SF Landlord Couple's Bizarre Antics to Evict Tenant

04-25-2008 • Ginn

In a case of life imitates art, a San Francisco landlord couple has been charged with felony stalking, burglary, and conspiracy after they allegedly went bonkers trying to evict tenants.

A defendant's right to confront accusers: How far does it extend?

4-22-2008 • Christian Science Monitor

The Constitution's Sixth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants the right to face their accusers in court. But what happens when the accuser is not available for cross-examination at trial because she was murdered by the very person she would t

DNA Is Enough To File Indictments; As Good as a Name

4-22-2008 • NY Sun (h/t Anon)

Prosecutors now need no more than a suspect's DNA to file an indictment in New York City, following a court decision that allows prosecutors to get around statutes of limitations for some crimes. Did not need to know the identity of a suspect in

Few Clear Wins in U.S. Anti-Terror Cases

4-21-2008 • Washington Post

When seven ragtag men in a Miami religious sect were indicted in 2006 for their role in a bizarre plot to blow up the FBI Miami office and Chicago's Sears Tower, then- Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales said the case represented "a new bra

From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests

4-21-2008 • Washington Post

Privacy Advocates Say the Emerging Practice Turns Relatives Into Genetic Informants. Investigators obtained a court order without the daughter's knowledge for a Pap smear specimen she had given five years earlier at a university medical clinic in

Professor in Deadlocked Terrorism Case Could Face third retrial

4-18-2008 • NY Times

Sami al-Arian, a computer science professor imprisoned for more than five years after pleading guilty to a single terrorism-related charge when his trial deadlocked, is back in legal limbo. He faces either deportation or a new indictment that could e

Deadlocked jury forces 2nd mistrial in Miami terrorism case

4-16-2008 • ABC News

The second trial of 6 men accused of plotting attacks on Chicago's Sears Tower and FBI offices ended with a second hung jury, another embarrassing blow to a case the Bush administration had cited as an example of nipping a devastating terrorist a

Should child rapists face death penalty?

4-16-2008 • Christian Science Monitor

30 years ago the US Supreme Court issued a landmark decision, declaring sentencing someone to death for the crime of rape was cruel and unusual punishment. The decision referred to the rape of an adult woman, but it left an issue unresolved.

Defense in Italian CIA case request Berlusconi and Prodi as witnesses

04-16-2008 • IHT

A former Italian secret services chief's defense lawyers requested Wednesday that Premier-elect Silvio Berlusconi testify in he trial of 26 Americans and others charged with kidnapping a terror suspect during a CIA operation

Judge, aide face inquiry over delay in freeing inmate

04-10-2008 • Indystar.com

The mistakes that left an Indianapolis man languishing in prison for almost two years after he was cleared have sparked a rare step: A state board wants to punish a Marion County judge and his commissioner.

Mississippi Justice: Bush US Attorney targeted my wife, supporters and friends

4-10-2008 • Rawstory

Republican effort jails largest Democratic donor in Mississippi, helps put ex-RNC chairman in governor's chair.

US says Sept.11 law allows detention of Chinese Muslim at Guantanamo

4-5-2008 • Canadian Press

The US administration argued that when Congress authorized military action against the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists, it also gave the president the power to detain people who never took up arms against the US. Justice defended the six-year detention

Rising prison population an undeclared national crisis

4-3-2008 • Physorg

Nearly a month after a published study on increasing U.S. prison population revealed more than 1 in 100 American adults are behind bars, two University of Michigan professors are aiming to elevate the public debate on prison reform.

Jews held for terrorism, charged with having camera near military base

4-3-2008 • Daily Record

It is illegal for anyone to possess a "photograph, sketch, picture, drawing, map, or graphical representation of such vital military and naval installations or equipment without first obtaining permission of the commanding officer of the militar

Student arrested for modifying camera into Taser

4-3-2008 • AP

A 14-year-old student at Morgan School in Clinton is facing a weapons charge, accused of tinkering with a disposable camera to make it capable of zapping people with an electrical charge.

Boy, 12, Kills Man Attacking Mother; Officials Undecided On Filing Charges

4-2-2008 • Washington Post

The 12-year-old boy had finished his homework and was playing a video game when he heard his mother cry out. Rushing to her aid, he found her on the kitchen floor, straddled by a fellow resident his hands wrapped tightly around her neck, the boy said

Torture in Our Own Backyards: The Fight Against Supermax Prisons

3-30-2008 • Alternet

In Supermax prisons, 23 hours a day of solitary confinement is the norm. How did our prison system become so cruel? You go eight years without shaking a hand or experiencing any physical human contact. The prison guards bark orders and touch you only

Jailed ex-governor sought for testimony

3-27-2008 • AP

House Judiciary Committee asked the Justice Dept. to allow imprisoned former Alabama Gov. Siegelman to testify before Congress about political influence over his prosecution. Attorney General Mukasey indicated he would not support the request

Ex-Ala. governor to be freed on bond -- oooops!

3-27-2008 • AP

A federal appeals court approved the release of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman on bond while he appeals his convictions in a corruption case. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the former governor had raised "substantial questions of

Man arrested on suspicion of loitering where children gather

3-26-2008 • Loomis News

After an El Dorado Hills mom reported observing a strange man speaking with her 2 children at each of 3 children's-story events, deputies arrested the man at his Folsom home. Victor Emmer, was arrested on suspicion of loitering where children gat

America's "secret" police - (Was this law penned by Joe Arpaio?)

3-23-2008 • JPFO

A relatively new federal law that calls itself "The Court Security Improvement Act of 2007" has, in short, made a felony to identify one's criminal oppressors.

Less than one drink leads to felony DUI

03-22-2008 • Phoenix New Times

The problem comes when the focus shifts from stopping real drunks to punishing people who've had only a glass of wine or half a mimosa. It's also troubling, when the punishment isn't commensurate with the crime. Studies have shown that dr

Strong case for the OK 3 and against shameful prosecution

3-21-2008 • Free Paul Jacob

[Use the supplied link to read the referred article for yourself.] Don’t miss Cybercast New’s great piece detailing the unjust prosecution of the Oklahoma 3. The in-depth article is entitled, “Tax-Control Advocates May Go to Jail in Oklahoma."

Russia's priests told to carry guns to foil armed icon-raiders

3-20-2008 • www.guardian.uk

Given the atrocious state of the area's roads, detectives say that weapons are the only way to deter marauding criminals. The police concede that by the time they arrive the gangs have long gone.

Solar energy trumps shade in California prosecution of tree owner

3-18-2008 • Christian Science Monitor

Through California's obscure 1978 Solar Shade Control Act, which criminalizes the shading of solar panels by trees – resulted in the Santa Clara Co. District Attorney prosecuting Mr. Treanor and Ms. Bissett for their predating backyard trees.

A legislative bill that would make Salvia divinorum an illegal drug in Nebraska has little chance of passage during the last six weeks of the legislative session. Lincoln Police on Monday made a Salvia bust anyway.