Florida's Stand Your Ground law has been the subject of much debate in the wake of the Trayvon Martin case. Missouri has a similar law on the books called the Castle Doctrine, which gives an individual greater protection under the law when located on his or her property. This already hot-button topic gained even more relevance last week when property owner James Crocker shot and killed Paul Dart, who had stopped at a gravel bar on the Meramec River during a float trip.
Missouri Lawyers Weekly is reporting that Former Missouri Supreme Court Judge Ronnie White is on the Democratic Party's short list for nominees to a federal judgeship in St. Louis. White was nominated once before by President Clinton but his nomination didn't make it past the Senate floor after then-Senator John Ashcroft failed to offer his support for the nomination.
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster joined 49 other attorneys general in calling for changes to the 1996 Communications Decency Act. They are asking Congress to amend the law to provide state and local prosecutors jurisdiction online in order to help fight prostitution and sex trafficking.
Host Don Marsh talked with a panel of legal experts to explain these issues and more.
The panelists included:
- Michael Wolff, J.D., Dean, School of Law, St. Louis University; Former Missouri Supreme Court Judge
- William Freivogel, J.D., Director, School of Journalism; Associate Professor, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
- Mark Smith, J.D., Associate Vice Chancellor and Director, The Career Center, Washington University in St. Louis
Other topics included:
- The possibility of Missouri reinstating the gas chamber as a form of capital punishment.
- Unaccredited school districts in Missouri will spend an estimated $23 million to send students to accredited schools.
- The Illinois legislature approved a law for concealed-carry permits.
- Justice Scalia's comments linking judicial activism with the Holocaust.
St. Louis on the Air provides discussion about issues and concerns facing the St. Louis area. The show is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and hosted by veteran journalist Don Marsh.
