Criminal Procedure

Meddling clerk ‘betrayed her oath of office’ in Alex Murdaugh murder case, new-trial motion alleges

The elected court clerk in the murder trial of disbarred South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh warned jurors about defense testimony, met privately with a jury foreperson, and “invented a story” about a Facebook post that got a juror removed, according to allegations in a motion for a new trial.

Sep 6, 2023 12:49 PM CDT

So you were convicted of killing someone who’s still alive—now what?

Many installments of this column have focused on true-crime documentaries examining murder convictions and the legal process and “evidence” that led to them. While those series or stand-alone shows are undoubtedly intriguing, we always seem to be left with the same conclusion: Even if the defendant didn’t kill the person, the person is still dead. But what if we were presented with a situation in which someone was convicted for the murder of a person who was subsequently found alive and well?

Sep 6, 2023 9:42 AM CDT

Paxton not fit to be Texas AG, prosecutor says; impeachment trial starts after Senate allows charges

Suspended Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is “not fit to be the attorney general for the state of Texas," according to Texas State Rep. Andrew Murr, who is serving as an impeachment prosecutor.

Sep 6, 2023 8:13 AM CDT

Top state court upholds unaffordable bail for ‘putative gun-toting drug dealer’

Delaware’s constitutional right to bail does not mean that it must be affordable for dangerous defendants, the state’s top court has ruled.

Sep 1, 2023 11:29 AM CDT

A Great Escape: Fugitives and prison cruelty throughout cinematic history

I subscribe to quite a few news apps on my iPhone. I like to get my information regarding U.S. and world events from multiple sources, and feel that if I vary the input sources, there is less chance I’ll fall victim to the self-imposed echo chambers so many of us live in these days.

Aug 29, 2023 10:08 AM CDT

Investigations of federal judges are rare and should happen more, former clerk says

The investigation of federal judges falls under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act, and it doesn’t happen nearly as often as it should, says the president and founder of the Legal Accountability Project.

Aug 28, 2023 8:16 AM CDT

Federal initiative recovers over $836M in stolen COVID-19 relief funds, DOJ says

From May through July, the U.S. Department of Justice led enforcement actions against 718 individuals for offenses involving more than $836 million in alleged COVID-19 fraud.

Aug 25, 2023 11:42 AM CDT

Former Texas judge questions murder suspect over satanism, receives public reprimand

A former East Texas judge has received a public reprimand after speaking to a murder suspect about his alleged affiliation with satanism without his attorney’s permission.

Aug 21, 2023 10:08 AM CDT

Meet Kenneth Chesebro, ‘the brains’ behind Trump’s fake elector scheme

A lawyer accused of crafting a fake elector strategy on behalf of former President Donald Trump was once a registered Democrat who worked after his graduation from Harvard Law School for his liberal mentor, Laurence Tribe.

Aug 17, 2023 12:59 PM CDT

Georgia indictment bolstered by broad state law on racketeering

The Georgia district attorney who obtained an indictment of former President Donald Trump is known for her use of the state’s broad racketeering law.

Aug 15, 2023 12:32 PM CDT

These lawyers are charged along with Trump in Georgia RICO indictment; is ‘partisan shift’ to blame?

The Georgia racketeering indictment against former President Donald Trump on Monday charges 18 other people, including eight lawyers.

Aug 15, 2023 11:12 AM CDT

Spanking gesture was directed at male deputy DA, not female prosecutor, defense lawyer says

A criminal defense lawyer in Las Vegas has said his spanking gesture seen on a courtroom video wasn’t directed at a female prosecutor.

Aug 15, 2023 8:27 AM CDT

Surviving true crime—from the victims’ perspective

The Survivor Squad podcast introduces a topic that I haven’t encountered before: victims associating and empathizing with other victims about their status as victims. From my position, it’s compelling but somewhat biased.

Aug 14, 2023 11:47 AM CDT

Constitution bars Trump from presidency, 2 conservative law profs conclude in upcoming article

Former President Donald Trump is barred from office under the 14th Amendment because he “engaged in insurrection,” two conservative law professors have concluded in an upcoming law review article.

Aug 14, 2023 10:45 AM CDT

California Innocence Project harnesses generative AI for work to free wrongfully convicted

Updated: Several major law firms are using generative AI chatbots for their work. But as more and more lawyers adopt the new technology to maintain a competitive edge, there may be an opportunity to deliver speedy and affordable legal services to the public.

Aug 14, 2023 8:45 AM CDT