Ohio to Twitter Execution News--How Charming!

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that those charming folks at the State of Ohio Department of Corrections are exploring the possibility of utilizing Twitter to disseminate execution announcements.  How completely thoughtful of them!

Friend Me On Facebook, Your Honor!

The ABA Journal is reporting on the resignation of Judge Ernest "Bucky" Woods, who was sending, um, questionable emails to Tara Elizabeth Black (see pic, from her facebook page!).  I quote the ABA Journal report: 

Chief Judge Ernest “Bucky” Woods of Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court, 54, told the Fulton County Daily Report that he is retiring from the job. "I just got tired of living under a microscope,” he said.  Woods’ resignation follows allegations about an inappropriate relationship with a defendant [BL:  that had appeared before Judge Woods], Tara Elizabeth Black. The relationship was chronicled in what appear to be Facebook e-mails that were turned over to the circuit’s district attorney and obtained through an open records request by the Fulton County Daily Report and the Clayton Tribune, the first publication to write about the issue.

The more extensive Fulton County Daily Report article is at the link.  Apparently the relationship began when the Judge sent Miss Woods a FB message telling her that he had noticed that she was a hair stylist and that he was looking for someone to give him a new look. 

The Judge begins his new look immediately--sans robe, ending a 17 year career.

Sharon Dixon, Baltimore Mayor Resigns

Previously on Bad Lawyer I blawg-ed about Mayor Sharon Dixon of Baltimore who was convicted of misdemeanor petty theft.  The Baltimore Sun is reporting on the deal to keep Her Honor out of jail, she resigns. 

This prosecution was oteworthy because of the apparent extraordinary misconduct of jurors who were involved in "social networking" and cyber-research during the trial.  The post-trial proceedings promised at least a re-trial.  Now it is all moot, with the plea deal and resignation of Mayor Dixon. 

TMI?

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that local judges are dealing with the problem of smart phone technology and social networking as it relates to keeping jurors insulated from news accounts and social media sites like Facebook. 

Recently, Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon was prosecuted for bribery and embezzlement as it related to the taking and use of "gift cards" from a former boyfriend/developer that were variously said to have been donated for the needy.  She was convicted of misdemeanor embezzlement and is due to be sentenced January 15th.  In a motion for a new trial, Dixon is citing to juror misconduct that included 5 jurors "friending" one another on Facebook, during the trial and talking about the case online.  Ouch.

Here's the deal, when you are selected for jury duty, your entire focus is supposed to be on the testimony and evidence, what the Judge allows you to hear and consider, not what you develop outside of the courtroom.  That jurors are talking about the case among themselves and others is jury msiconduct.  That smartphones and social networking sites facilitate this is a real problem.  Sounds to me like Mayor Dixon is going to get a new trial.

For more:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/anne-arundel/bal-md.ar.tmi13dec13,0,2858534.story