Topic: Appeal

Michael New faced a court-martial for disobeying orders to wear a United Nations uniform while serving as a medic in Germany. Following a guilty verdict where evidence of his motivation was suppressed, his legal team appealed through the federal district court and the Supreme Court, both of which declined to intervene before military proceedings concluded. The case currently awaits a decision from the Army Court of Criminal Appeals in Falls Church, Virginia, amid allegations of procedural delays and a lack of official recording.

The ACLU is challenging the Illinois eavesdropping law in the Seventh Circuit Federal Appeals Court in Chicago after a lower court dismissed their initial lawsuit. During a September hearing, Judge Richard Posner expressed concern that permitting such recordings would lead to increased "snooping" by reporters and bloggers. The case seeks to establish a constitutional right to record police officers in the performance of their public duties.

The speakers criticize Judge Walter Smith for handing down 40-year sentences based on automatic weapons charges that they claim were never proven. They highlight the absurdity of being found guilty of using a weapon in a crime for which the defendants were acquitted.

The Davidians' legal battle moved toward the Supreme Court, focusing on the 30-year mandatory minimum sentences added to the weapons charges. Supporters argue that since the defendants were acquitted of the underlying violent crimes, the "use of a firearm" enhancement should be invalid. Figures like Graham Craddock remained imprisoned despite claims that they never fired their weapons during the 51-day siege.