Iraqi dad charged with murder may need mental exam

PHOENIX (AP) -- An Iraqi immigrant accused of killing his 20-year-old daughter because he believed she had become too westernized doesn't understand court proceedings and may need a mental-health evaluation, his lawyer said Wednesday.

The lawyer, Billy Little, said he first met with 49-year-old Faleh Hassan Almaleki on Tuesday, and the immigrant didn't understand the role of his lawyer, the judge or a grand jury.

"He just doesn't have a clue as to what's going on," Little told The Associated Press. "I can't determine if it's language, cultural or a mental-health issue."

A mental-health expert typically evaluates a defendant's competency to stand trial in such cases, Little said. If the lack of comprehension has to do with language or culture, Almaleki may just need to be taught about the American justice system in his native Arabic.

Authorities say Almaleki ran down his daughter and another woman with his Jeep on Oct. 20 as they were walking across a parking lot in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria. Family members told police that Almaleki attacked his daughter because she was not living according to his traditional Iraqi values.

Noor Faleh Almaleki died Nov. 2. The other woman, Amal Khalaf, survived; she is the mother of Noor's boyfriend.

Almaleki was in court Wednesday in a black-and-white jail uniform and said only his name and birthday when prompted by the judge. His next scheduled court date is Feb. 8.

Almaleki had a different attorney from the Maricopa County public defender's office until Tuesday, when Little took over. Little is on the office's capital case team, and although prosecutors haven't decided whether to seek the death penalty against Almaleki, Little said his office believes it's likely, so he needs to begin defending the case now.

Mike Scerbo, spokesman for County Attorney Andrew Thomas, declined to comment on the case, instead referring to a news release his office issued Dec. 21.

"We will fully prosecute this tragic case of alleged homicide and domestic violence," Thomas said at the time.

Several court appearances had to be canceled after Almaleki was put on suicide watch, but Little said that has no longer been an issue.

Almaleki is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a serious injury accident.

Almaleki and his family moved to the U.S. in the mid-1990s and lived in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale. Friends said Noor simply wanted to be a normal American woman, and that she was never disrespectful to her father, just independent.

Friends said Almaleki forced Noor to quit her job at a fast-food restaurant, and in 2008, he took her to Iraq under the guise of visiting family. Actually, he had picked out a husband for her and told her she couldn't return to Arizona unless she married him.

Noor married the man and returned, and friends said her husband was in the process of trying to move to the U.S. But Noor fell in love with another man, they said, and she was living in his home with his mother when she was killed.

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Causes of Car Accidents

It is no secret that automobile accidents can be stressful. There is typically damage to your car, and injuries can range from a few scratches to serious injury and even death.

The causes of auto accidents are as varied as the types of injuries that can result. But there are few accident-causing factors that are more common than others.

Drunk Driving (or Driving Under the Influence of Drugs)
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk drivers are responsible for 30 percent of all crashes resulting in death that occur during the week. (That number increases to more than 50 percent on the weekends.)

Speeding
Driving above the posted speed limits means that you are increasing your chance of having an auto accident by a significant amount. Speeding also increases your risk of having a more serious wreck.

Aggressive Driving
Behind-the-wheel behaviors, such as tailgating, failure to yield and frequent, unsafe lane changes, can make the roads less safe for drivers around them.

Weather Conditions
Bad weather, such as high winds, fog, rain, hail or snow, can certainly cause an auto accident quickly, especially if you don't slow down to accommodate the change in road and weather conditions.

Ignoring Traffic Rules
Not stopping at a stop sign or speeding through a red light are just two of the types of incidents that can cause major traffic accidents.

Driver Fatigue
More than 100,000 accidents are caused by driver fatigue, according to the NHTSA. This is often a contributing factor to truck accidents, when drivers of 18-wheelers are pushed to meet unrealistic deadlines and drive long hours without a break.

Cell Phone Use by Drivers
Some studies estimate that at least one-fourth of all automobile accidents in the U.S. are caused by distracted drivers. And one growing distraction is the use of cell phones while driving. That is concerning, considering that drivers on cell phones are four times more likely to be seriously injured in an automobile accident. Plus, studies have shown that a driver talking or texting on a cell phone has the same driver impairment as someone who is legally drunk.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident, and that accident was caused by someone else, you may be able to receive financial compensation for your property damage, injuries and more.

For more information, visit the comprehensive auto accident lawyer resources provided by the experienced Phoenix, Arizona Mayro Law Firm, emphasizing automobile accident and personal injury cases.


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Arizona personal injury - Elderly man falls 4-feet

Legal news for Arizona personal injury attorneys. An elderly man lost his balance and fell while exiting a plane.
Arizona personal injury lawyers alerts- An elderly man was injured after fall at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport while exiting a US Airways flight.
Phoenix, AZ—An elderly 91-year-old man fell 4-feet to the ground as he tried to exit a small CRJ900 plane at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday afternoon, December 21, 2009. The elderly man reportedly lost his balance when he fell around 3:30 p.m., as reported by the Arizona Republic.
Robert Collins, 91, reportedly arrived at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on a US Airways flight 2889 that departed from Bakersfield, California, when he exited from Terminal 4 and lost his balance. As Collins lost his balance, he fell 4-feet to the ground from the jet bridge. Emergency medical services (EMS) teams rushed to the scene to provide medical aid to the elderly man. Collin was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center for further treatment of his injuries by doctors and nurses. He reportedly did not sustain any life-threatening injuries.
The passengers who exited the express flight had to cross over a short plank that linked the airplane to the jet bridge. The plank had rails and nets on either side for safety. But as Collins exited the plane he tripped over a bag as he was standing on the jet bridge. He then fell through a space between the plane and jet bridge that allowed him to fall to the hard ground below.


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More than a Rite of Passage

 The seriousness of a child bully sometimes gets neglected by school officials and even parents. If bullying persists without appropriate action from school officials, there is no telling the psychological, emotional and physical damage that can happen to your child. In many cases parents or school officials will right off incidents with "kids will be kids" but no child should suffer the emotional and physical consequences of a bully. According to bullying statistics, over thirteen percent of kids aging from 6-13 have reported being involved in bullying. In the past year many cases have transpired involving the link between school bullying and suicides in children. You do not want your child to feel helpless and feel that suicide is the only answer. Speaking with an Arizona personal injury attorney can help you figure out the right course of action especially if there was obvious neglect from school officials. In Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix and surrounding area's many elementary, middle and high schools have reported incidents on bullying by a classmate. While some of these have been properly handled, other children are left to suffer with the physical and psychological consequences of a bully.

Many parents are unaware of what to do when their child is being bullied. There are many steps you can take to help your child deal with this problem so it can be handled as soon as possible. According to safechild.org some things a parent can do if their child is being bullied include:

How to Deal with Bullies

• Tell your child to contact a teacher or school official when the problem occurs instead of dealing with it themselves.
• Tell your child to not react, walk away when confronted with a bully.
• Tell your child to say "You're right" and walk away from the bully.
• Talk to school officials like a teacher or principal about the situation.
• Tell your child to avoid the bully if possible by taking a different route to class, but not to hide out.
• Teach your child to stand tall and be confident about themselves without feeling the need to resort to physical violence.

While taking these steps may help in dealing with bullies, they may not help if there is neglect within your child's school system. If your child's bullying problem has not been properly handled by school authorities, there is a greater risk of physical and emotional consequences for your child. Some examples include:

Physical and Emotional Consequences

• Low-self esteem
• Depression
• Bruising/scarring
• Broken bones
• Suicidal thoughts
• Shame/Humiliation
• Detachment

A common misconception is that bullies are gender specific. Statistically, the most common form of bullying occurs with a group of girls bullying an individual boy. As a result of Hollywood, most parents frequently think of only boy on boy bullying. That is why it is important to receive all the facts about your child's bully, in order to figure out how to best handle the situation.

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Child Slip and Fall Accidents

While children have the tendency to not be aware of the dangers of falling down and hurting themselves, sometimes there are dangers that are not your child's fault but the fault of an individual who neglected a hazard. If you are on someone else's private property or public property, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. In most cases, the business or property owner are responsible for any injury that occurs on their property. When encountered with this type of accident it is important to contact an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer as soon as possible so a frivolous lawsuit cannot be named. In the Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix area there have been many lawsuits were compensation was awarded to cover the injuries of a slip and fall accident.

Children's bodies are small and less developed which makes them more susceptible to sever injuries. There are many possible dangers in an individual's home or public property that can possess a hazard that injures your child. Some of the different types of hazards that can injure your child include:

Where Slip and Falls Can Occur

• Potholes
• Wet floor
• Unbalanced flooring
• Adverse weather conditions such as ice, rain, snow etc.
• Unattended spilled or fallen items
• Poorly lit walkways and stairs
• Uneven sidewalks

Depending on the severity of the fall, the injuries to your child can be numerous. Some injuries can take a few days to heal, other types of more serious injuries can take months. These injuries can result in thousands of dollars in hospital bills and even physical therapy bills. Some examples of the types of injuries that can occur to your child include:

Types of Injuries

• Broken bones
• Bruises/ Scarring
• Brain Damage
• Spinal Cord Injury/ Paralysis
• Death

If your child's slip and fall accident occurred in a public building or a public parking lot, an accident report should be filed at the time of the accident as soon as possible. Some other examples of the types of steps that should be taken in the event of an accident include:

What to do if a slip and fall accident has occurred

• Write down a description of the fall, what caused it, and if there was no indication of a present danger
• The date, time and location of the fall
• A list of witnesses and contact information and statements confirming what happened at the time of the accident
• If possible take photos of the occurrence and where it occurred.
• If your child is physically injured, seek immediate medical attention in order to substantiate your claim


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Attorney Mark Breyer Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer Receives Highest Ranking from AVVO

Mark is an Arizona lawyer who specializes in injury and wrongful death law. Mark formed his office in 1996 with his wife, Alexis Breyer, who is also an attorney. Since the inception of his office in 1996, Mark has only practiced injury and wrongful death law. Mark's highest ranking makes him a part of an exceptional group of lawyers across the United States who have received a perfect ranking from AVVO.As a Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer, AVVO analyzes different criteria when giving lawyers a ranking. The rankings are from 1-10 with "10" being "Superb" for a lawyer ranking. Mark received his "superb" ranking based on prior awards received, lawyer endorsements, client reviews, cases submitted, and much more.When questioned about receiving the highest ranking for Avvo.com, Mark replied that he was very happy to receive the 10 out of 10 ranking. This honor is attributable not just to my successes as an injury and wrongful death lawyer but also to Alexis, my wife, who practices law with me, and my entire staff. "When we began Breyer Law Offices in 1996 and decided to dedicate our practice to being Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys and Phoenix Car Accident Attorneys, we knew it would be our goal to give the compassion to our clients that one would expect of a Husband and Wife Law Team with the dedication, aggressiveness, and results that one would expect of a well accomplished legal team.

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Texas Medical Examiner rules Taser death homicide!

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death of a man in Fort Worth police custody a homicide. Michael Jacobs died after suffering two shocks by Fort Worth city issued Taser X26 Conducted Energy Device.Texas wrongful death lawyer alert-Tarrant County Medical Examiner rules the death of a young man after the Fort Worth Police Department used a Taser a homicide.More than four months to the day Michael Patrick Jacobs, Jr. died, after being electrocuted by a Fort Worth Police Department officer in his home, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office http://www.tarrantcounty.com ruled the death a homicide. According to the Medical Examiner’s press release on Thursday, August 27, 2009, in Fort Worth, Texas, 24 year-old Michael Jacobs died in police custody, on April 18, 2009, after he was shocked twice with a Fort Worth city issued Taser X-26 Conducted Energy Device (CED). The officers electrocuted the known mentally challenged young man with a prolonged shock of 49 seconds as stated in the Public Information Officer’s report, “The first CED deployment was prolonged lasting 49 seconds and the second after an interval of one second, lasted for a duration of 5 seconds.” The report also revealed Jacobs was struck in the anterior neck and mid-chest over the heart with two tethered shocking probes. The young man was found to have no drugs or alcohol in his system nor did he have any under lying health problems.The Jacobs family had dialed 911 on that fateful April day because Michael was causing a disturbance. The mother of the young mentally challenged man had called the Fort Worth Police in the past when Michael would have these episodes because the young man would calm down when the police spoke with him. Unfortunately, the police began struggling with Michael and escalated the situation with the use of excessive force. The family claims they were begging officers to stop hurting the confused young man and continually proclaimed, “You’re going to kill him. Please stop!” The situation ended with Jacobs being Tased excessively, rendered unconscious, and then handcuffed face down possibly obstructing his airway further. He was pronounced dead at 12:00 p.m. at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.Dallas personal injury lawyer, Brian A. Eberstein, with the Texas personal injury law firm of Eberstein & Witherite experienced in wrongful death claims asserts, “This long overdue autopsy findings plus the report from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms what we believe happened to this young man all along. Michael Jacobs and his conduct did nothing to warrant the reckless assault and battery of him by Fort Worth Police Department officers which caused his tragic death.” The unnecessary length of time, the Jacobs family endured waiting for the confirmation of the truth, caused them continued pain and suffering. Families calling local Texas law enforcement agencies for assistance have become victims of the very agencies charged with protecting their welfare and safety.Nobel Peace Prize winner for life-saving work, Amnesty International http://www.amnestyusa.org, the largest human rights organization in the world who investigates and exposes human rights abuses, released a study in December 2008 addressing serious concerns about the United States’ Taser death toll which already reached 334. The study is based on Taser deaths involving police departments between June 2001 and August 2008. Phoenix and Las Vegas reports the highest incidence of Taser electrocution deaths at five. Fort Worth Police Department confirms the deaths of 4 people from Taser shocks while in police custody.Texas wrongful death attorney education by legal news reporter Heather L. Ryan.


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