Bell & Pollock - Legal Anatomy of Current Events

Movies, Guns, and Manslaughter Side Bar on "Rust"

The chief weapons handler on the Rust movie set was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the 2021 fatal, on-set shooting of the movie’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by the actor Alec Baldwin.  Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March for mistakenly loading a live round into the revolver Baldwin used in the film. 
The trial for Baldwin, who was both an actor and co-producer on the film, is set for  July after a grand jury indicted him for involuntary manslaughter. What will a jury need to decide?

Trump Not Barred From the Ballot For Insurrection. But A NM State Official Was

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a former New Mexico county commissioner who was kicked out of office over his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Though the Supreme Court ruled states don’t have the ability to bar Trump or other candidates for federal offices from the ballot, the justices said different rules apply to state and local candidates.

Trump's Inflated Value of Assets & the New York Law

Former President Donald Trump and his company committed fraud by overstating the value of their assets, a New York judge ruled. The New York Attorney General may start collecting Trump assets. How does that really work?

Donald Trump & E Jean Carroll: Can She Actually Collect the $83 million?

A federal jury said Donald Trump must pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in compensatory and punitive damages for defaming her.  Does Trump actually have to pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll? Not immediately, at least. Mr. Trump vowed to appeal the verdict, a process that could take months or more and while he is waiting for an appellate court to rule, he doesn't have to cut Ms. Carroll a check.  But he is still on the hook to pay something.

Ketamine, Paramedics, The Police and Death: The Criminal Trial

Two Colorado paramedics are on trial for their alleged role in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, a young man who died after police detained him and medics injected him with a powerful sedative. Did the paramedics violate their training protocols by failing to examine McClain before injecting him with the maximum allowed dose of ketamine? 

Campaign Money, Finances and Wire Fraud

Sam Miele, a fundraiser for expelled Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with impersonating an aide to then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
According to court records, Miele misrepresented himself as a high-ranking congressional aide to then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy to deceive donors and then used their money to pad his own pocket and the coffers of Santos' campaign. Miele admitted he committed access device fraud by charging credit cards without authorization.  

Insurrections, Rebellions and Elections: What a recipe!

A Colorado judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump “engaged in an insurrection” on January 6, 2021, but rejected an attempt to remove him from the state’s 2024 primary ballot, finding that the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban” doesn’t apply to presidents. Or does it? You decide.

Trump’s GA Indictments

Donald Trump and 18 others have been indicted in Georgia over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. Bell & Pollock explain the many legal elements in of this historic case.

Floods, Fires, Disaster! Then Your Homeowners Insurance Company Drops You.

Insurance companies are not offering or are not renewing insurance policies in some states to shield themselves from ballooning losses from natural disasters. Can they do that? And what can you do if your policy isn't renewed?

Tried and Acquitted...But Still Going to Jail! How? Wow!

Maybe astonishing, but true. You can be acquitted in court and still go to jail. It's perfectly legal.