Lighter sentence possible for Khodorkovsky, no word yet on remaining charge News
Lighter sentence possible for Khodorkovsky, no word yet on remaining charge

[JURIST] The verdict-reading [JURIST report] for Russian oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky [defense website] continued into its fourth day Thursday, with the court saying that its sentencing would use less strict guidelines [Interfax report], possibly suggesting a lighter sentence for Khodorkovsky than the 10 years suggested by prosecutors. The court has now adjourned again until Friday, with still no word on whether it considers the statute of limitations to have expired on the final auction-rigging charge. CNN has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.