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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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| Posted by Janice| 25 Comments » |
My previous post regarding Stern v. Marshall closed with the phrase: May justice prevail. Today, sixteen years after this circus began for the Marshall family, it finally did.
After nearly two decades, mounting legal fees and two trips to the land’s highest court, a long-awaited decision in Stern v. Marshall finally arrived. In a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court ruled against the estate of the late Anna Nicole Smith and delivered a clear victory for the Marshall estate.
The high court ruled that a California bankruptcy court’s decision that awarded the now-deceased Playmate centerfold $475 million (later reduced to $88 million) from the estate of businessman J. Howard Marshall II was decided incorrectly.
The 26-year old Smith and the 89-year old Marshall were wed in 1994. Marshall died the next year.
Marshall left his estate to his now deceased son, E. Pierce Marshall, specifically and intentionally electing not to include Smith. A California bankruptcy court then awarded Smith part of the estate. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, ruled that a bankruptcy court could not enter a final decision on an issue outside of bankruptcy law. Today, the high court agreed.
The Supreme Court’s decision should put an end to other pending litigation that Howard K. Stern, executor of Smith’s estate, and Larry Birkhead are pursuing against the Marshall’s in their efforts to exploit the legal system for personal gain.
Despite the twists and turns for the Marshall family, J. Howard and E. Pierce Marshall can finally rest in peace. At long last, Lady Justice has prevailed.
June 23rd, 2011
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| Posted by Janice| 5 Comments » |
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored,” said famous English writer Aldous Huxley—my sentiments too after reading the pseudo profile of former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith in a recent edition of the New York Magazine.
The in-depth 16-page article, written on the heels of a pending Supreme Court decision in Stern v. Marshall (formerly Marshall v. Marshall) failed to accurately portray the extraordinary legal case that should have ended when Smith died from a drug overdose in 2007.
Journalism short of hard facts is nothing more than sensationalism. In this case at stake is a sizable fortune and long-awaited justice due to the Marshall family. The New York story is an illustration of fame hijacking justice.
Tales told of a sad saga taken from a best-selling novel ripe with greed, sex, drugs and money. Except in this instance, it is the Marshall’s money. And it appears Howard K. Stern—executor of Smith’s estate—Larry Birkhead, and their army of attorneys want some of it.
But again, whose money is it? Just the facts …
Read the original article.
June 21st, 2011
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| Posted by Janice| 9 Comments » |
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life symbolizes the American dream for many. A former Mr. Universe turned Hollywood icon marries a member of the Kennedy dynasty and rises to the highest office in California as the state’s 38th Governor. Schwarzenegger recently revealed he fathered the child of a longtime household staff member more than a decade ago and that the woman continued to work in the family’s Brentwood home until earlier this year.
With his 25-year marriage shattered, his wife, Maria Shriver, moved out of their house and into a Beverly Hills hotel. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Schwarzenegger may be best remembered as yet another philandering politician. His behavior puts him in a class of high-profile prominent men who have been mired in sex scandals.
Read the original article.
May 19th, 2011
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| Posted by Janice| 1 Comment » |
Passover (Pesach) begins this Monday evening and will last for 8 days. Of all the Jewish holidays, it is the one most commonly observed, even by otherwise non-observant Jews. According to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), more than 80% of Jews have attended a Passover seder (a ritual feast), which occurs on each of the first 2 nights. Like its cousin Easter, Passover is a time to bring together family and friends to commemorate a sacred event – in this case, the Exodus of Egyptian Jews after generations of slavery under Pharoah. It is also a time to feel symbolically freed from whatever enslaves us. In addition, it is the first of the three yearly festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (Sukkot and Shavuot being the other two). For those of our readers who will be hosting or participating in a seder, we wish you Chag Sameach (Happy Holidays)!
April 15th, 2011
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