Law With Mr. Lafayette

Recently the term “Allen Charge” was used during the last day of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Karen Read trial. I thought of using this episode to describe and explain its origins and application. It is based on the Supreme Court decision in Allen v. United States (1896).

On October 21, 2021 in Santa Fe County New Mexico, on the scene of the filming of a western entitled Rust, actor and Director Alec Baldwin fired a round from a 45 caliber revolver that he assumed was a blank. It was not. To his horror it was a live bullet that struck videographer Helena Hutchins in the chest, passing through her body and wounding Director Joel Souza, who is standing behind her. In...

On July 1, 2024, Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial in the case of Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Karen Read. The jury communicated with the judge that they were deadlocked on Count 2 of the three counts before them. The host of this podcast, René Lafayette, goes on to explain what happened in the hours and days since.

Drawing from the experience of attending a jury view when he was High Sheriff of Providence County Rhode Island in 1992, René Lafayette explains the process and what jurors do and why.

During day, four of the Karen Reed trial which took place on Friday, May 3, 2024, Canton Firefighter/EMT underwent an extensive and at times aggressive cross examination by the defense. Then the jury was bused to the Canton home at 34 Fairview Road where O’Keefe’s body was found. They also viewed Read’s Lexus SUV with the removed right taillight.

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024 the court system observed law day and so court sessions were excused for that day and not held. On Thursday, May 2, day three of the Karen Read high profile murder trial continued. Testimony of several Canton EMTs, police and firefighters was accepted into the trial record. Additionally plans for a “jury view“ to be held on Friday, May 3 was discussed. These are all eleme...

On Monday, April 29, 2024, the murder trial of Karen Read opened at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. Trials begin with opening statements by the prosecution and then the defense. The presentations by Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally and Defense Attorney David Jannette were a marked study in different styles. We will see how the outcome will be impacted by personal style.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 marked the second day of the high profile murder trial of Karen Read held in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham Massachusetts. Far from being an average judicial proceeding, the defense team wasted little time in planting “reasonable doubt” in the minds of the jurors. In this episode of “Law With Mr. Lafayette,” René Lafayette explains the twist of events that occurred...

April 29, 2024 has been a beautifully mild and sunny spring day here in Massachusetts. The attention of many legal observers and students of the judicial system have focused their attention to Norfolk County Superior Court, sitting in Dedham, where opening statements have been given in the murder trial of Karen Read. This episode provides a recap of the events that happened this the first day of t...

In this episode of “Law With Mr. Lafayette“ the case of Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Karen Read is discussed. The case is being heard before Superior Court judge Beverly Cannone in Superior Court in Dedham starting today, April 29, 2024. The case is already garnered widespread publicity and attention including extensive coverage by Courttv.com. Read is being charged with Second Degree Murder i...

The Brandenburg Test is a pivotal standard for free speech in the United States. In this episode, it is discussed by René Lafayette.

On Monday, March 25, 2024, NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, age 31, a husband and the father of a one year old son, Ryan was shot and killed by a career criminal with 21 prior arrests. In this episode of “Law With Mr. Lafayette” our host, René Lafayette presents his analysis through the prism of his ten years as the High Sheriff of Providence County, Rhode Island.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge at 1:30 a.m. collapsed seconds after a 984 foot cargo ship, MV Dali, hit the bridge’s pillar. Maritime law experts say that the ship’s owners will probably use an 1851 law to cap damages after it was used by the White Star Line in the wake of the 1912 Titanic disaster. René Lafayette, host of “Law With Mr. Lafayette” shares his analy...

In today’s episode, René Lafayette, host of Law With Mr. Lafayette provides an overview of the recently argued case of Murphy v. Missouri. This is a case about balancing government censorship against the first amendment guarantee of freedom of speech in this digital age. Arising from “misinformation“ during the COVID-19 pandemic that was posted or attempted to be posted on social media the questio...

I am very pleased, truly honored to dedicate this episode of “Law With Mr. Lafayette“ to a student who I had last year, an exchange student from France, Lucie de Gibon, who has been listening to my podcast over the past year and a half. On Thursday, March 14, 2024, James Crumbley was convicted by a jury of four counts of involuntary manslaughter arising from the actions of his son Ethan in 2022 wh...

In this episode of the Law With Mr. Lafayette, we explore the fundamental principle of attorney client privilege, it’s significance and preserving confidentiality, and real world. Examples that illustrate its importance.

The Supreme Court of the United States announced earlier today that they have scheduled oral arguments on former President Trump’s immunity case for April 25. The impact of this case with the decision reached by the court will be another historic first listen as René Lafayette explains his take on this case.

In this episode of “Law With Mr. Lafayette“ the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States reversing the Colorado Supreme Court decision to remove former president Donald Trump from the states primary ballot has been unanimously reversed. Listen as René Lafayette, provides commentary on this historic decision in Trump v. Anderson.

Drawing from notes that were drafted in February 2023, while in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, René Lafayette, the host of Law with Mr. Lafayette explains a new concept to review and better understand Landmark decisions. Students are invited to create an Amicus brief based on a landmark Supreme Court decision, in this episode, the steps and application are explained.

On February 6, 2024, legal history was made when a jury convicted Jennifer Crumbley on four counts of involuntary manslaughter. This marks the first time that a parent of a school shooter was charged and convicted for the crimes committed by her minor child.

The term “in plain sight“ has long been a focal point when discussing legal and constitutional rights, especially in the context of the Fourth Amendment. In this episode of Law With Mr. Lafayette, René Lafayette discusses what is permitted and what is disallowed under this Amendment.

In this episode of Law With Mr. Lafayette, a recent reprimand by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, directed at the district attorney of Hampden County focuses on whether or not, the exculpatory rule was followed.

In this inaugural episode of season 8 of “Law With Mr. Lafayette” the difference between mandatory and persuasive authorities are discussed.

The Landmark Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson from 1896 is the subject of this episode of Law With Mr. Lafayette. This is the case that established the social and legal fallacy of “separate but equal.“ Intern, it laid the legal foundation for not only Jim Crow laws, but other Racially inspired, segregationist legislation. In this episode, René Lafayette, a social studies and law teacher at Le...

What can or cannot be collected by law-enforcement during the course of a search and seizure of your home, your car, your vehicle, your backpack? In this episode of Law With Mr. Lafayette, the exclusionary rule so-called is discussed and explained.