Another crash

Weird. The day after I posted about the van that crashed traveling between FDC Miami and the JLK Building next door, there was another crash involving marshals and nine inmates. This time it occurred on I95. I was actually sitting on I95 backed up for over an hour because of this accident today. Apparently it was a hit-and-run, which caused the marshal's van to flip at least three times. No one tried to escape and all were transported to the hospital. Some were seriously injured. Hopefully everyone will be okay.

Southern District Crash

Some SDFLA gossip -- As Judge Moreno is waiting to start a trial on Monday morning, the Marshals tell him that the defendant has been in a car accident and won't make it. Where did this accident occur? The Marshals were driving him from FDC Miami to the James L. King building next door! Apparently the tunnel that is typically used to transport prisoners was closed for construction and a marshal had to drive -- about 50 yards. As he was leaving FDC he hit a barricade and the defendant and two other inmates in the car were injured. From what I hear they were shackled and the marshal did not have them secured with seatbelts. The marshal was not harmed. The trial was continued.

Union officials indicted

The Sun Sentinel reports here about the indictment of various maritime union officials. The Indictment alleges that among offenses the defendants embezzled money from union benefit plans for hockey tickets, cigars and personal boat repairs.

I wonder if the timing of the indictment is related to the resumption of the National Hockey League's schedule next month.

Internationalism

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Judge Roberts has been asked about the role of international law in the Court's decision-making process. Judge Roberts has said that he does not believe that the Court should rely on foreign law. The foremost internationalist presently on the Court is Justice Kennedy. This profile of Justice Kennedy recently appeared in the New Yorker. The article focuses on Kennedy's international leanings.

Should the Supreme Court survey or take into account international law when deciding an issue as Justice Kennedy believes? Or should the Court disregard international law as Judge Roberts apparently believes?

Judge Roberts

Very quiet in the Southern District the last couple days, which lets us listen in on the Roberts' hearings. He's only been going for about an hour now, but I think he's doing a great job answering the Senators' questions. This should come as no surprise as he is regarded as one of the best Supreme Court advocates of our generation. He's well-qualified and very smart. He should be confirmed.

UPDATE -- Just came across this Dahlia Lithwick article about the hearings. For my money, this was the most entertaining article I've read.

John Roberts' hearings

Lots of stuff out there on the hearings taking place right now. For the best coverage check out SCOTUSBlog and How Appealing.

No charges for DeFede

It is now official -- the State won't charge Jim DeFede for taping Art Teele's last phone conversation. Although this doesn't prove that DeFede's actions were legal, I think it supports my position in the debate.

UPDATE -- Professor Froomkin over at his blog actually takes the position that the State's decision not to charge supports his position that DeFede commited a crime. He bases his argument on the prosecutor's statement that the "uniqueness of the tragic circumstances" led to the conclusion not to prosecute, not any "special journalistic privilege or legal exception accorded to Mr. DeFede." Anyone buying?

New Ft. Lauderdale courthouse?

The DBR reports today that Broward County has agreed to donate land for a new federal courthouse in Ft. Lauderdale. This has been the subject to a big fight recently because of Judge Zloch's memo to the Judicial Conference to close the Ft. Lauderdale courthouse to save money. According to the article, which I could not find online, "out of 35 new courthosue proposals nationally, Broward's ranks seventh on a priority list."