Law Times

Page 16 December 9, 2013 Law Times • u The u Bizarre Briefs InsIde story By Viola James DID COP TAKE PART IN MURDER FANTASY? DRESDEN, Germany — You'd think a police officer would know better than to join a cannibalism web site, let alone take part in a murder fantasy. But according to police in the eastern city of Dresden, a German police officer is under arrest following the discovery in his garden of the chopped-up body of a man he had met on a fetish web site for cannibalism. "The victim had been fantasizing about being killed and eaten by someone else since his youth," Dresden police chief Dieter Kroll said at a news conference. It wasn't immediately clear whether any act of cannibalism had taken place, according to Reuters. The investigation recalled the case of Armin Meiwes, dubbed the Cannibal of Rothenburg, who killed and ate a man who had advertised on the Internet for someone to kill him "and leave no trace." Meiwes, who filmed the act, received a life sentence in 2006. Dresden police said the suspect was a 55-year-old who worked as a technical expert in the criminal investigation department. They identified the victim only as a 59-year-old man from Hanover, Germany, and said they were treating the case as a murder. CRIME-FIGHTING ROBOT INTRODUCED SAN FRANCISCO — In the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, some people hoped for stricter guns laws. But with that goal remaining elusive, a California company is hoping a crime-fighting robot will address the issue. According to Fox News, developer Knightscope Inc. hopes the K5 autonomous data machine will help prevent security incidents in schools. "Tedious and monotonous monitoring should be handled by K5, leaving 'hands-on' activities to security personnel," the company says. K5's features include sensors that process data through its "predictive analytics engine" in order to determine an alert level and decide when to notify authorities, according to Knightscope. "Imagine a friend that can see, hear, feel, and smell that would tirelessly watch over your neighbourhood, keep your loved ones safe, and put a smile on anyone walking by your business," the company says, touting K5's arrival as the "birth of a new hometown hero." PRESIDENTIAL PARDON FOR THANKSGIVING TURKEYS WASHINGTON — Some presidential pardons are controversial, particularly if they involve allegations of favouritism. But in other cases, they draw the nation's elites for a popular public event. Taking a break from weighty matters of state and pitched battles with political foes, President Barack Obama exercised the lighter side of his authority last month by sparing two magnificent turkeys the fate of becoming someone's Thanksgiving dinner. "The office of the presidency, the most powerful position in the world, brings with it many awesome and solemn responsibilities," he said as one of the turkeys strutted around the stage next to him. "This is not one of them." The president announced that, after the public had voted, a turkey named Popcorn was the winner of the 2013 national Thanksgiving turkey competition over his rival, Caramel. Obama, who has said his ability to win the presidency despite his Kenyan family last name is a testament to America's tolerance and diversity, displayed a politician's appreciation for both the winner and loser of the contest. "The competition was stiff, but we can officially declare that Popcorn is the winner, proving . . . that even a turkey with a funny name can find a place in politics," said Obama. Americans have been sending presidents turkeys for Thanksgiving since the 19th century, the White House said. George H.W. Bush was the first president to officially pardon a bird in 1989, the White House added. LT "They are truly wise men, my son, for behold, they bring lawyers." NEW PARTNERS AT DENTONS Dentons Canada LLP's Toronto office welcomed two new partners last week. David Carbonaro and Andrew Elbaz have joined the firm as partners in the corporate finance and securities group. Both lawyers have backgrounds in mining and corporate finance and have advised clients both locally and internationally. "David and Andrew are important additions to the firm and they will help David Carbonaro us to strengthen and grow our corporate finance and securities practice in Toronto and across the country," said Mike Kaplan, managing partner of the firm's Toronto office. CONVICTED EX-COP CAN PRACTISE LAW A former police officer previously convicted of assault while on duty has received the green light to practise law from the Law Society of Upper Canada. A hearing panel recently found that Ryan Venables was "of good character" following counselling for anger management and racism. The incident in question dates back to 2006. According to the hearing panel's decision last month, the then-York Regional Police officer stopped to assist a colleague who had arrested a person, identified as V.B., for drinking and driving. According to the hearing panel decision, Venables was heard saying, "You drunk fucking Russian," before punching V.B. on the side of the face. "I hate Russians," he said as he returned to his cruiser. But considering Venables' shame and remorse, the lapse of time since the incident, and several reference letters attesting to his good character, the hearing panel found the former police officer was fit to practise law. LAWYERS AMONG MOST POWERFUL WOMEN At least 10 lawyers are on last week's list of Canada's 100 most powerful women. The Women's Executive Network produces the list each year to highlight the professional achievements of women across the country. The legal names on the top 100 list include: • Janice Odegaard, senior vice president and general counsel, Suncor Energy Inc. • Kathleen Ryan, partner, Davis LLP • Leslie O'Donoghue, executive vice president, corporate • • • • • • • development and strategy, and chief risk officer at Agrium Inc. Lisa Borsook, executive partner, WeirFoulds LLP Lisa Vogt, partner and chief diversity and engagement officer, McCarthy Tétrault LLP Lori Wanamaker, B.C. deputy minister, Ministry of Justice, and deputy solicitor general Lynn McGrade, partner and Toronto regional investment management group leader, business development committee, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Monique Mercier, senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, Telus Communications Co. Nancy Hopkins, partner, McDougall Gauley LLP, and director, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Shannon Rogers, president and general counsel, Global Relay Communications Inc. POLL RESULTS The results of the latest Law Times online poll are in. The majority of respondents say the Law Society of Upper Canada's creation of a fourmonth placement option under the law practice program won't necessarily make them more likely to take on students as opposed to the traditional articling route. About 73 per cent of respondents said the alternative of a fourth-month placement isn't more appealing than the traditional articling term. The law society recently announced details on the law practice program, including the fourmonth placement, once it starts in September 2014. LT 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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