Anyone who knows anything about death penalty cases knows that allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel (IAC) will figure significantly in an appeal. It’s given that no matter how hard they work they’ll be accused of incompetence. Today, the Supreme Court summarily reversed a Sixth Circuit case in which the…
Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
Firefox plug-in alternative to Google reader
Frustrated with Google Reader, I began using and recommending Morning Coffee as a Firefox plug-in. I still think MC is a good tool if you are only interested in looking at certain websites once or twice a day, or once a week. However, for me that’s not flexible enough. Thanks…
Marine in pretrial confinement for murder
JDNews of Jacksonville, NC, reports: Private Jonathan Law, 21, was placed in custody of authorities at the Camp Lejeune Brig Sunday, for the alleged homicide of Cpl. Joshua E. Hartzell, 22, according to a release from 2d Marine Logistics Group. Law was moved Saturday night from Pitt County Memorial Hospital,…
Time for national service
Huffington Post reports: Where Will They Get the Troops? Preparing Undeployables for the Afghan Front As the Obama administration debates whether to send tens of thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan, an already overstretched military is increasingly struggling to meet its deployment numbers. Surprisingly, one place it seems to be…
Motions practice
Here are four very good tips from Evan Schaeffer of The Trial Practice Tips Weblog: “When the Judge Agrees With You, Stop Talking.” “Look at the Judge, Not Your Opposing Counsel” “Arguing a Motion Before a Trial Court: Begin at the Beginning” “Motion Hearings: Listening to the Judge”
President prejudices the prosecution of Major Hasan?
Kens5.com reports: While Major Nidal Hasan recovers in a hospital, the depth and complexity of the legal case which could soon surround him is expansive and could take years to conclude, according to well-known defense attorney, Jack Zimmermann. In addition to pretrial statements, it is to be considered that the…
The charge sheet ICO United States v. Hamilton
Here is a copy of the preferred charges in subject case, courtesy of CGBlog. Posts about this case UP: Coastie O-5 in serious trouble
Guns galore for Major Nidal Hasan
NY Daily News and FoxNews.com report: A 5.7-millimeter pistol used in the Fort Hood shooting was purchased legally by suspect Nidal Hasan at a Texas gun shop, law enforcement officials said Friday. Army Col. John Rossi, deputy commander at Fort Hood, confirmed at a news conference late Friday in Texas…
NMCCA issues 15 decisions today
All were submitted on their merits. All except one was a straight legal affirmance. In United States v. Carney, the court themselves found two errors that needed to be corrected. The convening authority failed to suspend the bad conduct discharge as agreed in a pretrial agreement, and a multiplicity issue…
Red on red killing at Camp Lejeune
WWAY NewsChannel 3 reports: Twenty-one-year-old Private Jonathan Law is in custody for the murder of another Marine early Friday morning. Officials still have their own questions regarding the incident, and are saying little about what they do know. ENC Today.com reports that Pvt Law have attempted suicide.