The Casey Anthony Verdict

Casey Anthony Trial

While my law practice is limited to injury, civil, and malpractice cases, so many folks have asked me about the Casey Anthony criminal case that I feel I should address it.

The jurors wanted the story! They always want the story. Since we were all little children, we have been told fairy tales, nursery rhymes and bedtime stories. We have all watched far too many television dramas, videos and movies. If you have read Shakespeare, enjoyed a novel or have been to the theater, it is basically the same sequence. They all have a beginning, characters and a plot. Virtually all of them have an action sequence with good guys and bad guys in some conflict. They certainly all have an ending.

The little Anthony girl’s remains were only skeletal by the time they were finally found. As a result, scientists were unable to tell the jury how and exactly when she died. The jury wants to know how and when she died. Those are important elements of the story. While it may not technically be needed to convict, the jurors usually at least want a workable theory on those points.

If you are like me, it is beyond infuriating that the mother’s own failure to report the missing child and her own lying is what gave enough time for the remains to fully decay! (It makes me angry all over again just to type it). In a sense, even though she was convicted of lying, it appears she still has benefited from it.

It brings to mind the O.J. Simpson trial for many. There is still no question in my mind that he killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Unfortunately, the story of an alleged racist cop planting evidence (including the infamous glove) was what prevailed.

But when I think about the Simpson trial, I recall a different set of events. After his ex-wife was found murdered, he led police on a slow chase in the white Bronco, carrying a gun, money and a disguise. That is unreasonable unless he was guilty. Innocent ex-husbands rarely act like that when an ex-wife was killed.

The story that will likely be remembered in the Casey Anthony case is about a monster of narcissistic mother who got away with murder.

What do you think?

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.

WATCH What U Post!!

Watch What You Post and Send

When I have a legal claim against someone I will often check to see if they are on Facebook or another social media site. It is amazing how often they will explain how the accident happened, and often admit that they had been drinking, or some other condemning information. While I only do injury law, I have read several cases where a criminal is arrested based on evidence found as a result of his own postings on Facebook! It seems technology has outpaced common sense in its use. But it is not just true in cases involving the legal system.

Public officials are proving that they too can be foolish with social networking tools. The latest public figure to fall from so-called sending lewd photos and suggestive statements via cell phone text messaging is Congressman Anthony Wiener. A recently married man, he was sending these to several other women. NFL star quarterback Brett Favre, a married Mississippi native, was alleged to have done much the same thing. Representative Christopher Lee, of New York texted a photo of him without his shirt on to a woman, not his wife, on Craigslist, and immediately resigned in disgrace.

So why do these people, who ought to know better, even do it?

"If you're looking for some kind of deep explanation, I simply don't have one," Weiner said at a press conference admitting the actions. "This was just me doing a dumb thing, doing it repeatedly and then lying about it."

The new term might be “Internet Infidelity.” Most experts say it is the instant gratification of this behavior that causes users to crave more.

This kind of behavior cannot be too far from more explicit behavior, however. As Christians, we understand how sin progresses. In the above texting cases, there is no allegation of actual physical intimacy. Compare this with recent allegations that Arnold Schwarzenegger, the current governor of the State of California, famous bodybuilder, actor and businessman, had a child with another woman while married to Maria Shriver.

If that sounds familiar, it is much like former presidential candidate and Senator John Edwards’ folly of having a child with another woman while his wife was fighting cancer and he was a viable candidate for the presidency. He added the audacious sin of allegedly forcing a staffer to lie and claim paternity for the baby, even though that man, Andrew Young, was also married.

Where does this all start? How can supposedly great--and certainly smart--men like this fall so far?

As with all other important questions in life, Scripture contains the answer:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:14,15.

You see in these cases, the “death” of marriages, trust and sometime careers. So how do the rest of us prevent ourselves from being “drawn away?” Here are some warning signs and deterrents that may be helpful on your online life:

– 1. Never tell a friend of the opposite sex something you would not tell your spouse. This can easily lead to a so-called “emotional affair.” Harmless at first, these begin as just friendship, but pick up speed as you eventually only feel “understood” by the person you are not married to.

– 2. Always have transparency in your online dealings. If you are on Facebook or Twitter, make sure your spouse can see all you send and receive.

3. 3. Always speak highly of your spouse in the presence of others of the opposite gender. If you express disappointment with him or her, the person you are talking to may see it as an opportunity.

4 .. Never post photos you don’t want your spouse to see, and that you don’t want to see again and again. You may see them in lawsuit or even a prosecution.

Remember, Jesus taught us in Matthew that our thought life is the birthplace of our actions. Centuries earlier, The ancient saying in Proverbs 23:7 summarized succinctly:

“For as a man thinks within himself, so he is.”

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.

Should a Christian Ever Sue??

Christians and Lawsuits--

Should a Christian Sue?

As a Christian, and a lawyer, I have been asked about this many times. As with any question, we should consult the Scriptures first.

The Biblical text that is most often cited is Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8:

If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. (NIV)

Let’s look at the passage carefully. The kind of cases involved in the passage are described in the text:

A “dispute,” that is “trivial” in nature, “between believers,” involving being “cheated” and “wronged” and this dispute could well be judged by a “man of little account in the church.”

The type of actual dispute is not revealed, but from the description above it is clear that it involves a matter that is between two believers, where one feels cheated or wronged and appears--to others at least--as “trivial” in nature. The Bible expressly states that legal action in that situation is shameful.

An example of that might include a Christian church member suing another member for slander for unknowingly sharing partially false information in a prayer request about her, and hurting her reputation. Or, it could involve a dispute between two members of a church suing one another over the giving of a poor reference for a job. (Yes, both of these are unfortunately based on real cases).

There is little doubt that these bring the reproach of men upon the church, and are horrible examples. However, Paul himself resorted to law twice when he was wrongfully arrested as a Roman citizen. He also used the threat of law in Acts 16:37. When one examines the Biblical admonition carefully, there is a clear distinction depending upon the type or nature of the dispute.

For instance, cases that I handle generally involve serious injuries or death. Any case involving grievous injury or death, by definition, is not at all “trivial.” I hasten to add that 98% of cases settle without trial, so even the most serious cases rarely see a courtroom. Mediation, which is based on Matthew 18, is often used with great success.

Further, these types of serious disputes are rarely actually “between believers” in any real sense. For instance, if I represent you because you were paralyzed when a truck rear-ended your car, I have to name the negligent driver of the truck (who may be a Christian) in order to obtain the compensation due from his auto insurance. Recall as well, that insurance is purchased to assist us all in paying for accidental acts that may harm someone, and to help protect our assets in that event. It is exceedingly rare for any case to cost an insured driver one penny personally. Many cases are against large corporations that, of course, do not have souls, and therefore cannot be believers.

I may represent a Christian, against a nursing home chain for neglect in allowing terrible bedsores. This is usually a large corporation that often put profits over people. These cases are clearly not what is banned in the Corinthians passage.

Finally, cases that I handle, against negligent drivers, doctors, hospitals and nursing homes are not at all the type of cases that can be resolved by “men of little account in the church.”

While there are many other types of law, the type that I deal with is mentioned frequently in Scripture. Much of our civil injury law (called “tort law”) is actually based on the Bible’s passages.

For instance, the law governing dog bites in Tennessee states that if my dog is not known to bite I have no liability for it doing so. However, if my dog has a vicious nature and is known to bite then I am liable in tort law for all damages. Compare, Exodus 21:28:

If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death. However, if payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded.

Or, look at the law regarding a slip and fall on a premises owned by another. If I create a condition that I know is dangerous and leave it as a virtual trap for another, I am liable in civil damages. Compare Exodus 21: 33:

If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit must pay for the loss;

Other interesting accidents in Scripture include the negligent attaching of an axe head to an axe handle such that it flies off and kills someone while chopping wood (Deut. 19:5); and the dropping of a stone on an unseen man (Num. 35:22).

Also, the negligent person has a responsibility as well. Sometimes people talk of lawsuits being a way of making another person responsible for one’s own misfortune. But, if not for lawsuits generally, we may still have Ford Pintos with exploding gas tanks on the road, burning people alive after very minor car accidents. The medicines we take would not be so thoroughly tested. Nursing homes would not be under any incentive to give better care.

As you can see, the Bible does not forbid lawsuits, but it gives us much direction. Here is a Biblical checklist that may be helpful in evaluating a potential claim:

1. Is this matter “trivial?” (If so, overlook it.) (1 Cor 6:2 & Col 3:13).

2. Is this matter solvable by involvement of others at church? (1 Cor 6:4 & Matt 18:15).

3. Are my motives selfish or vengeful? (If so, stop). (Phil 2:3)

4. Have I tried to resolve my claim before suit or court? (Proverbs 25:8).

In the end, some will say, my cases are about money. I understand the criticism.

However, as I may tell a jury, “Don’t give her money---give her back time…give her back years of pain…give her back a life without this suffering…give her back her quality of life. But if you cannot give these things, then compensation is all we can ask for. It gives her freedom and it gives her choices. That is all we have to offer her.”

80/20 rule applies to you

The 80-20 Rule

You might never have heard of the "Pareto Principle," but it is the name for what many call the "80/20 rule."

Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, once famously observed that 80 percent of the land was owned by 20 percent of the population.

In your business, the rule implies that approximately 20 percent of your clients/contracts/crops produce 80 percent of your income. In your life, 80 percent of the love and support you receive come from just 20% of the contacts on your cell phone.

If you can focus on the 20% that brings you 80% of your income, satisfaction and success, you can change the ratio. Think about how little of your 40 hours of work accounts for the majority of your results.

Here are some signs that will help you to recognize whether you're spending your time as you should:

The 80% of your life will be marked with these marks:

You're busy on tasks other people want you to do, but you see no future in them. You're always doing something that just popped up and is “urgent.”

You're spending time on tasks you are not usually good at doing that others could do. Activities are taking a lot longer than you expected. You find yourself complaining all the time. Your spouse or friends do not see why you are doing this task.

The 20 percent will involve these points:

You see this as a step or part of your dream--your overall purpose in life. You're doing things you have always wanted to do

You feel good about yourself upon doing this task. You're hiring people to do the tasks you are not good at or don't like doing. You're smiling. You're spouse sees the wisdom of your task and is supportive

As the old saying goes: "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

David B. Peel

Attorney at Law

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.

Graduation Advice

Congratulations Graduates

But be warned:

In this time of year, graduation invitations fill our mailboxes and ceremonies fill large churches and civic centers. And of course, there are speeches

Most of the talks by local dignitaries will talk about the new beginning the end of high school marks. "commencement" is the term after all.

But what world awaits the class of 2011?

It's certainly a very different world than when I sat through speeches with the class of 1987. But I recall nothing of those speeches. I know some things now that I wished they had said then.

So, if you know a graduate, you might want to pass along this information that is sure to be missing from their ceremonies

1. Life is not a handout. You have what you were given. Giftings, contacts, skills, energy and the ability to learn. The degree to which you use those gifts diligently will determine the heights you reach.

2. Keep learning. Not just from books Meet with any adult you can and find out what they did right and what they regret. It is a smart person who does not repeat his own mistake but it is a wise person who avoids it to begin with.

3. Seek God. Your parent’s belief or lack thereof does not define your souls eternal destiny. You and only you can choose. (John 3) There is a narrow path that few choose, called faith It has some troubles but leads to eternal bliss. The wide path is deceptive and seems easy, and leads to eternal torment. It is this choice more than any other, that affects your life and that of your descendants

4. Learn to put off pleasure, status and leisure until your hard work has earned them. If not, you will always be in such debt you can't enjoy life. What a foolish thing to pay notes on a nice car but have no money for gas. The inability to live at less than your means is crippling. Tithe and save. You must be able to postpone pleasure or you will always be an overgrown child. Adults delay gratification.

5. Follow your passion. Whether you choose to believe it or not, God made you special. You have gifts to do that which you were meant to do. Pursue it and it will become clearer to you.

Congratulations. If you are even reading a newspaper, you are ahead of the game. Seek God as He is truth. Don’t be deceived by this world. Never quit learning. But never change what you know is right.

Welcome to your future!

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.

Why Are We Fat?

Why Are Americans Obese?

Have you noticed the trend of obesity in our country? Especially among children, it is just staggering. Just consider these points:

•Diabetes has increased over 90% in the last decade.

•Childhood obesity had more than tripled in the last 30 years!

I wanted to know why. I know that kids are lazier than ever, playing video games and watching television while parents won’t make them do any chores. But I know there had to more to it. Why are there 12 year olds that weigh more than I do?

Some people may suspect some vast secret conspirator has placed some agent in our food supply to make sure they can sell diabetes supplies. Well, if so, the food industry has played a role.

They have added ever-increasing amounts of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). And who could blame them? HFCS is a lot cheaper than sugar. It is made from corn, so it sounds quite safe and “natural.” (Of course gasohol is also made from corn, and you run your car on it.)

To create HFCS, corn kernels are soaked, heated and spun. Using enzymes, they create high fructose, making it as sweet, if not many times sweeter than regular sugar. Much of the corn used is reported to have been genetically modified.

Currently over 55% of all sweeteners are made from corn! It is the number one source of calories in the United States. The consumption of HFCS between 1970 and 2005 has increased a whopping 10,673% in the United States!

It is not only cheap and widespread, but it is stealthy. High Fructose Corn Syrup rears it head not just in the Cola aisle, but it is found all over your local grocery store. Just look at this list:

Breakfast Cereal: Whether it sounds healthy or not, check for HFCS. Many kids are starting their day with pure sugar in the form of healthy looking cereal. It is like feeding your kids cake and ice cream for breakfast.

Yogurt: Once again, healthy sounding foods like yogurt often contain HFCS.

Ravoli and Canned Goods: Yes, ravoli! If it is sweet or salty, check it out.

Salad Dressings and Condiments: HFCS is used to offset the saltiness of un-sweet items like salad dressings.

Nutrition Bars and Candy Bars: There is not much difference between the two. Don’t let the word “nutrition” fool you. They tend to have a lot of HFCS.

Breads: Just because it says “whole grain” does not make it less fattening. Many contain HFCS.

Waters: Just because they talk of vitamins, it is also full of sugar.

The main concern is that HFCS seems to metabolize fat far more rapidly than regular sugar.

Thus the chart linking obesity and HFCS look like the same data.

Obesity leads to diabetes, and high levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol), and heart attacks and stroke. In short, our sweet tooth is killing us.

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.

BEING PREPARED

Being Prepared

The saying “Be Prepared” has long been uttered respectfully by Boy Scouts across the United States. As one who was blessed to achieve an Eagle Scout rank, I look back fondly upon lessons learned in readiness and self-reliance.

With record-breaking tornadoes leveling the South, flooding threatening thousands of homes, terrorists’ frightful scheming and the constant threat of living in an earthquake zone, it is apparent that a heightened sense of readiness is required. Think of those who had to evacuate for what may be months from their homes in Japan near the failing nuclear plant. The Bible admonishes us to plan for the future:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30

There are several ways we can be more prepared. Items listed can be packed in “go-bags” that allow a quick exit. There is a hierarchy of needs, form most urgent to least, but they are all important.

• · Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation;
• · Non-perishable food with a can opener, all in a backpack or duffle bag;
• · NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, a flashlight and extra batteries for both;
• · First aid kit and whistle to signal for help;
• · Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation;
• · Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and hatchet or axe to help rescuers;
• · Cell phone with chargers, and important phone numbers;
• · Important documents such as powers of attorney, living will, driver’s license, pictures of your family and pets, cash, ATM card, Health insurance card, insurance policies, and tax records;
• · Comfortable clothing and blankets, ponchos and duct tape;
• · Unique family needs such as prescription medications, pet supplies, infant supplies or any other needs your family may have;
• · Some will want to stockpile extra gasoline or diesel; and
• · Some may prefer to keep a firearm and ammunition.

Consider well ahead of time what you'd take if you had only a:

• ü a day's notice,
• ü a couple of hours' notice to pack the car, or
• ü five minutes' notice to 'get out now' (the go bag)

Make arrangements for places to stay well ahead of time. Make a deal: If there's an emergency/evacuation, they can come to your home, or you to theirs. Crashing on someone's sofa or camping in their yard is infinitely preferable to a public shelter.

If you have to take medications, make sure you keep them all in one place, and can sweep them into the go bag without any searching. A "shelter-in-place" kit and a "to-go" bag can share items as long as they can be moved from one pace to the other quickly. For example, it makes sense to have three-days worth of water in your shelter-in-place kit but take a day's worth with you when you leave. However, it is always best to keep things compartmentalized in case you have to shelter in place and then later leave. Remember that if you are prepared you may be able to minister to those who are not.

A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

May God bless and protect your family.

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.