


























Editor's Note Vol 13 No. 2


Bellarmine Law Society Review

Volume XIII | Issue II

Editor’s Note: Volume XIII No. II of the Bellarmine Law Society Review

Isabella Calise
Boston College, calisei@bc.edu



EDITOR’S NOTE: VOLUME XIII NO. II OF THE BELLARMINE
LAW SOCIETY REVIEW

ISABELLA CALISE

In the second issue of the Bellarmine Law Society Review's (BLSR) thirteenth volume, a

diverse group of scholars, including four undergraduates and a standout high-school senior,

delve into compelling legal topics. The exploration encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from

Supreme Court rationale and psychiatry to the intricacies of LGBT+ rights and rap music—all

viewed through the discerning lens of legal analysis. First, high-school senior Alex Chen

navigates the uncertainties surrounding stare decisis interpretation with a thematic approach that

unveils the foundational aspects of the Court's opinions and anticipates their future applications.

Second, Joshua Darrish's analysis highlights cases like McCreary County v. ACLU and Van

Orden v. Perry to accentuate the widening gap between separationist and accommodationist

interpretations of the Bill of Rights. In doing so, Darrish argues that maintaining the

Establishment Clause's vague nature will safeguard the secularity of the judicial system. Third,

Simon Hoefling explores the insanity defense through a cognitive lens rather than one of

volition. His argument posits that this approach establishes a higher standard for comprehending

criminal culpability. Fourth, Brendan Mahoney dissects the implications of RICO charges,

examining their impact on the admission of rap lyrics in the judicial system. Notably, Mahoney

invokes topical cases such as State of Georgia v. Kahlieff Adams et al. to argue that restricting

charges threatens a rapper's civil liberties. Finally, Darya Treanor examines the historical

interpretations of the Second Amendment under D.C. v. Heller to advocate for a broader

perspective that not only incorporates but also expands the liberties of LGBTQ+ Americans.

The release of this edition marks the inaugural venture of the BLSR under the guidance

of Managing Editor Tommy Dee and myself. Since the fall, Tommy and I have taken strides to

expand the Editorial Board by welcoming new associate editors, whose dedication has made the

entire editorial process both effortless and gratifying. As a Board, we were genuinely impressed

by the abundance and caliber of submissions this year and fervently anticipate that you, our

esteemed readers, will discover them as engaging as we did.


