Criminal Justice

Indictment for Shooting that Changed History

The district attorney wasn’t releasing the name of the man indicted yesterday for a 1965 killing in Alabama that helped inspire a 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery. But the lawyer for retired police officer James B. Fowler told the New York Times that the indictment likely names…

May 10, 2007 2:19 PM CDT

Two Fired U.S. Attys Suggest Criminal Charges

Two former U.S. attorneys allegedly fired as part of a political purge reportedly predict possible criminal charges against senior Justice Department officials as a result of the dismissals. “I think there will be a criminal case that will come out of this,” John McKay, former U.S. Attorney for western Washington…

May 10, 2007 1:51 AM CDT

U.S. Iraq Vets Make Asylum Case in Canada Court

Arguing that the U.S. war on Iraq is illegal, a Canadian lawyer is now seeking asylum there for some three dozen American soldiers who have deserted their units and fled to America’s northern neighbor. The situation may seem reminiscent of so-called draft dodgers going to Canada decades ago rather than…

May 10, 2007 1:11 AM CDT

Police: Absent Atty Took Money, Had Travel Plan

When Royal “Scoop” Daniels disappeared from Breckenridge, Colo., late last month, friends feared foul play. But now police say the 61-year-old real estate lawyer may have left voluntarily. Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Daniels, who allegedly stole money from client trust funds and owed $300,000 in credit card…

May 10, 2007 12:53 AM CDT

Authorities: Fort Dix Plot Close to Completion

Six Muslim men arrested this week for allegedly plotting to storm Fort Dix in southern New Jersey and kill as many soldiers as possible with automatic weapons reportedly were close to actually doing so. “I think they were in the last stage of planning,” U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie told the…

May 10, 2007 12:41 AM CDT

This Just In: Paris Hilton Hires New Lawyer

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton, sentenced last week to 45 days in jail for probation violation, has apparently hired a new lawyer, but reports that she has fired her original counsel seem to be mistaken. Howard Weitzman is out and Richard Hutton is in, according to various Web sites, including hollyscoop.com.…

May 9, 2007 10:07 PM CDT

Rising Tally of Alleged US Attorney Firing Targets

Remember when the firings of eight U.S. attorneys, possibly as part of a political purge, was an issue in ongoing Congressional committee hearings? Now it appears that the correct number of federal prosecutors targeted for dismissal could be nine, ten or – if other shoes are yet to drop –…

May 9, 2007 8:42 PM CDT

8 Workers Charged in Prison Abuse Conspiracy

Eight former Florida prison workers were criminally charged Tuesday in what authorities described as an organized conspiracy to abuse prisoners that included sexual misconduct and other “despicable” acts by guards. The charges included battery, failing to report inmate abuse and grand theft, reports AP. “We had cases where inmates were…

May 9, 2007 8:07 PM CDT

AG Apologizes Pre-Hearing, Asks for New Focus

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has apologized and asked members of Congress to help the Justice Department focus on its crime-fighting mission, in a written statement submitted in anticipation of a scheduled House Judiciary Committee hearing tomorrow. In the statement, he said he apologizes for “the process” by which eight…

May 9, 2007 6:32 PM CDT

Paris to Appeal, Seek Schwarzenegger Pardon

Lawyer for Paris Hilton have filed notice they will appeal her 45-day sentence for driving on a suspended license. The document did not reveal possible legal arguments, but Hilton’s attorney Howard Weitzman told the Los Angeles Times that Hilton’s sentence was too harsh. Lawyers are also seeking a pardon from…

May 9, 2007 6:15 PM CDT

Ex U.S. Attorney Decries ‘Secret Hit Lists’

Todd Graves of Missouri wasn’t among the eight fired U.S. attorneys, but he was on a preliminary Justice Department list of prosecutors targeted for removal. And he was also targeted by an aide to Sen. Christopher S. Bond, R-Mo., without the senator’s knowledge. A spokeswoman for Bond says the senator’s…

May 9, 2007 5:50 PM CDT

Posada Freed; ‘Fraud, Deceit & Trickery’ by Feds

A federal judge dismissed all charges Tuesday against Luis Posada Carriles, speaking in scathing terms of the investigation and prosecution that put the Cuban exile and militant in jail on immigration fraud charges. That may not mean the end of all U.S. prosecution for the 79-year-old Posada, however, because he…

May 9, 2007 5:24 PM CDT

Credit Freeze Laws Battle ID Theft

Some states are battling identity theft with laws that allow consumers to freeze their credit reports. Identity thieves can’t establish new credit lines if they can’t access reports from the three major credit reporting bureaus, a Washington Post story explains. Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia authorize freezes, according…

May 9, 2007 5:16 PM CDT

Security a Concern in Village Courts

A shooting in a Rockland County, N.Y., courtroom on Monday highlights safety issues in village and town courts. Litigant Leo Lewis Jr., 60, was charged Tuesday with second-degree attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the New York Times. Police say he fired a shot in a…

May 9, 2007 3:57 PM CDT

Ex-Hollinger Exec Tells of Plan to Divert Cash

A senior executive at Hollinger International testified in Chicago yesterday that he and media magnate Conrad Black plotted to divert noncompete payments to top company executives, including themselves. Star witness F. David Radler, the ex-president and COO of Hollinger, said the plan to funnel money through a Canadian company was…

May 9, 2007 3:33 PM CDT