As a recently returned missionary and mediocre ward choir director, I was asked to assist in the setting-apart of our the new choir president. There were four of us in the circle: two bishopric counselors, the new president’s husband, and me. The counselor performing the setting apart placed his hands on the sister’s head first, … Continue reading World’s Longest Setting Apart: The Unspiritual Experience
Peter Mortensen, husband of my 2nd great aunt, was tried, convicted, and executed for the murder of James Hay. The personal revelation of a witness played a role in his arrest and conviction. The Crime In 1901, Peter Mortensen owed the Pacific Lumber Company $3800. His Ogden, Utah neighbor, James Hay, was an officer in … Continue reading “Personal Revelation” Used as Evidence to Convict and Execute a Man for Murder
The Juvenile Water Balloon Bombers As a young D.A. I prosecuted a group of twelve-year-old deacon-age boys who thought it would be fun to throw water balloons at cars speeding along Beach Blvd. in Buena Park, California. They were enjoying themselves until they threw water balloons at a car filled with gang members. The car screeched … Continue reading More Young Dumb Criminals
The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights have inspired the world. Perhaps the greatest contribution the U.S. has made to humanity is American political philosophy and ideals. A Foundation of a Written Constitution The U.S. government is built on the bedrock foundation - the supreme law of a written constitution. James Madison, the … Continue reading What Makes America Great (Pt 5/6): American Political Philosophy and Ideals
As a rookie prosecutor, I set the dubious record of successfully prosecuting an eight-year-old boy for felony residential burglary. The boy had been arrested for and charged with residential burglary, a straight felony. He was accused of opening the front door, entering an apartment, and stealing money from the tenant's purse while she was at … Continue reading I Prosecuted an 8-Year-Old Child for Felony Burglary
One of the things that makes America great is its culture. American culture permeates life here and abroad. From music to movies, from art to literature, from fashion to food, from television to sports, American culture has had a huge impact throughout the world. American Literature and Writers Here is a partial list of … Continue reading What Makes America Great (Pt 4/6): American Culture
I have handled a lot of high publicity cases during my judicial career. I have received more publicity than I ever wanted. Fortunately, most of my publicity has been positive. Even more fortunately, I have met my goal of staying off the editorial page. One high publicity case was the result of a juvenile prank. … Continue reading Tragic Case of the Movie Theater Prank
Americans have produced more medical breakthroughs, advancements, and innovations than any other nation. These have been a great benefit to mankind. “While there are many opinions about our nation’s health care system, there’s one overwhelming area of consensus — the United States has and continues to lead the world in medical innovation.” Top Quality Medical … Continue reading What Makes America Great (Pt 3/6): American Medical Care and Innovations
I have been a fan of C.S. Lewis since the early 1970’s when I set the goal of reading everything he had written. The following quotes and concepts are the highlights of that project. Clive Sinclair Lewis (1898-1963) One of the greatest Christian apologists/defendersBorn in Ireland“Culture shocked” upon moving to the “hated” EnglandWounded in … Continue reading C.S. Lewis – Favorite Quotes and Concepts
Inmates and Clergy - General Rules of Law In my Constitutional Law class we discussed that prisoners were originally considered "slaves of the state." They had no constitutional rights. Prison rules and regulations were upheld if they had the slightest "legitimate penological interest." Currently, inmates don’t forfeit their first amendment rights to the free exercise … Continue reading The Bizarre Case of the “Sacred Clown” Prison Medicine Man
The London Edition 