Derek Chauvin, convicted in the murder of George Floyd, is seeking a new trial after serving five years of his sentence. His attorney argues the initial trial was unfair, citing prosecutorial misconduct and false expert witness testimony, hoping to overturn his murder conviction and the related federal civil rights charges. Previously, Chauvin appealed the verdict due to excessive publicity and procedural errors, including a juror’s undisclosed participation in a civil rights event. Despite these efforts, an appeals court upheld the initial trial’s handling of the case, and separately, Chauvin also received a federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights.
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A court in Nîmes has increased Husamettin Dogan’s jail sentence by a year, bringing it to a total of ten years, after he appealed his conviction for raping Gisèle Pelicot. Dogan, the only man to challenge his conviction, claimed innocence despite video evidence and maintained he was also a victim manipulated by Gisèle’s husband, Dominique. The retrial, judged by a jury, presented the same evidence as the initial trial where 50 other men were convicted of rape, including videos of the unconscious Gisèle. Dogan’s defense again denied any intention to rape her, while Gisèle Pelicot maintained she was the “only victim” and never gave her consent.
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In the French Alps village of Montchavin, a cluster of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases has been linked to the consumption of false morel mushrooms. These mushrooms, which locals believed provided health benefits, contain toxic hydrazines that break down into dangerous neurotoxins. Sixteen villagers developed ALS after years of eating the mushrooms, a rate far exceeding the global average. Scientists, including Dr. Peter Spencer, discovered a direct correlation between false morel consumption and the disease, highlighting the irreversible consequences of misidentifying and consuming this mushroom variety.
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Judge rules Alina Habba unlawfully serving as US attorney for New Jersey, and that’s the headline. It seems like a pretty significant development, doesn’t it? But the most crucial detail to understand is that the order has been stayed pending appeal. This single phrase unlocks a whole realm of potential outcomes and ramifications. This is a pattern we’ve seen before, where actions are deemed unlawful, but the wheels of justice grind slowly, offering ample opportunity to mitigate consequences or simply run out the clock.
If we unpack this scenario, a key question arises: if her appointment was indeed illegal, does that mean all the decisions she made during her tenure are now up for grabs?… Continue reading
The Court of Appeal has upheld the civil jury’s finding against Conor McGregor in the case brought by Nikita Hand, dismissing all grounds of his appeal. McGregor’s appeal centered on the trial judge’s handling of the jury’s instructions and evidence related to his “no comment” responses. The court found the trial judge’s instructions to the jury were clear and that McGregor had failed to demonstrate an unfair trial, and ordered McGregor to pay Ms. Hand’s legal costs. Additionally, the court has referred a matter of potential perjury related to withdrawn evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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Ghislaine Maxwell files Supreme Court brief appealing Epstein conviction, and the timing feels…pointed. It’s almost impossible to ignore the speculation surrounding this move, particularly when considering the figures involved. The idea that this appeal is some carefully orchestrated plan, possibly influenced by conversations with certain people close to a former president, is a difficult one to dismiss. The fact that she’s making a play for freedom through the Supreme Court, potentially leveraging the court’s composition, raises serious questions about the integrity of the process.
Ghislaine Maxwell files Supreme Court brief appealing Epstein conviction, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of disbelief at the scope of what this represents.… Continue reading
George Kooymans, guitarist and co-founder of the Dutch band Golden Earring, has died at age 77 due to complications from ALS. He co-wrote the iconic hard-rock song “Radar Love” and the top 10 hit “Twilight Zone.” Kooymans was a core member of the band’s most well-known lineup, helping Golden Earring achieve worldwide success and recognition, including a commemorative stamp in 2011. His departure from the band came after being diagnosed with ALS in 2020.
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Following his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records, Donald Trump has filed a notice of appeal. The appeal challenges the Manhattan District Attorney’s case, which centered on hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump’s new legal team argues the prosecution misapplied the law, setting a dangerous precedent. The appeal process will involve further court filings and responses from the prosecution, with Trump maintaining his innocence.
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The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an emergency request to prevent the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on President-elect Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. However, a temporary injunction remains in place for three days, and further legal challenges are anticipated. While the election interference portion of the report is targeted for release, the section concerning classified documents at Mar-a-Lago will remain sealed due to ongoing prosecutions of co-defendants. Trump’s spokesperson condemned the report as politically motivated, while the Justice Department has followed precedent by making such reports public in the past.
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Following a legal challenge, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected efforts to block the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on President-elect Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. This report, focusing on the January 6th events, was part of a broader investigation also encompassing the handling of classified documents. While the court’s decision allows for release, Judge Cannon’s three-day delay remains in effect, potentially leaving room for further appeals before the January 20th inauguration. Trump’s legal team plans to appeal, aiming to prevent its release until he assumes office.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood