This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at three strange cases from around the United States.
First, we look at one of the more… creative arguments advanced in appealing a life sentence. Then, we examine just how far one man will go to get a chicken sandwich. Spoiler alert: this plan has now backfired horribly. And finally, we make an all-important stop in Florida to examine a speeding ticket defence that I certainly have never heard before.
Points for Creativity
In the United States, there are a large number of prisoners serving life sentences. And you’d think that with that being the case the situation would have come up before where someone died while in custody, but then was resuscitated and brought back to life.
This was the case for Benjamin Schreiber, who argued that after briefly dying, and then coming back to life, he had satisfied the terms of his life sentence. Clever, right?
The Iowa Appeals Court disagreed, finding that Mr. Schreiber had failed to overcome the essential Schroedinger-problem posed by his situation. He could not be dead if he was petitioning the court for release. Otherwise, the question would be moot. And if he was alive, then he could not possibly be dead.
But – I am still surprised this was the first instance of this type of argument being raised in a life-sentence case.
For the Love of Chicken
A few weeks ago, we brought you a hilarious case of a lawsuit involving the lack of a famous chicken sandwich. And while we thought that the demand for that chicken sandwich could not get more OTT, apparently this man is now accused of topping it.
Yes, a man in Maryland is now facing actual murder charges in the fatal stabbing of another man over a chicken sandwich at Popeye’s.
As the theory of the case goes, Ricoh McClean was waiting in line when the other man allegedly cut in front of him in the hopes of getting one of the coveted sandwiches. Like any decent human in pursuit of a chicken sandwich, Mr. McClean confronted him and a verbal argument ensued. The men took it outside, and McClean allegedly stabbed the other man to death.
But, like… I highly doubt there are any Popeyes chicken sandwiches in jail. So this was not a really good long term plan for Mr. McClean. Also, I think it’s about time I get me one of these chicken sandwiches so I can see what all the fuss is about.
Best Speeding Excuse Ever
What Weird and Wacky Wednesdays would be complete without an appearance from a Florida man?
This week, we encounter Jon Earl Pickard. He encountered a woman that was not his wife. And after a tryst, was pulled over speeding to get home. According to arrest documents, Pickard was travelling at 90 miles per hour in a 50 mile per hour zone. When police officers asked him about why he was going so fast, he explained that he was in a rush to get home after cheating on his wife.
I mean, as far as excuses go, this one is pretty good.
And it may have worked for Mr. Pickard if officers who arrested him had not also found him in possession of crack cocaine. So he was booked on felony drug possession charges in addition to the speeding ticket.
I wonder how he’ll explain that one to his wife.