by Michelle Sparrow | Mar 6, 2013 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
Since the Newtown shootings, public debate has focused on gun violence and mental health resources. That tragedy and others have pointed out that neither the government nor the health care sector has figured out the best way to help people with mental illness before... by Michelle Sparrow | Feb 28, 2013 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
How do you know a person is mentally competent? How can we ever be sure a person who has a history of mental illness is competent enough to stand trial or to enter a plea agreement? There is no easy answer, of course. A plea agreement in a Wake County case illustrates... by Michelle Sparrow | Aug 17, 2012 | Criminal Defense, Criminal Law Blog
We are continuing our discussion of a case from outside of North Carolina that involves patient safety and racketeering insurance fraud. The three defendants — a doctor and two of his nurse anesthetists — now face second-degree murder charges. Prosecutors... by Michelle Sparrow | Aug 15, 2012 | Criminal Defense, Criminal Law Blog
An unusual case from 2010 is back in the news. The defendant is a 62-year-old doctor who ran a number of endoscopy clinics. Two years ago, a grand jury handed up a 28-count indictment charging the doctor and two of his nurse anesthetists with racketeering insurance... by Michelle Sparrow | May 26, 2012 | Criminal Law Blog, Drunk Driving
Any alcohol related accident that results in injury or death will carry serious charges and penalties. After a drinking and driving related charge last year, a Raleigh, North Carolina man now faces second-degree murder charges. A Wake County grand jury returned a new...