Who would have guessed that police crime labs would exaggerate the quality of their work. A review of thousands of FBI laboratory files has uncovered 27 death penalty cases in which experts may have exaggerated the reliability of hair analysis. ABA Journal
Articles Posted in Up Periscope
Ooooops
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D), a self-described "hugger" who is facing allegations that he sexually harassed female staffers, is scheduled to be thekeynote speaker at a conference on military sexual assault next month. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/bob-filner-sexual-assault-conference_n_3610780.html
Different needs
As an SVC in Colorado Springs, Colo., former prosecutor Capt. Lorraine Sult says that she has found her clients’ needs are different from what she previously recognized. Some would rather have their attackers go to counseling than get jail time, for example. "As prosecutors (and politicians), we think they just…
Thumb on the keys
We all know judges who actually or appear to put their thumb on the scales. In this modern age it’s perhaps more likely to be the key of that smartphone. . . A former prosecutor who is now a Texas judge has admitted in a letter that she aided another…
The Marine UCI
An outspoken congressman says he is troubled by allegations the Marine Corps commandant and his legal advisers manipulated criminal cases stemming from a vulgar war-zone video. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130708/NEWS05/307080023
Worth the read
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/students/groups/osjcl/issues-and-articles/volume-102/
Allowance frauds
BAH/TAD fraud cases cane be complex for a lot of different reasons. But here is a reminder of one aspect from the Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals in, United States v. Peters. This is actually a common mistake by the prosecution when charging fake receipts, and when charging for…
History in the making
Here for the historians among us. Mutiny on the Bounty records.
Most recent Manual changes
Here is the FR.
Sexual assault legislation
Megan Scully at Roll Call. At last count, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he had reviewed 10 separate bills addressing the problem of sexual assault in the military’s ranks. Here is a rundown of some of the legislation lawmakers are pushing on Capitol Hill: