Federal judge refuses to dismiss case against Lay, Skilling News
Federal judge refuses to dismiss case against Lay, Skilling

[JURIST] US District Judge Sim Lake on Monday refused to dismiss the criminal case against former Enron founder Kenneth Lay [Chronicle profile] and former CEO Jeffrey Skilling Chronicle profile], saying that the defense had failed to prove that there was "deliberate, systematic prosecutorial misconduct" that has interfered with the defendants' efforts to prepare for trial. Lay and Skilling face conspiracy and fraud charges [PDF indictment] in connection with the fall of Enron [JURIST news archive] and Skilling also faces insider trading charges [JURIST report]. Defense lawyers argued that prosecutors have intimidated witnesses by threatening indictments or harsh sentences if the witnesses talk to the defense teams, allegations which prosecutors have denied. In September, Judge Lake told witnesses they were free to work with the defense and offered to meet with witnesses to discuss concerns about government retribution, and Lake said Monday that his efforts "remedied any harm to defendants." The trial is scheduled to begin January 30. AP 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.