How Appealing



Saturday, November 10, 2007

“Supreme Court: Mannequin sex doesn’t equal indecent exposure.” Yesterday’s edition of The Argus Leader of Sioux Falls, South Dakota contained an article that begins, “A Sioux Falls man caught in the Washington Pavilion having simulated sex with a mannequin didn’t commit a crime of indecent exposure, the state Supreme Court says.”

And The Associated Press reports that “Court Overturns Conviction For Indecent Exposure.”

You can access Thursday’s ruling of the Supreme Court of South Dakota at this link.

Posted at 11:14 PM by Howard Bashman



“Being Fair to Crack Dealers”: The November 19, 2007 issue of Time magazine will contain an article that begins, “Drug dealers are bad guys, but even they should be treated fairly. That’s why advocates of sentencing reform are cheering a recent federal move to narrow the jaw-dropping disparity in sentences for trafficking in two versions of the same drug, cocaine. But it’s way too early for them to be declaring victory.”

Posted at 9:27 PM by Howard Bashman



“Court halts state’s Plan B pill rule; Pharmacists with religious objections can withhold drug”: Friday’s edition of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer contained this article.

The Seattle Times on Friday contained an article headlined “Judge: Druggists may withhold ‘morning-after’ pill.”

And today’s edition of The News Tribune of Tacoma, Washington contains an editorial entitled “Start looking for other ways to ensure Plan B access.”

You can access Thursday’s ruling of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at this link.

Posted at 2:50 PM by Howard Bashman



“US says it’s blowing whistle on lawyer’s fee; Calls 33% share of award unfair”: This article appears today in The Boston Globe.

Posted at 2:40 PM by Howard Bashman



“Widow drops death penalty lawsuit; Had sued judge after she blocked husband Michael Richard’s appeal”: The Houston Chronicle contains this article today, along with an editorial entitled “Repudiating Keller: Presiding judge slapped by rules change.”

And The Associated Press reports that “Texas Widow Drops Execution Lawsuit.”

Update: As noted in this later report from The AP, the lawsuit has been refiled in the federal district court in Austin, Texas. And The Houston Chronicle provides a news update headlined “Widow’s execution lawsuit moved to new court; Had sued judge after she blocked husband Michael Richard’s appeal.”

Posted at 1:11 PM by Howard Bashman



“Judges question U.S. logic in Arar hearing”: The Toronto Globe and Mail today contains an article that begins, “A panel of three federal appeals judges sharply questioned representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice yesterday during a hearing to re-examine the rendition of Maher Arar to Syria, at times ridiculing the lawyer for former attorney-general John Ashcroft. Fighting against Mr. Arar’s attempts to revive his U.S. civil suit, Mr. Ashcroft’s lawyer, Dennis Barghaan, provoked gasps among the standing-room-only audience when he referred to the plaintiff’s alleged ‘unequivocal membership in al-Qaeda.'”

The Toronto Star reports today that “Lawyer scolded for linking Arar to Al Qaeda; U.S. judge calls terror reference ‘shocking’ as court ponders whether to revive Canadian’s civil lawsuit.”

The New York Times reports that “Federal Judge Calls Rendition Process ‘Outsourcing.’

CanWest News Service reports that “Alleged link between Arar and al-Qaida ‘shocks’ U.S. court.”

CBC News reports that “Maher Arar tries to revive U.S. lawsuit.”

And The Associated Press provides a report headlined “Feds: Constitution doesn’t protect those who cannot legally enter U.S.

Supporters of Maher Arar have created this web site providing additional information about the case.

Posted at 12:58 PM by Howard Bashman