Archive for April, 2011

Two Justices Dissented

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Two of the Ohio Supreme Court Justices actually changed their minds on their earlier Smith-Allen decision.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/04/ohio_supreme_court_upholds_dec.html

-Bob

Ohio Supreme Court Refuses to Reconsider Smith-Allen Decision

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

http://morningjournal.com/articles/2011/04/19/news/doc4dad9d4ed862e669890063.txt

This is not a setback — this was the result expected by all parties. No one seriously thought the high court would reverse itself. But the motion for reconsideration bought some time.

Smith’s attorney (with assistance from the Ohio Innocence Project) evidently has a new-trial motion to file at the resentencing hearing. Joseph’s attorney has not indicated his plans.
I suspect that the prosecutors would just like to see the case go away at this point. I think justice will eventually prevail.
-Bob

Cleveland Plain Dealer on the Smith-Allen Case

Monday, April 18th, 2011

One of accusers in Lorain Head Start child-molestation case, now 22, beginning to have doubts if abuse ever occurred

Second Baran Judge Nominated to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Dear Friend of Justice,


Barbara Lenk wrote the terrific unanimous appellate decision in the Bernard Baran case. Another of the Appellate Judges, Fernande Duffly, was recently elevated to the Supreme Judicial Court  by Patrick. Lenk just be confirmed by the Governor’s Council. (The Governor’s Council is a holdover from pre-revolutionary Massachusetts, created to appease colonialists who wanted a check on the powers of the Royal Governor.)
Patrick had previously also elevated Francis Fecteau, the judge who threw out Baran’s conviction, to the state Appellate Court.

According to radio station WBUR, Massachusetts Bar Association Chief Counsel, Michael Healy, cited Lenk’s work in the Baran case as particularly distinguished.

-Bob