Friday, February 23, 2007

Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Federal Courthouse


Today at 3PM will be the formal dedication ceremony of the new federal courthouse. As Julie Kay points out in the DBR, however, it is not set to open yet and there is no date for opening.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

"Experts: Years of isolation made Padilla incompetent for trial"

That's the headline for the AP article. Here's the Sun-Sentinel coverage. The Herald's pre-hearing coverage is here.

My spies tell me that only two defense witnesses were heard from today. Apparently it was a very good day for the defense today, as expected. The exciting stuff -- the jailors' testimony -- isn't until next week. And because the Government is fighting that so hard, expect that to be a defense day as well. So, what's the judge going to do? Any thoughts?

Jose Padilla's competency hearing is today. I doubt that I'll be able to make it over to court, but it should be a fascinating hearing. I look forward to reading the reports. I will post any news as soon as I see it. If anyone is in the courtroom and wants to give an anonymous report, I'd be happy to post it.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Health care fraud

Julie Kay's Justice Watch analyzes Alex Acosta's "creative weapon in health care fraud" -- Operation Excise Equity, "a unique health care fraud initiative that targets Medicare crooks through civil channels and recoups funds directly from their banks." The Herald coverage is here.

Yesterday, commentors jumped on me for quoting a great scene in A Few Good Men. Well, here's another one: Col. Jessep: Take caution in your tone, Commander. I'm a fair guy, but this fucking heat is making me absolutely crazy.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much"

That was Judge Cooke in response to prosecutors strenuous objection to allowing Jose Padilla's jailors to testify at this week's competency hearing. I believe the hearing is Friday, and it's going to be a doozy.

Whenever I hear that someone strenuously objected, I think of the scene in A Few Good Men when Demi Moore loses and objection and responds by telling the judge that she strenuously objects. Her co-counsel, Lt. Weinberg, says to her after court: "I strenuously object?" Is that how it works? Hm? "Objection." "Overruled." "Oh, no, no, no. No, I STRENUOUSLY object." "Oh. Well, if you strenuously object then I should take some time to reconsider."