Francis Boyle is a Professor of Law at the University of llinois School of Law, where he currently teaches courses on Public International Law and International Human Rights. He was a part of the prosecution team that tried former US President George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and their legal advisors in absentia in Malaysia. Barack Obama, the current US President, is an accessory after… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Antemedius – Liberally Critical Thinking Discovery Date : 28/05/2012 14:34 Number of articles : 2
George Zimmerman Makes First Court Appearance Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman made his first court appearance Thursday on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, as a court document provided new details on the prosecution’s case. During the brief appearance, Zimmerman stood up straight, looked straight ahead and wore a gray prison jumpsuit. He spoke only to answer “Yes, sir,” twice after he was asked basic questions about the charge against him and his attorney. His hair was shaved down to stubble and he had a thin goatee, which appeared consistent with his booking photo from the day before. He had resurfaced Wednesday to turn himself in after weeks in hiding. Judge Mark E. Herr said he found probable cause to move ahead with the case and that an arraignment would be held on May 29 before another judge. A document prepared by prosecutors shed some light on why they chose to charge Zimmerman. The affidavit says Martin’s mother identified screams heard in the background of a 911 call as her son’s. There had been some question as to whether Martin or Zimmerman was the one calling for help. Prosecutors also interviewed a friend of Martin’s who was talking to him just before the shooting. The affidavit says Martin told the witness he was being followed and was scared. Martin tried to run home, the affidavit says, but was followed by Zimmerman: “Zimmerman got out of his vehicle and followed Martin.” The affidavit says that “Zimmerman disregarded the police dispatcher” who told him to stop, and “continued to follow Martin who was trying to return to his home.” The Orlando Sentinel obtained the affidavit of probable cause before it was filed with the courthouse. Speaking to reporters after the hearing, attorney Mark O’Mara said he was concerned that the case up to now has been handled in the public eye, with details coming out in piecemeal fashion. “It’s really supposed to happen in the courtroom,” O’Mara said, deflecting questions about evidence in the case and his client’s mental state. Earlier Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show, O’Mara said Zimmerman is stressed and very tired and hoping to get bail. Source
For the second consecutive night, American Idol delivered a two-hour episode on Thursday, testing the patience of even the most loyal viewers. That’s A LOT of Ryan Seacrest. But the quartet of Reed Grimm, Elise Testone, Haley Johnson and Eben Franckewitz made it worthwhile this time around, making like the Rat Pack for a rendition of “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes.” Our favorite part by far? Eben trying to dance, with an emphasis on the word trying . Each member of the group advanced to the final 40, earning a standing ovation for this performance. Check it out now: Reed Grim, Elise Testone, Haley Johnson, Eben Franckewitz Group Performance
Just a couple days after the official music video for “Safe and Sound” hit the Internet, the full track listing for The Hunger Games soundtrack has been released. Who will join Taylor Swift on the album, which will be available for purchase on March 20? What songs, as teased above, are “from District 12 and beyond?” Check out the compilation below: “Safe & Sound” (feat. The Civil Wars) by Taylor Swift “Eyes Wide Open” by Taylor Swift “Abraham’s Daughter” by Arcade Fire “The Ruler & The Killer” by Kid Cudi “Run Daddy Run” (feat. Pistol Annies) by Miranda Lambert “Kingdom Come” by The Civil Wars “One Engine” by The Decemberists “Take The Heartland” by Glen Hansard “Lover Is Childlike” by The Low Anthem “Dark Days” by Punch Brothers “Tomorrow Will Be Kinder” by The Secret Sisters “Just a Game” by Birdy “Oh Come & Sing” by Ella Mae Bowen “Rules” by Jayme Dee “Reaping Day” by Carolina Chocolate Drops “Give Me Something I’ll Remember” by Neko Case As you anticipate this CD, relive The Hunger Games trailer now and get psyched for the March 23 release of this blockbuster.
Former University of Virginia lacrosse teammates of George Huguely V testified against him as the prosecution wrapped its case in his murder trial this week. Meanwhile, the defense brought its first witness , a doctor who said Yeardley Love, his fellow lacrosse player ex, died of suffocation, not blunt force trauma. Jan Leestma, a neuropathologist, contradicted the prosecution’s medical witnesses, saying he saw swelling on Love’s brain but no sign of blunt force trauma. “I could not conclude it is trauma,” he said. Instead, he suggested, she suffocated on a bloody pillow. The lack of oxygen to her brain likely caused the swelling, he claimed. Moreover, the rush of blood during resuscitation attempts caused the bruising. The prosecution argues that George Huguely murdered Yeardley Love in a May 2010 incident in which he shook her violently until her head banged a wall. The defense says it was a tragic accident, and that Huguely’s actions did not directly kill Love, his on-and-off girlfriend at the University of Virginia. One of the final witnesses for the prosecution, Ken Clausen, a former lacrosse teammate of Huguely’s, testified Wednesday that Huguely had lied about where he had been when he returned home from Love’s apartment the night in question. Clausen said that George Huguely’s demeanor had changed and that he was so drunk he wasn’t making any sense, Thursday’s Today show reports. Clausen said Huguely, now 24, claimed he had been downstairs in an apartment with two other teammates. But Clausen later discovered that wasn’t true. Other teammates also testified that Huguely had been drinking heavily all day, and that he had a blank stare on his face when he returned that night.
Dr. Conrad Murray — who faced up to four years behind bars at his sentencing today on his manslaughter conviction for administering a deadly anesthetic to Michael Jackson – was sentenced to the maximum of 4 years in prison. But Murray will not spend a single day in prison because of a new California law. He’ll serve his time in L.A. County Jail where at the most will only serve half the sentence. Judge Pastor said, “There are those who feel Dr. Murray is a saint. There are those who feel he’s the devil. He is neither. He’s a human being.” Judge Pastor says it’s irrelevant to him that Michael might have met this fate with some other doctor. The fact is, Pastor said, Michael Jackson died because of the actions of … Dr. Murray.” Murray’s attorneys, who suggested at trial that the singer caused his own death by taking extra drugs when Murray was out of the room, asked that Murray receive probation. In his sentencing memo, the prosecution contended that Murray, 58, performed a “dangerous, unprecedented pharmaceutical experiment,” withheld from paramedics and emergency room doctors that he’d administered propofol, and hid some drugs and equipment after Jackson stopped breathing. SOURCE
Dr. Conrad Murray will be sentenced next Tuesday, and how much jail time he serves will depend on what a judge decides after hearing arguments from both the defense and prosecution – which will be poles apart as you might expect. The D.A. wants Michael Jackson’s former personal physician to spend the maximum possible four years in prison for his involuntary manslaughter conviction. Meanwhile, defense attorneys asked that he only receive probation. Prosecutors David Walgren and Deborah Brazil told Judge Michael Pastor that Murray showed no remorse for Jackson’s death and has blamed others instead. Moreover, he chose to slander the King of Pop both at trial and in the documentary he filmed during it, making a lenient sentence for the doctor inexcusable. The film does not portray MJ flatteringly. In one interview for it, Dr. Conrad Murray actually says, “I don’t feel guilty because I did not do anything wrong.” The maximum jail sentence isn’t the only thing the prosecution is seeking – they’re looking for damages of up to $100 million due to Jackson’s death. The defense for Murray, who is on suicide watch , begged to differ. Defense attorney Nareg Gourjian cited positive letters from Murray’s former patients and said, “There is no question that the death of his patient, Mr. Jackson, was unintentional, accidental and an enormous tragedy for everyone affected.” “Dr. Murray has been described as a changed, grief-stricken man, who walks around under a pall of sadness since the loss of his patient, Mr. Jackson.” Funny, his actions don’t exactly suggest that, do they?
Amy Harris accused MC of slapping her at last month’s Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans. By Gil Kaufman Odd Future’s Left-Brain onstage at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans On October 30 Photo: Amy Harris A photographer who claimed Odd Future member Left Brain (born Vyron Turner) assaulted her at last month’s Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans filed charges against the MC on Friday. Amy Harris accused Turner of slapping her across the face and knocking her camera lens to the ground in the October 30 incident. A representative for the New Orleans Police Department confirmed for MTV News that the single charge of simple battery had been filed and that a detective has been assigned to investigate. Harris would not comment further, referring all questions to a Los Angeles law firm handling her case. In a statement released Sunday, she wrote, “It is my understanding that a police report I filed in New Orleans on Friday has now become public knowledge and is being reported on various websites. At this time, I do not wish to discuss the filing of the police report other than to say that, upon further reflection of events of the past week, it is something I needed to do. The week’s events have been extremely upsetting.” Harris added that she decided to go to police after receiving anonymous email threats about the incident. The charge carries a jail term of up to six months and up to $1,000 in fines. The incident, in which Harris claims the rapper swatted the photographer in the head and knocked the lens off her camera while leaving her with a red welt on her face, came during Odd Future’s set at the annual festival. Harris has released a photo she took in which Turner can be seen bending down and looking directly into the camera with his right hand coming forward in a swinging motion as he grits his teeth. Turner has not commented on the charges filed, but in a since-removed post on his Tumblr — in which he posted Harris’ photo — he wrote, “I didn’t slap that old bi—. Everybody seen that sh–. Idgaf though. F— her and f— the media. I’m not stupid and I’m not lettin nobody sue me for my paper. It’s my job to slap cameras out the way so like I said before, f— your opinion your blog and ya peeps. Ha.” A spokesperson for the festival released a statement after the incident, which read, “The Voodoo Experience does not in any way condone the behavior of Odd Future towards the approved media assembled in the photo pit during the band’s set. … Festival organizers would like to apologize to their media guests who experienced and/or witnessed this abusive behavior.” But in a statement to Pitchfork , the band’s spokesperson denied the incident. “There simply is no truth to the accusation floating around the internet. It’s no secret that Odd Future has a love/hate relationship with photographers at shows simply because sometimes they are given access the group wishes their fans would have instead. After telling the photographers to clear out multiple times (as they’ve done before) Vyron (Leftbrain) took a swipe at a few cameras, NOT people. To manipulate the situation to insinuate an attack on a woman specifically is careless and manipulative.” The spokesperson declined to comment to MTV News on the charges. Related Artists Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All
Verdict should be read at 1 p.m. PT. By Gil Kaufman Dr. Conrad Murray Photo: Pool/ Getty Images After just more than nine hours of deliberation, the jury in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson ‘s former doctor, Conrad Murray, reached a decision Monday morning (November 7). The seven-man, five-woman jury rang a buzzer three times following nearly three hours of deliberation Monday to indicate that they had reached a unanimous decision in the felony case against the Houston cardiologist. The 10:56 a.m. buzz came after jurors deliberated for seven hours on Friday and came to no conclusion. The verdict is slated to be read in court around 1 p.m. PT. The jurors listened to six weeks of testimony in the trial and were tasked with deciding if Murray was criminally negligent in his treatment of Jackson, including if his administration of the surgical anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid to the 50-year-old pop icon was a factor in the singer’s death. The jurors had to weigh the opinions of a number of medical professionals called by the prosecution, who painted a picture of a physician who did not follow accepted protocols and who they claimed was motivated by a big payday. The defense countered with former patients of Murray’s who attested to his generosity and attention, as well as experts who refuted the prosecution expert’s claims that it was Murray who provided the final, fatal dose of sedatives and propofol that sent Jackson into cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009. In his closing statement Thursday, prosecutor David Walgren said the evidence that Murray was responsible for Jackson’s death was “overwhelming” and “abundantly clear.” Defense counsel Ed Chernoff countered that that it was Jackson who caused his own death, not Murray. Murray is facing up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if convicted. MTV News will be covering the Conrad Murray verdict live. Go to MTVNews.com for breaking news, reactions and analysis from Los Angeles or tune to MTV for the latest updates. Related Photos Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos Related Artists Michael Jackson
Two lawyers watching the case weigh in on who presented strongest argument in Conrad Murray trial. By Gil Kaufman Dr. Conrad Murray (file) Photo: Getty Images It’s up to the jury now. After six weeks of testimony , the seven-man, five-woman jury in the involuntary manslaughter case of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray began their deliberations Friday morning (November 4). They’ve heard from 49 witnesses, including some of Jackson’s former employees, a number of Murray’s girlfriends and patients, medical experts, police investigators and ER workers. In closing arguments on Thursday, prosecutor David Walgren told them the evidence the state presented was “overwhelming” and showed that it was “abundantly clear” that Murray caused Jackson’s death by acting in a negligent manner in providing the singer with the surgical anesthetic propofol in a non-hospital setting. It capped weeks of prosecution testimony that pointed to the many alleged breaches of professional conduct by Murray, who Walgren painted as an opportunist lured by a big payday into providing medical services that were out of the norm, dangerous and, ultimately, deadly. Defense attorney Ed Chernoff countered with arguments that investigators were sloppy in collecting evidence and that it was Jackson, not Murray who was to blame because, according to the defense, the 50-year-old singer self-administered the fatal propofol dose that took his life on June 25, 2009. As we await the jury’s verdict, we asked a pair of lawyers not affiliated with the case to break down both sides’ arguments and weigh in on how each did in presenting their cases. “If he’s convicted, I’m not sure it will be due to any tactical errors on the part of his defense team,” said Robert Weisberg, a law professor at Stanford University and faculty co-director of the school’s criminal justice center. “This case does not jump out at me as one where there was any alternative strategy. If he’s convicted, it’s because he’s guilty, and based on the evidence it’s not looking good for him.” Weisberg praised the prosecution’s case, pointing out the strength of the rebuttal testimony of prosecution anesthesia expert Dr. Steven Shafer, who was recalled to the stand to poke holes in the alternate death scenario laid out by defense witness Dr. Paul White . Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney Mike Cavalluzzi said he thought the prosecution told a “great and very tight” story over the course of the trial, beginning with Jackson’s longtime confidant and director/choreographer Kenny Ortega . It was the “This Is It” director who opened testimony in late September by telling the jury “my friend wasn’t right,” setting the chaotic scene at the rehearsals for the show. As for the investigative mistakes that Murray’s lawyers pointed out during their cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, Cavalluzzi said he felt those arguments were “grasping at straws” by the defense and had no real relevance to the negligence accusations against Murray. “Those felt like red herrings,” said Cavalluzzi, who has worked a range of criminal matters in L.A. courts from misdemeanor battery to homicide. “There was very compelling evidence from doctors about the extreme deviations from standard care by Murray even before June 25, by administering propofol in a residential setting and then laying out, piece-by-piece, how many deviations there were.” He also said that the testimony of nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee , who was called by the defense, was very compelling. “I’m not sure it helped the defense,” Cavalluzzi said. “She said Jackson was begging for propofol and she knew never to accede to that request. It made the defense position so difficult when every objective medical professional said the conduct Murray engaged in was extremely dangerous.” What could the defense have done differently? Weisberg said he wouldn’t fault them for the case they put up, aside from what he called the very unusual tactic of voluntarily having Murray speak to police in a taped interview two days after Jackson’s death. The jury has to bring back a unanimous verdict on the single felony count, and Cavalluzzi said what they most likely took away from the testimony of the doctor and nurses who took the stand for the defense is that Murray should not have been administering propofol to any patient, let alone someone who clearly had substance abuse issues like Michael Jackson. “The character witnesses were brought up to make you think that Dr. Murray is a nice person, but involuntary manslaughter is not a crime of moral turpitude,” Cavalluzzi explained. “It is not a crime which bad people engage in bad behavior. Nobody is accusing Dr. Murray of stealing or intentionally harming anyone. What they’re saying is that he may have been a good man who made a horrible mistake and that the mistake that he made rises to criminal negligence, which makes him guilty of involuntary manslaughter.” If Murray gets off, though, Cavalluzzi predicted it would be because of his generous reputation as laid out by former patients , which could cause some doubt as to whether Murray did something that killed Michael Jackson or if Jackson administered the fatal dose himself. “It’s a very, very tough case,” he said. “I think it’s compelling in so many ways, as an insight into the genius of Michael Jackson and the price he paid … he wanted to deliver such an extraordinary concert and that, it killed him.” MTV News will be covering the Conrad Murray verdict live. Go to MTVNews.com for breaking news, reactions and analysis from Los Angeles or tune to MTV for the latest updates. 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