Mass. judge: Man can be called 2 names at trial

Lawyer Blogs

A judge has ruled that the man who calls himself Clark Rockefeller can use that name in his kidnapping trial, but prosecutors can call him by his real name.


Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter (GAYR'-hahrtz-ry-tur) is accused of kidnapping his 7-year-old daughter during a supervised visit in Boston last July. He and the girl were found six days later in Baltimore.

Gerhartsreiter also is charged with providing a false name to police. His lawyers had argued it would be unfair for jurors to hear him called Gerhartsreiter, because he has not been convicted of providing the false name.

Superior Court Judge Frank Gaziano said Tuesday he would call him Gerhartsreiter to introduce the case, then refer to him as "the defendant" during the trial.

Jury selection is to begin Tuesday.

Related listings

  • Court: Phone drug buys shouldn't bring extra time

    Court: Phone drug buys shouldn't bring extra time

    Lawyer Blogs 05/26/2009

    The Supreme Court says that people who buy drugs over the telephone shouldn't get more prison time than people who buy face-to-face from dealers. The court Tuesday unanimously overturned a decision by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond...

  • Calif. wants US Supreme Court OK of video game ban

    Calif. wants US Supreme Court OK of video game ban

    Lawyer Blogs 05/21/2009

    California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to reinstate a state law banning the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. In February, the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals str...

  • Liberals hope to win after string of court losses

    Liberals hope to win after string of court losses

    Lawyer Blogs 05/19/2009

    The men and women who gather around a table at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights on Friday mornings have ample experience fighting Supreme Court confirmation battles. Now they're hoping to win one. Already, they're combing through the records...

Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?

IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.

Forte Law Group is one of only a very few law firms within the state of Connecticut that is dedicated to exclusively representing families and children with special needs.

Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.

Business News

St Peters, MO Professional License Attorney Attorney John Lynch has been the go-to choice for many professionals facing administrative sanction. >> read