Ohio AG to Resign Over ‘Dannimal House’ Scandal?

Despite media reports that Ohio’s embattled attorney general, Marc Dann, was expected to announce his resignation today, the latest news is that he is holding on to his office, at least for now. Dann, 46, had stood his ground so far, as state legislators threatened to seek his impeachment. But…

May 13, 2008 7:51 PM CDT

Prosecutors May Stay on Cases Despite Role in Fictionalized Crimes, Court Says

The California Supreme Court has refused to kick two prosecutors off pending cases over alleged conflicts of interest caused by their participation in fictionalized portrayals of crimes. In one of the rulings, the court said “only an actual likelihood of unfair treatment, not a subjective perception of impropriety” warrants removal…

May 13, 2008 10:49 AM CDT

As Domestic Spying Increases, Terrorism Prosecutions Decline

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, domestic spying on citizens by the U.S. government has increased considerably. But it isn’t clear that this has led to any increase in terrorism prosecutions, reports the Los Angeles Times. Although the number of domestic search warrants issued by the Foreign…

May 12, 2008 6:18 PM CDT

Lawyers Win Dismissal of Stock Charges Because of Prosecutor Misconduct

A federal appeals court has affirmed dismissal of stock fraud charges against two lawyers because a prosecutor withheld evidence favorable to the defense. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the lawyers, Daniel Chapman and Sean Flanagan, should not be retried because of the misconduct, the National…

May 12, 2008 4:52 PM CDT

Grand Jury Convened re Borrowed Courthouse Key

A Massachusetts prosecutor reportedly has enlisted the help of state police and a grand jury in investigating as a criminal matter whether a court security officer unlawfully entered her office after hours to get a key to an unoccupied jury room, so attorneys could use the bathroom there. Northwestern District…

May 9, 2008 8:04 PM CDT

Ex-Prosecutor Acquitted at Trial Loses Bid for Attorney Fees

A federal judge has denied a former federal prosecutor’s request for legal fees after his acquittal for withholding evidence. Former prosecutor Richard Convertino had sought legal fees from the Justice Department, claiming its prosecution of him was “vexatious, frivolous or in bad faith.” The government had unsuccessfully prosecuted Convertino on…

May 9, 2008 1:50 PM CDT

Lingering Questions Surround Death Penalty Representation

An ACLU lawyer tells the New York Times that the problem with the death penalty is not the method of execution, but rather “poor people getting lousy lawyers.” The ACLU Capital Punishment Project represented North Carolina inmate Levon Jones, the third death row inmate in the state to win his…

May 7, 2008 2:49 PM CDT

Judge Lance Ito Criticized in Opinion Overturning Murder Conviction

Judge Lance Ito, who presided over the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, was criticized Monday in a California Supreme Court opinion for actions he took while he was a prosecutor. The court overturned a death sentence for inmate Adam Miranda in the murder of Gary Black because of failures by…

May 7, 2008 2:16 PM CDT

Ashcroft & Yoo to Testify in Hearings; House Panel Subpoenas Top Cheney Aide

A House panel is moving ahead with efforts to force testimony by those believed to have played leading roles in helping the Bush administration craft aggressive interrogation policies for terrorism suspects. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft and John Yoo, a former Justice Department lawyer who wrote an interrogation memo that…

May 6, 2008 6:12 PM CDT

Special Prosecutor to Oversee FLDS Ranch Raid Criminal Cases

The state attorney general will serve as special prosecutor in all criminal cases arising from a raid early last month on a Texas ranch run by a religious sect that reportedly promotes polygamy and underage “spiritual” marriages of teenagers to much older men. It isn’t clear exactly what criminal cases…

May 6, 2008 5:44 PM CDT

Rezko Defense Rests Without Calling Any Witnesses

Jurors in the corruption trial of political fundraiser Antoin ”Tony” Rezko could get the case for deliberations as early as next week. Prosecutors in Chicago wrapped up their case today after nine weeks of testimony, and Rezko’s lawyer did not call any witnesses, the Chicago Tribune reports. U.S. District Judge…

May 5, 2008 5:15 PM CDT

Ohio AG Admits to Affair, Fires Two Aides Tied to Sex Harassment Probe

The former Democratic chairman of Ohio is calling for the resignation of Attorney General Marc Dann following a sexual harassment scandal in his office. James Ruvolo told the Dayton Daily News that Democrats “can’t stand by and hem and haw” about the scandal. “We [Democrats] came into office because of…

May 5, 2008 2:59 PM CDT

Wife of Texas Justice Indicted Once Again on Arson Charges

The wife of Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina has been indicted again on arson charges in a fire that destroyed the couple’s home. Francisca Medina was charged with felony arson, but Justice David Medina was not charged in connection with the incident, report the Houston Chronicle and Texas Lawyer.…

May 1, 2008 1:06 PM CDT

Thirty-Four

May 1, 2008 1:00 PM CDT

18th Innocent Man Freed in 1 Texas County; Officials Vow Change

For the 18th time in approximately seven years, an innocent man cleared by DNA testing reportedly has been released from prison by one Texas county. This time it was 55-year-old James Woodard who walked out of a Dallas courtroom yesterday, a free man. He had served 27 years in prison…

Apr 30, 2008 11:15 PM CDT