Judge Bets on New Approach

Lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, accused of tax evasion, died in police custody

(NEWSER) - For the first time in its history, Russia plans to prosecute a dead man. Police intend to bring to trial the tax-evasion case of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in custody in 2009, reports the New York Times . Russian authorities claim they reopened the case so Magnitsky's supporters could exonerate him. The real reason, assert the supporters, is so the government can intimidate them and perhaps clear the name of the officials Magnitsky had condemned for corruption. More»

Drug packaging warns of possible hypersexuality, gambling problems

(NEWSER) - A French man is suing a drug firm for his addiction to sex and gambling, claiming a medication he was taking to control his Parkinson's disease triggered compulsive behavior. The claim isn't so far fetched. Experts say that dopamine agonists like that found in the drug Requip, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, can trigger compulsions in some patients, reports ABC News . The 51-year-old married dad of two said he blew through his life's saving to gamble, and engaged in a series of risky gay sexual encounters. More»

'Smart sentencing' draws fire from prosecutors

(NEWSER) - We all know the punishment should fit the crime, but what if the punishment costs too much? Along with sentencing guidelines and legal statutes, Missouri judges now have state-supplied information on the bottom line of what various sentencing scenarios will cost. They'd know, for instance, that a three-year sentence for child endangerment would cost $37,000, whereas probation would cost less than $7000, reports the New York Times . More»

(NEWSER) - Police busted 19 men suspected of operating a canary fight ring in Connecticut, reports WFSB TV. Some 150 canaries and saffron finches were confiscated in Shelton. “There were 100 canaries fighting, and they were betting on them 'til they were dead. It’s absolutely shocking,” said a neighbor. Canaries are increasingly being used in illegal fights instead of roosters, said a police official. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson was "murdered" by a shadowy entourage of handlers who were after his money, says his angry sister La Toya. "I believe Michael was murdered. Not just one person was involved, rather it was a conspiracy of people," she tells the Daily Mail. "Michael was worth more than a billion dollars. When anyone is worth that much money, there are always greedy people around them." She says he died in his personal physician's bedroom, surrounded by oxygen tanks and an intravenous drip stand. More»