access to state computer records identifying anyone in the state with prescriptions for powerful painkillers and other controlled substances. The obvious intrusion into the privacy of citizens is being justified as potentially allowing police to make more drug arrests.
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Former Austin Police Officer Given Probation for Giving Drugs, Money, and Wife’s Possessions to Prostitutes
Published 1, September 10, 2010 Criminal law , Society 21 Comments
Former Austin police officer Scott Lando received a generous sentence from visiting state District Judge Fred Moore after his conviction for giving drugs, money, and even possessions of his wife to prostitutes for sex.
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For Whom the Bell Tolls: City Silences Bell in 104-Year-Old Gothic Church
Published 1, September 10, 2010 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Society , Torts 8 Comments
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church is being sued. The complaint targets the famous bell of the 104-year-old Gothic church which has rung for prayers, marriages, and other occasions for generations. Most residents associated the 5,000-pound bronze bell with their community but a resident has filed a complaint that silenced the bell under a threat of $700 per day if it rings in violation of the city’s noise ordinance.
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Son Arrested After ‘Accidentally” Running Over Mother — Allegedly Three Times
Published 1, September 10, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 13 Comments
Steven Frederick Molin, 58, insists it was a simple accident after his mother, Emily Belle Molin, 85, fell out of his moving car. Police, however, are skeptical and believe that Molin pushed his mother out of the car moving at 40 mph and then ran her over, backed up, ran over her again, and then backed up and ran her over a third time.
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Teens Beat To Death 81-Year-Old Man Attending Granddaughter’s Wedding
Published 1, September 9, 2010 Criminal law , Society 596 Comments
This is one of the saddest stories of the year. George Leroy Baker III, 81, left Tempe, Arizona to celebrate his granddaughter’s wedding in Lynchburg, Virginia. Walking across the street to a diner from his hotel, some teens allegedly beat him to death for fun.
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Meet Christine O’Donnell: Tea Party Candidate For Delaware’s Next Senator
Published 1, September 9, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 112 CommentsIf you have not previously encountered Christine O’Donnell (who is running for the Republican nomination in Delaware), she is becoming the new face of the Tea Party and what some hope is the new Republican party. One issue that makes her stand out is her rather expansive definition of what constitutes adultery.
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Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Killing Woman in DUI and Gets 90 Days
Published 1, September 9, 2010 Criminal law , Society , Torts 23 Comments
Former NYPD Officer Andrew Kelly has received 90 days after pleading guilty to getting drunk and then running over Vionique Valnord, 33. Kelly killed Valnord with his Jeep and was found smelling of alcohol with slurred speech.
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Creepier Than Thou: Questions Raised About Koran Burning Church
Published 1, September 9, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Religion , Society 176 Comments
The Dove World Outreach Center (DWOC), headed by Rev. Terry Jones has already triggered violence internationally with its promise this weekend to burn copies of the Koran (Qu’ran) and prompted our military commander in Iraq to speak out that such a hateful act would put the lives of U.S. soldiers in jeopardy. Jones, however, is unmoved and is willing to sacrifice someone’s son or daughter for his publicity stunt. Now, we are learning how really creepy this group is.
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Theory Proven: Brewer Debate Conclusively Shows That “90 Percent of Success is Just Showing Up”
Published 1, September 9, 2010 Bizarre , Politics 24 Comments For years, political scientists have marveled at the new “strength” of candidates in being viewed as not too smart or educated. It is sometimes called the “beer test” associated with polls of George Bush who would make embarrassing mistakes only to go up in the polls as being more personally likable for voters. Sarah Palin expanded on this notion by attacking those who are well educated and shrugging off problems with geography, history, or grammar. However, the Arizona debate between Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard is a particularly fascinating example of the syndrome.
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Long Island Man Arrested for Firing Gun Into Ground To Scare Off Alleged Gang Members
Published 1, September 8, 2010 Criminal law , Society , Torts 27 Comments
There is an interesting case out of Uniondale, New York where a homeowner was arrested for firing a weapon into the grass to scare off what he described as a mob of gang members. George Grier had a lawful AK-47 and confronted what he described were gang members who were threatening him and his family.
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Getting That Windblown Look: Illinois Man Drives 100 Miles an Hour To Dry Off Car
Published 1, September 8, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law 26 Comments
Lucas Wright, 24, has a novel defense for driving like a madman at 100 miles an hour in Illinois: “he’d just gotten his car washed and he was trying to dry it off.”
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Tea Party Head Ousted After Joke on Facebook About Hanging Gays
Published 1, September 8, 2010 Criminal law , Politics , Society 24 Comments
The president of Montana’s Big Sky Tea Party Association has been ousted after joking with a “friend” on Facebook about hanging gays and replicating the beating and murder University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. Tim Ravndal has apologized for the exchange, but the group has removed him.
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Zombies! . . . For Credit: College Offers Course on the Undead
Published 1, September 8, 2010 Academics , Bizarre 71 Comments
For some time, I have been a voice in the wilderness trying to warn the nation of the growing problem of zombies in confrontations with police and traffic accidents. Now, at least one academic is with me. Arnold Blumberg at the University of Baltimore is offering a course on Zombies. Designated English 333, Zombie studies could produce a small cadre of Zombie-ready graduates to deal with the undead.
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Police Taser Man Trying to Save Pets in Fire
Published 1, September 7, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 34 Comments
Police in Pennsylvania tasered a man who was trying to save his own pets from a fire. The police said that they warned Damon Baker three times and then shot him with a taser when he insisted on using a hose on the house before the fire department arrived.
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Iranian Senior Cleric Calls Holocaust a “Superstition”
Published 1, September 7, 2010 International , Politics , Religion 75 Comments
Senior Iranian cleric, Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, has denounced the Holocaust of Jews as nothing more than a “superstition” of the West. The cleric insists “[t]he Holocaust is nothing but superstition, but Zionists say that people of the world should be forced to accept this.”
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You Can’t Have Recess Until You Finish Your Whale: Japan Feeding Whale Meat To Schoolchildren
Published 1, September 7, 2010 Animals , Bizarre , Environment , International , Politics , Science , Society 17 Comments
The Japanese continue their efforts to undermine or eliminate the moratorium on hunting whales, including allegations of bribing officials from other countries. What is fascinating is that the government’s obsession with killing whales has not diminished despite falling appetites in Japan for whale meat. Unwilling to allow its population’s tastes to change with the world around it, the government is now feeding whale meat to school children.
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Ryanair CEO Calls For The Elimination of Co-Pilots To Save Money
Published 1, September 7, 2010 Bizarre , International , Society 27 Comments
We have followed the dubious work of Michael O’Leary, chief executive officer of Ryanair as he has struggled to make aircraft into human cattle cars and to charge from every possible convenience like use of a toilet. Demonstrating that he has even less regard for safety than he does comfort, O’Leary is calling for the elimination of co-pilots — suggesting that flight attendants could be trained to land planes where a pilot dies or becomes incapacitated.
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Till Death (or the D.A.) Do Us Part: Bride Accused of Faking Cancer To Pay For Wedding and Honeymoon
Published 1, September 7, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Society 9 Comments
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Untrue . . . Michael O’Connell and Jessica Vega (both 23) are having a rocky start to their union. The couple had a wedding paid for by donors who wanted Jessica to have a picture perfect wedding and honeymoon in Aruba. The reason was Jessica’s terminal cancer and coverage on the heart-breaking account. Michael, however, has now come forward to say that Jessica is not dying and she lied to him as well about her terminal illness.
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Lies Like a Rug: New Obama Rug Has Historical Quote Wrong
Published 1, September 6, 2010 Bizarre , Politics , Society 103 Comments
It appears that the Obama White House is intent on sweeping history literally under the rug after the new presidential rug was found to have a historical quote wrong. The quote attributed to Martin Luther King was actually the words of abolitionist Theodore Parker who will now have his misattributed words walked over by every visitor to the Oval Office.
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Drink, Smoke, and Be Merry: Russia Unveils Its Recovery Plan
Published 1, September 6, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Society 6 Comments
Russia’s Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin had some curious advice for citizens to help with the economic recovery in that country: drink and smoke heavily. Kudrin has told citizens that the government needs the taxes so they should party hearty, including the added benefit of “upholding birth rates.” It appears that you drink first and smoke later in the expansion of the Russian population.
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Iran Reportedly Gives Mohammadi-Ashtiani 99 Lashes for an English Photo Without a Headscarf
Published 1, September 6, 2010 Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion , Society 45 Comments
The world has rallied to the defense of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, the Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. We have been following the case closely on this blog with a mix of both horror and anger. However, the Iranians continue to yield to their bloodlust over her fate, even recently calling for the death of the French First Lady after she called for mercy. Now, the regime is again applying Sharia law and Mohammadi-Ashtiani, 43, was given 99 lashes because a picture was published of her without her veil.
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Warring Against God: Human Rights Activist and Journalist Tried Under Sharia Law
Published 1, September 6, 2010 Criminal law , International , Media , Politics , Religion 11 Comments
Iranian authorities are seeking a potential death sentence for a human rights activist and journalist, Shiva Nazar-Ahari, 26, for the crime of “warring against God.” Since the regime views itself as the expression of Allah’s will on Earth, Sharia law allows virtually any opposition to the government to constitute “warring against God” in the twisted logic of the Iranian regime.
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Reality TV Iraqi Style: Show Plants Fake Car Bombs on Celebrities
Published 1, September 6, 2010 Animals , International , Politics , Society 7 Comments
In perhaps the most frightening example of how life in Iraq has been permanently mutated by the war, a reality television show has gained popularity with the angle that they plant a bomb in a celebrity’s car and then have the bomb discovered at a checkpoint. The laughs just keep rolling like bodies from a blast.
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In light of our horrific Bosnian story, this picture may even out the day. Who needs the deposit when you can recycle bottles as puppy pillows.
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Anti-Illegal Immigration Critic Arrested in Major Human-Trafficking Case
Published 1, September 5, 2010 Criminal law , International , Politics , Society 16 CommentsThe FBI has arrested Global Horizons Manpower Inc. CEO Mordechai Orian, 45, in a huge human-trafficking case. Orian is also a large GOP donor and a critic of illegal immigration.
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Bosnian Police Reportedly Find Teen Shown in Video Killing Puppies
Published 1, September 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , Environment , International 19 CommentsBosnian police believe that they have found the girl shown in a video throwing puppies into a fast-flowing river. The video has shocked people around the world.
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Iranian State-Run Paper Calls For Death of French First Lady
Published 1, September 5, 2010 Bizarre , Criminal law , International , Politics , Religion 11 Comments
The Iranian Kayhan daily, a powerful state-run newspaper, has not only called French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy a “prostitute” but called for her death. The reason: her support for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian woman convicted of adultery and sentenced to be stoned to death.
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Muslim Cleric Calls For Beheading of Dutch Politician Wilders
Published 1, September 5, 2010 Bizarre , International , Politics , Religion 16 Comments
Australian Muslim cleric Feiz Muhammad has called for the beheading of Dutch politician Geert Wilders. WIlders’ Freedom Party has been rising in popularity and will likely participate in the new Dutch government. Wilder is a critic of Muslim immigrations into his country.
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Lima Site 85: Vietnam Hero Awarded Medal of Honor
Published 1, September 4, 2010 Congress , Military , Politics , Society 158 Comments
Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger has finally received the recognition that he deserved back in 1968. Etchberger will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his saving the lives of his comrades in a battle in Laos — at the loss of his own life. The problem is that his heroism occurred in a place where our government stated publicly that there were no combat troops. To cover that lie, Etchberger’s bravery had to be buried with the truth.
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Coming to a Battlefield Near You: Defendant Calls for Mass Murder at University, Alabama Judge Gives Him Probation and Sends Him To Join Army
Published 1, September 4, 2010 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Military 14 Comments
In Alabama, Circuit Judge Tracey McCooey was faced with a man, Zachary Lambert, 23, who posted messages about wanting to commit mass murder at Virginia Tech. McCooey decided that best place for him was not jail, but enlisting in the Army.
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