Andrew Curnew’s 11-year legal fight to prove he was wrongfully convicted of gun possession and other crimes moves into a Toronto courtroom Monday, where the flamboyant, Rolls-Royce-driving multimillionaire hopes to finally clear his name.He might not get that chance, however, if a judge agrees to the defendant’s request to halt the potentially sensational case featuring allegations of police corruption, planted evidence and a trial tainted by fraud and dishonesty.Curnew is suing Toronto criminal lawyer Arun Maini for the way he represented him in the 2000s, when Curnew was a legal aid client, before he was a philanthropic, venture capitalist with a chain of dental clinics, a four-acre Bridle Path estate and rich, powerful and famous friends.A self-described serial entrepreneur, who has a post-prison MBA, Curnew is perhaps best known for throwing extravagant parties, such as the engagement bash — with a ferris wheel, a tiger and a human sushi tray — that he … [Read more...] about Bridle Path multimillionaire Andrew Curnew is fighting to prove he was wrongfully convicted of gun, drug crimes
Crime
People are committing violent crimes after suffering brain damage — and researchers are trying to figure out why
Chelsea started physically attacking her parents after suffering brain damage in an accident at college. There are well-documented cases of people with brain injuries, tumours, and lesions behaving out of character. Studies show that criminals are more likely to have suffered a brain injury than the rest of the population. In severe cases, brain injuries are a line of defence in court, but the science is not strong enough to link all criminal behaviour with brain damage. Four years ago, Chelsea fell head first onto the hardwood floor at her college. She had a seizure and stopped breathing, causing an anoxic injury – when the brain is damaged from not receiving enough oxygen. Before the accident, Chelsea experienced a level of anger similar to any other person. She had certainly never been aggressive. But ever since, she has grappled with mood swings and can’t contain her rage or … [Read more...] about People are committing violent crimes after suffering brain damage — and researchers are trying to figure out why
No Thais linked to Laos casino crimes
No Thais were found to be involved in money laundering at King Romans casino in Laos, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) says. The casino was involved with money laundering and drug trafficking, according to Sirinya Sitdhichai, secretary-general of the ONCB, who quoted US crime busters.Mr Sirinya was referring to reports of Thais being implicated in a Thai branch of King Romans Group which runs the casino at the Golden Triangle, an area that overlaps the mountains of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. The casino is in Ton Pheung district in Bokeo, the northern province of Laos. It stands alongside the Mekong River.Mr Sirinya said he believed Thais have been hired to supervise the management of the company but they were not its executives.An early probe indicated most shareholders of the casino were Chinese nationals who also founded other casinos in Laos. The ONCB, however, has not found evidence to suggest Thais or Chinese nationals were involved in money laundering as such. … [Read more...] about No Thais linked to Laos casino crimes
Amy Schumer on Aziz Ansari: ‘It’s not a crime, but … it can still really mess with a woman’
Amy Schumer is commenting on one woman’s charge of sexual misconduct against her fellow comedian and friend, Aziz Ansari.Schumer, a guest on Katie Couric’s podcast, told the journalist she views the date between Ansari and an unnamed photographer, as described to the website Babe.net, as a learning opportunity.The 23-year-old woman, referred to as Grace, told the outlet after a quick dinner, Ansari undressed her at his apartment, pressured her into oral sex and suggested he get a condom. She also told Babe, “I know I was physically giving off cues that I wasn’t interested. I don’t think that was noticed at all, or if it was, it was ignored.”“I don’t think anyone wants to see Aziz’s career ruined or his life ruined or anything like that, but that’s where people’s minds go,” Schumer told Couric in the episode released Thursday. “They go, ‘Does he deserve this?’ And it’s really not about that. … [Read more...] about Amy Schumer on Aziz Ansari: ‘It’s not a crime, but … it can still really mess with a woman’
‘American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace’ transcends the murder show genre by diving deep into the lives of the victims, and 90s gay culture
“American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace” is not what its subtitle suggests. Instead, the murder of Gianni Versace in 1997 serves as a starting point into the story of his killer, Andrew Cuanan. The show is a necessary and poignant examination of gay culture in the 90s. Unlike other murder shows, it focuses on the lives of Cuanan’s victims, beyond the most famous one. Darren Criss, Penelope Cruz, and Ricky Martin are excellent. Want to learn about Gianni Versace, revolutionary fashion designer and gay icon? Looking for an in-depth, inside look at his July 1997 murder in Miami? Look somewhere else. Because while the title implies this is exactly what “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace” is about, that’s only the starting point.The series does give us a glimpse of Versace’s life – both his … [Read more...] about ‘American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace’ transcends the murder show genre by diving deep into the lives of the victims, and 90s gay culture