Law Times

Page 20 September 16, 2013 Law Times • u The u Bizarre Briefs InsIde story By Viola James ONLINE CONFESSIONS BECOMING POPULAR FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO — It's not great news for defence lawyers, but with people putting so much of their lives online, it's no surprise they're taking the idea even further by confessing to crimes on YouTube. According to Reuters, Matthew Cordle, 22, posted a 3-1/2 minute video on YouTube in which he admits to driving the wrong way down a highway directly into oncoming traffic, striking and killing Vincent Canzani, 61, on June 22. "When I get charged, I will plead guilty and will take full responsibility for everything I have done to Vince and his family," Cordle said. "I will give the prosecution everything they need to put me away for a very long time." Franklin County prosecutor Ron O'Brien has since viewed the Cordle video, spokeswoman Christy McCreary said. He'll take the case to a grand jury to recommend a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide involving alcohol, she said. In the video, Cordle said he has struggled with drinking and depression. "On that particular night, I completely blacked out and tried to drive home," he said. Cordle begged viewers not to drink and drive. "Don't make the same excuses I did. Don't say it's only a few miles or you only had a few beers or you do it all the time or it will never happen to you." The video is the latest in a series of recent online confessions to crimes in the United States and abroad. Early last month, a Florida man named Derek Medina posted a Facebook message to friends that he had killed his wife after she started punching him and posted a picture of her lying on the floor. He has since pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. TOWN CONSIDERS HUNTING LICENCES FOR DRONES DEER TRAIL, Colo. — As academics continue to debate the legal issues surrounding drones, one small town is considering taking action with a proposal to issue hunting licences to shoot them down. According to Reuters, while voters in the town won't decide until next month whether to issue the hunting licences, hundreds of marksmen are lining up for permits to fell such aircraft in the unlikely event any appear in local skies. A resident of the small ranching and farming community of Deer Trail floated the whimsical idea of issuing permits as a way to protest the proliferation of unmanned aircraft used for commercial or government purposes, said town clerk Kim Oldfield. Town trustees decided last month to put the question to voters, Oldfield said, adding that there are vocal opponents to the idea among the 600 residents of the town. Oldfield said the town has seen a flood of applications for the $25 permits, including from all over the country and from as far away as Britain and Canada. According to Reuters, proponents envision a quirky festival surrounding the notion with a skeet-shooting contest using small model airplanes instead of clay targets. "Our intention is really not to allow people to shoot things out of the sky," she said. Oldfield said she was setting aside the cheques until voters decide the issue. If the town's 380 registered voters reject the measure, it will return the payments. When the idea made headlines this summer, the Federal Aviation Administration took a dim view of firing at aircraft even if it was just a publicity stunt. But Deer Trail resident Phillip Steel, who proposed the licence idea, said he was serious about protesting what he calls "a surveillance society." LT "Ask him if he's ever smoked pot." LERNERS LAUNCHES FAMILY PRACTICE Lerners LLP has launched a family law practice group at its Toronto office. Joanne Stewart and Bryan Smith, who joined the firm as partners, will lead the firm's family law practice in Toronto. The pair "bring stellar reputations and a proven track-record" in their area of expertise, Lerners said in a statement. Besides Stewart and Smith, lawyers Sarah Conlin and Lindsey LoveBryan Smith Forester have also joined Lerners as associates. Another lawyer, Upasana Sharma, will soon join the team along with Jennifer Howard, a family lawyer at Lerners' office in London, Ont. "Lerners has been a leader in providing top-level family law services in southwestern Ontario through our London office for many years, so it was a natural evolution for the firm to provide the same services in Toronto," said Brian Grant, managing partner of the Toronto office. "Bryan, Joanne, and their team represent an opportunity to add unmatched excellence in the field and we are pleased to welcome them as well as Jennifer, who joins us from London." Stewart and Smith were both partners at Bastedo Stewart Smith. They both have decades of experience in their fields, Lerners said.   DAVID PETERSON DELOITTE ALIGNS WITH GETS PAN AM GIG SHOULI & PARTNERS Deloitte LLP has aligned with Cassels Brock & Blackwell immigration law firm Shouli & LLP chairman David PeterPartners LLP to offer business son is taking a lead role on the immigration services, the two 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games organizing committee. firms announced. Ontario Premier Kathleen Shouli & Partners partner Rima Shouli said business im- Wynne nominated Peterson to migration services are in high de- chair the committee, the law firm mand as companies move people said. Wynne said Peterson's "deep knowledge, vision, and infecacross borders. "We're experiencing condi- tious enthusiasm will help make tions unique to a global mar- these the most successful Pan Am ket," said Shouli. "Competition Games ever." Peterson was behind Ontario's is pushing companies and their employees beyond traditional successful bid to host the Games. "Cassels Brock is proud of Mr. geographic boundaries to reach new markets and drive growth. Peterson's involvement with the At the same time, employers are Pan Am Games as they serve to looking beyond their own bor- highlight Ontario's rich talent, culders to recruit the best people. ture, and diversity," the firm said in Prioritizing global employee de- a press release. ployment programs is critical." Heather Evans, Deloitte's POLL RESULTS tax managing partner, said mul- The results of the latest Law Times tinational companies are look- online poll are in. The majority of respondents ing for one law firm to assist them with their business immi- don't think foreign-service officers should compare themselves to gration needs. "We're excited by this alliance government lawyers in demandand what it means for our clients," ing higher pay as part of their job said Evans. "S&P's legal services action. About 60 per cent of responcomplement our existing tax practice, which means we can now of- dents felt the comparison was fer a one-stop shop to address the wrong, while the rest agreed that complex business immigration diplomats have a case for seeking requirements associated with a pay similar to government lawyers. Foreign-service officers have global operation. "What's more, Deloitte's global been engaging in a job action in network means we can offer local recent months that has affected support in each country where visa and immigration processing times at Canadian outposts. LT our clients do business." CANADIAN LAW LIST 2013 YOUR INSTANT CONNECTION TO CANADA'S LEGAL NETWORK Visit carswell.com or call 1.800.387.5164 for a 30-day no-risk evaluation Inside you will find: MORE THAN A PHONE BOOK Untitled-1 1 www.lawtimesnews.com 13-07-05 10:03 AM

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