Van Gogh trial begins in Amsterdam amid tight security News
Van Gogh trial begins in Amsterdam amid tight security

[JURIST] The trial of Islamist radical Mohammed Bouyeri for the November 2004 murder [BBC report] of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh [Wikipedia profile] opened with high security in place on Monday in Amsterdam. The controversial Van Gogh had published columns and a short film criticizing abuses against women under Islam; his killing provoked over 150 retaliatory attacks on local Islamic mosques and schools and prompted changes in Dutch anti-terrorism laws [JURIST report]. Bouyeri's lawyer told the court Monday that his client, who hoped to die as a martyr, did want him to present a defense, and that he "takes complete responsibility for his actions". Deutsche Welle has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charles Manson sentenced to death

On April 19, 1971, Charles Manson was sentenced to death for ordering the murders of Sharon Tate and others. The sentence was then commuted to life after the Supreme Court of California overturned the death penalty in 1972. Learn more about the trial of Charles Manson from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law.

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On April 19, 1967, John, Paul, George and Ringo - aka "The Beatles" - signed a partnership deed agreeing that the group would continue for a (further) period of ten years. When The Beatles split up prematurely in 1970, Paul applied to have the partnership terminated and a receiver appointed.

Read a legal analysis of Paul McCartney’s 1970 lawsuit against John, George and Ringo.

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