Order issued in Vikings Williams’ Trial.

The order is now online.

The court found that NFL is the employer for purposes of DATWA. The court found that the NFL is a joint employer with the Minnesota Vikings.

The court also found that DATWA did apply to the NFL’s drug testing in the case. The court found that the DATWA confidentiality provisions were violated.

The problem for the plaintiff appears to be harm. Neither Kevin Williams nor Pat Williams made a strong case for their damages. The court writes, “Although, Defendants failed to comply with DATWA‟s three-day notification requirement, Plaintiffs testified that they did not suffer any harm as a result of the delay. “

Finally, the court found that neither Kevin Williams nor Pat Williams proved a breach of DATWA’s confidentiality by the NFL of a preponderance of the evidence.

The request for a permanent injunction prohibiting the NFL from disciplining the players was likewise denied.

One should not ignore these findings (#7 and #16):

“That Kevin has never taken steroids, performance enhancing drugs, or attempted to mask any banned substance.”

“That Pat has never taken steroids, performance enhancing drugs, or attempted to mask any banned substance.”

StarCaps 4ever

Like most legal situations, it appears that the resolution of the StarCaps case make take a very long time and prove very costly too either side. In the Pioneer Press today, there was a statement to the effect that the NFL is considering an appeal of the Starcaps decision if it is adverse.

According to the article, ” Goodell would not rule out the possibility of taking the StarCaps case all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary.”

Vikings Star Cap trial continues while sleepy press turns back

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams returned to the courthouse today for another day of testimony. The video is choppy as usual owing to the camera I am using, A Canon PowerShot SD780 IS.

I continued to try to get the attention of press to cover the episode at Branch 3 which involves privacy claims as well- video taping homeless people while they sleep. So far, the press has not responded well. It is like the press has turned its back to the public.

Media tunnel vision.

While the press remains sedate to the events around it, a High School Mock Trial tournament is also going on here at the government center.

High School Tournament in Progress at the HCGC

I remember when I participated in mock trials. I hope all the participants have a great time.

Update: I watched most of the final round of the Mock trial. It was an interesting format with 3 lawyers on each team. The students were very well prepared and the arguments were well done. I am not sure how they would pick a winner. The room was overfilled to capacity. I had to watch from the outside hallway. I would rate their performance as highly professional. One more interesting note: the mock case was about the use of steroids by a high school athlete.

Starcap Trial.

The Starcap trial is going on right now. Apparently, the Williams brothers (no relation) used a weight loss supplement and had their privacy compromised by league disclosures of test results.

The media is all over the Williams brothers down at the courthouse. I have attempted to reach out to the media to cover Dollhouse on several occasions, but they seem more concerned with non-stop coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. Too be sure, the Williams trial is more interesting than most as it raises real concerns about privacy and workplace rights. Still, I feel that a story about the efforts to save Dollhouse is definitely warranted after several press releases and nonstop attempts at media outreach.

My story is about the course of true love.

The current MSM appears content to lazily sit back and cover easy stories rather than investigate or take any initiative. What I provide is a love story.

I took some choppy footage on my Canon Powershot SD780 IS Digital Elph camera. As you can see the Canon Powershot is not designed to take very good moving pictures. However, I was more concerned that the Powershot would take poor still pictures, so I opted for the video even though it is not very interesting.

As an aside, the law library on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government center (opens at 8:00 am) is an excellent place to spend time until the real downtown library opens at 10:00 am. The law library has limited computer access (1 hour), newspapers, and free wifi).

The course of true love…

Catholic charities branch 1 forced me out last night. Fortunately, I was able to secure some last minute housing next door at “SAFE BAY”. I was told by the staff, James, I could not stay once I brought my legal action.

As readers know, I have been running this blog to save Dollhouse for Eliza Dushku, the woman I love. Many people have seen me at Vikings tailgating events, on the street, on campuses, and few know that I am homeless.

In an attempt to save the show, I often hand out fliers to people I come into contact with. I also take photographs of a variety of events that I participate in. I documented my experiences raising money for the TASTE OF THE NFL Let’ Kick Hunger day event as well as my donation to Yele. There are many other events to. I have covered political candidates as many forums, including the MLK day events and netroots.

Recently, I was confronted by a staff/volunteer at Branch 1 of Catholic charities who prevented me from distributing my fliers to save a television show. I will not reiterate the entire story as you can read the background here. In short, I tried to take the staff/volunteers picture. I was told that I could not take photographs inside the shelter. The next day at Branch 3 of Catholic Charities, I tried to take photographs of people playing Madden 2010 on a Playstation 3 for a second time at Branch 3 and was again told no. READ ABOUT HOMELESS GAMERS HERE.

As a result of these denials, I sought a legal order to enjoin them from preventing me from conducting outreach to save Dollhouse and allowing me to continue to take pictures.

I am asserting that Catholic Charities invades privacy by video taping everything at the shelter. I also assert there is a first amendment right to engage in solicitation and free speech as a homeless resident at Hennepin County secure area. The fact that it is a charity and not the state should not make a huge difference. I maintain that fundamental rights cannot be outsourced by transferring the administration of programs to charitable organizations. Allowing charities to eviscerate the first amendment would effectively create a “charitable” curtain, isolating members of the homeless community and impairing their ability to communicate with the outside world. Disallowing photographs/media in this environment would also fundamentally impair legitimate news gathering activities. What are they trying to hide?

Judge Bruce Peterson denied my emergency request but set the matter for a February 3, 2010 hearing.

On Saturday night, a day after my ex parte emergency order was filed, I returned to BRANCH 1 and was told I could not stay because of the legal action I had taken. Even though I had paid for my stay, I was told I could no longer take advantage of Branch 1 services by James. I explained that it seemed to be a retaliatory eviction. I ended up staying at “SAFE HARBOR” run by the Salvation Army. To put safe harbor in perspective, other members of the homeless community refuse to spend much time there. Most consider it too preachy and some have suggested the facilities are bad even relative to other places.

In any event, I want to make clear that all of this stems from my simple wish to express my love for Eliza Dushku and save her television show. Recent events are not making it any easier for me to help save the show for the woman I love.

Please help sign my petitions and send some emails.

Please sign the TNT petition online.

Please take the time to send TNT EMAILS.

Thank you.

Patriots Game.

Looks like Eliza Dushku went. No surprise, she’s a big fan. Of course, I’m in the NFC and sticking with the Vikings.

But it was only a matter of time before Football and Dollhouse formally collided…