Inside the Law

An audio version (with permission) of Michelle Theriault Boots' June 2020 story for Anchorage Daily News in partnership with independent, nonprofit newsroom, Pro Publica. Learn more or make a donation at Propublica.org

Read by Audrey Gavagan.

"Everything Mary Savage did in the hours after the attack was dissected on the witness stand, an experience so upsetting she vomited. But years later, she finds comfort knowing her testimony led to his conviction."

This is a heavily trimmed interview by Joe Rogan of Johann Hari on drug legalization, addiction and enforcement. The original is amazing and worthwhile (you'll see the War on Drugs very differently), but nearly 3.5 hours. Even though it's important and worthwhile, I couldn't get people to commit for that long, so I made this hour and fifteen minute version. The original is great, with lots of fascinating stories - find it at JoeRogan.net (episode #1250). Keywords: addiction, drugs, legalization, joe roagan, johann hari, switzerland, portugal, prostitution, emotional pain, war on drugs

In this episiode:

1. How Sharon, as a young law associate, reacted to a matrimonial case file with X-rated greeting cards in it that a wife had found in her husband's desk at work, along with women's underwear
2. The meaning behind unpaid funeral bills
3. Her strategy starting out to take-on the stuff that everybody else was afraid to touch
4. The importance of having a realistic conversation with clients and prospects about whether or not the law is aligned with where they are emotionally
5. The patterns in family law mediation that that repeat themselves over and over
6. Why it's important to let people know you understand what they're saying and to acknowledge how they feel
7. The spouse initiating a divorce may have already been grieving the loss of their marriage for years, while the non-initiaing spouse might be hit broadside
8. Fear and anxiety is probably overwhelming and sometimes paralyzing. "I think a mental health expert would help you work through that but they also can help you define your goals which makes you better at communicating."
9. Can you make your spouse leave the residence?
10. What is a "no-fault" divorce?
11. Don't waste money to win emotional battles! Learn what is and isn't worth spending money on in a divorce
12. How to react if there's domestic violence in your home, while still protecting your interests

And MUCH more...

Attorney and former Prosecutor Boone Phillips on the Alex Bozarjian live TV sexual battery case .

Boone sheds light on the December 7, 2019 alleged sexual battery, on live television, of Ms. Alex Bozarjian, a 23 year old televsion reporter for NBC's Savannah, Ga affiliate, WSAV.

The alleged perpetrator is Tommy Callaway, a married father in his 40's.

It is alleged, and depicted in the video immediately below, that when Mr. Callaway ran past Ms. Bozarjian as she was reporting on Savannah's Bridge Run race, he whacked he on her buttocks, and then kept running.

Immediately after this contact, Ms. Bozarjian's expression and demeaner change dramatically - she appears stunned, upset, and in disbelief. A few seconds later, she resumes reporting, but still appears shaken.

This was all captured on live television, and the internet video above has been viewed more than 12 million times.

Even though he was wearing dark sunglasses, audiences were able to identify Mr. Callaway through other images of him and his race bib number.

Three days later, on Dec. 10th, Ms. Bozarjian appeared on the CBS This Morning national television program (the video is immediately below). A statement from Mr. Callaway's attorney was read, saying they regret the situation, but he "did not act with any criminal intentions ... We do not expect any criminal charges."

Around that same time, Mr. Callaway participated in a filmed interview with WSAV television's JoAnn Merrigan.

On Friday, Dec. 13th, Mr. Callaway was charged with misdemeaner sexual battery.

He turned himself in to detective, was booked at the Chatham County Jail, and was released on $1,300 bond.