Last year, the RIAA (the music industry’s legal and lobbying arm) won its first (and only) trial against an accused filesharer. Now, US District Judge Michael Davis has declared a mistrial in the case and has (for now) set aside the 220Gs fined.

Under certain aspects of United States law, P2P music piracy is not illegal since the songs are not being redistributed for profit. A judge has recognized this and ordered a mistrial for a man accused by the RIAA of owing $222,000 in music piracy charges. EPIC WIN FOR P2P USERS!

Judge cites the fact that the RIAA wrongly made him believe that it didn't have to prove that any actual illegal distribution occurred, only that a person made it available for such purposes.

The case of a woman accused of killing her infant child in a microwave oven has been declared a mistrial as testimony by witnesses casts doubt on the State's case.

First Lt. Ehren Watada knew exactly what his case was about - and that scared the judge. There was absolutely no reason to stop the Watada trial. The judge's claim that Lt. Watada did not fully understand a document he signed admitting to elements of the charges is completely untrue (see Melanthia Mitchell, AP, 2/8/07).