BERRY LAWSUIT EVALUATED

by MadApostate 133 Replies latest jw friends

  • MadApostate
    MadApostate

    A few minutes ago, KrazyKent (in his "Circumstances" thread) posted an email from an "anonymous" source (which KK just so happens to know is totally credible) which states that the Bryan Rees v. Watchtower case is "still alive in the federal courts".

    As I have indicated in posts above in this thread, the Rees case has been DEAD since February 2000, yet a certain "clique" of XJWs continue to misrepresent it to their fellow XJWs as a potential threat to the WTS.

    Go to this link:

    http://supreme.pub.findlaw.com/supreme_court/orders/1999/022800.html

    Tab down to the "Certiorari Denied" section, then look for: Bryan R. v. Watchtower Bible et al.

    For those who don't know what it means for "certiorari" to be denied by the US Supreme Court, there is a dictionary in the yellow bar at the top of that page.

    As for KrazyKent's "expert source", who said this case was "still alive in the federal courts", one should note that this case was NEVER IN THE FEDERAL COURTS to begin with. If KK had the slightest bit of knowledge with that which he wants us to accept his authority on, he would have spotted his sources error to start with.

  • Utopian Reformist
    Utopian Reformist

    Correction MAD:

    A case in the federal courts (if was brought there) is NOT dead until the case is actually closed. In the meantime, rather than rely on anyone's links or references, I will look it up in the PACER National Case Party Index. (I am employed by the US Courts in the 1st Circuit).

    One of you is incorrect. Pray it is Kent, because as "I have not yet begun to fight".

    SEMPER CILENIS ET MORTALIS

  • Utopian Reformist
    Utopian Reformist

    Here are the lawsuit codes that the federal courts use to categorize cases filed:

    110 Insurance
    120 Marine
    130 Miller Act
    140 Negotiable Instrument
    150 Recovery of Overpayment and Enforcement of Judgment
    151 Medicare Act
    152 Recovery of Defaulted Student Loans (Excl. Veterans)
    153 Recovery of Overpayment of Veteran's Benefits
    160 Stockholders Suits
    195 Contract Product Liability
    190 Other Contract

    REAL PROPERTY
    210 Land Condemnation
    220 Foreclosure
    230 Rent, Lease, and Ejectment
    240 Torts to Land
    245 Tort Product Liability
    290 All Other Real Property

    TORTS - Personal Injury
    310 Airplane
    315 Airplane Product Liability
    320 Assault, Libel, and Slander
    330 Federal Employers Liability
    340 Marine
    345 Marine Product Liability
    350 Motor Vehicle
    355 Motor Vehicle Product Liability
    360 Other Personal Injury
    362 Personal Injury- Medical Malpractice
    365 Personal Injury- Product Liability
    368 Asbestos Personal Injury Product Liability
    TORTS - Personal Property
    370 Other Fraud
    371 Truth in Lending
    380 Other Personal Property Damage
    385 Property Damage Product Liability

    CIVIL RIGHTS
    441 Voting
    442 Employment
    443 Housing/Accommodations
    444 Welfare
    440 Other Civil Rights

    PRISONER PETITIONS
    510 Motions to Vacate Sentence
    530 General
    535 Death Penalty
    540 Mandamus and Other
    550 Civil Rights
    555 Prison Condition

    FORFEITURE/PENALTY
    610 Agriculture
    620 Other Food & Drug
    625 Drug Related Seizure of Property
    630 Liquor Laws
    640 RR & Truck
    650 Airline Regulations
    660 Occupational Safety/Health
    690 Other

    LABOR
    710 Fair Labor Standards Act
    720 Labor/Management Relations
    730 Labor/Management Reporting & Disclosure Act
    740 Railway Labor Act
    790 Other Labor Litigation
    791 Employee Retirement Insurance Security Act

    BANKRUPTCY
    422 Appeal
    423 Withdrawal

    PROPERTY RIGHTS
    820 Copyrights
    830 Patent
    840 Trademark

    SOCIAL SECURITY
    861 Health Insurance
    862 Black Lung Cases
    863 Disability Insurance
    864 Supplemental Security Income
    865 Retirement and Survivors Benefits

    FEDERAL TAX SUITS
    870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendant)
    871 IRS-Third Party

    OTHER STATUTES
    400 State Reapportionment
    410 Antitrust
    430 Banks and Banking
    450 Commercial/ICC Rates/etc.
    460 Deportation
    470 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
    810 Selective Service
    850 Securities/Commodities/Exchanges
    875 Customer Challenge
    891 Agricultural Acts
    892 Economic Stabilization Act
    893 Environmental Matters
    894 Energy Allocation Act
    895 Freedom of Information Act
    900 Appeal of Fee Determination Under Equal Access to Justice
    950 Constitutionality of State Statutes
    890 Other Statutory Actions

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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  • MadApostate
    MadApostate

    UR:

    I must beg to differ. The Rees case was a Maine state court case which was appealed to the USSC by Rees on the US Constitutional issues. A "Writ of Cert" is kinda like an application to join the Moose Club. If you are denied, you can't say I was once a member because they considered my application.

  • Utopian Reformist
    Utopian Reformist

    MAD:

    There is no "right". Either the case was filed or brought before a federal court. If it was, then the dispostion is available. If the case was never entered into federal court, it is a moot point.

    If you say the case never made it there, fine. I will check and post my findings.

  • Maximus
    Maximus

    MA and UR:

    The Peter Smith news story is incorrect in its final sentences, and I am sure that will be called to his attention.

    I just don't have the time to write more than briefly on the subject but suggest you call Michael J. Waxman, attorney for Bryan Rees, Portland, Maine. Address is 371 Fore Street. He will wax eloquent on the subject, as will many attorneys who have gone up against the Tower. All say the same thing: 'These birds will LIE at the drop of a hat.' They've made enemies of very fine lawyers who will use every legal avenue open to them, but would not stoop to lying. Just another area in which the chickens will come home to roost.

    Let me state it accurately albeit simplistically: the Maine Supreme Court would not allow Rees to sue Watchtower Society because essentially one cannot sue a church in Maine. Waxman said he wished the case were in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. UR, the point is indeed moot.

    BTW, now you've gone and told the world, MadApostate, where we got that name from to sue the governing body, the congregation with its elders, "the Society," etc. Awake! magazine--the Society pointed where to look for the best in the business. What goes around comes around. Isn't that a choice bit of irony? <just so you see a HUGE grin, MadGuy!>

    There is a God, and She has one wry sense of humor. Anderson is a man with a mission, many notches on his belt, and he's on the side of the angels with this one.

    Max

  • Maximus
    Maximus

    Up Up and Away ....

  • MadApostate
    MadApostate

    Max:

    Thanks for the "grin".

    Are you saying that Rees is Alive or Dead?

    As for the allegation that a Church can't be sued in Maine, but can be in adjoining states- that just doesn't even sound logical.

    The obstacle to ANY lawsuit against a Church are the constitutional guarantees found in the US Constitution, and such obviously apply in every state. The only reason the US Supreme Court would have denied cert was because they were in total agreement with the way the Maine SC had ruled in the WTS's favor. This also tells you that the Maine SC's ruling can be used to evaluate the same arguments that arise in other states.

    The only way that I can see that Rees could be "alive" in any sense is that Waxman is trying to sue the WTS on totally different grounds, which would really mean it would be a completely NEW LAWSUIT. Is that what you are implying? If that is the case, and there is "some" new angle, WHY would Jeffrey Anderson simply be repeating the original Rees arguments, which got nowhere in court?

    I will agree with one thing. Anderson is one of the top (if not THE TOP) attorneys to take on the WTS. His credentials and case history is impressive. However, his online resume doesn't always tell the full story. I've found some online info which indicates that some of his mentioned "Victories" were reversed on Appeal, and some Damages were later reduced.

  • Maximus
    Maximus

    From a hasty read on your post:

    Rees is dead as a doornail. Not appropriately described as a loss, however, because it could go no further by statute.

    Waxman will wax eloquent on it; he was quite frustrated. Not ducking, would rather leave it for him or someone VERY knowledgeable to explain in detail.

    Didn't meant to imply anything about Anderson re some revisitation of Rees.

    You are right: Anderson has the best track record going. Watchtower has been warned many, many times to mend its ways in this area, and they are about to be tested mightily. Damages reduced? That's okay. There are HUNDREDS of cases out there ... just waiting. How many more do you think will come out after Dateline and its additional publicity?

    All sorts of mail is pouring in as the result of just the FILING of this case, of individuals who have stories to tell that are astounding.

    The Catholic Church has deep pockets. Does the Society, whichever corporation severally or totally?

    Let's talk theology: Forget about two witnesses and all that. Secular authorities quite propery view it as their prerogative to examine criminal charges and to judge the matter. (Romans 13:1-4). They are indeed acting as "God's minister."

    In its press release the Society says child abuse is a "terrible crime." Why has its judicial process been different when it comes to children? Policy may change or be changing, but that will not stem the tide that will wash over them from past injustices and abuses of power.

    Got to run but wanted to get this out to you.

    Max

  • Anchor
    Anchor

    Don't want anyone to miss the information above.

    -A

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