Old laws shape kidnap case; spousal immunity at issue

Article Abstract:

New Jersey prosecutors, in the trial of Arthur Seale on charges of kidnapping and murdering Exxon executive Sidney Reso, are being hampered by the state's spousal immunity law. The law is keeping his wife, Irene Seale, from testifying against him without his consent. A bill to do away with spousal immunity was introduced in late Jul 1992, in an attempt to divest Mr Seale of the power to veto his wife's testimony. The federal kidnapping charges will probably be dropped since the Seales did not transport Reso across state lines.

Laws, regulations and rules, Evidence, Criminal, Criminal evidence, Kidnapping, Interspousal immunity

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And now, the power of tape; videos are being used to argue the case and not just demonstrate the 'facts.'

Article Abstract:

Trial lawyers' use of videos has progressed beyond demonstrative evidence to all phases of a trial. Personal injury lawyers were the first to use this technology, followed by criminal defense lawyers and more recently commercial lawyers. Videos have been used for depositions and as adjuncts to both opening and closing arguments. A very well-known use of the video was 'The Titanic,' a documentary-style production used by plaintiffs' lawyers in Standard Chartered PLC v Price Waterhouse.

Usage, Innovations, Trial practice, Video tapes in courtroom proceedings, Video evidence

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