"Finders, keepers" modified; insurance companies due part of the treasure from recovered shipwreck

Article Abstract:

The 4th Circuit ruled in Columbus-America Discovery Group v Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co that the law of salvage rather than the law of finds applied to gold bullion and coin recovered from an 1857 shipwreck. The trial court had granted the Columbus-America Discovery Group title to the gold according to the 'law of finds' and rejected ownership claims of some 39 insurance companies since they lacked any documentation of their claims. The 4th Circuit ruled in favor of the 'law of salvage,' stating that the salvor should get a large fee from the owners for the recovery work.

Cases, Salvage, Marine salvage, Treasure-trove

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Excuse me, did you get all that? Electronic v. shorthand reporting in the courtroom

Article Abstract:

Increasing courtroom use of audiotapes and videotapes may threaten court reporters' jobs, but this time will not arrive until judges are experienced in the new methods. The main problem with courtroom taping is what to use as a record on appeal. Taping opponents and proponents marshal various arguments such as the increased accuracy of tape transcripts since the tapes can be replayed. Technology has arrived in the court reporting profession in the form of computer-aided transcription, now used in 80% of courtrooms. Computer-integrated courtrooms are gaining popularity.

Innovations, Court reporting

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Sane serial killer; experts say insanity plea alive and well, thanks partly to Dahmer jury

Article Abstract:

The insanity plea is still capable of provoking much public controversy. A recent conference of forensic psychiatrists and lawyers on the subject took place at the University of California, San Diego. Views pro and con were in evidence. A Milwaukee jury recently did what the community wanted in finding serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer sane at the time of his crimes.

Analysis, Public opinion, Serial murders, Insanity defense

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