Daily Archives: March 18, 2013 - 5 results

As soon as plaintiffs’ attorneys in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill trial called their last witness, an attorney for BP asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to dismiss charges that the oil giant committed “gross negligence.” But the judge immediately denied the request, keeping the stakes high as the trial enters its fourth week. Barbier invited BP’s attorneys to file a formal motion for dismissal, but followed up by warning, “Frankly, I’m not going to grant that motion.” If BP …

The U.S. Supreme Court today heard arguments about whether states can require documents to register voters for federal elections above and beyond what the federal government itself deems necessary. In Arizona v. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, the court will decide whether Arizona can enforce a law that compels would-be voters to show proof that they are U.S. citizens. Under the federal National Voter Registration Act, people who register to vote swear under penalty of perjury that they are …

An innocent man who served 11 years in prison for a murder conviction based on fabricated evidence won a civil jury award of $13.2 million against two detectives. David Ayers was a security officer at a housing unit in Cleveland when he was arrested for the beating death of a 76-year-old woman who lived in the building. He was convicted in 2000 and sentenced to life in prison based on the word of a jailhouse snitch. Ayers maintained his innocence …

  With 38 percent of the Millenial Generation (18 to 29-year-olds) having at least one tattoo, according to a Pew Research study, the norm for workplace dress and fashion statements may be changing. Lawyers.com videojournalist Ed Alpern reports on employees’ rights to express themselves with tattoos while on the job. Right now, it’s the employer who draws the line. Courts have held employers have the right to set appearance and dress codes. These should be written down and fairly and …

The prenuptial agreement between a wealthy real estate magnate and his wife is no good, the Brooklyn Appellate Court ruled recently, tearing up the contract and allowing the couple’s divorce to proceed as if it had never been signed. Peter and Elizabeth Petrakis were married in 1998, in presumably happier times. However, there were already signs of trouble brewing when Elizabeth signed a prenup just four days before they tied the knot. According to her, Peter threatened that if she …