Archive for March 19th, 2010

Random notes, special legal edition: March 19, 2010.

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Thomas Hagan has been paroled.

“Who?” Mr. Hagan, aka Talmadge X. Hayer, was the only man to confess to the killing of Malcolm X.

Two other men, Muhammad Abdul Aziz (then known as Norman 3X Butler) and Kahlil Islam (then Thomas 15X Johnson), were also charged with the murder. They maintained their innocence. Mr. Hagan did not, testifying at his trial in 1966 that he was responsible for the murder and that his co-defendants were innocent.

All three men were sentenced to 20 years to life.

I’m kind of boggled by the detail that Mr. Hagan has been on work release for 20 years.

In other news, a Federal court has ruled that the estate of Anna Nicole Smith is not entitled to any of the estate of her late husband, J. Howard Marshall II. I’m not clear if the Smith estate has any options at this point; since this appears to have been a panel of the 9th Circuit, can the estate appeal to the full 9th Circuit?

In other other news, accused child killer Casey Anthony has been declared indigent and will get public funds to pay for a defense lawyer.

In other other other news, accused child killer Casey Anthony got $200,000 from ABC News for old photos and home movies. (By way of Jimbo.) $200,000? Seriously, ABC?

Edited to add: Two more stories that came up over dinner tonight.

Lady Gaga’s ex-boyfriend/ex-producer is suing her for $30 million.

Texas A&M student was allegedly driving while texting. Texas A&M student allegedly crossed the center line and hit another car head-on, killing that car’s driver. Texas A&M student ordered to pay $22 million.

Not that I’m in favor of texting while driving, and not that I’m opposed to punishment, but when does punishment cross the line into excess? And, as Lawrence points out, if you’ve got a $22 million judgment against you, Costa Rica or Nicaragua are very nice this time of year.

Art, damn it, art! watch (#6 in a series).

Friday, March 19th, 2010

A once-prominent art dealer pleaded guilty on Thursday to a $120 million fraud scheme, admitting he sold paintings he did not own and at least once sold fractional shares of a painting that added up to more than 100 percent.

Zero Mostel approves.

Edited to add: URL fixed. Sorry.

Edited to add 2: Everything you ever wanted to know about the WSJ and hedcuts. I’m throwing this in here because:

  1. I do consider hedcuts a form of art, and
  2. I’m trying to limit myself to one “Art, damn it, art! watch” per day.