US now seeking only fraction of original penalty in tobacco case News
US now seeking only fraction of original penalty in tobacco case

[JURIST] Lawyers for the US Department of Justice Tuesday asked for less than one-tenth of the expected penalty in a civil racketeering case against major tocacco companies. At the conclusion of closing arguments [JURIST report; US DOJ press statement], government lawyer Stephen D. Brody asked for just $10 billion of the original $130 billion dollar penalty calculated for what the US contends was a half-century long conspiracy aimed at addicting and defrauding smokers. A lawyer for defendant Philip Morris USA [corporate website] expressed surprise at the move and said it was "clear the government hasn't thought through what it's doing." Anti-smoking advocates also denounced the move as "a self-inflicted blow" that would decrease the chances of helping smokers in need. A ruling is expected in the next few months. The Department of Justice has documents and background material on the tobacco litigation. The Washington Post has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.