Legal Random, Random

[ti-amie]

As for Jussie I don't know. Saying he should've known better doesn't seem to be enough.

[JazzNU]

That's not a garden variety antiquity theft if you read the article, it is highly egregious and he's serving no time and people are in prison for years for stealing from the corner store without a weapon or selling counterfeit goods on the street.

And I don't care even a little bit what happens to Jussie, but given the number crimes that get falsified, and have not been prosecuted, the narrative from CPD acting as if this is about wasted time and resources is a monumental stretch. A 4-year investigation involving 60 investigators that ends with no jail time ought to show that is rarely a concern.

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

Amazing how quiet all the folks who were raving about child porn rings in the basement of a pizza shop with no basement have been about this isn't it?

[ponchi101]

...

Amazing how quiet all the folks who were raving about child porn rings in the basement of a pizza shop with no basement have been about this isn't it?

I had not thought about it.

[ponchi101]

I know that she has the right to file this suit, and she deserves compensation, but this is attacking the problem at a place where nothing will change for the better. Bankrupting a county will not stop these events one bit.

[ti-amie]

I thought the same thing ponchi. In suburban areas aren't the schools funded through taxes the residents pay? Then I thought that maybe the insurance company is who she's really suing? I really don't know.

[dmforever]

Antiquities looting, buying and selling is one of the least looked at crimes because back in the day it was done without a concern for the needs or wants of the people the antiquities were stolen from. The Elgin Marbles and the Benin Bronzes come to mind.

You mentioned learning from each other's posts. I agree 100%. I will look these two things up later. Thanks for the post.

Kevin

[JazzNU]

Highly unlikely to bankrupt the school, district, town or county. the school in Parkland is operating fine following their settlement, for instance. Yes, this will mostly be insurance that is paying the lion's share, but yeah it could also fall to taxpayers too. But also, they have to win, which is not a slam dunk and most assuredly won't be for the ridiculous amount they are suing for, one of which is about trauma not wrongful death.

Lawsuits get filed against those with deep pockets. At least right now, these are the deepest pockets they can find. Other possibilities might present themselves in the future. They will likely also sue the parents, but at least right now, it's getting blood from a turnip.

I don't remotely know the finances of the school or district, but know that Oakland is a rich county, unless the school or district is poorly run, this should not bankrupt them and shouldn't result in some massive tax bill to residents.

[ponchi101]

Serious question. How meritorious will the lawsuit be, in the sense that in the USA, finding, buying and having a gun, or many, is supported by the constitution, there is a group focused exclusively in delivering guns to the hands of civilians, and there is an entire gun culture that supports such ownership? It would be, if I may bring in the simile, as suing the Afghan or Yemeni governments, two countries were a man owning a gun is almost mandatory.
Yes, thanks to the posts here we know that the school was in knowledge that this kid was suffering considerable bouts of rage, which does not mean they could have stopped all this.
And, again, it is a serious question. Remember, this is almost an exclusively American phenomenon.

[JazzNU]

Serious question. How meritorious will the lawsuit be, in the sense that in the USA, finding, buying and having a gun, or many, is supported by the constitution, there is a group focused exclusively in delivering guns to the hands of civilians, and there is an entire gun culture that supports such ownership? It would be, if I may bring in the simile, as suing the Afghan or Yemeni governments, two countries were a man owning a gun is almost mandatory.
Yes, thanks to the posts here we know that the school was in knowledge that this kid was suffering considerable bouts of rage, which does not mean they could have stopped all this.
And, again, it is a serious question. Remember, this is almost an exclusively American phenomenon.

Not certain I understand your question. Are you asking if there is merit to a lawsuit at all because of the amount of gun ownership there is in the US? Or something else?

[ponchi101]

The gun culture in the USA is unlike any other in the Americas, Europe or Asia (as I said, Afghanistan and Yemen come to mind like places where there is also a "peculiar" relation between guns and men). After every single event like this one, the government of the USA does nothing about the problem: no laws, not even discussion in the chambers of power in the Congress. To us looking from the outside, it is very indicative that not only members of congress and the senate, belonging to the GOP, simply could not care less about this issue. Actually, it would seem that at least a fraction of the population is by now immune to these events and they have become normal.
So, IF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE POWERS THAT BE, do nothing about the main issue (gun ownership by people that simply should not own a gun) or implement safety and security measures to protect the population, why should individual, civilian organizations with no mission statement regarding this issue be held accountable and responsible for the events? We have seen what other countries have done after events like this: Dumblane, Utoya and Port Arthur were met by swift response by the governments. In the USA, nothing ever happens.
Why should the school be liable when the government approves de facto these events?

[ti-amie]

@Dave Byrnes is the only account I've seen doing day by day coverage of Smollets trial. To no one's surprise he was found guilty on five of six counts.
via @threadreaderapp

Follow up on the #JussieSmollett trial: special prosecutor Dan Webb says he and his legal team worked this case pro bono. "We made the decision, if we're gonna do this, we're gonna do it for the public," Webb says.

He also clarifies the one count on which Smollett was found not guilty: it was a count of falsely reporting an aggravated battery. Specifically it was for the report he made to detectives two weeks after his initial report, that his attackers were wearing masks.

The press scrum around Webb is asking if Smollett should face perjury charges for lying on the stand. Webb says he'll bring it up at sentencing, but otherwise doesn't know.

Abimbola Osundairo's spokesperson now making a statement, thanking Retired appellate judge Sheila O'Brien for filing a motion to ask for a special prosecutor in this case, way back in 2019.

"You are still your mother's child... people will forgive you... just come clean." - Abimbola' spokesperson, in a statement to #JussieSmollett.
Abimbola Osundairo now speaking. Wishes his brother luck in his boxing match, says "Nigerian American lives matter." Leaves after that.
Smollett himself now coming down to leave the courthouse.

Defense attorney Nenye Uche now speaking. "We feel 100% confident this case will be won on appeal," he says.

Uche saying that he remains convinced of Smollett's innocence. He calls the verdict "inconsistent." Also decries that Smollett was charged multiple times for, essentially, one incident. "He is absolutely, 100% innocent." Uche says.

"Jussie is dissappointed, but he is 100% confident this will be won on appeal," Uche says.

Uche also saying he doubts Smollett will see jail time, even if he loses his appeal. "This is a class 4 felony. It's right above a misdemeanor," he says.
Uche also chiding reporters a bit for asking if Smollett will speak tonight. "Come on... let's be human."

"We were facing an uphill battle where Jussie had already been tried and convicted in media," Uche says, of how the trial went.

Seconds after Uche finished speaking, #JussieSmollett quickly left the building without giving a statement, flanked by his family and chased by reporters who frankly remind me of vultures. And that's all folks. Well and truly this time. Good night all.

[JazzNU]

The gun culture in the USA is unlike any other in the Americas, Europe or Asia (as I said, Afghanistan and Yemen come to mind like places where there is also a "peculiar" relation between guns and men). After every single event like this one, the government of the USA does nothing about the problem: no laws, not even discussion in the chambers of power in the Congress. To us looking from the outside, it is very indicative that not only members of congress and the senate, belonging to the GOP, simply could not care less about this issue. Actually, it would seem that at least a fraction of the population is by now immune to these events and they have become normal.
So, IF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE POWERS THAT BE, do nothing about the main issue (gun ownership by people that simply should not own a gun) or implement safety and security measures to protect the population, why should individual, civilian organizations with no mission statement regarding this issue be held accountable and responsible for the events? We have seen what other countries have done after events like this: Dumblane, Utoya and Port Arthur were met by swift response by the governments. In the USA, nothing ever happens.
Why should the school be liable when the government approves de facto these events?

Being honest here. I'm not sure if you're interested in a real answer. If you want me to try to break down what I think at least some of the disconnect is here, I can try. But if you're really not asking for that, that's fine too. But I can't tell.

[ponchi101]

I did say it was a serious question. And your answers are always read.