RI Federal and MA State Criminal Defense Attorney: 2014

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

FAIR Military Act Will Increase Accountability For Sexual Assaults

The Department of Defense’s “Annual Report in the Military” was released last month, and showed a significant increase in sexual assaults. The report showed that the assaults were done to both men and women. Due to this report, the need for accountability is paramount in an attempt to reduce the crimes. Read more about this phenomenon below…

Among other things, the FAIR Military Act would limit the use of the "good soldier" defense, which allows a defendant to cite unrelated, subjective factors during trial, such as military record as a defense against sexual assault charges. It would also require commanders and service members to be assessed on their actions related to sexual assault prevention. And it confronts failures in the current system by improving specific elements in the areas of prevention, protection, and prosecution. To address the issue of lack of accountability, the bill requires that commanders be assessed in two new areas: first, on their ability to properly handle reports of sexual assault; and second, on their ability to create a climate where a victim can report a crime without fear of retaliation. Also, with the revelation of the prevalence of these crimes at all levels of the military, this bill takes the critical step of extending sexual assault prevention measures from past legislation to the military service academies.

— Read More At Adn.com

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The Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III offers clients representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Military Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, OUI Defense in MA , Assault and Battery and all criminal matters.

As a Criminal and Military Defense Attorney and former prosecutor with the US Army JAG Corps, John Calcagni, is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as the state and federal courts in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Florida and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please call (401) 351-5100 to arrange for a free consultation about your case or visit our website at www,CalcagniLaw.com

If you cannot make it to one of our offices, we will to come to your home or detention center.

Soldier Charged With Kidnapping And Sexual Assault

Richard Camacho assaulted a woman, both sexually and physically, after finding out about an affair with a noncommissioned officer. He was charged with 18 wrongdoings, 11 of which he was convicted of, and these charges included kidnapping and assault. The accused had to be escorted out of the courtroom after he stopped breathing. See more about this case below…

The sentence returned Camacho to his pale state from Thursday, and he followed his family to a back room in the courthouse. Moments later, a military police officer fetched a set of hand and leg irons from a Fort Bragg police vehicle outside and walked slowly to the defense room.

— Read More At Military.com

Another Service Member Arrested In Portsmouth Naval Medical Center Stabbings

Petty Officer 3rd Class Wilbur Harwell has been charged in the multiple stabbings at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. Another service member has been questioned in relation to this case, and the service member who is suspected of aiding Harwell’s escape has not been charged. Harwell is accused of stabbing another soldier eight times and is currently in the custody of the Navy. Read more below…

Petty Officer 3rd Class Wilbur Harwell was in federal court Thursday for a bond hearing, where he was turned over to the Navy. He was taken into custody by Navy master-at-arms, and escorted out of the Norfolk federal courthouse in handcuffs and shackles. Harwell will be held in pretrial confinement at the Naval Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake.

— Read More At Military.com

Fort Bragg Soldier Accused Of Soliciting Sex Online From Child

In relation to an investigation involving Bailey Joe Mills a Fort Bragg soldier is accused of soliciting sex from a child. The investigation showed that Jordan Everett Busse set up a chat room application for Mills to make it possible for him to solicit sex. Read more about this story below….

Jordan Everett Busse, 29, who is assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group, was charged Monday with soliciting a child by computer for sex and conspiracy, a Sheriff's Office arrest report said.

— Read More At Military.com

Soldiers Caught Sexting, Arranging Sexual Assault

A laptop was caught being passed from sailor to sailor, and a suspicious commander investigated, finding evidence of child pornography. This investigation uncovered one soldier’s plot to kidnap and rape a young child. Authorities found evidence of “sexts” between the soldier and several underage girls. See more about this story below…

"True also suggested kidnapping a girl for a while and discussed the things he wanted to do with her," the affidavit says. The woman replied in a March 2013 message that his sexual fantasies didn't bother her. They then discussed having the woman place hidden cameras in her home to record video of her young sister's bedroom, the affidavit says, adding that what he suggested did not bother her and that "she would never judge him."

— Read More At Military.com

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Weird Sex Laws In Different States

Some people may think that old laws regarding sex are humorous - and they are - but they are also taken seriously when the government gets involved. In New Hampshire it was illegal to cheat on your spouse, and that law remained until January, when lawmakers voted against. Read the article below for some interesting facts...

In Utah, it can be illegal to act too "sexy." A law aimed at curbing solicitation was broadened in 2011, so “lewd acts” that simply imply you want to trade sex for money, like exposing or touching yourself, are banned. Three escort services tried to fight it, but it was upheld in September.

— Read More At Newser

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

How A DUI Or OUI Can Change Your Life

Rhode Island has very strict laws against drunk driving, and they are only continuing to increase guidelines for punishment. This state in particular defines driving while intoxicated as anyone who has a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. Any DWI(driving while intoxicated) incident that results in death is consider a felony.
Most likely your first offense will result in a fine and a suspended license for a few months. An OUI is different from a DUI or DWI because this is when an officer suspects you of being under the influence of some type of drug. The officer may ask you to take a chemical test, and you can refuse to take part in it. If you refuse a chemical test or a breathalyzer test you must be prepared for the penalty. An officer has the right to confiscate your license on the spot. If you refuse the chemical test or breathalyzer and you have no prior OUI or refusal convictions there is an automatic license suspension is for 180 days for refusing the chemical test.
If you have prior convictions license suspension is more severe. In the state of Massachusetts you are considered to be operating a vehicle the minute you sit in the driver's seat, regardless of whether or not you actually drive somewhere. That means if you just sit in your car and turn it on, but change your mind about driving, you can still be charged with DUI or DWI. If you are facing the unfortunate situation of a operating under the influence or negligently operating a motor vehicle charge, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately to preserve your rights and avoid any possible prison sentence.

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The Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III offers clients representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Military Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, OUI Defense in MA , Assault and Battery and all criminal matters.

As a Criminal and Military Defense Attorney and former prosecutor with the US Army JAG Corps, John Calcagni, is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as the state and federal courts in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Florida and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please call (401) 351-5100 to arrange for a free consultation about your case or visit our website at www,CalcagniLaw.com

If you cannot make it to one of our offices, we will to come to your home or detention center.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Drunk Man Drives To Police Station To File report

An intoxicated man drove to a Louisiana police station to report a hit and run that he was involved with. He was then arrested and held on $1,000 bail. Read below for more on this dumb crime story.

Trooper Jared Sandifer says Ruffner called state police Saturday, saying his vehicle was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge. He was told to come to Troop A's offices to fill out a crash report.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Florida Couple Fined For Feeding Homeless

In an effort to feed the homeless, a Florida couple made it their mission to set up shop at Manatee Island Park every week. The police banned the couple from continuing their volunteer work and fined them $746. Read below for more...

Every Wednesday, the Jimenezes feed more than a hundred people a hearty lunch with dishes of chicken patties, macaroni salad, and fresh vegetables, among others. The meals are entirely funded by private donations and staffed with volunteers.

— Read More At ThinkProgress.org

Brazilian Village Takes Punishment Into Their Own Hands

This Brazilian village took matters into their own hands when they executed punishment on man. The man was accused of sexually abusing a 3-year-old girl. Read more below...

An investigation has also been launched into the alleged rape of the 3-year-old, reports note. The girl's mother reportedly noticed that something was amiss when she arrived home Sunday evening. Castro, who works on a farm where the child was staying with her grandparents at the time, was accused of sexually abusing the girl.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Woman Used Identity Of Someone Else To Purchase Watch

Identity theft can take place in so many ways that it is difficult to fully protect yourself from such a crime. The woman in this story stole identification from someone else and then proceeded to apply for credit. She got away with the crime until the victim received a bill. Read more below...

The scam didn't come to light until recently, when the victim received a bill for the timepiece. There doesn't seem to be any connection between the Brooklyn resident and the thief, cops said.

— Read More At NY Daily News

Friday, May 9, 2014

Man Stabs Five In Front Of New York Clinic

A man outside of a methadone clinic in New York got into an altercation and ultimately stabbed five people. He has now been caught. Read below for more information.

Corey Glover of Mott Haven was arrested for the alleged attack outside the Narcotics Freedom Methadone Clinic on E. 147th St. about 7 a.m. on Saturday and for slicing another man hours later.

— Read More At NY Daily News

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Deputy Attorney General Of Delaware Charged With Rape Of Teen

A Deputy Attorney General for Delaware is being charged with raping a teen boy he met through a dating app. He has resigned from his position and is being charged with four counts of rape. Read the article below for more information.

The suspect allegedly picked the teen up from school and took him back to Simmons' house. A teacher learned of the meeting and contacted authorities, according to 6ABC.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Woman Stabs Boyfriend To Death For Not Buying Her A Present

A pregnant woman got into a fight with her boyfriend for not buying her a present, and now she is being charged with first-degree murder. She does not seem remorseful about the situation in the least bit, according to sources she told him that she hoped he would die as she stabbed him. Read below for more information.

Phelan was allegedly upset because Martin purchased gifts for his 8-year-old son and 25-year-old cousin at a shopping mall, but didn't get anything for her, whose birthday was the following day.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Woman Claims She Was Saving Her Children From Mental Illness

A woman murdered her two teenage children in 2011 and is now in trial, where new evidence is being presented. The woman claims that she was trying to save her children from suffering the same mental illness that she has. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty due to her sever mental illness issues.

As my fellow HTML5 Doctor, Oli Studholme has showed, people seldom quote exactly – so sacrosanctity of the quoted text isn’t a useful ideal – and in print etc, citations almost always appear as part of the quotation – it’s highly conventional.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Woman Raises $21,000 With Cancer Scam

When people ask for money for donations, it is normal to be skeptical or suspicious. The following case proves why you should be suspicious at times, and this woman took the scam too far. An Ohio woman feigned cancer and raised $21,000 for "treatments". Full story below.

Taylor had claimed to be suffering from cancer of the small intestine, lupus and heart disease. Police investigators say subpoenaed medical records show she once suffered a stroke and had been diagnosed with lupus when she was younger, but there's no evidence of cancer.

— Huffington Post

New York Cop Shot Partner After Drinks

A cop allegedly shot his partner after stopping for drinks. He refused to take the breathalyzer to determine his blood alcohol level. The NYPD is investigating the incident. Read more below.

The cops, assigned to the detective squad at the 75th Precinct in East New York, Brooklyn, had signed out of the command, ostensibly to go to Far Rockaway for an investigation.

— NY Daily News

Teacher Facing Felony Charges

A teacher in the Princeton school district is being accused of inappropriate relations with a student. She is now facing felony charges. Read more from Huffington Post below.

In an interview with authorities, her 17-year-old alleged victim, who is not enrolled in special education classes, said that the 30-year-old teacher began harassing him at school earlier this year. She would compliment his appearance and inappropriately brush against him and touch him, he said.

— Huffington Post

Nursing Home Resident Murders Roommates

A nursing home resident is being accused of beating two roommates to death with his wheelchair armrest. There was a history of complaints filed by residents against the accused. Read the article below for the full story.

Nursing home employees told investigators Correa did not get along with his roommates and got into a fight with them, police spokesman Victor Senties said. But exactly what sparked the fight is still not known, he said. Another person was in the room during the attack and is being questioned by police.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Transgender Babysitter Set To Be Indicted For Murder

Kryzie King is being indicted on murder charges for the death of a 4-year-old boy. Weeks of abuse from the babysitter resulted in child abuse syndrome and the boy died of dehydration. Read the story for more details...

Kryzie King, 27, the transgendered gal pal of Myls Dobson’s dad, was in court for the first time since autopsy results confirmed little Myls died as a result of child abuse syndrome including dehydration.

— NY Daily News

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Miami Cop Assisted Drug Dealers In New Jersey

A Miami-Dade Police Officer was found to be secretly helping New Jersey cocaine dealers move money around, and assisting drug traffickers. He made it possible for the traffickers to bypass security and smuggled weapons to them when needed. He has been release on bail and has been released from his job. Read below for more.

About two years ago, he came under the FBI's radar during an investigation into a New Jersey-based drug gang that has been smuggling cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Ecuador in shipments of bananas and other produce. Investigators have intercepted at least 350 pounds of cocaine in the probe.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Father Arrested For Alleged Murder Of Daughter And Her Girlfriend

In today's diverse society one would hope that every parent would at least try to come from a place of acceptance with their children. Sadly this is not the case, and some people still have major issues with the thought that their child might be gay. A young lesbian couple were tragically killed in Texas, and authorities have arrested the father of one of the victims as a suspect.

“Anytime you have a crime like this you want to talk to the family, co-workers, friends to gain any information you can and, during that interview, pretty much it became an investigation,” Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said. “When we went to the residence to talk to him, some of the things we saw there, it increased and went further. We got a search warrant for the residence and our crime scene investigators were there last night, and after the event at the park, we drove him down to talk to us at the Sheriff’s Office.”

— Read More At Hellobeautiful

Man Wrongfully Convicted Tells His Story

You may have heard his story in the media, but if you haven't it is a good idea to read his story as it serves as a warning. This man spent 25 years behind bars for a crime that he didn't commit. I have touched on this in a prior blog post, but I think it is important to read this man's firsthand account.

I went out to eat with my family and team, and I had a huge steak. It was amazing, and I remembered what real food tasted like. I went to my lawyer Taylor's house and played video games with his kids. His wife opened the closet and gave me sweaters and shirts because I have no clothing. I spent time with my lawyer Anthony and my investigators Bob and Kim. They have done so much for me. My lawyers put me up in a hotel for a few nights because I have nowhere to live.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Maryland Couple Charged In Baby's Death

A young Maryland couple is being charged with the death of their 21-month-old daughter, along with a litany of other charges. There was a lot of alleged abuse taking place that resulted in the baby's death, and the mother neglected to call an ambulance for hours after the incident. The couple is being held on $1 million bail. Read more below.

“Our investigation finally revealed evidence that allowed us to prosecute him in that case,” J. Charles Smith, state attorney for Frederick County, told the Daily News.

— Read More At NY Daily News

Gunman Shot And Killed Three At Jewish Center

A man by the name of Frazier Glenn Cross was a former "grand dragon" of the Ku Klux Klan in Carolina Knights. He is facing charges for allegedly killing three people outside Kansas City near a Jewish Center. Read the article below for more information.

He wrote a disturbing autobiography titled “A White Man Speaks Out” in 1999 about his lifelong involvement with white supremacist groups. He even tried running for Congress in 2006 and the U.S. Senate in 2010, but failed both times.

— Read More At NY Daily News

Monday, March 31, 2014

Facebook Friends Rob Woman

Here is another case where social media worked against someone. A woman went on vacation and posted lots of pictures on Facebook, and one of her Facebook "friends" saw an opportunity. Three men worked together to rob the home of Stacey Grant while she was on vacation. Read the story for more.

The alleged burglar even messaged Grant after her first Vegas post asking about her Vegas plans, according to her mom, Lavern Cheatheam.Luckily for the family, police caught the burglars in the act while doing some undercover surveillance around 3:30 a.m.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Woman Bragged On Facebook About Breathalyzer Test Pass

Facebook can be a dangerous minefield of over-sharing and not enough discrimination when posting personal details. This can be troublesome for those who have a criminal past and are on probation, as was the case for this young lady. She apparently went on Facebook and bragged about passing a breathalyzer test, while coincidentally being on probation for a drunk driving conviction.

Colleen Cudney, 22, is not allowed to drink as a condition of her probation for a 2012 drunken driving conviction, and was called in for the test after St. Patrick's Day, according to Local 4 News.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Couple Arrested For Locking Boy In Dog Cage

A couple was arrested on allegations that they locked a 4-year-old in a dog house for fourteen hours a day. They attempted to use the cage as a place for nap time and discipline, as well as a place to sleep at night. During the investigation, police found evidence that a 14-year-old girl who also lived in the home was being sexually abused. Read the story for more detail.

The stepfather allegedly explained they kept the boy in the cage at night so he wouldn't touch the exposed electrical wires that were lying around the bedroom. During the investigation, deputies say they found new evidence that led them to charge Lee with the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl who also lives in the home.

— Read More At Huffington Post

8th Grade Teacher Accused Of Performing Oral Sex On Student

An eighth grade teacher is being accused of performing oral sex on a make student. The other students saw her sitting on the child's lap and engaging in other forms of inappropriate horseplay. Read the story below for more.

Corrie Anne Long, 43, is charged with sexual assault on a minor under age 17 and improper relationship with a student, who authorities say is an 8th grader at Hopper Middle School in Harris County, northwest of Houston.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Man Shoots Uncle At Funeral

A reality star's nephew shot his uncle at a funeral proceeding. He is being charged with attempted murder. Read the article below for more information.

Gai (guy) Scott, of Randolph was charged with assault with intent to murder. Authorities say he pulled alongside the hip-hop artist's Bentley and opened fire.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Friday, March 21, 2014

Queens Teaching Asst. Charged With Child Endangerment

This teaching assistant has been accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy, and has been suspended from her position during the investigation. The teacher's live-in boyfriend claims that the allegations are false.

The 10-year teaching veteran and the teenage boy had about 10 sexual encounters in the hallway of his home, with the youth claiming they had intercourse and she performed oral sex on him, cops said.

— Huffington Post

Johnny Cash's Great-Niece Murdered

Johnny Cash's great-niece was stabbed to death and stuffed into a chest in her house. Apparently an altercation had taken place and her boyfriend was also stabbed,but he survived with their child. Read the article for more information.

Cash's body was found in a chest just inside the front door, Andrews said. A man identified as William Austin Johnson, Cash's boyfriend, was being treated for stab wounds at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Andrews said.

— Huffington Post

Angry Employee Kills Boss Over Photo

This man became enraged when his boss took his picture without his permission, and took his revenge by allegedly stabbing the owner. The alleged stabbing happened in a packed restaurant in Florida. Read the article for more details.

As my fellow HTML5 Doctor, Oli Studholme has showed, people seldom quote exactly – so sacrosanctity of the quoted text isn’t a useful ideal – and in print etc, citations almost always appear as part of the quotation – it’s highly conventional.

— Huffington Post

Young Woman Sentenced For Child Sex Crime

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Mom Sues School For Strip Search

This mom knew that her daughter's rights were being violated when they strip-searched her at school, because they suspected she had a smart phone. Having a smart phone in her possession was against school rules. The school also claimed that the girl was without constitutional rights because she attended private school.Read article for more details.

Howze claims she called the school after the incident and was told her daughter “does not have constitutional rights because she is in a private school and that the school is backed up by the Derry County Police Department," according to the complaint.

— Huffington Post

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Woman charged with manslaughter in botched butt lift death of Queens 22-year-old

This is really disturbing, a woman tried to perform a surgery that only a plastic surgeon can perform. Her reckless behavior resulted in the death of a young woman, a college student. Read the article for more information...

A 22-year-old woman who died under mysterious circumstances in a Manhattan hot sheets hotel last summer was the victim of a botched buttocks lift — and now a New Jersey woman has been charged in the death, police sources said Tuesday.

— New York Daily News

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Toddler Found With Heroine In Jacket

This small child entered into daycare with a jacket packed full of heroine. The father was arrested and charged with endangering a child's welfare. Read the article for more.

My daughter sees something on the floor, puts it in her mouth thinking it's candy -- same thing could have happened here," Dulce Ibanez, a parent of a child at the day care, told the outlet.

— Read More

Friday, March 7, 2014

Don Willburn Collins May Face Adult Murder Case For Alleged Childhood Crime

This man was convicted as a juvenille for a crime that caused a young man to suffer for years, then eventually died due to complications. Now he is being charged as an adult for something he already spent time in a juvenille detention center for. Read the article for the full story.

Authorities allege that Don Willburn Collins was 13 when he attacked Robert Middleton in 1998 on his eighth birthday near the younger boy's home in Splendora, about 35 miles northeast of Houston. Middleton was burned across 99 percent of his body and endured years of physical therapy before he died in 2011 from skin cancer blamed on his burns.

Read More
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The Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III offers clients representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Military Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, OUI Defense in MA , Assault and Battery and all criminal matters.

As a Criminal and Military Defense Attorney and former prosecutor with the US Army JAG Corps, John Calcagni, is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as the state and federal courts in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Florida and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please call (401) 351-5100 to arrange for a free consultation about your case or visit our website at www,CalcagniLaw.com

If you cannot make it to one of our offices, we will to come to your home or detention center.

Law school grad convicted of first-degree murder of Queens girlfriend

The defense tried to get his client a verdict of manslaughter with a twenty five year sentence, but it was denied. There was entirely too much evidence against him, and now he faces life in jail without the chance of parole. Read the article for further information.

Jurors listened to a chilling four-minute recording of the slaying - the result of a cell phone pocket-dial - in which the Weight Watchers exec could be heard asking for mercy.

Read more
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The Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III offers clients representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Military Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, OUI Defense in MA , Assault and Battery and all criminal matters.

As a Criminal and Military Defense Attorney and former prosecutor with the US Army JAG Corps, John Calcagni, is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as the state and federal courts in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Florida and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please call (401) 351-5100 to arrange for a free consultation about your case or visit our website at www,CalcagniLaw.com

If you cannot make it to one of our offices, we will to come to your home or detention center.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Aspen Socialite Allegedly Killed By Couple Who Rented Her House

This woman, the victim, rented out her house in the exclusive Aspen while on vacation herself, only to be murdered upon return. The victim's house guests are now under arrest and are now facing first-degree murder charges. There have been no details released about the cause of death, according to this article.

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — A husband and wife who rented the house of a Colorado resort town socialite are accused of killing her and leaving her body in a closet after she returned home from an overseas vacation.

Nancy Pfister, 57, was the daughter of the late Betty and Art Pfister, longtime prominent Aspen residents who co-founded the Buttermilk ski area west of town. Buttermilk Mountain has hosted the Winter X Games multiple times.

On Monday evening, authorities arrested William F. Styler III, 65, and Nancy Christine Styler, 62, at the Aspenalt Lodge in Basalt, where they were staying after apparently moving out of Pfister's two-garage, two-story Aspen home Feb. 22. Both face first-degree murder charges.
Read More
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The Law Office of John L. Calcagni, III offers clients representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Military Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, OUI Defense in MA , Assault and Battery and all criminal matters.

As a Criminal and Military Defense Attorney and former prosecutor with the US Army JAG Corps, John Calcagni, is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as the state and federal courts in Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Florida and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please call (401) 351-5100 to arrange for a free consultation about your case or visit our website at www,CalcagniLaw.com

If you cannot make it to one of our offices, we will to come to your home or detention center.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Raulie Casteel Gets Up To 40 Years For Mich. Freeway Shootings

This man claimed that he was shooting "warnings" for the other drivers, because he was highly anxious. He has been sentenced for this case and another that was pending. Read the article for more information.

HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — A man who kept a swath of southeastern Michigan on edge for weeks by shooting at two-dozen vehicles along a busy highway corridor was sentenced to 16 to 40 years in prison on a terrorism conviction Monday.

Raulie Casteel learned his fate in Livingston County Circuit Court, where a jury in January found him guilty of terrorism, rejecting his claim that the shootings were the impulsive result of uncontrolled delusions and paranoia.

Casteel, 44, already is serving a six-plus-year sentence that stemmed from a related case in neighboring Oakland County.

During the Livingston County trial, Casteel testified that he shot at the other motorists on Interstate 96 and nearby roads between Lansing and Detroit over a three-day period in October 2012. Testifying in his own defense, Casteel said he was consumed with anxiety while in traffic, most likely from undiagnosed delusions. He said he believed drivers were part of a government conspiracy against him.

Casteel said he never thought about the consequences of the shootings, only that he wanted "to send a message to back off."

Defense lawyers pleaded for an acquittal on the terrorism charge, arguing there was no premeditation as required by law, but the jury disagreed.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Sarah Sanaghan Killed In Crash Just Yards From Where Her Twin Sister Was Killed

This is a case of coincidence that is both tragic and strange. This girl was killed within 500 yards from the spot that her twin sister died. Read the article for more information...

A nurse and mother of one was killed in a car crash Thursday, not far from the place her twin sister died in a hit-and-run in 1996.

Sarah Sanaghan, 29, pulled in front of a semi-tanker on Route 394 near Crete, Ill., at about 5:40 a.m., according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Sanaghan's Chevrolet Cruze was struck on the right side, and Sanaghan was pronounced dead at 6 a.m, killed by blunt force head trauma.

The truck rolled onto its side and wound up in a ditch, but the truck driver was not seriously injured, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Kerry Kennedy Found Not Guilty Of Drugged Driving; Claims She Took Sleeping Pill By Accident

Kerry Kennedy was acquitted of drugged driving, and it seems as though she is very relieved. She claims that she took a sleeping pill by accident, causing her to hit a truck. She will definitely double-check her pills from now on- read the article for more information...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — Kerry Kennedy was acquitted Friday of drugged driving after she accidentally took a sleeping pill and then sideswiped a truck in a wild highway drive she said she didn't remember.

Kennedy hugged and clasped hands with her lawyers as a six-person jury cleared her of driving while impaired, a misdemeanor. It had carried the potential for up to a year in jail, though that would be unlikely for a first-time offender.

"I'm incredibly grateful to the jury for working so hard on this case ... and to my lawyers ... and to my family and friends and so many other people who supported me," Kennedy said afterward. "I'm happy justice was done."

A human-rights advocate, Kennedy is a scion of one political dynasty — a daughter of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and niece of President John F. Kennedy — and a onetime member of another, as the former wife of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Her 85-year-old mother, Ethel Kennedy, and other members of their famous family attended the trial, which drew so much attention that it was moved from a small-town courtroom to a bigger courthouse in White Plains.

Prosecutors and Kennedy's defense lawyers agreed the 54-year-old took the sleeping drug zolpidem unintentionally, mistaking it for her daily thyroid medication, before heading off to her suburban New York gym on July 13, 2012. The trial centered on whether or not she realized she was impaired and should have stopped.

Despite the pill mix-up, "she is responsible for the chain of events that happened after that," prosecutor Doreen Lloyd said in her summation. She argued that Kennedy shrugged off the symptoms because she was busy.

5 Craziest Crimes of the Week

Happy Friday everyone! What better way to end the work week than to see the craziest crime roundup? Here is a list of the five craziest crimes committed this week...

(NEWSER) – Sloppy police work and a wayward rocker make this week's list:

Teen Wrongly Jailed Over Name Confusion: A Florida teenager spent 35 days in jail on sex-assault charges because it apparently never occurred to his arresting officers that two people might have the same name. Cody Lee Williams, now 19, was arrested last August after a young girl told police that a "Cody Williams" had sex with her in 2012. But there was another Cody Williams.
Christian Rocker: Yes, I Hired a Hitman to Kill My Wife: A Christian heavy metal rocker pleaded guilty to hiring a hit man to murder his estranged wife. Prosecutors say Tim Lambesis, lead singer of Grammy-nominated California band As I Lay Dying, asked a personal trainer at his gym to arrange it.

Owner of Citizen Kane Castle Shot in Head: Long Island police have a high-profile shooting on their hands: Developer Gary Melius was shot in the head Monday as he got into his Mercedes near the castle he calls home. Yes, castle. In fact, if you've seen Citizen Kane, you've seen the exteriors of Oheka Castle.

http://www.newser.com/story/182969/5-craziest-crimes-of-the-week.html

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Timothy Lambesis Pleads Guilty: As I Lay Dying Singer Admits Hiring Hitman To Kill Wife

This man had hired a hitman to murder his estranged wife, but the man that he hired was an undercover agent. Timothy Lambesis apparently clarified after the taped conversation that he definitely wanted his ex-wife killed. He is out on bail now awaiting trial. Read the article below:

VISTA, Calif. (AP) — The lead singer of Grammy-nominated metal band As I Lay Dying pleaded guilty Tuesday to trying to hire someone to kill his estranged wife.

Timothy Lambesis, 32, remains free on $2 million bond until he is sentenced May 2 on one count of solicitation of murder in Vista Superior Court, north of San Diego.

Lambesis was recorded telling an undercover agent that he wanted his wife killed, according to prosecutors. The investigation began last April after Lambesis allegedly told a personal trainer at his gym that he wanted to get rid of his wife.

The undercover agent, San Diego County Sheriff's Officer Howard Bradley, testified last year that Lambesis met him at an Oceanside bookstore in May and said he wanted his wife "gone."

Bradley said he asked Lambesis directly if he wanted his wife killed, and the singer replied, "'Yes, I do.'"

Lambesis said his wife, Meggan Lambesis, had restricted his visits with their three adopted children after they separated in September 2012, Bradley testified at a preliminary hearing. The singer also told the agent that he was angry that Meggan Lambesis would get a large share of his income in a divorce settlement.