Legal Juice

Good things come to those who wait? So maybe that wouldn't have been the case here, since our perp was waiting in line at the KFC/Taco Bell drive-through... Still, patience is a virtue. Impatience, at least when manifested this way, is criminal. As reported by tampabay.com:

Jennifer Lynn Betterly was angry at how long the woman in front of her was taking to order food in the drive-through lane Saturday evening.

Sure. It happens.

So after screaming at her, police said, Betterly repeatedly rammed her Ford Focus into the woman's car, then drove off.

Yikes.

Betterly, 24, was arrested at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, about an hour after the incident at the KFC/Taco Bell at 1648 Missouri Ave. S, according to an arrest report. She was driving with a suspended license, and police found a prescription pill bottle containing a single pill of the sleep aid Ambien. The label was torn, and she was unable to prove the pill was prescribed for her, according to the report.

The charges?

Betterly faces felony charges of aggravated battery and possession of a controlled substance, in addition to misdemeanor charges of driving with a suspended license, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash.

Crazy, right? It's not like she was at Wendy's ... Here's the source.

If you think your parents ever embarrassed you, step aside, and let this girl through. She is clearly at the front of the line. As reported by thelocal.de:

A German judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a couple of swingers after their 15-year-old daughter discovered a video of them in a sex club with their faces undisguised on the website of TV channel RTL.

Can't top that, can you? Didn't think so. How did it happen?

The production company responsible for producing the report for RTL had meant to pixelate the couple’s faces but forgot, according to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday.

So ...

The swinging parents wanted compensation for the alleged pain and suffering their family faced after the embarrassing revelations.

Just one problem ...

... the presiding judge said that in order to proceed with the lawsuit, the girl would have had to appear in court to testify and describe her shock – something he said she should be spared.

“I wouldn’t want be in your shoes,” he told the parents, according to the Süddeutsche. "That's simply embarrassing."

He explained that the parents weren’t due compensation because they had agreed to the filming in the first place and the production mistake had been an honest one.

So how do we get out of this mess?

[The judge] suggested a compromise: That the production company and RTL pay the parents a small fee for their appearance and cover their legal expenses of about €3,000 [euros].

After all, he said, the fact that real people could say “this is what these people look like” probably made the show even more successful than normal.

That "small fee" better be going to that poor girl. Here's the source.

When you hear the facts, you'll no doubt agree that the boyfriend clearly had it coming. As reported by lancasteronline.com:

An officer responded to Lancaster General Hospital at 9:39 a.m. Monday for a report of a stabbing victim, city police said in a criminal complaint.

A 19-year-old Lancaster man said he had been stabbed at 11 p.m. Sunday in the 600 block of St. Joseph Street, police said. He sustained two one-inch lacerations to his left arm.

Jasmine Marie Rivera, 18, of the first block of East Walnut Street, admitted that she had stabbed the man, who is her boyfriend, police said.

Ouch. So what did he to do deserve being stabbed?

She said she had become upset because she had waited outside for him Sunday and he took too long to arrive.

She has a knife, and apparently a bad temper. The Juice hopes he never cheats on her ...

Rivera was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and simple assault before District Judge Cheryl Hartman, city police Lt. Todd Umstead said.

Unsecured bail was set at $15,000, and Rivera was released Monday night.

Here's the source, including a photo of Ms. Rivera.

Yeah, firing a bottle rocket out of your butt is never a good idea. And it's even worse if it fails to launch! From the recently filed West Virginia case of Helmburg v. The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Travis Hughes:

Defendant Hughes was highly intoxicated ... and decided in his drunken stupor that it would be a good idea to shoot a bottle rocket out of his anus on the ATO deck ...

Plaintiff and his girlfriend were also present on the ATO deck.

Defendant Hughes placed a bottle rocket in his anus, ignited the fuse, but instead of launching, the bottle rock blew up in Defendant's rectum, and this startled plaintiff and caused him to jump back, at which time he fell off of the ATO deck, and he became lodged between the deck and an air conditioner unit adjacent to the deck.

So, you might be wondering, what legal duties does the plaintiff allege were breached by ATO?

ATO owed plaintiff a duty ... to supervise its guests and its own fraternity members, such as Defendant Hughes, and other under age persons, from consuming alcohol on its premises, which leads to stupid and dangerous activities, such as shooting bottle rockets out of one's own anus.

What about Mr. Hughes?

Defendant Hughes also owed plaintiff and others on the ATO deck a duty of care not to drink under age, or to file bottle rockets out of his anus.

And here's a count for both defendants:

Plaintiff asserts that the activity of underage drinking and firing bottle rockets out of one's own anus constitutes an "ultra-hazardous" activity which exposes both of these defendants to strict liability.

A painful night, all around.

How could a 55-year-old man get arrested for playing on a trampoline? Here's how, as reported by stv.tv.

As [his neighbor] looked out of her window, she saw James Burden stark naked with a cigarette in one hand and his genitals in the other. Falkirk Sheriff Court heard the gobsmacked victim told police that 55-year-old Burden was "as bold as brass ...and purposeful".

"gobsmacked" ... nice

Mike McMahon, prosecuting, said that the woman, who lives in a block of four flats in Falkirk’s Westquarter, had got up to go to her bathroom as 5.14am on March 25 this year.

As she passed her kitchen window, she saw Burden - her upstairs neighbour - in the back garden. She then saw Burden approach the back door of the block of flats.

The woman rushed into her living room and called police. Mr McMahon said: "He told police he had gone out to the trampoline and had masturbated himself there."

Zoinks! If you're wondering "why?" ...

... Burden told officers: "Just for the thrill of it." He added: "I did not intend anyone to see me."

Burden, of Yew Terrace, Westquarter, pled guilty to publicly exposing his person in a shameless and indecent manner, and approaching his neighbour's house and placing the occupant in a state of fear and alarm.

The time?

Sheriff Craig Caldwell deferred sentence until next month for reports.

There's probably not a lot of precedent for this particular crime.

How do you know when it's time to find somewhere else to live? If your landlord starts losing it over the dishes, pack your bags! As reported by TCPalm.com:

A man told Port St. Lucie police that he's renting a room from Carraway and "all of a sudden Ricky started yelling at him for leaving his dish out and got into his face," the affidavit states.

Uh oh.

The man said Carraway entered his room, pushed him against a wall and choked him. He said Carraway left and came back. Carraway, he said, pointed a gun at him and said he was "about to put some holes in you," the affidavit states.

Holes?! What did Mr. Carraway have to say?

Carraway said he was upset about the man's mess and asked him to clean up. He said the man brushed against him so he pushed him off. Carraway said he got his gun and pointed it toward the ground, telling the man to get out.

So, we're good, right? Nope. Mr. Carraway "was arrested on charges including aggravated assault and battery." Here's the source, including a photo of Mr. Carraway.

You try to be nice to people, and what do you get? Spit on, literally, and more. As reported by the
Northwest Florida Daily News:

A woman who gave her ex-boyfriend a ride to the bowling alley called for help after he called her names, spit in her face, pushed her head against a pillar and threw a glass of water at her.

He also pulled her hair, which was a wig and came off in his hand.

The 35-year-old Fort Walton Beach man had left the area before Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived, according to his arrest report.

Probably didn't even say "thank you."

The incident happened on Jan. 16. Deputies located and arrested him the next day. He was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery.

Here's the source.

The Juice is feeling it just thinking about pounding 20 beers. But that's exactly what a 26-year-old Kalamazoo, Michigan man did. Fortunately he did not succeed with what he set out to do after the binge. He did do some damage though, including a pretty disgusting grand finale. As reported by mlive.com:

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Assistant Chief Brian Uridge said the man told officers he was feeling depressed, went to the top of the Radisson [Plaza Hotel & Suites] ramp at 100 N. Rose St. and drank 20 beers to "get enough courage to commit suicide," Uridge said.

The man, whose name has not been released, then proceeded to drive out of the ramp and struck eight vehicles, causing $75,000 worth of damage.

You're probably wondering about the grand finale?

The man then got on top of a car and defecated on it, Uridge said.

Perhaps it was a symbolic act, with the car representing his life, or him, or ... who knows. At least he didn't kill himself.

Uridge said the man was arrested at about 3 p.m. on suspicion of drunken driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 or higher, which under state law is called "super drunk." Police did not release the man's BAC Friday.

Here's the source.

This man, just convicted of sexual battery and facing 20 years to life, just walks right out of the courtroom, and the courthouse? Yup. As reported by The Times-Picayune:

Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman said his office is reviewing just how a freshly convicted sex offender simply walked out of a criminal courtroom, down the steps of the courthouse and out of sight before anyone noticed.

Gusman's office also released a photo of Teddy Magee, who faces 20 years to life in prison after a jury convicted him of second-degree sexual battery Monday, despite the victim's support during the trial.

How did it happen?

Following the verdict, the woman grew hysterical, and as Criminal District Court Judge Benedict Willard and lawyers were discussing a possible appeal bond for Magee, the defendant apparently walked to the back of the courtroom and out the door.

So nobody was responsible for keeping tabs on a violent sex offender?

In a news release, Gusman said his office was looking into whether any policies or procedures were broken.

See, apparently there's a simple explanation.

"One deputy was escorting the jury out, and you had the other with the situation about the woman doing what she was doing [acting hysterical]. All that was part of the process of what was going on," Ehrhardt said.

Really? That's it? A minor distraction, and a felon walks right out of the courthouse? You can read more here.

Generally, when you get plastered, it's a good idea to just sleep it off. Ah, but it's very important where you chose to do so. Just ask this gent from Kentucky. As reported by wdrb.com (Louisville, KY):

According to the arrest slip, around 6:30 a.m. Saturday police responded to reports of a vehicle facing north in the southbound lane near the 4400 block of Shepherdsville Road. When police arrived at the scene, they found 21-year-old Cruz Santiago at the wheel.

Okay. They found him at the wheel. So what's the problem?

Police say the 2008 Pontiac was running and in gear, and that Santiago was asleep at the wheel with his foot on the brake as the car inched forward. When confronted, Santiago said Santiago smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

Big, big problem. Dude could have killed someone.

Santiago failed a field sobriety test, police say, and registered .184 on a portable breathalyzer test.

He was arrested and charged with one count of DUI.

You'll find the source, including a mug shot, here.

Even if you like sweet and sour sauce, ain't no way you like it as much as this Washington State man. As reported by The Highline Times:

A man entered a fast food restaurant at the 14800 block of 4th Ave. S.W. asking for some condiments. The clerk told him no. That angered him so he pulled out a knife and demanded they hand over some sweet and sour sauce. There were no reported injuries and it was unclear if they had the suspect in custody.

Clearly a head-scratcher.

What's the big deal? It was 4:00 a.m. for goodness sake. Can't a fella go out for a little stroll without getting busted? Well, there is at least one prerequisite to taking that stroll ... As reported by wmbfnews.com:

... the suspect, 21-year-old Kerry Joseph Jasiak of Myrtle Beach, was walking down Robert Grissom Parkway toward SC 31 completely nude around 4 a.m. Saturday.

Jasiak told responding officers he did not know where his clothes were, the report said.

See, he had a perfectly logical explanation! Even so, guess what the Five-O did?

Jasiak was taken into custody and transported to the Myrtle Beach Jail where he was charged with Disorderly Conduct (Public Nudity).

Here's the source, including the mug shot.

The Juice thinks this breathalyzer must be busted. Why? Because this dude blew way too low considering the circumstances. As reported by The Tampa Bay Times:

The deputy saw sparks and smoke coming from Kevin Blazer's Lexus just after 1 a.m. Wednesday and pulled the car over on Little Road near Trouble Creek Road. The driver was so intoxicated, the Pasco sheriff's deputy later wrote in a report, he didn't realize he had been driving with his left front tire missing. Blazer, a 34-year-old college student, was arrested and charged with DUI. His blood alcohol level was between 0.129 and 0.131, according to the Sheriff's Office. The state presumes impairment at 0.08.

Blazer, of 4039 Vista Verde Drive in New Port Richey, was released from the Pasco Jail on Wednesday.

Kudos to Mr. Blazer for returning to college while in his 30s. A big black mark for Mr. Blazer for not maturing much in the intervening years.

Just what was the condition imposed by Judge Tom Broadmore for granting bail to Mr. Ben Hana (who was charged with cannabis possession and obscene exposure)?

That he wear underwear.

For real. Per The Dominion Post, it seems that Mr. Hana is "... well known around Wellington [New Zealand] as Blanket Man." Unfortunately, that's apparently all he wears - a blanket. As his lawyer described it ...

"He wears high-risk clothing. It's a way of life rather than a deliberate attempt at lewdness."

"High-risk." Nice touch. What did the Judge think?

Judge Tom Broadmore was sceptical of Ms Dixon's explanation: "I was walking down Courtenay Place and I'm sure he was exposing his genitals. It's just not something the public should have to tolerate."

Counselor?

Ms Dixon suggested making the wearing of underwear a bail condition as a "precautionary measure".

Done? Done.

The judge agreed to bail on condition that Hana not enter licensed premises, other than supermarkets, not drink alcohol and that he wear underpants or boxer shorts while in public.

Posted by John Mesirow | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Best Of , Juice Drops , Say What? , Yikes

Washington DC Injury Lawyer John B. Mesirow represents injured accident victims in Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. His practice includes Car Accidents, Bike Accidents, Boating Accidents, Brain Injury cases, Construction Accidents, Dog Bite cases, Medical Malpractice, Motorcycle Accidents, Trucking Accidents and Wrongful Death cases. John Mesirow was named a "Top Lawyer" by Washingtonian magazine and aggressively represents his clients. You can contact him online or by phone at 866-463-0303 or 202-463-0303.

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What would you do for some nuggies? Definitely not what a California woman was willing to do, as reported by whptv.com.

Khadijah Baseer of Los Angeles was seen opening customers’ car doors in the McDonald’s drive through at 1700 block of Olive Avenue about 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Burbank Leader. Baseer was allegedly offering to swap sexual favors for the fast food item.

A witness reported her bizarre behavior to the authorities. Baseer was arrested on suspicion of prostitution.

Yikes. Here's the source.

The Juice has not had a "booth" dance (uh, yeah, sure, right), but he can't believe a stripper would give one without getting the cashish first. Well this stripper did, unfortunately for all parties concerned. As reported by cnews.canoe.ca:

A stripper will spend the next nine months in jail for smashing a beer bottle over the head of a customer who refused to pay her. Tamara Valcourt was sentenced this week for the Dec. 1 attack at the Chez Venus bar.

Crown prosecutor Julie Gagne said Valcourt attacked the man as he was leaving the strip club without paying the $100 he owed for a booth dance.

"The defendant struck the victim with a beer bottle," said Gagne. "(He was hit) behind the ear and suffered a deep, four-centimetre cut."

The Crown and the defence [she pleaded guilty] agreed that Valcourt should serve an additional nine months on top of the 36 days already served. She was also slapped with two years' probation and has been barred from the Venus club.

Any priors? Well ...

The judge took into account the stripper's prior criminal record that included convictions for obstructing police in 2006 and assault in 2007.

Yikes. Here's the source.

Hmmm. The Juice was working on this post and thought this name sounded familiar, so he checked the archives of 1,854 Legal Juice posts and found this one about Judge Willie F. Singletary. The story on philly.com was now not so surprising.

The state Supreme Court yesterday canned Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Willie F. Singletary, suspending him without pay after he allegedly showed a woman cellphone pictures of his genitalia two weeks ago.

Yikes.

But this isn't the first time Singletary has made headlines. In 2007 his driver's license was suspended for unpaid tickets [a BOATLOAD of them - see Juice post above], and two years later he was reprimanded for promising favors in exchange for campaign donations.

That's quite a record in just the past 5 years.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court ordered that Singletary be "relieved of any and all judicial and administrative responsibilities as a judge of the Philadelphia Traffic Court."

Might consider another line of work.

If this dude decides to remain in the relationship, he would be well-advised to have a pack of cigarettes on hand at all times, and be willing to share them. As reported by The Morning Call (Allentown):

Bethlehem police said a woman went on a rampage Monday night when her boyfriend denied her a cigarette and attacked him with a steak knife.

Linda Sellers, 55, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, harassment and possessing an instrument of crime. Sellers, of 714 Hayes St., is in Northampton County Prison under $750,000 bail.

Yikes. Here's the official police version:

Officers were called to the home for a report of a woman yelling. Sellers answered the door and said, "Oh, good. It's the (expletive) police!"

Police said Sellers pointed to Camilleri, who was sitting on the couch holding a steak knife he had wrestled away from her, and told the officer she was going to kill him.

Camilleri told police he was sleeping on the couch when Sellers awoke him and asked for a cigarette. When he told her to buy her own, police said Sellers threw items around the apartment and overturned a glass coffee table.

Sellers went into the kitchen, grabbed a steak knife and attacked Camilleri, police said. He suffered three cuts on the top of his head and was treated and released from St. Luke's Hospital-Fountain Hill, police said.

Here's the source.

Does marinating a cat really enhance the flavor? Hey, don't shoot the messenger. (And please, PETA folks, no more emails. The Juice truly likes animals, especially cats.) Mr. Gary Korkuc was caught literally marinating his cat. Here's the story, as reported by www.buffalonews.com:

Buffalo police say officers heard the cat meowing when they stopped 51-year-old Gary Korkuc of Cheektowaga to ticket him for running a stop sign Sunday night.

They say they checked the trunk and found 4-year-old Navarro in a cage, his fur covered with oil, crushed red peppers and chili peppers.

Very uncool. But why?

Police say Korkuc told them he did it because Navarro was ill-tempered.

... he [also] told them he was going to cook Navarro. But they say Korkuc also complained that the neutered male cat got pregnant after he was spayed.

What what what? [Funnier for South Park fans.] A pregnant male cat? Anyway, it looks like Navarro will be fine, as he was cleaned up and is awaiting adoption. And Mr. Korkuc?

[He] was charged with cruelty and released; his phone number isn't listed.

Think he's glad he opted for an unlisted number?

You come between this lady and her beer, YOU WILL PAY. And it doesn't matter if you're her husband. As reported by TCPalm.com:

The husband on Dec. 9 showed Fort Pierce police a cellphone video of his wife, Tricia Renee Habeb, searching for beer in the refrigerator.

“The suspect became irate at the fact the victim put her beer in the garbage can,” an affidavit states.

Oh yeah? Keep that up, and I'll call the cops!

The husband was heard saying that he’d called police, and Habeb hit her spouse in the face area.

Yikes.

The husband said Habeb came home drunk, and was looking for more beer but couldn’t find it. He said he disposed of the beer and that he wouldn’t give her the car keys because she was intoxicated.

Sounds like a good man. Surely even a drunk woman would appreciate this show of concern?

That, he said, is when Habeb got incensed and chomped him on the arm and neck.

Ouchee! How does she say it went down?

Habeb said her husband held her against her will and that he punched her in the mouth.

Applying the smell test ...

Police saw little, if any, injury to her.

So ...

Habeb [age 35], of the 1400 block of North Lawnwood Circle in Fort Pierce, was arrested on charges including battery and resist officer without violence.

Here's the source, including a photo of Ms. Habeb.