Texas appeals court to hear DeLay request for speedy trial News
Texas appeals court to hear DeLay request for speedy trial

[JURIST] The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals [official website] has agreed to hear arguments regarding the request of US Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) [official website; JURIST news archive] to speed up his money-laundering trial by either beginning the case immediately or dismissing the charges. Last week, an intermediate appellate court denied [JURIST report] DeLay's request to shorten the filing period of the government's appeal of his conspiracy acquittal from 20 to five days so that the money laundering trial may begin. Both Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle [official website] and DeLay have one week to submit arguments before the 9 appellate judges, all of whom are Republicans. Because US House Republicans have a rule prohibiting anyone under indictment from actively holding a leadership role, DeLay hopes to be exonerated before leadership elections next month which could name a replacement for him as House Majority Leader, a post from which he has temporarily stepped down pending the result of the litigation. Bloomberg 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.