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Table of Contents
Volume 5, Issue 3
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Cases in Headlines:
When Sex Fantasies Turn Lethal
Part 2 of an Exclusive Series on Sadomasochism
Studies of serial killers have noted the prevalence of sadistic and controlling behaviors in their modus operandi. With sadomasochistic fantasy as common as it is, why is it that only a small portion of those with this sexual proclivity become homicidal? In Part 2 of this installment, we explore the psychological and biological factors that distinguish sadomasochists from violent sexual offenders. The Forensic Panel assembled a group of noted experts in alternative lifestyles and deviant sexual behaviors in an attempt to answer this and other questions.
Legislative Update:
Legislative Update for March 2, 2001
-Florida Bar Association is pressuring the State Supreme Court to change its rules for post conviction testing
-Idaho bill to eliminate the statute of limitations for rape has been introduced and quickly passed by its policy committee
-Virginia enacts a post conviction DNA testing bill
Legislative Update:
Legislative Update for March 16, 2001
- New York Governor requests more DNA samples to be taken
- Alabama and Indiana have "cold hits" from DNA databases
- Texas introduces two bills to establish a missing / unidentified persons database
Legislative Update:
Legislative Update for March 23, 2001
- New Hampshire bill to expand DNA database to include most violent felons
- Arizona congress unanimously approves DNA sample bill
- Michigan drops charges man after DNA proves he is not perp
Recent Cases:
Qualification Doesn't Make Methods Reliable
Illness Link Unproven After Insecticide Chases Tenants
Insecticides sprayed in home leave new dwellers in medical mayhem. Problem 1: the chemicals meet scientific safety standards, Problem 2: experts testimony not allowed to prove symptoms = tort. Is it possible to get a judgement in favor of the tenants?
Recent Cases:
Condemned Murderer Claims Retardation
Challenges Psychiatric Testimony
The Texas court sentenced John Penry to death for the rape and murder of a young woman. But Penry offered evidence of mental retardation and challenged the state's psychiatric testimony.
Recent Cases:
No Expert for Cross-Racial ID
Less Reliability a Common Belief
In an incident of a white taxi driver being held up by a black male, will the identification of the accused br valid, when there's confusion by the witness? Defense claims it's a case of false identification by stereotypical assumptions of the victim.
Recent Cases:
Disabled Employee's Walk Is Out
Insubordination Not ADA Protected
A bakery worker with bipolar disorder claims her employer failed to accommodate her as required by the ADA. What accommodation did she request? Just the right to walk away from her supervisors whenever their statements caused her stress.
Recent Cases:
Therapy Recovers; Not for Parents
No Duty to Patient’s Folks
Youth claims multiple instances of sexual abuse in a psychological support group. After being pulled from home, authorities investigate, but come up empty handed. Perhaps the girl is 'suffering' from false memories?
Recent Cases:
Daubert Needed in Re-Creations
Reinactment of Money Burning Challenged
Would an attorney burn $500,000? James Norris claimed he did. But the re-creation of the incident cast doubt on his story.
Recent Cases:
Pro Se Would Have Ignored Counsel
No Alternative Dooms Competency Challenge
A jury convicted Susan Viola Klat of threatening to assault the Chief Justice of the United States. But the court doubted her competency. Should the court have appointed an attorney for her over her objection at the competency hearing?
Recent Cases:
Abortion Fighter's Commitment Protected
Certification of Activist's Danger Reasonable
Kenneth Scott was an anti-abortion activist who spent years protesting in front of Dr. Warren Hern's abortion clinic. Becoming alarmed, Dr. Hern hired a private detective and used the evidence obtained to get Scott committed.
Recent Cases:
Munchausen Gives Motive to Mystery
Prosecution Bolstered After Child's “Accident”
With two dead sons and a third one poisoned, the State of Montana suspected the boys' mother, Susan Hocevar, had Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP). MSBP is a form of child abuse in which a child's caregiver fabricates or causes illness in the child to gain attention. Hocevar sure gained attention.
Recent Cases:
Acquittee Challenges Seclusion, Speech Rights
No Right to Least Restrictive Environment
When a forensic facility’s Social Learning Program curtails an insanity aquittee’s room and radio privileges, he sues, challenging that his rights of free expression, and his rights to due process were violated.
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