This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at a very unsanitary thing to do, pandemic or not. Then, we examine the case of a Florida man who used coronavirus as an excuse that did not really fit his crimes. Finally, we look at a ridiculous lawsuit involving basketball star LeBron James.
Follow the jump and read more about this week’s weirdest and wackiest legal cases.
Don’t Eat That
With the coronavirus pandemic spreading, most people are stepping up their personal hygiene. They are also being much more careful about what they are putting in or near their mouths.
But that does not appear to be the case in Florida.
At least, not for Jahrea Wallace who is facing drug possession charges. And, of course, simply having your drugs or even attempting to eat your drugs would not normally warrant a feature on this blog series. But, when you allegedly remove a baggie of drugs from your butthole, then shove those drugs, baggie and all, in your mouth… that is odd enough to become a weird and wacky feature.
Folks, don’t eat your drugs. And if you do feel so inclined, don’t do it if they’ve been in your butt.
Pandemics are Not an Excuse
A lot of things in the world are different right now. People have to take extra precautions when they go out. A lot of people have a heightened sense of anxiety and stress because of the situation worldwide.
But, folks, that is not an excuse to commit crimes. That includes pandemic-related crimes. But it also includes crimes that have literally nothing to do with what is going on in the world. Like, say, stealing a car.
Such was the excuse allegedly given by Alvin Rementer. He attended a Florida pawn shop where he had pawned his vehicle late last month. And when he figured the whole coronavirus situation excused him from his liability to the pawn shop, he took the spare key for his truck and drove it away.
When arrested by the police, Rementer offered an unusual excuse for stealing back his truck: he was freaked out over the coronavirus.
Frankly, I don’t see the connection but there you have it.
A Creative Use of Copyright Law
In yet another example of cases that probably never should have gone to court, a US federal judge has ruled against a tattoo artist in a copyright dispute.
Solid Oak Sketches filed a lawsuit – four years ago! – against the NBA 2K video game company, on the basis that the video game depicted three tattoos that the studio had inked on basketball sensation LeBron James. They were depicted on his body, as they would be on camera.
I think when you are a tattoo artist it is accepted that if you put your work on a celebrity, then your work is going to be replicated in actual or artistic depictions of that celebrity. If the tattoo artists were allowed to sue for this, then presumably they would also have a case against the NBA for broadcasting the games, or magazines that feature James, or Mr. James himself for posting selfies on social media. Where does it stop?
