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31 May 2011 19:09

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Politics: Blagojevich defense: Prosecution is “making faces” (no really)

  • We just ask that they stop making faces while he’s testifying.
  • Lauren Kaeseberg, defense attorney for Rod Blagojevich • Complaining to the presiding Judge James Zagel that the prosecution team was making faces and having animated discussions during the testimony of ex-Governor Blagojevich. The defense’s argument would seem to be that the prosecution, who directly face the jury, might be swaying opinions with their reactions. Prosecuting attorney Reid Schar said he’d be mindful of it, but that he didn’t believe they had been making any unusual faces during the testimony — Judge Zagel, similarly, agreed to “watch the government very carefully,” but said he didn’t notice anything. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 May 2011 15:58

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Politics: Trial of the Century: Blagojevich may testify in his own defense

  • Big day for Blago? The Chicago Tribune is reporting that “sources” indicate disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich may take the stand to testify in his own defense. We forgive you if you’re skeptical, as we heard repeated proclamations from the man himself that he would testify in his last trial, only for his defense to rest without his name being called. Now in his retrial, will Blagojevich give the public what they want? His defense team has also implied they might call some high-profile witnesses from the political world, among them Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 May 2011 15:41

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World: Hosni Mubarak to be tried for the deaths of protesters

  • Mubarak will stand trial over Tahrir Square protests: Reportedly in ill health, former Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak will stand trial for his alleged crimes, among them the deaths of protesters during the nation’s revolutionary movement in Tahrir Square (over 800 died before Mubarak’s departure), and the illegal acquisition of wealth during his time in office. Mubarak is in a hospital at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, while authorities also detained his two sons, also charged with corruption, in Cairo’s Tora prison. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 12:30

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Politics: Berlusconi’s defense team wants George Clooney

  • Get me Clooney, on the double! It’s been a rough stretch for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who’s facing trial for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute. In making this case, the prosecution has focused on Berlusconi’s lavish parties, at which it’s alleged the leader would indulge his carnal desires. In an effort to clear his name, synonymous as it now is with “mischief,” his defense team named 78 witnesses, among them American film star George Clooney. They believe Clooney (as well as his Italian girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis) will be able to attest to the “mode of conduct” at the parties, which they insist was “elegant” and certainly not lewd.  source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Mar 2011 15:28

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Politics: Silvio Berlusconi admits to being “mischievous,” nothing more

  • 13 times (allegedly) that Berlusconi had sex with a 17-year-old source
  • » He denies this, obviously. As does the girl he’s alleged to have slept with, Karima el Mahroug (better known publicly by her pseudonym, Ruby The Heart Stealer). The Italian Prime Minister mocked the accusations against him, claiming that the charge, which cites 33 total women he was alleged to have slept with, is silly because he’s too old. “I’m 75, and even if I’m a bit mischievous, 33 girls in two months is too much even for someone who is 30.” It says something about Berlusconi’s personality that he’s still coyly describing himself as “mischievous,” even as he faces this major legal threat. He’s basically ceding that yeah, he might sleep around every now and then, but not THAT much. Wouldn’t you generally want to avoid in any way alluding to such a thing?
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Feb 2011 13:26

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U.S.: Judge throws the book at pirate from Maersk Alabama hijack

  • 34 years in jail for Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse, Somalian former pirate source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Sep 2010 09:48

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World: So, Iran’s ready to free detained hiker after all apparently

  • Blame the delay on a power struggle. Apparently Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wanted to release Sarah Shourd to prove his country respected the “dignity” of women. Other top leaders reportedly complained about his reasoning. So now, Shourd will reportedly be let go on $500,000 bail and can leave the country, but will have to return for trial to face spying charges (fat chance). She can now reportedly go at any time. The other two hikers can’t ‘cuz they’re guys. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

19 Aug 2010 09:09

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U.S.: Blago trial: Blame the absurdly complex charges for the decision

  • It was kind of a bittersweet thing … relief that the trial is over, but frustration that we didn’t accomplish what we set out to do.
  • Jury foreman James Matsumoto • Regarding the end of the Blago trial, which only found him guilty on one of 24 counts. Some of the issue was the overarching complexity of the charges – the instructions were over 100 pages and the charges were highly technical and interconnected. “It was like, ‘Here’s a manual, go fly the space shuttle,” said fellow juror Steve Wlodek. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Aug 2010 21:44

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Politics: Prop 8 trial: Could procedure prevent a landmark decision?

  • Judges are human beings. If there is an easy way out, most people will look for it. And this would be an easy way out for the judges.
  • George Washington University Law Professor Alan Morrison • Regarding the possibility that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and later the Supreme Court, could use a distinction known as “standing” to allow gay marriage in California but invalidate the right of the supporters to represent the case for the state of California. The reason why this would be appealing? It wouldn’t allow a broader decision on gay marriage throughout the country. It would be a partial victory for those who support gay rights, rather than the one they really want. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Aug 2010 20:52

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U.S.: The key facts from the Rod Blagojevich (kinda) guilty verdict

  • one the number of charges that Blago is guilty of (lying to federal invesigators)
  • 23 the number of charges that the jury can’t agree he’s guilty of (yay deadlocks!)
  • five the number of years Blago could go to prison for that one charge alone source
  • » What does this mean? Two things. First, Blago isn’t off the hook just yet. Stuart Slotnick, a criminal defense attorney specializing in white collar crimes, suggests that the verdict is simply a safeguard to ensure more consideration for the other, more complex charges he’s facing.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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