Business Law class visits Federal Courthouse
by Denise Snyders
October 20, 2009
The annual business law class trip to a the federal courthouse in Sioux Falls is a highlight for the class as we see our studies put into practice. On October 20, 2009, not only did we witness a sentencing hearing on involuntary manslaughter, Judge Lawrence Piersol visited with us after to explain the case background and how he arrived at his judgment. The case involved a father who rolled onto his infant son who suffocated and died. The defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years, as the infant also displayed evidence of prior child abuse.
We were given a tour of the historical facilities by a deputy marshal, and talked to the current federal marshal and chief federal judge who were both appointed by the President of the United States. We also peeked into the overflow room of the federal trial for former kosher slaughterhouse manager Sholom Rubashkin, who had many supporters attend. This trial had a venue change from Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Sioux Falls. It was a interesting and educational day, one I look forward to providing the students every year.
