A Stamford man whose tongue was partially bitten off as he tried to rape a woman has been found not guilty by a Connecticut judge ruling he was insane at the time of the assault.
The Stamford Advocate reports that Superior Court Judge Richard Comerford said prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the 48-year-old Gerard Landon sexually assaulted a woman at a church in June 2011.
He says Landon has psychiatric problems dating to 1988 and has been diagnosed with Schizophreniform disorder.
Landon's lawyer, public defender Howard Ehring, said Comerford made the right decision.
A Stamford psychiatrist testified that Landon had not been taking anti-psychotic medications.
Comerford said Landon, who is jailed, must be confined by the state commissioner of mental health for further evaluation.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Court allows hearings in Nevada abortion case
The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request to block a judge's hearings into the health risks of a mentally impaired woman's pregnancy.
The court's unanimous ruling allowed Washoe County District Judge Egan Walker to resume the evidentiary hearings Tuesday morning in a case that has drawn the attention of national anti-abortion groups.
The 32-year-old woman's parental guardians asked the court Friday to halt the hearings, saying Walker lacks the authority to terminate the pregnancy of their daughter, who has the mental capacity of a 6-year-old.
They claim they have exclusive authority over her health care decisions, and they want their daughter to carry the baby to term in line with their Catholic religious beliefs.
But the high court sided with Walker, saying he has the authority to monitor the woman's welfare and hold the hearings.
Justices noted the guardians failed to file an annual report regarding their daughter's condition and their performance of duties as required by state law. They also said the court obtained information about concerns over the woman's medical condition.
"The purpose of the evidentiary hearings at this time is merely to obtain information in order to make well-reasoned and informed decisions regarding the ward's medical care," justices wrote. "Under these circumstances, we conclude that the district court has not exceeded its jurisdiction or arbitrarily or capriciously exercised its discretion."
Attorney Jason Guinasso, who represents the guardians, was tied up in Tuesday's hearing and unavailable for immediate comment, according to his secretary.
Guinasso has said he's aware of only one similar case in the country. It involved a Massachusetts judge who ordered a mentally ill 31-year-old woman to have an abortion and to be sterilized against her wishes. The state Appeals Court overturned the decision Jan. 17.
The Nevada couple said that while the pregnancy poses health risks to their daughter and the baby, medical experts back them in their decision to continue the pregnancy. The woman suffers from epilepsy and is on medication.
The court's unanimous ruling allowed Washoe County District Judge Egan Walker to resume the evidentiary hearings Tuesday morning in a case that has drawn the attention of national anti-abortion groups.
The 32-year-old woman's parental guardians asked the court Friday to halt the hearings, saying Walker lacks the authority to terminate the pregnancy of their daughter, who has the mental capacity of a 6-year-old.
They claim they have exclusive authority over her health care decisions, and they want their daughter to carry the baby to term in line with their Catholic religious beliefs.
But the high court sided with Walker, saying he has the authority to monitor the woman's welfare and hold the hearings.
Justices noted the guardians failed to file an annual report regarding their daughter's condition and their performance of duties as required by state law. They also said the court obtained information about concerns over the woman's medical condition.
"The purpose of the evidentiary hearings at this time is merely to obtain information in order to make well-reasoned and informed decisions regarding the ward's medical care," justices wrote. "Under these circumstances, we conclude that the district court has not exceeded its jurisdiction or arbitrarily or capriciously exercised its discretion."
Attorney Jason Guinasso, who represents the guardians, was tied up in Tuesday's hearing and unavailable for immediate comment, according to his secretary.
Guinasso has said he's aware of only one similar case in the country. It involved a Massachusetts judge who ordered a mentally ill 31-year-old woman to have an abortion and to be sterilized against her wishes. The state Appeals Court overturned the decision Jan. 17.
The Nevada couple said that while the pregnancy poses health risks to their daughter and the baby, medical experts back them in their decision to continue the pregnancy. The woman suffers from epilepsy and is on medication.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Certain injuries are referred to as "catastrophic" because they are permanent and life-altering. Victims of catastrophic injuries and their families often face the daunting prospect of arranging for long-term medical care for the permanently injured or disabled person. Given the long-term nature of these injuries, the proper evaluation and handling of catastrophic injury claims is crucial. Sometimes these catastrophic injuries may result in death, complicating the situation even more. Death is never an easy matter and can affect the lives of many closely related family and friends.
The Reinartz Law Firm has experience investigating, litigating, and managing the complexities of catastrophic injury claims, especially those caused by negligence, defective products, automobile accidents, and construction and industrial accidents. We are not only able to evaluate medical records and related documentation to determine the full value of a claim, but are also adept at evaluating the technical aspects of the event, product, or procedure that caused the injury. This allows us to prepare a thorough case, and seek compensation that will provide future financial support to the catastrophically injured person.
The law limits the time in which you may bring a claim for a catastrophic injury. After suffering from a serious injury or losing a loved one, seeking an injury lawyer may be your opportunity to get justice for the emotional and financial burden you have to go through. Call today to discuss your case with an experienced West New York catastrophic injury lawyer. Visit us on the web http://www.reinartzlaw.com/practice-areas/catastrophic-injuries
The Reinartz Law Firm has experience investigating, litigating, and managing the complexities of catastrophic injury claims, especially those caused by negligence, defective products, automobile accidents, and construction and industrial accidents. We are not only able to evaluate medical records and related documentation to determine the full value of a claim, but are also adept at evaluating the technical aspects of the event, product, or procedure that caused the injury. This allows us to prepare a thorough case, and seek compensation that will provide future financial support to the catastrophically injured person.
The law limits the time in which you may bring a claim for a catastrophic injury. After suffering from a serious injury or losing a loved one, seeking an injury lawyer may be your opportunity to get justice for the emotional and financial burden you have to go through. Call today to discuss your case with an experienced West New York catastrophic injury lawyer. Visit us on the web http://www.reinartzlaw.com/practice-areas/catastrophic-injuries
Monday, August 6, 2012
Court delayed for woman in W. Pa. shelter scam
A court date has been delayed for a woman charged with staying at a western Pennsylvania shelter for battered women under false pretenses.
Online court records show the trial of 33-year-old Amy Slanina, which had been scheduled to begin Monday has been pushed back to Sept. 6 when she's scheduled to enter an unspecified plea to one or more of the charges she faces.
Slanina's attorney and Armstrong County prosecutors haven't returned calls for comment.
Kittanning police charged Slanina, whose last known address was in Marysville, Ohio, with theft by deception and other charges for living at the shelter in December after falsely claiming to be the abused wife of a Pittsburgh police officer.
Police say Slanina also conned an Idaho couple into believing she was pregnant during phone calls from the shelter, but determined that wasn't a crime.
Online court records show the trial of 33-year-old Amy Slanina, which had been scheduled to begin Monday has been pushed back to Sept. 6 when she's scheduled to enter an unspecified plea to one or more of the charges she faces.
Slanina's attorney and Armstrong County prosecutors haven't returned calls for comment.
Kittanning police charged Slanina, whose last known address was in Marysville, Ohio, with theft by deception and other charges for living at the shelter in December after falsely claiming to be the abused wife of a Pittsburgh police officer.
Police say Slanina also conned an Idaho couple into believing she was pregnant during phone calls from the shelter, but determined that wasn't a crime.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Houston Truck Accident Law Firm - The Salazar Law Firm, PLLC
Accidents involving 18 wheeler trucks can often result in serious injuries and, at times, even death. If you are involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler or other commercial vehicle, contact our office immediately. Failing to seek legal help from an attorney will result in many possible pitfalls that the insurance company is counting on. With trucking traffic increasing on major Texas roadways, accidents involving commercial trucks and 18 wheelers are on the rise. Our firm helps seriously injured individuals as well as the families of those who have been injured or killed in these devastating accidents.
The Salazar Law Firm has expertise in successfully handling serious personal injury and wrongful death claims involving semi trucks and commercial vehicles. They understand the devastating effects for families after these serious accidents and are here to support you. Their attorneys devote time to achieve favorable results for accident victims and their families through a quick trial period. Learn more at http://www.hurtinhouston.com.
The Salazar Law Firm has expertise in successfully handling serious personal injury and wrongful death claims involving semi trucks and commercial vehicles. They understand the devastating effects for families after these serious accidents and are here to support you. Their attorneys devote time to achieve favorable results for accident victims and their families through a quick trial period. Learn more at http://www.hurtinhouston.com.
Massive LA County court layoffs to begin Friday
Squeezed by state budgets cutbacks, the Los Angeles County court system is launching massive job layoffs, pay cuts and transfers, court officials said Thursday.
Cutbacks that will be implemented Friday will affect 431 court employees and 56 courtrooms throughout the nation's largest superior court system.
Presiding Judge Lee Smalley Edmon bemoaned the loss of longtime employees as well as the impact on public services.
"We are laying off people who are committed to serving the public," she said. "It is a terrible loss both to these dedicated employees and to the public."
The union representing state and municipal employees called Friday's action a "freeze on justice in Los Angeles" and warned that the county would experience "an end to timely justice" with cases being delayed for years, particularly in civil courts.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — AFSCME — planned to have representatives on hand to assist employees who will not know they are losing their jobs until they are informed individually Friday.
A spokeswoman for the California Judicial Council said other courts in the state will also be impacted by the budget cuts but will handle them individually. Los Angeles' court system, as the largest, will be the most heavily affected.
Edmon said the drastic actions are the result of a state mandate to reduce annual spending by $30 million. She noted that earlier reductions already saved $70 million, but more cuts in state support for trial courts are scheduled for the next fiscal year.
Cutbacks that will be implemented Friday will affect 431 court employees and 56 courtrooms throughout the nation's largest superior court system.
Presiding Judge Lee Smalley Edmon bemoaned the loss of longtime employees as well as the impact on public services.
"We are laying off people who are committed to serving the public," she said. "It is a terrible loss both to these dedicated employees and to the public."
The union representing state and municipal employees called Friday's action a "freeze on justice in Los Angeles" and warned that the county would experience "an end to timely justice" with cases being delayed for years, particularly in civil courts.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — AFSCME — planned to have representatives on hand to assist employees who will not know they are losing their jobs until they are informed individually Friday.
A spokeswoman for the California Judicial Council said other courts in the state will also be impacted by the budget cuts but will handle them individually. Los Angeles' court system, as the largest, will be the most heavily affected.
Edmon said the drastic actions are the result of a state mandate to reduce annual spending by $30 million. She noted that earlier reductions already saved $70 million, but more cuts in state support for trial courts are scheduled for the next fiscal year.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Court says judges can't decide draft complaint
The Supreme Court says federal employees cannot go to trial judges to complain about their firing for not signing up for the U.S. draft.
The high court ruled Monday that the Civil Service Reform Act took U.S. district courts' jurisdiction away from from judging these types of claims.
Several men lost their jobs in the executive branch for not signing up for Selective Service between the ages of 18 and 26. They sued, but at least two federal appeals courts ruled that they couldn't bring lawsuits straight to court because lawmakers had stripped trial judges of their jurisdiction.
Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a 6-3 decision saying the Merit Selection Protection Board must hear the case. Justices Samuel Alito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan dissented.
The high court ruled Monday that the Civil Service Reform Act took U.S. district courts' jurisdiction away from from judging these types of claims.
Several men lost their jobs in the executive branch for not signing up for Selective Service between the ages of 18 and 26. They sued, but at least two federal appeals courts ruled that they couldn't bring lawsuits straight to court because lawmakers had stripped trial judges of their jurisdiction.
Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a 6-3 decision saying the Merit Selection Protection Board must hear the case. Justices Samuel Alito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan dissented.
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