Posts Tagged ‘strauss-kahn’

Criminal Law Update

Casey Anthony reports to probation

Casey Anthony reported to probation on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida and began her 1 year term of probation for her check fraud case.  A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections said that Anthony was cooperative and polite and met with her new probation officer for over an hour.  The spokesperson said that Anthony told her probation officer that she intended to do well on probation and that she pledged to satisfy her conditions of her probation.  Due to numerous death threats to Anthony, the Department of Corrections said they would not reveal her location or the county where Anthony will serve the probation.

 

Couple in pet python case sentenced

Charles Darnell, 34, and live in girlfriend, Jaren Hare, 21, were sentenced to 12 years in state prison on manslaughter and child neglect charges.  They were found guilty in July by a Jury in Orlando, Florida, for failing to protect Hare’s daughter from their 12 foot long albino Burmese Python.  The snake had not been properly secured in its cage and was able to escape.  It entered the child’s room and wrapped around the child ultimately strangling her to death.

The couple’s lawyers blamed the not guilty verdict in the Casey Anthony trial for the guilty verdict in their clients case.  Darnell’s attorney said, “I don’t think after watching one Central Florida accused child killer walk free … that they wanted that to happen to anyone else accused [in a child killing] whether they fully believed the case was proven to them beyond a reasonable doubt or not.”

The couple will serve their 12 year sentence followed by 5 years of probation.

Our original blog post on this case can be seen here.

 

Strauss-Kahn has his French passport back

Dominique Strauss-Kahn had dinner in New York Thursday night and is planning a visit to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C. early next week.  Strauss-Kahn wants to personally say goodbye to his staff at the IMF.

He will then return to his home in France for the first time since May.

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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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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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