| Archive for 2011 |
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| Posted by Janice | Permalink | 7 Comments | Add a comment |
Hope for justice rang sweetly throughout the land when Howard K. Stern, Christine Eroshevich and Sandeep Kapoor were charged with 23 criminal counts of drug conspiracy in connection with the death of Anna Nicole Smith. Shockingly, Judge Robert Perry disregarded the jury’s guilty verdict in making his own determination that Stern never intended to defraud by providing false identities to obtain very powerful prescription drugs. Kapoor was acquitted, and Eroshevich sentenced to probation and a $100.00 fine.
Several weeks ago, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed papers with California’s 2nd District Court of Appeals, stating how Perry’s decision was arbitrary, biased by the sheen of celebrity, and capricious. Prosecutors claim Perry repeatedly expressed “antipathy” toward them, even calling the case a “kitchen-sink prosecution.”
Trial evidence showed that when Eroshevich wrote prescriptions under Stern’s name for Smith, the concern was not for Smith’s privacy, but rather, to escape detection by state authorities. Should this “strong interest on the part of celebrities for privacy” create “a celebrity exception” to the law. Such exception contradicts common sense – the doctor-patient relationship is confidential. We all witnessed Smith’s very public downward spiral one way, or, another.
Did the Casey Anthony Judge disregard the jury’s verdict. NO. Many were outraged by that case but we must respect our jury system in order for it to continue to be an effective system of justice.
It may be time for Lady Justice to unsheathe her sword once again.
October 6th, 2011
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Opening statements began this week in the long anticipated manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. The drama-filled day’s zenith included a few moments taken from an iPhone audio recording of a conversation between Murray and Jackson just weeks before the singer died.
Jackson’s slurred voice belied his soaring ambition as he said “I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life. He’s the greatest entertainer of all time.’” His philanthropic nature seemed to shine, as he pledged to take the profits from what would have been his swan song tour, “This Is It” and starting a hospital for children bearing his namesake.
Once the recording concluded, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren explained, “That is what Conrad Murray is seeing and observing on May 10, 2009, and what does he do with that knowledge and information? On May 12, he orders another shipment of Propofol and Midazolam.”
Following the phone call and a photo of Jackson on a gurney juxtaposed against the pop star in rehearsal just 24 hours prior, defense attorney Ed Chernoff told jurors how Jackson, of his own accord, swallowed enough lorazepam pills the morning of his death to induce sleep. He also asserted that Jackson self-administered Propofol, creating a lethal “perfect storm in his body.” Chernoff alleged that Murray and Jackson were friends and Murray was attempting to wean Jackson off Propofol before Jackson took the final fatal dose.
Testimony continues throughout the week. Stay tuned for coverage…
September 28th, 2011
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We will always remember the thousands of lives lost and countless affected from the attacks, the 10th anniversary of which is this Sunday. A decade ago, terrorist attacks were viewed with an almost cavalier indifference in this country. Since then, several “wars of terror” have placed a massive strain on our military resources, their families, our security policies, and federal budget deficit. Yes, the world took a brief sigh of relief when several supporters of terrorist organizations were either jailed or executed.
The images of passenger jet planes crashing into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a rural field in Pennsylvania will always be remembered. The memorial will be unveiled at ground zero with names of the fallen etched into the construction. These are the names that should always be remembered. G-d Bless America!
September 8th, 2011
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The arraignment of 31-year-old Sonia Hermosillo, the La Habra mother who dropped her 7-month-old son four stories to his death from Children’s Hospital of Orange County parking garage, has been delayed until September 30.
Hermosillo was apprehended when a witness called police after seeing the baby fall in tandem with footage captured on surveillance cameras. She was later charged with murder and child abuse by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. A Mexican national, she remains in custody at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana, along with an immigration hold by authorities.
Noe Medina, Hermosillo’s husband, relayed to a reporter how his wife suffered from severe depression and had difficulty accepting the boy’s condition of plagiocephaly (flat-head syndrome) and congenital muscular torticollis (head twisting to one side). He requested his wife not be judged poorly due to these circumstances. Lady Justice is appalled by the lack of humanity. How could the act of extinguishing the life a flawed child being be considered as cavalier as, say, throwing out a damaged pair of shoes from a shopping mall? Society should not tolerate such acts, be they premeditated or impetuous. How delicately or sharply should the tip of Lady Justice’s sword pierce Hermosillo’s skin…we shall soon find out.
September 2nd, 2011
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It has been many months since the name Conrad Murray splashed across headlines. As you may recall, last year he was charged with the involuntary manslaughter of his patient, Michael Jackson, who died over 2 years ago.
Prosecutors allege Murray killed the late pop star without malice. Defendant entered a not guilty plea, attempting to exonerate himself from any malfeasance. According to court papers filed Monday, Murray’s defense team claims that Jackson had an addictive personality, particularly for Propofol. Murray admits to giving Jackson the drug, yet his defense attorneys claim Jackson injected himself with the final lethal dose.
The defense cringed when their legal strategy was struck down: Judge Michael Pastor blocked more than a dozen potential witnesses as well any testimony regarding Jackson’s 2005 trial on child molestation charges. Pastor justly labeled these tactics “sufficiently convoluted, distracting and detracting as to substantially outweigh any probative value whatsoever.” Deputy District Attorney David Walgren is rightly concerned that the trial – slated to begin September 8 – may deteriorate into a character attack on Michael Jackson.
Lady Justice is waiting with bated breath for the opening gavel to strike.
August 31st, 2011
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