Juggalos Sue FBI Again
As you may recall, the rap duo Insane Clown Posse and its fans, known as "Juggalos," have been up in arms for a while now because of the FBI's decision to classify Juggalos as "a loosely organized hybrid gang." See "Legal…
Music
Mistrial Declared in Rick Springfield’s Buttocks-Assault Case [Updated]
After a series of "twists and turns" that began Tuesday afternoon, the judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in Calcagno v. Springfield, just before the case was to be sent to the jury. The judge has reportedly given both sides 90 days…
The Blonsky Device
I'm a big fan of the Improbable Research group and the Ig Nobel Prizes they give out every year. Usually the achievements they recognize are scientific, but if there is any connection at all with the legal field I am always happy to…
Good Reason to Kill #36: Dubstep; and #37: King of Pop
From an Aug. 23 press release by the SF Public Defender's Office: San Francisco, CA — A 52-year-old man accused of smashing a champagne bottle over his 30-year-old coworker’s head after the younger man changed the music from classic Michael Jackson to…
Man Loses Bob Dylan Hair in Divorce Settlement
No further details are available yet—TMZ reported it without posting the actual documents—but it appears that Black Keys singer Dan Auerbach will give up some significant assets as part of a divorce settlement finalized this week. His ex-wife will be receiving over…
Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Here’s a Copyright Lawsuit, Happy Birthday to You
I don't know that I'd call this "a lawsuit for the ages," like the New York Times does. But that's mainly because around here that title is reserved for the four-year struggle over a $65 million legal claim that the plaintiff called a…
From the Police Blotter: Steve Martin Can’t Play the Banjo
From the police blotter for Orange County, CA (Laguna Niguel): A caller reported that his neighbor was screaming in his backyard about how Steve Martin can’t play the banjo. The incident occurred at 12:59 a.m. in the 28800 block of…
WARNING: Peanut Shells May Contain Peanuts
Here's how utterly ridiculous this story is. In the UK, unshelled peanuts are called "monkey nuts," as depicted here, but although this story therefore involves people being "warned not to eat roasted monkey nuts," THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH BY…
What Do You Call An Album Released Solely to Extend Copyright Protection?
It’s only sort of a trick question.
Gang of Smurfs Facing Assault Charges
Police in Melbourne say they believe the four Smurf impostors, three of whom are seen below in a 7-Eleven security-cam photo, assaulted a man about 1 a.m. on December 16 after first asking him for a cigarette. A quick search…