Martha Stewart loses appeal for new sentence, early release News
Martha Stewart loses appeal for new sentence, early release

[JURIST] US District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum Monday denied an appeal by Martha Stewart [JURIST news archive] to modify or change her sentence. The appeal would have led to an early release from house arrest. Stewart argued that she should be resentenced because of the US Supreme Court decision in US v. Booker [Duke Law backgrounder] which found federal sentencing guidelines were advisory and no longer mandatory. Judge Cederbaum rejected this assertation saying she would have imposed the same sentence even if the federal guidelines were advisory. Stewart also asked for a relaxing of her detention, including the removal of an electronic monitoring device from her ankle. Stewart was convicted on criminal charges stemming from a personal stock sale. Read Judge Cedarbaum's order [PDF]. CNN has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.