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Welcome Corq! I think JVS's problems are a little more complex. Many people with addictions are otherwise harmless. Harmless ones are the ones that would be more likely to be the people with a gambling addition as their "core issue." Such an addiction does not explain: [Mayo Clinic] Signs...

In the U.S., under all state statutes AND under the old common law, it is most definitely premeditated murder. Not just based on his confession (we can shred that doc, remember), but based on the forensic evidence. Premeditation can be inferred from the facts. If premeditation could not be...

I agree that there are probably some things regarding the money that has not been released. A smart prosecution team would absolutely not reveal all they know. In fact, they would reveal *only enough* to stave off any accusations that they were being biased towards a foreigner. Prosecutors...

The FBI does not have the power to freeze anyone's bank account, let alone one in a foreign country. Freezing a bank account takes judicial power, and even if the FBI had a court order, an American court order is no good in the Netherlands. We are different sovereigns. Even states here in...

Yes. Premeditation or Malice Aforethought can be developed in seconds (i.e., minutes are not required, only thinking about it before doing it). Laying in wait, is however, a different ballgame, but of course, also [very] premeditated.

Wondering if anyone has cogitated on the circumstances/implications of Joran having to get a key to his hotel room from the front desk on the night he & SF went to his room? He could have simply forgot it, but I have a feeling that he might try to use the fact that he didn't have the key when...

At SF's age, it might well be that she was undecided... or decided that she wasn't going to be conventional for the time being (had a fling or two with the same sex - think Angelina Jolie), as she wasn't ready to be committed to anyone anyway with her school & business plans. Nonetheless...

I've never heard of such a defense under these circumstances (and I've heard them all). That is, he cannot claim self-defense due to 1) size & strength difference, 2) no physical injuries to himself, 3) avenue of retreat, 4) No initial mention of "serious bodily harm behavior" by SF, and more...

And probably more will be revealed as to the dysfunction junction that produced JVS. Personality disorders are not genetic constructs; they are nurture constructs. In that problems are evident at an early age does not negate this fact in any way, shape or form. AVS is hardly an innocent...

Exactly. You only go to affirmative defenses when the evidence is overwhelming. If you're innocent, whether or not you're crazy, is moot. I'm waiting for "the taxi drivers did it" defense.

Joren [sic] van der Sloot and the silly women who love him http://www.examiner.com/x-31244-Louisville-Public-Policy-Examiner~y2010m6d26-Joren-van-der-Sloot-and-the-silly-women-who-love-him

And if I had wheels, I'd be a car.

Agree. JVS is not legally insane. The insanity defense is commonly used when a murderer goes to trial and there is an abundance of evidence (as is self-defense). That is, they are limited to Affirmative Defenses (which is a defense that says, yes, I did it, but I had an "excuse"). It is rarely...

That is a GREAT question, and I will give it my best shot when I have time [to write a dissertation and then edit it down, because for some reason that's the only way I know how to write, apparently ;-].

I'm certain that this is the correct spelling of Joe's last name Suzihawk (thank you for pointing it out), and I move that we all use this correct spelling in all future posts (big grin).

Know that "alleged" arose from our *concept* of innocent until proven guilty. And that concept arose to stave off lynching mobs so that *truly innocent* people (or questionably guilty people) had a chance to prove themselves innocent before being killed (forever foreclosing any benefit to being...

There's no such thing as putting a default judgment in a contract. Our court (namely the Supremes) don't allow anyone but themselves to adjudicate or to to dictate what the law is (i.e., interpretation of the laws), or if a law is Constitutionally valid (see the infamous Marbury vs. Madison)...

He *might* be able to get what is the equivalent of pro hac vice (pro-hock-vee-chee) status to represent JVS, which means 'for this one occasion.' That's how high profile attorneys run around the nation defending the likes of Michael Jackson, Charlie Sheen, O.J., etc.

Pun intended?