1984 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1984 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 10 Jan Former Argentine President Reynaldo Bignone arrested in 1984: On January 10, 1984, former Argentine President Reynaldo Bignone was arrested in connection with the disappearances of two army recruits during his tenure as director of the War College. He faced charges of abuse of authority, covering up an illegality, and illegal detention. Bignone was the first of four former military presidents to be arrested following the 1976 military coup. source: upi.com
- 11 Jan Supreme Court ruling in Silkwood case: On January 11, 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee Corp., reinstating a $10 million punitive damages award against Kerr-McGee for contamination of Karen Silkwood with plutonium. The Court held that state tort remedies were not preempted by federal nuclear safety regulations, allowing states to impose punitive damages for nuclear safety violations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 13 Jan Christine Craft wins landmark TV discrimination case: On January 13, 1984, a federal jury in Joplin, Missouri, awarded former television anchor Christine Craft $225,000 in actual damages and $100,000 in punitive damages. Craft had sued Metromedia Inc., alleging she was demoted from co-anchor to reporter at KMBC-TV in Kansas City due to her age and appearance, despite being hired for her journalistic skills. This case highlighted issues of gender discrimination in the media industry. source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Jan Paul and Linda McCartney fined for marijuana possession in Barbados: On January 15, 1984, Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested in Barbados for possessing just under half an ounce of marijuana. They pleaded guilty and were each fined $100. The arrest occurred four years after Paul McCartney's previous drug-related arrest in Japan. source: upi.com
- 17 Jan Supreme Court rules on home video recording in Betamax case: On January 17, 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc. that recording television programs for personal, non-commercial use, known as "time-shifting," constitutes fair use and does not infringe copyright laws. The Court also held that manufacturers of video recording devices, such as Sony's Betamax, are not liable for contributory infringement if the devices have substantial non-infringing uses. This landmark decision significantly impacted the home video market by legitimizing personal recording of broadcast content. source: oyez.org
- 19 Jan Elizabeth Bouvia's right-to-die legal battle: In 1983, Elizabeth Bouvia, a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, sought the right to starve herself to death at Riverside General Hospital in California. The hospital refused, leading to a legal battle over her right to die. In December 1983, a Superior Court judge denied her request, stating that her right to die was superseded by the interests of society and the hospital's staff and patients. Bouvia's case became a significant point in the right-to-die debate. source: washingtonpost.com
- 19 Mar Denny McLain indicted on racketeering and drug trafficking charges: Former Major League Baseball pitcher Denny McLain was indicted on charges including racketeering, drug trafficking, and embezzlement. McLain, who had been suspended from baseball in 1970 for associating with gamblers and carrying a weapon, faced these charges in 1984. source: upi.com
- 31 Mar Execution of Ronald Clark O'Bryan: Ronald Clark O'Bryan, an American murderer known as the 'Candy Man Killer', was executed for poisoning his own son with cyanide-laced Halloween candy in 1974 to collect life insurance money.
- 13 Apr FBI's Most Wanted Criminal Dies: Christopher Wilder, who was on the FBI's most wanted list, accidentally killed himself, ending a period of significant criminal pursuit.
- 07 May Agent Orange lawsuit settlement: On May 7, 1984, a settlement was reached in a lawsuit concerning the herbicide Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War. The settlement provided compensation to veterans and their families affected by the chemical's harmful effects. source: archives.gov
- 10 May International Court of Justice rules on Nicaragua blockade: On May 10, 1984, the International Court of Justice issued a ruling concerning the United States' blockade of Nicaragua, addressing issues related to international law and the rights of sovereign nations. source: icj-cij.org
- 16 May Guinea-Bissau Adopts Constitution: On May 16, 1984, Guinea-Bissau adopted its Constitution, which came into force on the same day. The Constitution was approved by the National People's Assembly and has been amended several times since its adoption. source: wipo.int
- 19 Jun Chief Justice Warren Burger's first live TV appearance: On June 19, 1984, Chief Justice Warren Burger made his first live television appearance on ABC's 'Nightline.' In this rare interview, he advocated for prison reform, emphasizing the need for work and educational opportunities for inmates. source: upi.com
- 27 Jun US Supreme Court ends NCAA television monopoly: On June 27, 1984, the US Supreme Court ruled against the NCAA, ending its monopoly on college football television rights. This landmark decision significantly changed the landscape of college sports broadcasting. source: supremecourt.gov
- 03 Jul Supreme Court ruling on Jaycees gender discrimination: On July 3, 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a landmark case regarding gender discrimination within the Jaycees organization. The decision emphasized the importance of equal access and opportunities regardless of gender. source: oyez.org
- 05 Jul United States v. Leon Supreme Court Decision: On July 5, 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Leon, establishing the "good faith" exception to the Fourth Amendment's exclusionary rule. This ruling allowed evidence obtained by law enforcement officers acting in good faith on a search warrant, later found to be invalid, to be admissible in court. source: ojp.gov
- 08 Jul Soapy Smith's Demise in Skagway: Crime boss Soapy Smith is killed in a shootout at Juneau Wharf, ending his criminal reign over Skagway, Alaska, and symbolizing the taming of the Wild West.
- 21 Jul First documented robot-related fatality in the US: On July 21, 1984, Robert Williams became the first person in the United States to be killed by a robot at a Ford Motor Company plant in Michigan. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Oct Central Intelligence Agency Information Act passes: The Central Intelligence Agency Information Act was enacted on October 15, 1984, allowing the CIA to withhold certain information from the public to protect intelligence sources and methods. source: archives.gov
- 25 Oct Hıdır Aslan executed, marking Turkey's last execution: On October 25, 1984, Hıdır Aslan, a member of the left-wing group Devrimci Yol, was executed by hanging in Burdur, Turkey. His execution was the last carried out in the country before the death penalty was abolished in 2004. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 Nov First female execution in the United States since 1962: On November 2, 1984, Velma Barfield became the first woman executed in the United States since 1962. She was convicted of murdering her boyfriend and was executed by lethal injection in North Carolina. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Dec UN Convention Against Torture adopted: The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on December 10, 1984. This international treaty aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment worldwide. source: un-ilibrary.org
- 31 Dec Bernhard Goetz Surrenders to Police: Controversial New York City subway shooter Bernhard Goetz surrenders to police in New Hampshire, following his infamous 1984 incident where he shot four young men he claimed were attempting to rob him.
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