Legal Headlines, Week 6

Another Wednesday is upon us, which means another set of legal headlines from your friendly neighborhood law firm.  Here's what's in the news:

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
 Blagojevich caught national attention when it was rumored that he tried to appoint President Obama's vacant Senate seat after the 2008 Presidential Election.  Last summer Blagojevich was on trial for similar charges but was only convicted of lying to the FBI-- a crime with a five year prison sentence.  For fans of Balgojevich, don't fret,  I sense an appeal is in your future.

Woman fired over Headscarf
A headscarf is often a very misunderstood symbol of Islam and is often associated with oppression and terrorism.  A young California woman was hired at a local Abercrombie & Fitch store and went to the interview wearing her headscarf.  Upon hiring, she was told the headscarf was fine as long as it fit the store dress code colors.  Several months later, she was fired when she was told to work without wearing the headscarf; something that she said was simply unacceptable.  This trial has potential to set First Amendment precedent related to dress codes that are dictated in scripture.  I'm anxious to see where this will go.

TRIAL UPDATE!!
A few weeks ago, I posted about the trial of  Richard Poplawski.  The trial has concluded, and the defendant Poplawski was sentanced to death, by lethal injection.  Judge Jeffrey A. Manning has set a formal sentencing hearing for September 6 for the remainder of Poplawski's charges, which include attempted murder and assault on a law officer, related to the other police he fired upon.


Forceful Medication on the Table for Arizona Shooting Suspect
As we watch the amazing recovery of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, we are left wondering if she, as well as the other victims of the Arizona Shooting, will ever recieve justice.  Earlier this month, it was said that the trial of Arizona shooter Jared Loughner was too incompetent to stand trial.  Now it seems the judge is looking to forcibly medicate Loughner, which his attorneys argue is a violation of his First Amendment rights.  Yet, it would get his schizophrenia under control, and thus allow him be able to stand trial.  There's no telling what the ruling will be in this case.

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