DeLay attacks prosecutor on campaign website News
DeLay attacks prosecutor on campaign website

[JURIST] Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) [JURIST news archive] has posted disparaging material about Texas DA Ronnie Earle [official website] and his case against DeLay on his congressional campaign website. The website, funded by DeLay’s re-election committee and not associated officially with the House, currently accuses Earle of political maneuvering and abuse of his office. Although legal experts say that such a use of the website is not illegal, they agree it raises significant questions about tainting the potential jury pool for DeLay's case. Larry Noble [profile], former chief of the Federal Election Commission [official website], claims DeLay “clearly is aiming at the jury pool.” DeLay has been indicted on charges of money laundering [JURIST report] and criminal conspiracy [JURIST report]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Dreyfus convicted of treason

On December 22, 1894, Jewish French army officer Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason in a court-martial trial that prompted worldwide allegations of anti-Semitism. Dreyfus was later cleared. Learn more about the case of Alfred Dreyfus and read an English translation of the famous public letter J'Accuse...! by novelist and Dreyfus partisan Emile Zola.

US passed Embargo Act, banning foreign trade

On December 22, 1807, the Embargo Act was passed at the urging of US President Thomas Jefferson. The act barred trade with any foreign nations in an effort to avoid American entry into the Napoleonic Wars of Europe. However, the act proved unenforceable and was replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act, which barred trade with France and Great Britain. Learn more about the Embargo Act of 1807 from Monticello.org