Summary: ABC News just released its list of Top Legal Stories of 2015.
ABC News released its Top Legal Stories of 2015, which promises a “look back on the year in courtroom drama and a peek at what to expect in upcoming legal cases for 2016.”
For more end of the year lists, check out JDJournal’s Top 15 Stories of the Year, 15 Shocking Crimes Stories of 2015, and Craziest Lawsuits of 2015.
Supreme Court rules that same sex marriages are legal across the country
In June of 2015, the Supreme Court declared that gay marriage was legal in all 50 states. This led to a celebration by many and an outcry by others who opposed the union for religious reasons. Those in opposition made headlines (looking at you, Kim Davis and Oregon bakery), and like The Onion said, we’re all looking forward to the Oscar-winning movie where Supreme Court justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, and Samuel Alito are portrayed as gay-hating villains.
Italy’s Supreme Court exonerated accused murderer, Amanda Knox
After eight years of legal battles, the Supreme Court of Italy cleared Seattle-native Amanda Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito from the brutal murder of Meredith Kercher. Kercher was Knox’s roommate, and prosecutors claimed Knox and Sollecito killed her in part of a weird sex game. For the full story: https://www.jdjournal.com/2015/09/08/amanda-knox-exonerated-by-italian-courts/
Will there be justice for Bill Cosby’s accusers?
After almost 50 women accused the sweater-loving comedian of rape, actual sexual assault charges were brought against him this week in Pennsylvania. One of his accusers, Therese Serignese said to ABC News, “I have been sorry for 38 years. Now it’s time for him to be sorry.” For the full story: https://www.jdjournal.com/2015/12/30/bill-cosby-charged-with-felony-sex-crime/
Former Olympian, Oscar Pistorius, convicted of murder
In December 2015, former Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was released on bail for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He was originally convicted of manslaughter but his conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court. He was then convicted of murder, and he now awaits sentencing. For the full story: https://www.jdjournal.com/2015/12/08/convicted-murderer-oscar-pistorius-released-on-686-dollar-bail/
2015 was the year of police video
According to ABC News, this was the year of officers caught on tape. Whether this led to cops on trial or cops on trial in the court of public opinion, it seemed as if the epidemic of police brutality would never reach a resolution.
Robert Durst arrested for the murder of Susan Berman
HBO’s The Jinx investigated the 1982 unsolved disappearance of Robert Durst’s wife. The riveting documentary got even more exposure when Durst was arrested in March of 2015 for the 2000 death of his friend, Susan Berman. His murder trial is expected to take place in the summer of 2016, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/biggest-legal-stories-2015-36045906