Claim: That Claud Johnson was the biological son and sole heir of Robert L. JohnsonClaimant: Claud L. JohnsonContestants: Robert M. Harris, Annye C. AndersonClaimant's Lawyers: James W. Kitchens, Nancy A. OlsonContestants' Lawyers: Stephen E. Nevas, Karla KithcartJudge: Jon M. BarnwellPlace: Greenwood, MississippiDates of Hearing: October 12-15, 1998Decision: In favor of claimant SIG…
Defendant: Microsoft CorporationOffenses Charged: Violations of the Sherman Antitrust Acts. Two counts under Section 1: exclusive dealing and unlawful tying; two counts under Section 2: monopoly maintenance in the operating systems market, and attempted monopolization of the Internet browser marketChief Defense Lawyers: Bill Neukom, John WardenChief Prosecutors: David Boies and lawyers of the U.S.…
Defendant: Charles Chitat NgCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnapping, unlawful restraintChief Defense Lawyers: Allyn Jaffrey, Carl C. Holmes, William KelleyChief Prosecutor: Sharlene HonnakaJudges: Robert R. Fitzgerald, John J. RyanPlace: Santa Ana, CaliforniaDate of Trial: October 26, 1998-February 24, 1999Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: At stake was whether a truly monstrous criminal, who…
The amendment at issue in Romer v. Evans, known as Amendment 2, was placed on the November 1992 ballot following a petition drive. The amendment provided in part that neither the state nor any of its political subdivisions "shall enact, adopt or enforce any statute, regulation, ordinance or policy whereby homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices or relationships shal…
Defendant: Thomas CapanoCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Joseph S. Oteri, Eugene Maurer and Charles M. Oberly IllChief Prosecutors: Colm Connolly and Ferris W. WhartonJudge: William Swain LeePlace: Wilmington, DelawareDates of Trial: October 26, 1998-January 18, 1999Verdict. GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: The notorious murder trial of one of the state's most prominent attorn…
Defendants: Michael Bellomo, Thomas Bruder, Charles Schwarz, Justin A. Volpe, and Thomas WieseCrimes Charged: First trial: Bellomo: False statements; Bruder, Schwarz, Volpe, and Wiese: Violation of civil rights (i.e., aggravated harassment based on race, color, religion or national origin); second trial: Bruder, Schwarz, and Wiese: Conspiracy to obstruct justiceChief Defense Lawyers: Bellomo: John…
Defendant: Mark CrawfordCrimes Charged: Murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, kidnapping, conspiracy to embezzle, embezzlement, wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, perjury, obstruction of justice by killing a witness, obstruction of justice by retaliating against a witness, conspiracy to threaten to commit a crime of violence against an…
Defendant: Kevin D. MitnickCrimes Charged: Wire fraud (14 counts), possession of unauthorized access devices (8 counts), interception of wire or electronic communications, unauthorized access to a federal computer, and causing damage to a computerChief Defense Lawyers: Donald Randolph and Gregory VincentChief Prosecutors: Christopher Painter and David SchindlerJudge: Marianna PfaelzerPlace: Los An…
Defendant Aaron James McKinneyCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnapping, robberyChief Defense Lawyers: Dion Custis, Jason TangemanChief Prosecutor: Calvin ReruchaJudge: Barton VoigtPlace: Laramie, WyomingDate of Trial: October 25-November 4, 1999Verdict: GuiltySentence: Two life terms with no possibility of parole SIGNIFICANCE: The murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, by Aaron McKinn…
Defendant: Nathaniel AbrahamCrimes Charged: Murder, assault with intent to murder, and felony use of a firearmChief Defense Lawyer: Geoffrey FiegerChief Prosecutor: Lisa HalushkaJudge: Eugene A. MoorePlace: Pontiac, MichiganDates of Trial: October 29-November 16, 1999Verdict: Guilty of second-degree murderSentence: Placement in a juvenile detention center until the age of 21 SIGNIFICANCE: Only 11 …
Defendants: Edwin Edwards, Stephen Edwards, Andrew Martin, Greg Tarver, Ecotry Fuller, Bobby Johnson, Cecil BrownCrimes Charged: Extortion, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, interstate travel and communication in aid of racketeering, false statements, illegal wiretapping, Racketeer-influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act violations, conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: Edwin Edwards: Danie…
Defendants: Kenneth Boss, Sean Carroll, Edward McMellon, and Richard MurphyCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Boss: Steven Brounstein and Ben Herzweig; Carroll: Bennett Epstein, Marvin Kornberg, and John Patten; McMellon: Stephen Worth; Murphy: James CulletonChief Prosecutors: Robert T. Johnson, Donald Levin, and Eric WarnerJudge: Joseph TeresiPlace: Albany, New YorkDates of Trial: Februa…
Defendants: Sante and Kenneth KimesCrimes Charged: Murder, criminal possession of a weapon, conspiracy, forgery, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, eavesdroppingChief Defense Lawyers: Sante Kimes: Michael Hardy; Kenneth Kimes: Mel SachsChief Prosecutors: Owen Heimer, Connie FernandezJudge: Rena UvillerPlace: New York, New YorkDate of Trial: February 15-May 18, 2000Verdicts: Sante Kimes: guilty on 5…
Defendants: Sandra "Sandy" Murphy, Richard B. "Rick" TabishCrime Charged: Murder, grand larceny, burglaryChief Defense Lawyers: John Momot, Louis PalazzoChief Prosecutor: David RogerJudge: Joseph BonaventurePlace: Las Vegas, NevadaDate of Trial: March 27-May 18, 2000 (Appeal pending before Nevada Supreme Court)Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life in prison with possibility of …
Defendant: Ray LewisCrimes Charged: Murder, assault with a deadly weaponDefense Lawyers: Ed Garland, Jana Harris, Max RichardsonProsecutor: Paul HowardJudge: Alice D. BonnerPlace: Atlanta, GeorgiaDates of Trial: May-June 2000Verdict: Guilty of obstruction of justice; other charges dropped SIGNIFICANCE: The arrest of Ray Lewis, a National Football League (NFL) linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens, …
Defendant: Edmund KoCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Jack LitmanChief Prosecutors: Ann Prunty, Lisa FrielJudge: Harold B. BeelerPlace: New York, New YorkDate of Trial: May 31-July 27, 2000Verdict: GuiltySentence: 25 years to life SIGNIFICANCE: The right to silence is enshrined in the American constitution. Here, two individuals availed themselves of this right, with drastically different…
Opinion of the Court of Appeals of Texas, Fourteenth District, March 15, 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 Briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court Brief of Petitioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 Respondent's Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215 Opi…
The Twelfth District was worm-shaped, stretching 160 miles from Gastonia to Durham, hugging the thin line of Interstate 85. The district was so narrow at one point that drivers in the northbound lane of the interstate were in the district while drivers in the southbound lane were in another district. Of the ten counties through which the district passed, five were cut into three different district…
Defendant: David BrockCrime Charged: Four articles of impeachmentChief Defense Lawyers: David Barry, Michael MadiganChief Prosecutor: Joseph SteinfieldJudges: The Senate of the State of New HampshirePlace: Concord, New HampshireDate of Trial: September 18-October 10, 2000Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: This was the first impeachment trial of a chief justice of a state supreme court in U.S. histo…
Defendant: Robert BierenbaumCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Scott Greenfield, David LewisChief Prosecutor: Daniel BibbJudge: Leslie Crocker SnyderPlace: Manhattan, New YorkDate of Trial: October 2-24, 2000Verdict: GuiltySentence: 20 years to life SIGNIFICANCE: Fourteen years after the disappearance of his wife, a prominent New York City doctor was tried and convicted for her murder, al…
Defendants: Michael Buchanan, Paul Harper, Brian Liddy, Edward OrtizCrimes Charged: Conspiracy to obstruct justice, filing false police reports, lying under oathChief Defense Lawyers: Harland Braun (Buchanan), Joel Isaacson (Harper), Paul DePasquale (Liddy), Barry Levin (Ortiz)Chief Prosecutors: Laura Laesecke, Anne IngallsJudge: Jacqueline ConnerPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDate of Trial: Octobe…
Defendant: Kristen H. GilbertCrimes Charged: Murder, attempted murderChief Defense Lawyers: David P. Hoose, Harry L. Miles, Paul WeinbergChief Prosecutors: William M. Welch, Ariane D. VuonoJudge: Michael A. PonsorPlace: Springfield, MassachusettsDate of Trial: October 16, 2000-March 26, 2001Verdict: Guilty of three cases of first-degree murder and of one case of second-degree-murder; also guilty o…
JOHN GEDDES LAWRENCE AND TYRON GARNER, PETITIONERSV.STATE OF TEXAS, RESPONDENT. ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TEXAS FOURTEENTH DISTRICT The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' orders refusing discretionary review are unreported. Pet. App. 1a, 2a. The decision of the en banc Court of Appeals for the Fourteenth District of Texas is reported at 41 S.W.3d 349. Pet. App. 4a. The …
Defendant Gabriel GomezCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnappingChief Defense Lawyer: Antonio BestardChief Prosecutor: Donald J. ClemJudge: Robert MartinezPlace: Pomona, CaliforniaDate of Trial: October 23-31, 2000Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment without parole, plus 22 years SIGNIFICANCE: The disappearance of Sandra Rosas, wife of Los Lobos cofounder Cesar Rosas, was immediately linked to her …
ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTEENTH DISTRICT …
Defendant: Rae Lamar Theotis Wiggins, a.k.a. Rae CarruthCrimes Charged: Murder, conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, using a gun to attempt to kill an unborn childChief Defense Lawyers: David Rudolph, Christopher FialkoChief Prosecutor: Gentry CaudillJudge: Charles LammPlace: Charlotte, North CarolinaDate of Trial: October 23, 2000-January 19, 2001Verdict: Not guilty of …
Plaintiff: Al GoreDefendants: George W. Bush, Katherine HarrisChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: David Boies, W. Dexter Douglas, Bruce Rogow, Laurence H. Tribe, Stephen ZackChief Defense Lawyers: Philip Beck, Benjamin L. Ginsberg, Theodore B. Olson, Barry Richard, George Terwilliger (Bush); Joseph P. Klock, Jr. (Harris)Judges: Leon County, Florida, Circuit Court: Terry P. Lewis, N. Sanders Sauls; Browar…
Defendants: Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Jamaal "Shyne" Barrow, Anthony JonesCrimes Charged: Combs and Jones: Criminal possession of a firearm, bribing a witness; Barrow: Attempted murder, assault, criminal use and possession of a firearm, reckless endangermentChief Defense Lawyers: Combs: Benjamin Brafman, Johnnie Cochran, Jr.; Jones: Michael Bachner; Barrow: lan Niles, Mu…
Defendants: Mohamed Rashed Daoud al-'Owhali, Wadih El-Hage, Khalfan Khamis Mohamed, Mohamed Saddiq OdehCrimes Charged: al-'Owhali, Mohamed, Odeh: Conspiracy and murder; El-Hage: Conspiracy and perjuryChief Defense Lawyers: al-'Owhali: David P. Baugh, Frederick H. Cohn; Odeh: Anthony L. Ricco, Edward D. Wilford; El-Hage: Joshua L. Dratel, Sam A. Schmidt; Mohamed: David A. Ruhnk…
Defendant: Thomas E. Blanton, Jr.Crime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: John C. RobbinsChief Prosecutors: Doug Jones, Robert Posey, Jeff WallaceJudge: James GarrettPlace: Birmingham, AlabamaDate of Trial: April 15-May 1, 2001Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment, four terms SIGNIFICANCE: The bombing deaths of four black girls in a Birmingham, Alabama, church in 1963 brought additional sup…
On Tuesday, October 3, across the country people learned that the jury had found Orenthal James Simpson not guilty of murder. In the days following the verdict, while O.J. Simpson promised to find Nicole and Ron Goldman's killer(s), the LAPD and Los Angeles district attorney announced that the investigation into the murders was closed. …
Defendant: Colin FergusonCrimes Charged: Murder, attempted murderChief Defense Lawyers: Colin Ferguson, Alton RoseChief Prosecutor: George PeckJudge: Donald BelfiPlace: Mineola, New YorkDate of Trial: January 26-February 17, 1995Verdict: Guilty on 68 of 93 counts, including murder, attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, weapons possessionSentence: 6 consecutive 25-years-to-life terms fo…
Defendants: Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, El Sayyid Nosair, Ibrahim El-Gabrowny, Victor Alvarez, Amir Abdelgani, Fadil Abdelghani, Tarig Elhassan, Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, Rodney Hampton-El, Fares Khallafalla, and Mohammed SalehCrimes Charged: All defendants: Seditious conspiracy; Nosair: Murder and assault; individual charges included solicitation and conspiracy to commit assassination or bombings, violati…
Defendant: Waneta HoytCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Robert Miller and Raymond J. UrbanskiChief Prosecutors: Robert J. Simpson and Margaret DrakeJudge: Vincent SguegliaPlace: Owego, New YorkDates of Trial: March 30—April 21, 1995Verdict: Guilty on 5 counts of murderSentence: 75 years imprisonment (she died of cancer after serving 3) SIGNIFICANCE: The Waneta Hoyt case challenged…
Defendants: John Lotter, Marvin Thomas NissenCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnap, rapeChief Defense Lawyers: Lotter: Michael Fabian; Nissen: Peter BlakesleeChief Prosecutor: James ElworthJudge: Robert FinnPlace: Falls City, NebraskaDates of Trials: Lotter: May 15-25, 1995; Nissen: February 21-March 3, 1995Verdicts: Lotter: guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and four other charges; Nissen: gu…
Defendant: Susan SmithCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: David Bruck and Judy ClarkeChief Prosecutor: Tommy PopeJudge: William HowardPlace: Union, South CarolinaDates of Trial: July 18-28, 1995Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The notion of a mother deliberately killing her own children is particularly abhorrent, but as this trial revealed, all too often mere facts …
Defendant: Yolanda SaldivarCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Doug TinkerChief Prosecutor Carlos ValdezJudge: Mike WestergrenPlace: Houston, TexasDate of Trial: October 11-23, 1995Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life in prison with possibility of parole in 30 years SIGNIFICANCE: The fate of a popular music star's killer hung on one question: Was she a suicidal woman accidentally shooting t…
Defendants: Calvin Broadus, McKinley LeeCrimes Charged: Murder, voluntary manslaughter, conspiracy to commit assault; accessory to murder after the fact (Broadus)Chief Defense Lawyers: Broadus: David Kenner, Marcia Morrissey; Lee: Donald Re Chief Prosecutors: Edward Nison, Robert GraceJudge: Paul G. FlynnPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDate of Trial: November 27, 1995-February 21, 1996Verdict: Not g…
Defendant: Len DavisCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Dwight DoskeyChief Prosecutors: Constantine Georges, Michael McMahonJudge: Ginger BerriganPlace: New Orleans, LouisianaDate of Trial: April 8—April 24, 1996Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: This trial blew the lid off police corruption in one of America's major cities. Even in a city as wearily accustomed to cr…
Defendant: Richard Allen DavisCrimes Charged: Murder, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, attempting a lewd act with a minor, and other chargesChief Defense Lawyers: Barry Collins and Lorena ChandlerChief Prosecutor: Greg JacobsJudge: Thomas HastingsPlace: San Jose, CaliforniaDates of Trial: April 17-June 18, 1996Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death by lethal injection SIGNIFICANCE: The 1993 abduction and mu…
Principal Defendants: Jonathan Schmitz, The Jenny Jones television show, and Warner BrothersClaims/Crimes Charged: Wrongful death, murder, and committing a felony with a firearmChief Defense Lawyers: Schmitz: James Burdick, Fred L. Gibson, and Jerome Sabbota; Jenny Jones/Warner Brothers: James FeeneyChief Prosecutors: Roman Kalytiak and Donna PendergastChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Geoffrey N. Fiege…
Defendant Alex KellyCrime Charged: Sexual assault, kidnapping (first trial only)Chief Defense Lawyers: Thomas P. Puccio, Hope SeeleyChief Prosecutor: Bruce P. HuddockJudges: First trial: Martin L. Nigro; Second trial: Kevin TierneyPlace: Stamford, ConnecticutDates of Trials: October 15-November 12, 1996; April 9-June 12, 1997Verdicts: First trial: Mistrial; Second trial: GuiltySentence: 20 years i…
Defendant: Darlie Lynn RoutierCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Doug MulderChief Prosecutor: Greg DavisJudge: Mark TollePlace: Kerrville, TexasDates of Trial: January 6-February 1, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Young mother Darlie Routier did the unthinkable: she murdered her two sons in cold blood. This grizzly capital murder case, built on detailed, abundant and damni…
Defendant: John E. DuPontCrimes Charged: Murder, assaultChief Defense Lawyer: Thomas BergstromChief Prosecutor: Joseph McEdiganJudge: Patricia JenkinsPlace: Delaware County, PennsylvaniaDates of Trial: January 21-February 25, 1997Verdict: Guilty of third-degree murder and assaultSentence: 13-30 years in prison SIGNIFICANCE: The trial focused national attention on the insanity defense, particularly…
Defendant: Frederic TokarsCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Bobby Lee Cook, James Berry, Jerry Froelich, Ed MoriarityChief Prosecutors: Tom Charron, Russ ParkerJudge: James G. BodifordPlace: LaFayette, GeorgiaDate of Trial: January 30-March 8, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Issues of double jeopardy were aroused when this Atlanta lawyer, already serving four…
Defendants: Timothy J. McVeigh and Terry L. NicholsCrimes Charged: Murder, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, use of a weapon of mass destruction, and destruction by explosiveChief Defense Lawyers: McVeigh: Stephen Jones and Robert Nigh, Jr.; Nichols: Michael Tigar and Ron WoodsChief Prosecutors: McVeigh: Joseph Hartzler; Nichols: Larry MackeyJudge: Richard MatschPlace: Denver, Colora…
Defendant: Rita GluzmanCrime Charged: Interstate domestic violenceChief Defense Lawyer: Lawrence HocheiserChief Prosecutor: Deidre DalyJudge: Barrington D. Parker, Jr.Place: White Plains, New YorkDate of Trial: April 30, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment without parole SIGNIFICANCE: Rita Gluzman was the first woman to be convicted under the Violence Against Women Act 18 USC 2261. Rita…
Defendant: Jesse TimmendequasCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnapping, rape, sodomyChief Defense Lawyers: Barbara R. Lependorf, Roy B. GreenmanChief Prosecutors: Kathyrn Flicker, Lewis KorngutJudge: Andrew J. SmithsonPlace: Trenton, New JerseyDate of Trial: May 5-June 20, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Because of the publicity in the wake of Megan Kanka's murder, most states now…
Defendant: Vincent "The Chin" GiganteCrimes Charged: Racketeering, murder, conspiracy to commit murderChief Defense Lawyer: Michael MarinaccioChief Prosecutors: George Stamboulidis, Andrew WeissmanJudge: Jack WeinsteinPlace: New York, New YorkDate of Trial: June 25—July 25, 1997Verdict: Guilty of racketeering and conspiracy to murderSentence: 12 years in prison and $1.25 milli…
Plaintiff: Jerold J. MackenzieDefendant: Miller Brewing Company and two Miller employees, Robert L. Smith and Patricia G. BestPlaintiff Claim: Intentional misrepresentation, tortious interference with prospective contract, tortious interference with contractChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Gerald P. BoyleChief Defense Lawyer: Frank J. DailyCircuit Court Judge: Louise TesmerAppeals Court Judges: Ralph A…
Defendant: Vincent DoanCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnappingChief Defense Lawyers: John H. Rion, Jon Paul Rion (criminal trial); John H. Rion, Kort Gatterdam (sentencing hearing)Chief Prosecutor: William PeelleJudge: William McCrackenPlace: Wilmington, OhioDate of Trial: July 21, 1997-August 7, 1997Verdict: Guilty on one count of aggravated murder and three counts of kidnapping; not guilty on one cou…
Defendant: Marv AlbertCrime Charged: Forcible sodomy and assault and batteryChief Defense Lawyer: Roy BlackChief Prosecutor: Richard TroddenJudge: Benjamin KendrickPlace: Arlington, VirginiaDates of Trial: September 22-October 24, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: 1-year suspended sentence SIGNIFICANCE: A celebrity defendant, steamy sex allegations, and surprise testimony made this one of the most clos…
Defendant: Louise WoodwardCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Barry Scheck, Andrew Good, and Harvey SilverglateChief Prosecutors: Gerard Leone, Jr. and Martha CoakleyJudge: Hiller ZobelPlace: Cambridge, MassachusettsDates of Trial: October 7-31, 1997Verdict: Guilty of second-degree murder (later reduced to involuntary manslaughter)Sentence: Life imprisonment (later reduced to time served) …
Plaintiff: Steven PagonesDefendants: Al Sharpton, Alton H. Maddox, Jr., and C. Vernon MasonPlaintiff Claim: Defamation of characterChief Defense Lawyers: Sharpton: Michael Hardy; Alton Maddox; Mason: Stephen C. JacksonChief Lawyer for Plaintiffs: William StantonJudge: S. Barrett HickmanPlace: Poughkeepsie, New YorkDates of Trial: November 18, 1997-July 13, 1998Verdict: Against all defendants; Pago…
Appellant: Joseph OncaleDefendant: Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc.Appellant's Claim: Sexual harassmentChief Defense Lawyer: Harry M. ReasonerChief Lawyers for Appellant: Nicholas Canaday Ill, Edwin S. Kneedler, and U.S. Department of Justice (amicus curiae)Justices: Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony M. Kennedy, Sandra Day O'Connor, William H. Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia…
Plaintiff: Casey MartinDefendants: Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) TourPlaintiff Claim: Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) by refusing to adapt tournament rules to accommodate his disabilityChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Trial: William Wiswall, Martha Walters; Supreme Court: Roy L. ReardonChief Defense Lawyers: Trial: William Maledon; Supreme Court: H. Bartow Farr…
