the Art of Persuasion: a 204 Production: The Amicus Briefs

Saturday, March 12, 2016

The Amicus Briefs

Using the space below, please publish your corrected Amicus Briefs to the blog. Simply copy and paste the text of your doc into the dialog box and hit PUBLISH.

** Please note: If I received your brief, you have a completion grade worth 10 points in Genesis. However, I will not grade the content (worth 90 points) of the brief until it is published here, with all corrections made. Please be sure to carefully proofread before you submit it.

Next, you will be responsible for reading some of the briefs. You must read at least 5--but they don't all have to be from your class (1st period is at a disadvantage here as they will be the first ones to publish and therefore may not see any from 3rd period yet). You must comment on FIVE briefs--in either question form or just about a point you think is interesting.

Finally, choose what you think are the 2 most persuasive ones written--pay attention to the last paragraphs, as that is where you should find most of the author's opinions. In a separate post, note the top two using the name of the case as well as the student's name.

123 comments:

UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 4:40 AM
Nicholas Signorello
Amicus Brief
Bunje
February 29th, 108 a.F.

The Lizzie Borden Trial

The Lizzie Borden Trial took place during the years of 1892 and 1893 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The trial was to try Elizabeth Andrew Borden for the brutal murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and step-mother, Abby Borden. The murder took place in Fall Rivers, Massachusetts at the home of Andrew and Abby Borden, around the times of 9:00 am and 11:10 am. Abby was killed in the upstairs guest bedroom between the times of 9 and 10:30 am, Andrew was later killed on the sofa of the sitting room between the times of 10:30 to 11:10 am. During this time, the house maid, Bridget Sullivan was outside cleaning windows. Abby Borden received 19 fatal blows to the head, while Andrew received 10 or 11 blows with a “hatchet-like” weapon. It is also important to note that a HATCHET was never declared the official weapon that was used to kill the Bordens. However, a hatched head with a broken handle (most likely a fresh break) was found in the basement of the borden house, which matched the fracture wounds of both Andrew and Abby Borden, despite there being no blood on the hatchet head.
The declared verdict of the case as of June 20, 1893 was that Elizabeth Andrew Borden was NOT GUILTY of the brutal murder of both her father and step-mother. This was due to the lack of evidence and constant inconsistency of Lizzie’s alabi (most likely due with was given to her to calm her nerves. She often refused to answer questions even if they were beneficial to her. Also, since the murder weapon was never declared, there was no true way of testing if Lizzie did murder her parents with the hatchet, or if she was even in the vicinity of the home. Also, a woman named Alice RUssell also found Lizzie burning a dress in the kitchen of the home. Lizzie stated that she was burning the dress because it had paint marks on it from housework. Another piece of evidence was that Lizzie attempted to by Prussic Acid a few days before the murders.
I believe that due to a lack of consistency during the trials, no real verdict should have been made until a clear cut story with no contradictions was produced. The sheer lack of evidence put forward wasn’t anything of hard substance. All that could be determined was a jurisdiction based off a seemingly scattered timeline of events where no one knew where anyone was, with the acception of Abby and Andrew Borden. Lizzie’s ababi was incredibly inconsise, yet, Sullivan’s ababi was that she heard Lizzie in the house laughing. Whether that be the true story, that remains to be see. However, I believe that acquittal of Elizabeth Borden was a mistake on the part of the jury, who of which all were male, and that being said, should have taken into account the fact that a woman has the capacity to kill reguardless of common knowledge on the baseless belief that woman can’t kill.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 4:42 AM
Peters vs. Universal Studios. Back in 2000 a 57-year-old woman, Cleanthi Peters, brought her 10-year-old granddaughter to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. According to Peters, her and her granddaughter were approaching the exit when someone dressed as Leatherface leaped out and chased them with a chainsaw. While running, the pair allegedly slipped on a wet spot near the exit. After they fell, Leatherface stood over them instead of trying to help them up. According to Peters this caused her “extreme fear, distress, and mental anguish”. She then sued Universal Studios for being “too scary”.
Cleanthi Peters was awarded $15,000 for her lawsuit against Universal Studios. Although no matter how hard you search on the internet, no verdict on the case can be found; and it’s been 15 years. On the surface this case seems absolutely crazy. Yes, Peters did sue the Haunted House for being “too scary”, but it was only “too scary” because while running for the door Peters and her granddaughter slipped on a wet spot, and instead of Leatherface helping them up, he simply just crouched over them, essentially doing his job. Should he have helped them up? Probably. Although I’m sure Peter’s is not the first person to trip while running through a Haunted House.
First things first, Cleanthi Peters “allegedly” slipped on a wet spot. There are no witnesses. Second of all, Leatherface isn’t real, and neither is his chainsaw. I’ve been in Peter’s shoes, running away from some crazy with a chainsaw, but if in that moment I slipped and fell, I wouldn’t blame the Haunted House or the actor for being “too scary” I would blame myself for running. If you were running down the street and slipped and fell in a puddle, would you sue the street? Since Cleanthi Peters was intent on sueing, she should have sued Universal for not having a wet floor sign displayed, not for being a genuinely good Haunted House. All in all, if you don’t like haunted houses, stay away from them. If you do and happen to go, then maybe you should slip at the end of it, claim it caused you “extreme fear”, and be awarded $15,000.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 4:43 AM
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 4:44 AM

The early morning hours on March 2, 2008 Jessie Dotsons family was murdered. Larer on he was convicted of 6 accounts of first degree murder. The victims were Cecil Dotson, Cecil Jr, his two-year-old and five-year-old sons, and his fiancée, Marissa Williams, as well as two other adults, Hollis Seals and Shindri Roberson. Jessie Dotson admitted to doing the murders during questioning and to his mom but then later on pleads non guilty to the judge and jury.
On March 2 Jessie Dotson was at his house when a gang pulls up, well that's what he says. He said that when the gang came in he ran to the back bedroom and hid under the bed. He heard a couple gunshots, but he did not hear his nephew scream. His nephew was stabbed in the head and found in the bath tub. When detectives asked the little boy he said it was “uncle Jessie.” He survived the stabbing but nobody else in the house did.
I believe Jessie Dotson is innocent because he loved his family and spent a lot of time with them, a little argument would not make him go on a rampage like that. He only admitted to doing this crime because the officer would beat him and threaten him in the interrogation room. They do not have all of the footage of that. He told his mom he did it because he was scared of the officer. The officer was also racist. Jessie Dotson was put on death row, and luckily for him every time the day would come it would get pushed back, he is still alive.
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rob poleyMarch 14, 2016 at 4:46 AM
https://docs.google.com/a/gehrhsd.net/document/d/1BOVgja6GTEUlf_n8bRLPfNxYzZVSUp32BA2TH-Hx_6c/edit?usp=docslist_api
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AnonymousMarch 14, 2016 at 4:49 AM
Fernand Marrero
Rodney King
At 12:30 am on March 3rd, 1991 husband-and-wife Tim and Melanie Singer, members of the California highway patrol engaged in a high speed chase with either a Mitsubishi Precis or a 1987 Hyundai Excel being driven by Rodney King. King had two other passengers in the car: Bryant Allen and Freddie Helms. The three men had spent the night at a friend’s house in Los Angeles, drinking and watching basketball prior to the incident. At 12:30 am officers Tim and Melanie Singer noticed King speeding on the freeway. King exited the freeway attempting to evade the police, admitting later on that he was on parole for a robbery conviction. The speed chase escalated rapidly, and several other police officers joined in along with a helicopter. King and the pursuing officers reached speeds ranging from 55 to 80 mph during the pursuit. After approximately eight miles, King and his passengers were cornered on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Osborne street. Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind, Theodore Briseno, Stacey Koon, and Rolando Solano were the first LAPD officers to arrive at the scene.
King’s passengers were told to exit the car first. Bryant Allen and Freddie Helms were told to lie face down on the ground. The officers stomped on and taunted Allen while Helms was hit on his head; he would later be treated for lacerations, and his bloody baseball cap was turned over to the police as evidence. After the passengers were removed from the car, King eventually also emerged. when he stepped out, he acted strange. He was giggling, patting the ground, and also waved at the helicopter. King then grabbed his buttocks and the officers misinterpreted the gesture, believing he was reaching for a weapon. Stacey Koon the highest ranking officer at the scene ordered a “swarm” on King. A “swarm” is to attempt to subdue a suspect without any weapons. The LAPD believed that King was under the influence of PCP, a notion later proven negative by King’s toxicology report. Officer Stacey Koon then struck King with her Taser. George Holliday, the man who recorded the infamous Rodney King beating, began to record the incident from his apartment near the intersection of Foothill boulevard and Osborne street in Lake View Terrace.
Rodney King had countless running’s with the law, however that does not mean he is a bad person. All of us have made plenty of bad decisions. After the police swarm, King began to get beaten by a baton by officer Powell. Officer Briseno moves in attempting to stop his fellow officer. Koon then states “That’s enough.” As King begins to rise he is then beaten down again. A total of 33 strikes and six kicks. Later is dragged while on his abdomen to the curve as an ambulance is on the way. The cops were let off, but King would go on to sue the city and win $3.8 million. Those cops should have been arrested and given a way worse punishment. If King was a white man, there is not a doubt in my mind he would have been let off with ease. Some force would have been used I’m assuming but it’d be nowhere near as bad as King’s beating. Regardless of who you are, no one deserves to get that kind of beat down.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 4:55 AM

Amicus Brief - “The Bombing of West Philly- 5/13/85”; “Ramona Africa.vs. City of Philadelphia

MOVE is a Philadelphia based black liberation group founded by John Africa (A.K.A Vincent Leaphart) in 1972. The group lives communally and frequently engages in public demonstrations against racism, police brutality, and other issues. The group is particularly known for two major conflicts with police. The first one in 1978. A standoff resulted in the death of one police officer, injuries to others, and life sentences for nine members of the group, who then developed the name the "MOVE nine". The second conflict occurred on May 13, 1985, the Police of the city of Philadelphia dropped a bomb on a row house occupied by the anti-government group MOVE. After city officials let the fire that the bomb started burn, all in the house were killed except for two people. In 1996 Ms. Ramona Africa filed a civil suit against the city of Philadelphia and its officials. The jury ordered that the city of Philadelphia, and then two of its former officials pay 1.5 million dollars to a survivor and relatives of two members of the group who died in the fire. The jury found that the city, former Police Commissioner Gregore Sambor and former Fire Commissioner William Richmond used excessive force and violated the MOVE members' constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure in the May 13, 1985 incident.
Currently, the MOVE nine from the first incident are still in prison serving their life sentences. And, Ms. Ramona Africa is still being an activist in the African American community.
I agree with the verdict of the case, however I do not think a large fine and a few light charges was enough considering what the survivors of the MOVE group went through. From MOVE’s first incident with police, I do not think that nine members of MOVE deserved life sentences for the death of one officer. I believe that takes the saying “They take one of ours, we take two of theirs” to an entirely different level. That just goes to show how much more value a white life has compared to a black life in our court system. And as far as the Ramona Africa .vs. City of Philadelphia case, I believe the city officials in charge of this attack deserved life sentences for all of the MOVE members killed in the fire the bomb created, as well as all the other houses of African- Americans that they destroyed. Also, in the documentary created about the move nine, both of the survivors stated that two other children escaped the fire with them. However the two were never found, and both survivors stated they believe the two were shot by police while escaping. This testimony was never considered in the case, because all police there stated they never saw two more people.The case has yet to be appealed in court, however MOVEs' supporters still fight for justice everyday.
The case and attacks on MOVE were extremely violent and unnecessary. I hope one day, justice will be fairly served, especially to the MOVE nine that are still serving their life sentences. This case alone shows the value of a black life is very low in America, especially in our court systems. We as African- Americans make up a small 12.3% of the population and we are being killed off by things like police brutality everyday, and no justice is being served. MOVE deserves justice.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 4:55 AM
Terrence Dickson vs Insurance company. In October of 1998 the “dog food eating burglar” was put in front of a jury to sue the insurance company of the house he had broken into. Terrence Dickson of Bristol, PA was apparently caused “mental anguish” from being trapped in the home owner’s garage for eight days, living off of Pepsi and dry dog food. Dickson was unaware of the fact that the family was away on vacation before breaking into their home and the garage he had previously used to get into the home began to malfunction due to a faulty automatic door opener. As he tried to enter the home through the door he had accidentally locked it by pulling on it, leaving him trapped in the family’s garage with no where to go and no way to contact anyone.

Dickson sued the family’s insurance company because he claimed to have been caused “mental anguish” due to the situation. While being locked in the homeowner’s garage Dickson had to resort to eating a large bag of dog food and drinking only cans of Pepsi in order to survive. Since the situation caused him so mental anguish the jury agreed to his story and he was granted half a million dollars for it. The evidence does not exactly stand up to the verdict due to the fact that Dickson did break into the family’s home and rob it. But, the jury and judge were in favor of Dickson and decided that the home owners insurance company should pay for making faulty equipment and for affecting the mental state of someone.

If i were the judge or on the jury for this case i would not have granted Dickson $500,000. I would have deemed him guilty instead of innocent and given him jail time. Dickson willingly broke into someone’s home with the intention to steal but due to his own stupidity and a faulty garage he was locked in. Yes, the family should get their garage and automatic garage opener checked out but not for the reason that a burglar could get in and out easier. The insurance company should not have been sued for someone committing a criminal act.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 4:56 AM
Jamie Hutter
March 1, 2016
Period 1
Art of Persuasion

Pearson v. Chung

When May 3rd, 2005 rolled around a little dry cleaner located in Washington got smacked in the face with news they never expected. They were being sued...over a pair of pants! Okay the defendants weren’t in total shock because the plaintiff was Roy Pearson, a lifetime customer at their shop who enjoyed causing chaos. Soo Chung, Jin Nam Chung and Ki Yeven even had to ban him from their store once because of his love for causing a scene. But since “Custom Cleaners” was the only dry cleaner within walking distance of Roy Pearson’s house the owners reluctantly decided to let him back into their store. Only to be blindsided with a lawsuit for a whopping 67 million after a simple mistake.
Fortunately for the Chungs, Judge Judith Bartnoff ruled in favor for the Dry Cleaners. The court case was decided over two years later on June 25th, 2007. Judge Bartnoff even found that Pearson must pay for the Chungs court costs which was roughly around a few thousand dollars. In the end, justice was served on June 25th because delusional Roy Pearson was awarded… absolutely nothing! He went in with the mindset that he actually deserved 67 million over a pair of trousers. The pants that were lost at the dry cleaners cost 1,150 so the Chungs even offered Roy Pearson 3,000 to settle then 4,000 and lastly 12,000 to satisfy their customer. He still was not satisfied.
Imagine owning a cute little dry cleaner. Business is steady because you’re the only shop in town. You hang a sign in your shop that reads “Satisfaction Guaranteed” because as the owner you truly intend to make the customer satisfied with your service. You would never imagine that the petite sign would come back to haunt you. That the simple sign would be used as evidence in a lawsuit against you. Unfortunately for the Chungs this is exactly what happened to them. It’s unbelievable that something as absurd as this case would even be brought into a courtroom. I am just satisfied that Judge Bartnoff actually made the right decision because for once justice was served in the courtroom. Roy Pearson won absolutely nothing and lost even more. He lost a boat load of money, two years of his life, and a lot of respect. But hey, at least now, he finally has his beloved pants back.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 5:18 AM
The Silver Spring Monkey Trial
In 1981, seventeen Macaque monkeys were discovered when PETAs Alex Pacheco began his undercover research of what was happening in the very disturbing lab where tests experiments were being done on innocent monkeys. It really isn't possible to describe the horrors that were found inside the laboratory and once you see a picture from the case it is impossible to not visualize the heartbreaking truth. Kept in unreasonably small cages, the monkeys were missing one or more finger, hand, eye, or even arm. The conditions were absolutely disgusting and these once beautiful wild born primates were forced to adjust to a lifetime of torture behind bars. The dispute between animal researchers, animal advocates, politicians, and the courts over the legality of using them in research or if they must be released into to a sanctuary lasted years. In the first trial, Edward Taub who was the “master mind”of the monkey laboratory was found guilty of six counts of cruelty to animals for failing to provide adequate veterinary care in respect of six of the monkeys, and acquitted him of the other 11 charges against him. Pacheco fined Taub $3,000. However, in the second trial, a jury acquitted him of five of the convictions, except for one against a monkey named Nero because of his extreme conditions. However, in the end, the sixth charge was set aside on appeal, when the court ruled that Maryland's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals law did not apply to federally funded laboratories. It was a very very sad day to be a monkey.
Because the torture of these beautiful monkeys was funded by our government, it is torture that couldn’t be put a stop to from the courtroom. This terrible account of animal cruelty was one of the first to get so much attention and it was the beginning of PETAs organization entirely. The waves that started flowing because of the thousands of people who cared about this heartbreaking case swept the country for years after the case was over partially because of celebrities who spoke out for the animals and the groups that banded together to put a stop to the future pain of other wonderful creatures. These innocent monkeys were tortured and the horrible people conducting these experiments walked away with their freedom intact.
The seventeen victimized monkeys underwent so much physical and emotional pain that they were beyond the point of rehabilitation by the time the federally funded scientists were done experimenting with them. The fact that human beings in their right minds did these things to young and vulnerable monkeys who couldn't persuade them to stop themselves or even physically escape doesn't make sense to me. Being an animal centered person doesn’t let me see the chance that there would ever be a reason to treat another living creature so poorly. When we begin to kill innocent things ourselves and the masses stand behind the gruesome activities, our humanity is gone. The fact that the masses were working together to help save these monkeys and the people doing the torturing were kept safe on a technicality makes my blood boil. With big cases like these, attention is brought to the terrible things people can do to those they share the earth with and when people like Edward Taub win in the end, it really will never make sense to me even knowing all of the facts. The Silver Spring Monkeys didn't get the justice they deserve but with this information we can go forward and make sure things like this can't happen again because of laws that have been put into effect since this case.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 6:31 AM
On January 24, 1995, the trial for Orenthal James Simpson began. He was a former professional athlete charged with the double homicide of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. They were killed on June 13, 1994 in Nicole’s Los Angeles home. It was a gruesome scene with an abundance of blood and both were stabbed an excess of 15 times, Nicole 19 and Ronald 18. Following a very heavily televised police pursuit Orenthal James Simpson, also known as O.J. Simpson, was arrested on June 17, 1994. On June 20th he was arraigned in front of a judge and pleaded not guilty. Due to the severity of the crimes he was held without bail.
The prosecution's way of going about the case was painting a picture of O.J. as a violent man with his history of violence towards Nicole. Some of the evidence presented in the case includes hair found at the scene that matches the consistency of O.J.’s, the abundance of blood found which include some believed to belong to O.J. and also the blood of Nicole amd Ronald found at the scene and throughout other locations such as O.J.’s Bronco, driveway, and his socks. Also a left glove abandoned at the scene and the right glove found at O.J.’s home. Along with the most incriminating evidence, a pair of shoes found at the scene, but not just a normal pair of shoes, they were a pair of Bruno Magli shoes, only 299 of such shoes were manufactured and they were a size 12 which was O.J.’s size. Also, like many other evidence in the case, they were blood stained and left an imprint in his bronco and also his home.
The part of this case that resonates with me the most and could have made a big difference in the case is the evidence the prosecution chose not to show the jury. Incriminating evidence such as the conversation he had during a routine visit where he said he didn't mean to do it, the call Nicole made to her friend days before she was murdered saying she was scared because O.J. was stalking her. She said he would show up wherever she was. O.J. also bought the same knife as used in the killing and received knife training while doing a pilot, but this was never released to the jury.
In a Los Angeles courthouse on October 3, 1995 O.J. simpson was found not guilty of all count stemming from the case. In the U.S. to find someone guilty of any felony they have to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This means that the person may have done it but even if there is a little doubt in your head you must acquit. The jury believed there was enough doubt in this case to acquit O.J. of all charges.
I believe the jury got this case completely wrong. Some decisions you have to follow your intuition and my intuition says he is a guilty man. In this case some common sense is also required to make the decision, I believe if all roads lead to one place than it must be true. And in this case all roads point to O.J. meaning he must have done it. Nobody else had any problems with Nicole except O.J.. I believe he was still bitter about their marriage, this is why he was stalking her, and seeing her wit someone else, Ronald, just made him mad and drove him to do the unthinkable. That is why he contemplated suicide and evaded police, that is the way a guilty man or a man that has something to hide behaves. And in this case O.J. was both. All the evidence comes full circle and involves him in some way, no other man out of the millions in this country, but one man O.J.. This is why I believe O.J. is a guilty man and the judicial system failed the community with this one. His stardom and fame propelled him into that not guilty verdict that should have never been.
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Carly CordleMarch 14, 2016 at 6:33 AM
Carly Cordle

On January 19, 2009 Lauren Rosenberg was visiting Utah for the Sundance Film Festival. She used Google Maps on her Blackberry to get from 96 Daly Street Park City, Utah to 1710 Prospector Avenue Park City, Utah. Google maps sent her to route 244, which is a highway with no sidewalks. When she tried to cross the highway expecting to find a sidewalk on the other side she was struck by a car driven by Patrick Harwood. She received multiple bone fractures that required six weeks of rehabilitation. Rosenberg is seeking more than $100,000 to cover her medical bills.
When Google heard about this they dismissed her claims due to legal and “policy” reasons. Rosenberg said that she “relied on Google Maps and it almost got me killed”. Google said that they provide a warning stating “Use caution- This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths” on their devices. However, Rosenberg was using a Blackberry with a small screen was warning-free. Because Google decided to ignore the case she then sued the driver of the car, Patrick Hardwood, changing the name of the case to Rosenberg vs. Harwood. The court let Google off the hook and they did not owe Rosenberg any duties.
After hearing about this case and researching it, I don’t believe that Rosenberg should of sued Google. I agree with the court because even though Google maps told her to walk, she could have just opened her eyes to see the cars on the highway. If she didn’t use her common sense to see that she shouldn’t have crossed the busy highway, it’s her fault not the directions. I agree with the court when they said that, “it is clear that Google was not required to anticipate that a user of the Google Maps service would cross the road without looking for cars . . . and that, absent negligence on the user’s part, an injury while crossing the road would be unlikely.” So therefore, Rosenberg running across cars speeding down a highway in pitch black was mainly her fault and she can’t blame her Google for her lack of common sense.

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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 6:34 AM
La’Shawn Elliott
Period 3

On June 13,1994 at 12:10am Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found murdered outside of her Bundy Drive condo in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Evidence found and collected at the scene led police to suspect that Simpson was the murder. Brown had been stabbed multiple times in the head and neck and had defensive wounds on her hand. The wound through her neck was open, through which the larynx could be seen, and vertebra C3 was also stadd.Both of the victims had been dead for several hours prior to their discovery.

According to Los Angeles County Superior Court O.J Simpson was found innocence in both murders. The only testimony reviewed was that of limo driver Alan Park who stated that he did not see Simpson’s Bronco outside of Rockingham estate after the murdered occur. During the investigation they found a glove that didn’t match O.J but he also had the same glove at home. Before the murder O.J brought a knife from Ross Cuterly which was similar to the weapon use to murder Brown and Goldman. Additionally they found Brown blood on O.J socks when they came to question him about the murder. With all this being said I believe O.J Simpson is guilt because of all the evidence they have.

The reason why I believe O.J simpson is guilty is because he use to abuse Mrs. Brown which is why she wanted a divorce. O.J was very frustrated about her seeing other men. Which possibly could have cost him to kill both of them. Another reason O.J can be proven to be guilt is his blood was found on the scene. My last reason is when O.J didn’t turn himself in and was spotted on interstate 405. He also left a death note saying "First everyone understand I had nothing to do with Nicole's murder ... Don't feel sorry for me. I've had a great life."

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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 6:37 AM
Karlee Carrigan
Bunje
AOP
March 3, 2016

Single Napkin Lawsuit

On Thursday, February 27, 2014, McDonald's was bombarded with a “supersized lawsuit”. Roughly a month prior, on Wednesday , January 29, 2014 Mr. Webster Lucas went to his lock McDonald's during his lunch break. Specifically at the McDonald’s in Pacoima, California, Lucas noticed that one of the tables had a few leftover food particles on it. Lucas, considering himself “an immaculately clean person”, attempted to clean up the mess, however when he reached into his take out bag, he found that he only had one single napkin. In order to clean the food remnants, Lucas notified the manager, requesting more napkins. The manager of this McDonald’s replied “You have napkins in your bag”. After Lucas reminded the manager that he was given one napkin, he also asked, “do you want me to wipe my hands on my shirt?” According to the civil suit, Angel Arciga, the manager of the Pacoima McDonald’s had a “nasty attitude” toward Lucas and also mumbled a few choice words. After the manager had begun to shout curse words across the restaurant, Lucas then asked "Is it because I am black?" According to Lucas, Arciga response included something along the lines of "you people." According to a witness, the manager of the California McDonald's developed a strong, nasty attitude and showed a refusal to help out his customers.
Lucas claimed that he suffered "undue mental anguish and the intentional infliction of emotional distress" from the McDonald's manager and was extremely unhappy with the way their corporate HQ responded. Lucas was offered free burgers at his McDonald's of choice, however, he turned that down. Instead, Lucas sues McDonald's for a whopping one point five million dollars. Surprisingly, this is not Lucas's first rodeo when it comes to filing suits against major corporations. In the past ten years he has filed a suit against Walmart and Denny's as well as the fast food restaurant, Jack-in-the-Box. Webster Lucas is known as "vexatious" in the state of California. He has filed more than five lawsuits which have been pending for over two years, without a trial or hearing.
In my opinion, I feel as though Lucas's suit will remain pending for a long period of time. Filing a lawsuit over napkins, or the lack thereof, seems quite ridiculous to me. The fact that his claim was his suffrage of “undue stress” completely baffles me. I do however, feel as though the manager was out of line. As someone who works with people, especially in a restaurant, you must always be polite, not matter the circumstances. The Huffington Post provided the information used for this brief and also provided the actual lawsuit.
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Keanu SamarooMarch 14, 2016 at 6:43 AM
June 20th 2001 Andrea Yates drowned her 5 children in her own bathtub one by one. She pleads not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial begins February 18 2002. Yates claims she got her idea from a episode of law and order but the producers of the show decline that there was ever such a episode. Harris county jury convicted Yates in two counts of capital murder and is sentenced to life in prison. Later she put on a 200,000 dollar bail and sent to Rusk State Hospital. July 26th 2006 Yates is found not guilty and placed in a mental hospital.
This case effected me in different ways. The fact that she did kill her kids makes it unacceptable and she should be put in prison for life or even executed. But although the verdict was controversial it could've very well been true. June 17 1999 Yates overdosed on trazodine, a medication used to treat depression. She was clinically depressed and was prescribed medicine. Also before the murder she was admitted into two different mental hospitals where she was piut on strong anti-physchotic medications. Oddly enough her doctor, Mohammed Saheed discontinues her prescription of Hadol, and 16 days later she killed her children. Still the fact remains that she did kill her kids and should be put in jail for life no matter what.
There has to many cases were people have been considered not guilty for murder cases. I'm sure there are are some cases were the verdict was right but if the jury knows for a fact that the murder was committed then they should pay the price for it.
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Keanu SamarooMarch 14, 2016 at 6:46 AM
Crazy. She is guilty.
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Seb RaceMarch 14, 2016 at 6:48 AM
Sebastian Race

“Whack Arnolds”

On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordered a 49-cent cup of coffee from the drive-through window of a local McDonald's restaurant located at 5001 Gibson Boulevard Southeast. She was riding in the passenger's seat and accidentally spilled the entire cup of her coffee on her lap. She was taken to hospital where she had discovered that she suffered from third degree burns. She underwent skin grafting for 8 days and lost 20lbs during the time spent in the the hospital. She needed care for 3 weeks after the surgery and remained permanently damaged in her groin area.
The trial took place from August 8–17, 1994, before New Mexico District Court Judge Robert H. Scott. During the case, Liebeck's attorneys discovered that McDonald's required franchisees to hold coffee at 180–190 °F (82–88 °C). At 190 °F (88 °C), the coffee would cause a third-degree burn in two to seven seconds. Liebeck's attorney argued that coffee should never be served hotter than 140 °F (60 °C), and that a number of other establishments served coffee at a substantially lower temperature than McDonald's. A twelve-person jury reached its verdict on August 18, 1994. Applying the principles of comparative negligence, the jury found that McDonald's was 80% responsible for the incident and Liebeck was 20% at fault. Though there was a warning on the coffee cup, the jury decided that the warning was neither large enough nor sufficient.
I believe she deserved the money because of all of the hospital time she spent. She literally needed to get her outer lady parts reconstructed.
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UnknownMarch 14, 2016 at 6:52 AM
The Amicus Brief
On October 31, 2005, photographer Teresa Halbach was meeting with Steven Avery to take pictures of Avery's Auto Salvage for a car sale magazine. She went missing that same day. On November 11th Steven was charged with the murder of Halbach after her car was found in his car yard lot. Avery was said to be set up by the Manitowoc Country department for making the sheriffs look about after they were publicly humiliated for finding him guilty of a rape he didn’t commit, then being exonerated after spending eighteen years in jail. After receiving another warrant to check Avery’s home, sheriffs found ashes of body parts in Avery’s fire pit outside his home near his junkyard. They also found Steven’s blood in Teresa’s car. The Manitowoc Country department check Avery’s home eighteen times before noticing Teresa Halbach’s keys laying on the floor in plain sight. Police then question Avery’s family who lives on the same lot as him if anyone knew of any more information. Then on March 2, 2006, police questioned and arrested Avery's sixteen year old nephew, Brendan Dassey for first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse, and first-degree sexual assault after confessing to investigators. Dassey and Avery were said to have kidnapped Halbach after she left, taking her to Avery’s bedroom where he handcuffed her to the bed while Avery and Dassey took turns raping her. After which Avery was said to shoot her in the head, stab her several times then slit her throat. Dassey and Avery then decided to burn her body.

On March 18, 2007, Avery was found guilty of murdering Halbach and illegally possessing a firearm, but he was found not guilty of mutilating a corpse. Dassey “confession” was said to be invalid due to his unreliable statement. Dassey has an IQ that is below a 70. I believe that Steven Avery is innocent for the death of Teresa Halbach. I believe that he was indeed framed by the Manitowoc Country Sheriff’s Department. Steven was said to have brutally stabbed, shoot and slit Halbach‘s throat while having her tied up in his bedroom. But yet there is no blood in his room. No bloody sheets, no bloody walls, no bloody knife, no handcuffs and no traces of the gun. Steven had a blood vile (stored at a police office) for his previous charge and it had a tiny hole at the top of the tube, his blood in her car had tiny blood spots instead of smeared blood. Avery had no cuts on his body for the blood to be in her car. This vile had been in a closed and “secured” box but it had been ripped opened.
Brendan Dassey who testified saying that he killed and raped Teresa in completely unreliable. Police took Dassey in the middle of school to question him. Dassey is consider to have an intellectual disability according to his high school. During the questioning, he was represented without an attorney or guardians present, although it’s not illegally, it was considered to be flawed in the use of the trial. The two investigators posed questions to Dassey saying they knew exactly what had happened. The investigators seemed to pressure him into telling them the “truth”. During his phone call with his mother Dassey told her that the officers "got in his head" and that the story he told them was fabricated. There is a lot of shady business going around. Like officers who were banned from Avery’s lot appearing on the scene and happening to find the car keys laying in plain sight, the car appearing in Avery’s lot, half of Teresa’s body parts being found 15 miles away from Avery’s fire pit, and the fact that Avery even had a relatable alibi. I bleiev that Steven Avery is innonce. There are some facts that hold a reasonable dout behind them. Like the fact that officer’s Lenk, Colborn, and O'Kelly all had some major part of the cases evidence found on Avery’s lot when they were banned from the search party. Sources such as Netflix original documentary series “Making a Murderer”. The camera crew has been following the Avery family for ten years.
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UnknownMarch 16, 2016 at 6:22 AM
Kesha vs. Dr. Luke

In late 2013, a group of Kesha fans started a petition because they said that Dr. Luke was “controlling Kesha like a puppet, feeding her what she doesn’t want, and her creativity is dwindling.” On October 14th, 2014 pop star Kesha Rose Serbert filed a lawsuit on Sony’s producer Dr.Luke Gottwald for sexual assault. Kesha’s suit claimed that Dr. Luke has “sexually,physically,verbally, and emotionally abused Kesha to the point where she nearly lost her life”. However Dr.Luke claimed that the accusations were “false and shocking”. After breaking his silence, Dr. Luke tweeted on February 22nd, 2016 “I feel confident when this is over the lies will be exposed and the truth will prevail..”. He also tweeted on February 22nd, 2016 that “It’s sad that she would turn a contract negotiation into something so horrendous and untrue”. He believes this case should be tried in a court of law.
In the United States alone, the probability of a woman getting raped before she finishes college is 1 in 5. The probability of a man getting raped before he finishes college is 1 in 20. Part of the problem is that people are unaware of rape culture or disregard it when someone tries to come forward; which may be the case in Kesha’s situation. Many questions are being asked and as the case stands now Kesha still has to work with Dr.Luke even if it's at a distance. “But why didn’t she come forward in 2009, when Dr. Luke supposedly raped her?”, is just one of the many questions that are frequently asked. Maybe she didn’t come forward because she didn’t want to be accused of lying or she was waiting for her career to be in the right spot, the reasoning doesn’t matter. Regardless if Kesha is actually telling the truth or not, if someone says they have been raped you should believe them and do anything in your will power to help them. Dr. Luke finally broke the silence last week on Twitter claiming that he has never raped Kesha? Hm.. who to believe? Believe the one crying victim. There was also a tweet spread around Twitter of a picture Dr. Luke posted of Kesha with her eyes closed in bed with the caption “Damn, I work my artists hard”. A little suspicious? Very.
I firmly stand on Kesha’s side because it just wouldn’t make sense to stand on the side of someone who is accused of being a rapist. As a feminist, I am strongly for women’s rights because it’s clear we aren’t treated equally in comparison to men. This entire case is unfair, #freekesha? She should already be free. She’s a grown woman and just because she has a contract doesn’t mean that she should be forced to work with her rapist of a producer. Even if they say they don’t have to have contact with each other in any way, if she doesn’t want anything to do with him then she shouldn’t have to. Once all the facts are out there, the truth will be come out but until then I strongly stand with Kesha.
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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:42 AM
She was guilty
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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:53 AM
She was guilty she lied about everything and the cops caught her in her lie
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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:54 AM
This comment has been removed by the author.
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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:56 AM
I remember watching this case trial on TV. everyone but the jurors knew she was guilty
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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:56 AM
Elvis and Carly is my two favorite briefs
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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 4:30 PM
samiyah rhodes
AOP
period 1
3/1/16

Amicus brief: Rodney king trial- 03/01/1991. Case of Rodney King vs the city of Los Angeles

On the eve of March 3 1991 Rodney Glen King a local Los Angeles resident was beaten senseless in the streets of downtown Los Angeles by four arresting officers. King was an African American male who was pulled over after being involved in a high speed chase with the Los Angeles police department prior to his arrest. After being stopped King proceeded to get out of his vehicle and was then provoked by officers on the scene, and nearly beaten nearly to death. There was video footage of Kings encounter with the police that was shot by a local resident who lived in apartments near the scene of the incident. The victim was later found to be intoxicated during the time of his arrest however the video image will prove that king was provoked and prodded by the officers. The video, recorded by civilian George Holliday who was awakened by sirens just after midnight on march 3 1991 showed four officers later identified as Stacey Koon, Laurence M. Powell and Theodore Briseno. An accompanying them that particular evening was rookie cop timothy wind were charged with criminal offenses including assault with a deadly weapon and later acquitted.

The officers charged with Kings assault were acquitted and found not guilty on April 1 1992. The predominantly white jury found all four officers not guilty of all charges and the case stretching over a year was over. I believe that the jury was absolutely wrong to not convict the men responsible for kings near death experience. The evidence clearly proves beyond a reason to doubt that the officers were out of ,line and abusive with their power. This was clearly a racially motivated stunt and no sympathy was shown for the victim, rodney glen king. Little sympathy was shown for the victim and justice was evidently not served.

I firmly believe that this was a racially motivated attack and the officers were acting out of rage and not civic duty. Source doug linder states that “ Changes in the defense strategy also worked to the prosecution's advantage. Koon, in his testimony, revealed none of the inner fears that seemed to impress the Simi Valley jury.” This case was set up for failure and king was stripped of his civil rights. Being that this case took place in the early 90s, a heated time for racial issues, a case of this nature was not tried fairly. The officers who beat rodney senseless and the racist jury were all at fault for the turn out of this case. Rodney was victim and the culprits of this crime were treated as victors opposed to the monsters they truly are.

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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:09 PM

In august of 2006 Allen Ray Heckard sued Michael Jordan and Nike founder Phil Knight the Nike agent that ran the everyday operations of running the brand. Heckard claimed that the two were liable for $832 million. He came up the $832 million($416 million each: $52 million in damages and $364 million in punitives). Heckard was tired of being mistaken for the famous basketball player. He said that continual public harassment because of the alleged resemblance. Heckard states " I have troubled nerves" and that these nerves has denied him peace of mind for at least 15 years, caused him trouble at work, inflicted emotional distress, and has lead to Heckard being unable to capitalize proper names or use the possessive form of nouns.
The specifics of the lawsuit: He is suing Jordan for defamation and permanent injury as well as emotional pain and suffering. He's also suing Nike founder Phil Knight for helping to make Jordan one of the most recognized men in the world. Heckard is Jordan basically twin, although Heckard is eight years older, 30 pounds lighter, and six inches shorter (Sarcasm). Also, one of them cannot effortlessly slam-dunk a basketball after leaping from approximately the free-throw line. Someone would have to either have very bad sight or wouldn't really know Michael Jordan looks like. Granted, he's an African-American, has a shaved head, and wears an earring in his left ear. That's the only thing factor that turn Heckards life from rags to riches. “I can't believe this guy is suing," Michael Jordan says this in interview before the court date. The reporter states in this interview still seems calm as usual basically knowing that he will win this absurd case.
I firmly stand the defendant side. The prosecutor is making up an unrealistic case to try to hit the lottery on the greatest basketball player of time. I find it ridiculous that someone would another individual for millions of dollars for looking like. I cannot comprehend nor understand it. The court system also agreed to this when in September of 2006 the verdict came out not guilty for Michael Jordan. Micheal states after the victory “Nothing shocking about today just another walk in the park.” Heckard would not respond nor talk to any reporters, just walked straight to the vehicle that drove away shortly after climbed into with the look of embarrassment. I am very sure that sure that Heckard knew the ending result would not be him winning a case against a winner like Michael Jordan, with all the financial backing he would have. The reality check was most likely there all along.

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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:14 PM
She is guilty
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UnknownMarch 17, 2016 at 6:19 PM
My favorites are Maurice and Rachel
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AnonymousMarch 18, 2016 at 4:50 AM
This was very persuasive. I enjoyed it. A lot of details
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AnonymousMarch 18, 2016 at 4:51 AM
Lexi n Jennis are my favorite
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UnknownMarch 18, 2016 at 4:55 AM
The most persuasive were Carlys and Maurice's.
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UnknownMarch 18, 2016 at 4:58 AM
Today I am here to discuss the “Scottsboro Boys” case. Rudy Bates and Victoria Price who were prostitutes, accused the Scottsboro boys of brutally raping them on a train. In addition to those accusations, they accused the nine boys of boarding the train with a gun and forcefully removing all the white boys off the moving train cart. The alleged crime was committed in 1931 on a train in Alabama. The Scottsboro Boys case developed a verdict in 1932. The verdict was guilty, of corse. Numerous trials were held because the death sentence was presented almost every time, but due to lack of evidence it was dismissed. But don’t get it twisted, the Scottsboro boys were still poorly represented. Their lawyer was appointed the day of the trial, and he didn’t even want to be there. The Scottsboro boys consisted of Roy Wright, 13, Willie Roberson, 17, Eugene Williams, 13, Olen Montgomery, 17, Ozie Powell, 16, Andy Wright, 19, Clarence Norris, and Charles Weems, 19.

As I stated before, the verdict was guilty. Which I strongly disagree with. During the 1930’s, blacks weren’t even treated like humans. There were no black people in jury, which help me understand a little better why they came to a “guilty” verdict so quickly. There was no one of color to represent for the innocent boys. Also, it wasn’t enough hard evidence to convict these boys clearly. There were no traces of forceful entry or foul play from the medical examinations. So how were they raped and held down as they suggested? There would be signs of that kind of thing. There were only signs that the girls did indeed have sex, but then again they were prostitutes. And who was to say that the white boys didn’t buy their services? All they really had was word of mouth from the white party. During the 1930’s, white words were always preferred over black words. These boys were thrown into a trap. Either way, they were doomed. If they lied no one believed them, and if they told the truth, no one believed them either. I strongly believe they were and still are innocent.

These nine beautiful boys are innocent! This just showed people during that time that our judicial system was twisted and unfair. How could they say America was equal with injustices like that happening legally! Reading and researching this case actually made me angry. Actually, angry is an understatement; I was pissed. A person doesn’t even have to be a genius or lawyer to see that this whole case was fishy. One could plainly see that these boys were wrongly convicted. Evidence and justice didn’t even matter in this case. The only thing that mattered was making sure those black savages were killed, and if not killed, behind bars. It sickens me. This case reminds me of Emmett Till constantly. Emmett Till was a young 14 year old black boy lynched for whistling at a white women. It happened around the same time frame. Injustice for blacks are still alive today in 2016. These boys were innocent. There was no evidence at all to convict. Here is an actual letter from Ruby Bates, the alleged victim of the Scottsboro boys:
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UnknownMarch 18, 2016 at 4:59 AM
“Dearest Earl
I want to make a statment too you Mary Sanders is a goddam lie about those negroes jassing me those policement made me tell a lie that is my statement because I want too clear myself that is all too if you want to believe, ok. If not that is ok. You will be sorry someday if you had to stay in jail with eight Negroes you would tell a lie two. those Negroes did not touch me or those white boys. i hope you will believe me the law don't. i love you better than Mary does ore any body else in the world. that is why i am telling you of this thing. i was drunk at the time and did not know what i was doing. I know it was wrong to let those Negrroes die on account of me. i hope you will believe me. I was jazed but those white boys jazed me. i wish those Negores are not burnt on account of me. it is these white boys fault. that is my statement. and that is all i know. i hope you tell the law hope you will answer.”
I really don’t even have to explain much further, do I? All I have to say is “ Wrongly Convicted”. You would think this letter would make a difference? Nope. The nine boys were still convicted.
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UnknownMarch 18, 2016 at 5:09 AM
Keanu's and Sebastion's were my two favorites.
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UnknownMarch 22, 2016 at 4:06 AM
Nick and Sarah's were my favorite.
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