Police Kill Man

Filed under:Controversial, Opinions, Ethics — posted by Tom on October 22, 2007 @ 7:36 pm


Kind of an old story, but depending on your view of it, a very disturbing one. I am bothered by it, but I just found out about this recently. Maybe if enough people learn and understand, and are as deeply bothered as the rest of us, maybe then justice may occur. Someone needs to be held accountable for this. Thats my opinion and it cannot be changed. That was completely wrong. the officer could have owned up, and it would have made it easier to handle, but he lied and the police department lied with him. thats the most disturbing thing. It could happen to you.

Ban on Executions?

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on October 20, 2007 @ 8:16 am

Since the Kentucky man on Death Row put his point in to the Supreme Court, Kentucky has put a stay on his and other executions.

Several other states have done the same thing. So now people are thinking that theres a moratorium, that all states must halt executions. That it is somehow enforceable.

This is not the case, it is simply that some states have the wisdom to be patient, and see what the ruling is as it coems down from on high from The Supreme Court.

I think we will not see a “de facto ban” on executions. Many people are waiting to see what the Supreme Court says, but because of the depth of the issue, and the gravity of it, they may deliberate for a time.

Execution Delayed

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on October 16, 2007 @ 4:34 pm

A man was saved from being executed in the state of Nevada 2 hours after he had consumed his last meal.

The halting comes by the way of the state wanting to wait to hear the Supreme Court ruling  regarding the humanity of lethal injection. The complaint put before the Supreme Court by 2 inmates on Death Row in Kentucky claims that lethal injection is inhumane  because it often fails to act with consistency, this , they claim, causes the person being executed undue pain.

The man to be executed, William Castillo, was disappointed at the delay, he was clearly ready to die. Now theres a trooper! Not being executed caused him to ask for sedatives to help him calm down, he was looking forward to it apparently. In fact, he declined his appeal.

Apparently there are 10 states delaying executions while waiting on a Supreme Court ruling.

Judge Crossed Line

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on October 15, 2007 @ 6:46 pm

 A judge that has always been light hearted and made the courtroom fun, often joking. The people he worked with enoyed the atmosphere he provided. He was exuberant his first 4 years on the bench, then he toned it down.

In 2005, an offended person has filed a complaint against him. And transcripts have been reviewed by the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities. They concluded that  a number of his comments were, crass, profane, sarcastic, disparaging and undignified.

This is the first time a hearing of this caliber was held for a judge since 1984 when a judge was removed from the bench for forging documents.

The judge recognizes he crossed a line but maintains he was not mean spirited. He says he was trying to communicate in a language the criminal defendant could relate to.

One defense attorney that was often in his court said “he isnt funny like he used to be”, and can see the councils concern. It’s a serious job, and I understand the commission’s point that you have to have the appearance of judiciousness

Man Released after 12 Years

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on October 10, 2007 @ 2:31 pm

A man who spent twelve years in prison was released after it was determines he was not guilty of a rape the courts had wrongfully convicted him of. This was topped off with an apology from the prosecutor.

The man said he looks forward to eating shrimp, burgers, and milkshakes. He nor his mother hold the criminal justice system at fault.

Thats where I differ. If I endure the rigors of prison for 12 years because you screwed up, you best get your legal defense ready, I am bringing the most full lawsuit I can against you, I will win. If I do lose, I will appeal, you will know no rest, much like a prisoner never truly rests.

That time he lost cannot be replaced, its gone, and someone needs to be completely and fully accountable.

Illegal Raids

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on September 23, 2007 @ 6:11 pm

US immigration authorities are conducting raids without warrants, kicking in the doors of homes where hispanics live and hoping someone is living in America illegally. This is happening in NYC mostly.

15 people have filed a class action lawsuit in response claiming their rights are being violated, specifically the fourth amendment.

In once incident, the feds bust into a home scaring the women and children, looking for illegals, and everyone was a citizen. Now try to convince those young kids that the men kicking in the door at 3 am with guns are the good guys. Yeah i somehow don’t think alot of illegals are hiding in East Hampton.

The suit seeks punitive damages and an injunction to prevent further raids until they get a genuine system to prevent further rights violations.

Fen-Phen Lawyers Jailed

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on September 11, 2007 @ 9:01 pm

Three personal injury lawyers sat in jail uniforms and shackles. The same attorneys involved in the fen-phen cases went to a federal court today to seek their release.

The crime is somehow acquiring 64 million of a 200 million dollar settlement relating to fen-phen in 2001. The three of them wanted, and got, and delay of their federal trial for fraud until January. the judge feels they are a flight risk but witnesses testified otherwise.

The judge ruled that the 3 lawyers will remain in jail until they complete a detail report of what money they received and where it went. At least one of the victims thinks the lawyers incarceration is an amusement.

850 an Hour

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on September 10, 2007 @ 8:13 pm

The best attorney for Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr charged up to $850 an hour for his time representing Broadcom Corp. in a patent fight with a industry rival.

That amount, while staggering to some, is still lower than the expensive attorneys, who charge 1000 and up an hour.

Specifics of Wilmerhales 8.5 million dollar fees were released at the end of August. Qualcomm has waived rights on to of the patent arguments due to the litigation being so fierce.

Wilmerhale partner William Lee’s rates are 790 to 850 an hours and the associates rates were  275 up to 490 hourly. Wilmerhale did delay a rate hike for 6 months, which in effct allowed broadcom to get much cheaper srvice than they would have.

Wilmerhale feels their rates are fair, and believes that results speak for themselves.

You do get what you pay for.

Nifong Disbarred

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on September 2, 2007 @ 9:30 pm

The embarrassed once  prosecutor who had filed charges of rape against one time players of the  men’s lacrosse team from Duke University was judged guilty in criminal contempt of court and punished to one day in jail.

District Attorney M.Nifong’s choice to keep DNA evidence from defense attorneys that had the potential to have freed the three defendants was an kick in the face to the integrity of the  justice system.

The DNA evidence discovered on the female entertainer purchased to do her stuff at a team celebration who accused men of raping her did not match up that of any of the 46  team members. If this proof had been introduced at the proper time as is the law, then it would have been dismissed outright.

Nifong was disbarred in June because of the case.

Crib Matress Recall

Filed under:Ethics — posted by Tom on August 30, 2007 @ 5:06 pm

Stokke is recalling around 1,000 Sleepi Crib Foam Mattresses due to the fact the mattress does not fit cribs correctly and this can present a risk of a baby becoming stuck in  the space between the crib and the mattress.

Only the oval sized Sleepi cribs with foam mattresses distributed under the following model numbers are recelled: 660321, 660320, 660301,660305, 660318, 652268, 652269, 652246, 652247 and 652248. The cribs were distributed in many of colors, including white, walnut, natural, cherry and whitewash. The  number of the model can be located on the packaging and underneath  the crib.

Currently no injuries have occurred and the Stokke compnay is aware of none as well.The product was sold at childrens stores all over America and also on the Internet. The company is asking  parents to remove these mattresses from their babies’  cribs right away.

I think this is a prudent and responsible move by this business. So many companies involved with children’s products are responsible to their stockholders, well heres one acting responsible to the kids! My hats off to you guys. Thanks.


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image: detail of installation by Bronwyn Lace