Posts Tagged ‘sexual assault’

Prosecutors investigating claims that hotel maid offered to hinder criminal prosecution in exchange for pay-off

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Federal Prosecutors are investigating claims that Kenneth Thompson, attorney for hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo, offered to hinder the prosecution’s efforts in their sexual assault criminal proceedings in return for a pay-off from Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

It was also reported that prosecutors had requested that Thompson turn over any information about settlement negotiations.

If the report is true, this would create additional doubts about Diallo’s credibility.  A court hearing is set for Tuesday where prosecutors are expected to announce whether or not they intend to move forward on the case.

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Man sentenced to 1 year in prison for fondling woman on Continental flight

Man sentenced to 1 year in prison for fondling a sleeping passenger on a Continental Airlines flight

Ramesh Advani, 65, was sentenced to a year in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine in the U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey on Monday.

Advani was arrested in May of 2010 and plead guilty to a charge of Abusive Sexual Conduct in April of 2011.  He he was caught fondling a sleeping woman on a flight from Hong Kong to New Jersey.  He admitted to reaching under a blanket that was covering the woman seated next to him and sexually abusing her.  Two passengers, seated in the row behind the woman, also witnessed the assault and kicked the woman’s chair to wake her.  The woman alerted the flight’s crew members and Advani was arrested when the plane landed in Newark.

The case was prosecuted as a Federal crime because the incident occurred over international waters.

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Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs sentenced to life in prison for sexual assaults on young girls

By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY

Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting two underage followers he took as brides in what his church deemed “spiritual marriages.”

The 55-year-old head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints stood quietly as the decision of the Texas jury was read today, the Associated Press reports.

Jeffs is the eighth FLDS man convicted since a raid of a ranch run by the church, which believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven.

Jeffs was convicted last week. During the trial, prosecutors used DNA evidence to show Jeffs fathered a child with a 15-year-old and played an audio recording of what they said was him sexually assaulting a 12-year-old.

“If the world knew what I was doing, they would hang me from the highest tree,” Jeffs wrote in 2005, according to one of thousands of pages of notes seized along with the audio recordings from his Texas ranch.

Jeffs, who had been a fugitive for years before his capture in 2006, has more than 10,000 followers who consider Jeffs to be God’s spokesman on Earth.

FBI agent John Broadway testified that fathers who gave their young daughters to Jeffs were rewarded with young brides of their own. Girls who proved reluctant to have sex with Jeffs were sent away, according to excerpts from Jeffs’ journals that prosecutors showed to the jury.

Jeffs claimed that his religious rights were being violated, a view that the prosecution quickly dismissed.

“The evidence in this case shows that this isn’t a prosecution of a people,” prosecutor Eric Nichols said in his closing argument. “This is a prosecution to protect people.”

The full USA Today article may be seen here.

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Strauss-Kahn lawyers meet with prosecutors to discuss future of sexual assaut case

Lawyers from both the prosecution and the defense are meeting today to discuss the sexual assault charges against Dominque Strauss-Kahn.  It is possible that the case could be dismissed by the end of this week.

If the case is ultimately dismissed, it appears that Strauss-Kahn’s problems will continue.  French author, Tristane Banon, who claims Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her during a book interview in 2003 says her attorney has filed a criminal complaint with the Paris prosecutor’s office.

Strauss-Kahn has described the alleged 2003 book interview incident as “imaginary.”

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Criminal Law Update

Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case is falling apart for the Government

Strauss-Kahn is the former IMF leader (and French future presidential candidate) who was charged with attempting to rape a maid in his $3,000 per night hotel suite in New York City on May 14,2011.

According to numerous published reports, the sexual assault case against the former IMF leader is very near collapse.  There will be a court hearing today, July 1, to determine whether there will be a change in Strauss-Kahn’s bond as he is presently on house arrest in New York.  It is also possible that the charges could be dismissed.

Numerous new revelations about his alleged accuser have surfaced that will make it nearly impossible for the Prosecution to move ahead with a case.

Some noted revelations:

  • When the accuser came to the United States for Guinea, she alleged that she had been raped in her native country on her political asylum application.  She has since admitted that this was a lie.
  • Prosecutors have discovered possible links between the accuser and criminal activities which include money laundering and drug dealing.
  • The accuser had a recorded telephone conversation with an incarcerated man where she discussed the potential benefits of bringing a case against Strauss-Kahn.
  • Over the past two years, the incarcerated man, as well as numerous other individuals, have deposited over $100,000 into the accuser’s bank account.

It appears that it will be very likely that this case will be ultimately be dismissed.  It is certainly headed in that direction.

UPDATE:  Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest today.  He is now free  to come and go as he pleases in New York and his $6 million dollar bond has been returned.  As of now, he will not be returned his passport to allow international travel back to France.

 

Defense Rests in Casey Anthony Trial, will not call her to the stand

The defense finished their case in the Casey Anthony trial without calling the her as a witness.  Earlier in the week, the defense asked to have Ms. Anthony evaluated for competency.  This may or may not have been due to a desire by her to testify.  After reviewing the evaluating doctor’s reports, the Judge found Ms. Anthony to be competent and the trial continued.

 

There are certainly times where it is a good idea for a defendant to testify on their own behalf.  This case definitely is not one of those times.  Casey Anthony has told far too many outrageous stories since this investigation began to risk putting her on the stand.  The prosecution would likely have destroyed any credibility Ms. Anthony has left if she had taken the stand.

The prosecution will put on a brief rebuttal case today and closing arguments could begin as early as Saturday.

 

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