Seventeen years ago, the worst attack on American soil occurred with terrorists hijacking four planes resulting in the loss of almost 3,000 lives and additionally more than 6,000 injured in New York City at the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. Everyone who was living at the time and old enough to remember, recalls what they were doing at those moments. And we must never forget the loss of lives and the way our society has changed forever as a direct result of the terrorist assault on American soil. Many others died later from illnesses due to the exposure to the dust in the attacks. Those who lost their lives were Americans and others from 90 countries. At the time of the attacks, I lived on Capitol Hill and worked nearby in downtown Washington, D.C. I was rushing late for a deposition to be held at my office. When I arrived to the office, in hurry mode, I ordered the court reporter to go to the conference room and told my client I would be with her … [Read more...] about Why I Will Never Forget 9/11
Legal
Trump and Implications of Cohen and Manafort Convictions
Robert Mueller and his team of special prosecutors had a great week with the convictions of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen. As soon as the jury went out to deliberate, Manafort and his lawyers attempted to reach a deal for Manafort. Presently, they were unsucessful. The second trial with Manafort begins September 24, 2018. And while neither man has been sentenced, there are still many legal implications for Trump with his lawyer of over 12 years and his campaign chairman being convicted. While the convictions do not involve the Russian collusion or meddling in our election, they are a tipping point to what lies ahead for Donald Trump. Last week, I discussed the Trump, Cohen and Manafort convictions on CGTN-America TV. Watch here: … [Read more...] about Trump and Implications of Cohen and Manafort Convictions
Federal Judges Show Human Side: A Tale of Two Judges
Court watchers and other interested persons are getting a close look inside a Virginia federal court room on how judges act. Judge T. S. Ellis, III presiding over the Paul Manafort trial has a style all his own. He has been testy with the prosecution lawyers since day one. Real court drama is often stranger than fiction. Judges are human—as Judge Ellis stated on Thursday “this robe doesn’t make me anything other than human.” Although, it appears as if the prosecution team and Judge Ellis are in a constant dog fight. Across the river in Washington, D.C. federal district Judge Emmet Sullivan is trying a different type of case. Judges’ personalities, quirks, demeanors, tempers, court room styles vary from as many ways as there are judges. Judge Ellis appears to currently focus his harsh attention and comments on the prosecution lawyers. He accused the prosecution team of crying or at least having water in their eyes, frowning, looking down (presumably at notes) and taking too long … [Read more...] about Federal Judges Show Human Side: A Tale of Two Judges
Trump Expresses Desperation Over Mueller Investigation
Donald Trump for the umpteenth time lashed out at Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on Twitter on August 1, 2018 calling for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end the Mueller investigation. Presumably, Trump forgot that Sessions recused himself from the Mueller investigation and has no legal authority to end it. That didn’t stop Trump from tweeting about it. Trumps’ tweet stated that Sessions should stop this “rigged witch hunt right now.” From a legal standpoint, the tweet could be viewed as further possible evidence of obstruction of justice. If Trump is attempting to impede and prevent a lawful investigation from continuing, that could amount to obstruction of justice. Donald Trump appears to be particularly feeling the heat this week with the start of Paul Manafort’s trial, Michael Cohen tape revelations, Facebook’s announcement of new fake Russian accounts and the ongoing attempts by Mueller to interview Trump. While Manafort’s trial is about tax evasion, money … [Read more...] about Trump Expresses Desperation Over Mueller Investigation
No Slam Dunk for Mueller in Manafort Trial
All political eyes and ears are on the start of Paul Manafort’s criminal trial for tax evasion, money laundering and an assortment of other money crimes. Paul Manafort is the former chairman for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Jury selection is underway today. If this were a card game, special prosecutor Robert Mueller has held his playing cards closely to his chest to prevent tipping his hand. Until the start of the trial, we do not know what the evidence will show. The indictment spells out what the prosecution intends to prove. Once witnesses take the stand and documents are presented, we will know the hand that Manafort and Mueller have been dealt. As for timing, the actual start of the trial with opening statements may not take place on the first day. There is never a magical formula to predict the time that it will take to pick a jury. Having tried many complex trials lasting weeks and months, it is never an easy guess. And this case is further complicated by the … [Read more...] about No Slam Dunk for Mueller in Manafort Trial
A Study in Patriotism: Trump versus Colin Kaepernick
Just in time for the start of the NFL football season with preseason in August, 2018, the issue of the players’ kneeling during the national anthem begins a new again. Recently, the Miami Dolphins owners stated that the team intends to punish players who kneel or otherwise protest during the national anthem with up to a four game suspension and fines, according to documents obtained by USA Today. However, the team owner later retracted the statement and proposed plans for suspension or penalties. The local media covered the Dolphins intentions before there was the retraction. Meanwhile the New York jets took the opposite approach by emphatically stating the opposite of no intention to fine players for their right to peaceful protest under the First Amendment. Previously, the NFL intended to institute a policy of sanctions and requiring that players stand for the anthem—before the NFL Players Association (“NFLPA”) filed a grievance. The filing of the grievance resulted in … [Read more...] about A Study in Patriotism: Trump versus Colin Kaepernick