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Grand Jury Sees Action
In recent months, the court system in the state of Vermont has seen a revival of the Grand jury. While the practice of calling for a Grand jury is legitimate, some question whether affording the prosecution such a powerful tool to indict does not…
Zimmerman's Decision Not Groundbreaking
Windsor County State's Attorney Patricia Zimmerman dropped a case that involved prosecuting a group charged with trespassing after having been denied entrance into bar because of the sexual orientation of their party.
Verdict 'stuns' Vt. law professor
Michael Mello gives his thoughts on the jury’s verdict of the Los Angeles police officers who beat Rodney King, who were found innocent.
Verdict shocks Cops, Lawyers
A recent verdict has acquitted four Los Angeles police officers for using excessive force on a black motorist. This verdict has drawn a mixed reaction from local police and attorneys.
Girmay Ruling May Affect Use Of Insanity Defense
Haile Selassie Girmay is a man accused of murdering two Dartmouth College students. He may use insanity as a defense, but that defense may be impacted by a ruling from Judge Peter Smith. Smith found that Girmay's taped confession will be permissible…
Carrying Out Grady Bill Could Be Troublesome
Concerns arise about vagueness with gun control bill supposed to tighten background checks.
Treatment Programs For Inmates Raise Deep Questions
An article about treatment programs in Vermont dealing with sexual and violent offenders. Programs in Vermont deal with the rehabilitation of inmates with questionable methods that some argue are not constitutional. Mello, Pithers, and Bush, three…
Porno Ban Is Assailed: Condition Imposed on Alleged Rapist Called Improper
Newspaper article analyzing the legality of a judges ruling to ban an alleged rapist from owning or viewing pornography. Michael Mello and other legal professionals give insight into the case.
Conditions of Release: Don't Watch Pornographic Movies
After a man views a pornographic movie, he rapes his wife and is charged with sexual assault. A judge rules that he can be released on bail only if he agrees not to possess or watch pornography.
Florida Court ruling could spare lives of some condemned inmates
The Flordia Court made a ruling to spare the lives of condemned inmates.
Connecticut's Death Penalty Bills Open the Door to More Executions
Article in the New York Times describing the passage of new death penalty statues in Connecticut. After years of technically having a death penalty that could not be implemented in practice, Connecticut is about to have a "workable" death penalty. In…
Yes, Ted Bundy Is Different
A letter to the editor concerning Michael Mello's involvement with death row convicts in Florida. The text focuses on Mello's unique coverage of serial killer Ted Bundy.
"A Lawyer Who Served Life"
A newspaper article from the "Rutland Daily Herald" by Michael Mello. It is four paragraphs long. It discusses the public's view of lawyers and why they are not trusted
Shifts in law come too late to aid killer of Florida couple
The issue of Raleigh Porter's death sentence by electric chair could have been avoided due to newer laws in Florida courts.
Closing the door on innocence
News article covering Mello's continued defense of Joseph Spaziano 23 days before his execution is carried out.
Florida may execute innocent man
Joseph "Crazy Joe" Spaziano is an inmate on death row for a murder that he may not have committed.
Gov. Chiles Halts Execution After Witness Recants
Witness claims Florida police planted story in his head using hypnosis.
Polygraph exam is postponed in 22-year-old case
The polygraph examination of Tony Dilisio, the key witness in both the rape and the murder trials of Joe Spaziano, is postponed. The rape victim's mother believes that Spaziano is guilty. Michael Mello, Spaziano's former lawyer, has returned to the…
A death penalty mistake
A motorcycle gang member, Joseph Robert Spaziano, is convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of an 18-year old woman. However, new doubts emerge about the crime, and the court proceedings and Spaziano's mental health are called into question.…