Results matching “GPS”

Louisiana Teens Charged with Murder:  Police in New Orleans, have announced that the two 16-year-olds arrested in connection with Monday's murder of a pizza delivery driver were wearing GPS ankle monitoring devices at the time of the killing.  Tania Dall of WWL News reports that the teens are believed to have gunned down the delivery driver in a carjacking attempt Monday evening, police had been alerted that one of the teens had broken his monitoring restrictions and were waiting on an arrest warrant when the driver was killed Monday evening.  The court has yet to file charges, but it is expected that they will charge the teens as adults.

Serial Killer Sentenced to Life in Prison: A California man convicted of murdering three women in the 1980's has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.  CBS Los Angeles reports that 74-year-old Samuel Little was arrested and charged with the killings after DNA collected from the victims linked him to the crimes.  Little was also linked to four other sexual assaults against women in both San Diego and Mississippi. 

Convicted Murderer Sentenced to Death: A Las Vegas man convicted of kidnapping and murdering a 12-year-old girl four years ago has been sentenced to death.  KATC News reports that in 2010, Thomas Sanders went on a road trip with the young girl and her mother to Arizona, as they were returning to Nevada, Sanders pulled the car over and shot the girl's mother in the head and proceeded to drive the girl cross-country to Louisiana.  Evidence at trial revealed that Sanders shot the girl four times before cutting her throat and leaving her in the woods where she was found by a hunter later that year.  

FL Supreme Court Revamps Rules for Death Penalty Appeals: Florida's highest court has approved a series of proposed changes aimed at improving and expediting death penalty appeals.  CBS Miami reports that some of the changes involve revising requirements for attorneys in charge of handling death penalty cases as well as preventing defendants from representing themselves in post-conviction proceedings.  Another rule will require attorneys involved in death penalty appeals to have at least three years experience in post-conviction litigation and have experience with capital cases.

Parole Officer Warns Against Releasing Convicted Rapist: The former parole officer of a California man known as the 'Pillowcase Rapist' is speaking out against his upcoming release, calling Christopher Hubbart scarier than a "Mexican Mafia killer."  Christina Corbin of Fox News reports that Hubbart, who is scheduled to be released later this month, has admitted to raping more than 40 women between 1971 and 1982.  Hubbart will not be on formal probation or parole, but will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and register as a sex offender.

Utah Seeks to Expedite Upcoming Execution: Utah's Attorney General's Office has asked a federal judge to continue moving forward with convicted killer Ron Lafferty's pending execution.  Ben Winslow of Fox 13 reports that Lafferty was convicted of murdering his sister-in-law and her daughter in 1984, claiming that he was forced to do so because of orders from God.  Attorneys for Winslow claim their client suffers from religious delusions and competency issues, however, a federal judge earlier this year ruled he was in fact competent and able to assist in his own defense.

Bill to Expand GPS Monitoring: In an effort to accommodate Realignment issues, a California legislator has introduced a bill aimed at expanding GPS monitoring programs in order to ease prison and jail overcrowding.  Keith Carls of KEYT News reports that AB 2499 would allow the Sheriff and the County Board of Supervisors to expand the GPS monitoring program to a number of prisoners that have been sent to county jail under Realignment.  Anyone caught tampering with or removing their monitoring device would be subject to arrest and face a possible 180 days in jail.

FL Judge Denies Stay of Execution: A Florida judge has denied a stay of execution for a convicted killer who has spent nearly 20 years on the state's death row.  Suzie Schottelkotte of The Ledger reports that 45-year-old Eddie Davis was sentenced to death for the 1994 kidnapping, rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl.  Davis is scheduled to be put to death July 10.

NY High Court Strikes Down Cyberbullying Law: In a 5-2 ruling, the New York Court of Appeals has struck down an Albany County law making cyberbulling a crime.  Joe Palazzalo of The Wall Street Journal reports that the law was overturned after it was determined that it prohibited a wide variety of speech and was a violation of the First Amendment  More than a dozen states and four other New York counties have similar laws.        

Christopher Evan Hubbart violently raped 40 or so women starting in the 1970's. Eventually, the system took it seriously enough to send him off to a mental hospital. Now, over the state's objections, he has been ordered released by a California judge.

Hubbart will wear a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week GPS monitor on his ankle and will be accompanied by security people every time he goes out in public for the first six months to a year of his release, [L.A. County District Attorney Jackie] Lacey said. He will be transported to therapy sessions twice a week.

NY Rape/Murderer Gets Life Sentence: A New York man has been found guilty and sentenced to life without parole for raping a young girl and killing her mother after cutting off his court-ordered GPS ankle monitor last year.  The Associated Press reports that 30-year-old David Renz, who was wearing the GPS monitor as a condition of pretrial release for federal pornography charges, carjacked the woman and her 10-year-old daughter as they left a gymnastics class.  Renz strangled and stabbed the woman as she fought him off in an attempt to stop him from raping her daughter, the young girl was able to escape the vehicle and was soon rescued by a passing motorist. 

New Jersey Governor Signs Bill to Increase Penalties for Sex Offenders: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed legislation which would require longer sentences for sexual predators who target children.  Matt Friedman of The Star-Ledger reports that the bill, known as the Jessica Lunsford Act (A892), will take effect immediately will require judges to sentence anyone convicted of aggravated assault against a child under the age of 13 to a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison without parole.  The law was named for a 9-year-old Florida girl who was raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender in 2005.

Mom Convicted of Murdering Children Sentenced to Life: A Florida jury has found a woman guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the shooting deaths of her children in 2011.  The Associated Press reports that jurors took less than two hours to find 53-year-old Julie Schenecker guilty of murdering her teenage son and daughter, a crime she claims was committed due to her struggle with a severe mental illness.  Shortly after the jury reached their verdict, Schenecker was sentenced to two consecutive life terms .

The Justice Department, and Deputy Attorney General James Cole in particular, have been broadcasting loud and clear that they intend aggressively to seek out, and recommend the granting of Presidential clemency for, hundreds if not thousands of federal inmates.  We have been assured, of course, that only non-violent inmates will be included, and that there will be no or negligible risk to public safety.

Death Sentence Upheld for Double-Murderer: A divided Ohio Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for a Cincinnati man convicted of murdering two teenage girls in 2010.  WLWT 5 reports that Anthony Kirkland was convicted of aggravated murder and attempted rape for the killings of a 14-year-old girl in 2006 and a 13-year-old girl in 2009, prior to trial, Kirkland pled guilty to two additional murders he had committed and was given two life sentences.  Kirkland was appealing his death sentence amid claims that statements made by the prosecutor during the sentencing phase of his trial pressured jurors into returning a death sentence.

Thousands of Criminals Freed While Awaiting Deportation: A report released on Monday by the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington-based advocacy group, has revealed that the Obama administration has released thousands of convicted criminals while they were awaiting deportation proceedings.  Fox News reports that in 2013, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  released more than 36,000 "convicted criminal aliens" who represented a total of 88,000 convictions.  While most of the convictions were for lower-level or non-violent offenses, a large number were much more serious in nature including 193 homicides, 426 sexual assaults, and 303 kidnappings.  ICE has responded to the report, and said that many of the criminals were released under restrictions like GPS monitoring and supervision.

Convicted Mass Murderer Appeals Death Sentence: A Pennsylvania man convicted and sentenced to death for murdering four people in 2010 is appealing his sentence to the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming that the verdict slip presented to jurors was unfairly written.  Riley Yates of The Morning Call reports that 40-year-old Michael Ballard, who had been on parole at the time of the murders for a previous killing, brutally stabbed to death his former girlfriend and two members of her family as well as a neighbor tried to help.  Ballard pled guilty to all four charges of first-degree murder, but believes jurors should have been made aware of his alleged brain damage and abusive childhood prior to sentencing.

In case there is anyone out there who still thinks GPS monitoring is a magic solution, consider this article by Alex Cantatore for the Turlock City News:

A Fresno man who was convicted for sodomizing two infants is now at large, and may be in Stanislaus County.

The California Department of Corrections issued a warrant for the offender, Kenneth Lawson, on April 16. He was released on GPS-monitored parole, but is believed to have cut off his GPS tracking ankle bracelet.

CA Murder Suspects had Lengthy Criminal Past: Police in Southern California have arrested two registered sex offenders as the prime suspects in the murders of four women.  The Associated Press reports that both men were being supervised by police after being arrested in 2012 for removing their court-ordered GPS devices and fleeing to Nevada.  Police believe both men targeted their victims because of their ties to prostitution and escort services, and are determining if there are more victims in California and other parts of the U.S.

Felons Able to Buy Guns Amid Background Check Backlog: More than 360 guns were sold in Maryland last year to people prohibited from owning them due to an overwhelming backlog in conducting gun ownership background checks.  Erin Cox of The Baltimore Sun reports that all but four of the guns sold to those prohibited from owning them were recovered by undercover troopers, and police believe there was only one incident to date involving a gun being used by a prohibited buyer.  Just last week, the Maryland State Police were able to clear the backlog of background checks that at one point, stood at 60,000 requests.

White Supremacist Arrested in Triple Homicide: A Missouri man with a history of racist and anti-Semitic activity has been arrested as the person responsible for three murders this weekend, two of which occurred at a Jewish community center and the other at a Jewish assisted living facility.  Fox News reports that 73-year-old Frazier Glenn Miller has been involved with white supremacist groups for the majority of his life, and was the subject of a nationwide manhunt in 1987 after police say he violated the terms of his bond while appealing a conviction for operating a paramilitary camp.  The Justice Department has announced plans to file hate crime charges against Miller, he is scheduled to be arraigned this week.

Maryland Man Sentenced for Killing Cellmate:  A Maryland inmate already serving a 60 year sentence for killing his girlfriend in 2008 has been ordered to serve another sentence after pleading guilty to murdering his cellmate early last year.  The Associated Pres reports that 44-year-old Vernon Cowan killed his cellmate because he wanted his own private cell. He was sentenced to serve an additional 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.  The inmate killed, 51-year-old Ricky Bailey, was serving a life sentence from Connecticut and was transferred to the Maryland prison under an interstate prisoner agreement.

TX Obtains New Supply of Execution Drugs: Following its most recent execution last night, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has announced they have obtained a new supply of execution drugs available for use after the existing supply expires at the end of the month.  Michael Graczyk of the Associated Press reports that officials will not reveal where they purchased the drugs to protect the privacy the supplier.  The state's next execution is scheduled for April 3.

Pedophile Pleads Guilty to Rape, Murder: A New York man on bail awaiting sentencing on federal child porn charges has plead guilty to the carjacking and murder of a mother and the rape of her 10-year-old daughter.  The Associated Press reports that while out on bond, 30-year-old David Renz removed his court-ordered GPS monitoring device, carjacked a woman and her daughter in a mall parking lot.  While in custody for the murder and rape, Renz was sentenced to 30 years on the porn charges.  He could be sentenced to life without parole for the carjacking, rape and murder.  His sentencing is set for May 16.

Missouri Executes Convicted Killer: A Missouri man who kidnapped, raped, and murdered a 15-year-old girl more than twenty years ago was executed early Wednesday morning after a stay of execution was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Associated Press reports that 47-year-old Michael Taylor and Roderick Nunley kidnapped 15-year-old Ann Harrison from her driveway as she was waiting for the school bus before taking her to a home where they raped and fatally stabbed her in 1989.  Nunley, who was also found guilty, was sentenced to death and is awaiting execution. 

Probation Officials Acknowledge GPS Monitoring Failures: Probation officials in Los Angeles County have acknowledged their failures with monitoring felons, calling their department a "blueprint of how not to implement a GPS program."  Paige St. John of the Los Angeles Times reports that the while the department admitted to the widespread failures, they were quick to point out that probation officers were not to blame, and that department administrators and the company who sold the service were at fault.  The county saw a huge increase in the amount of felons who needed to be monitored with GPS supervision after prison overcrowding and Realignment resulted in several felons being released from custody and back onto the streets.

Parole Denied for Convicted Cop Killer: A Kentucky state parole board took only a few minutes to deny convicted cop killer Glenn Doneghy's recent request for parole.  Kristen Kennedy of WKYT reports that Doneghy was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison after authorities said he hit a police officer with his car in 2010 and drove off, leaving the officer to die.  Doneghy will have to wait two more years before he is allowed to request another parole hearing.

Convicted Child Predator Flees After Cutting GPS Monitor: A convicted child rapist serving his parole sentence at a Colorado group home has fled after authorities believe he cut off his GPS ankle monitoring device.  Alan Duke of CNN reports that 51-year-old Eric Hartwell was ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised parole after being convicted of raping a child in 1991 and attempted indecent liberties in 1996.  This is the second time Hartwell has fled after being ordered to wear a GPS device, he cut off his leg device and fled to Texas in 2009 only a week after being placed in a court-ordered halfway house.

New System Allows Judges to Weigh Inmate Risk Prior to Release: Judges in Santa Cruz County, California will soon be able to use a new 'risk tool' in order to have a better understanding of whether or not a defendant is likely to commit a violent act and should then be required to stay in jail prior to their case going to court.  Stephen Baxter of the Santa Cruz Sentinel reports that the criteria listed in the risk tool will give the judge a better sense of the person's chances of reoffending and will be used when deciding if the individual should be held with or without bail.  The program is already being used in Kentucky, and will be piloted in counties in Arizona, California, North Carolina and Colorado. 

Convicted Murderer's Sentence Reduced to Life Without Parole: 51-year-old William Weaver, who was convicted of murder in 1987 and sentenced to death, has been re-sentenced and ordered to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole after a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturned his original sentence.  Tim O'Neil of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Weaver was convicted of shooting a man six times in the head who authorities believe may have been a potential witness in an upcoming narcotics case.  Weaver's original sentence was over turned by the U.S. Supreme Court on procedural grounds after the prosecuting attorney urged jurors to use their sentencing decision as part of society's war on drugs.  The St. Louis County Prosecutor's Office said they accepted the reduction "because we were not in a position to retry everything again."

MO To Execute Taylor Although Drug Supplier Backs Out: The Missouri Department of Corrections has announced they will carry out an execution scheduled for next week as planned. Jeremy Kohler, of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that the compound pharmacy hired to produce the state's supply of pentobarbital announced earlier this week that they had reached a settlement with attorneys for death row inmate Michael Taylor, and would not be providing any drugs to be used for his execution.  A spokesman for the state Department of Corrections said that the execution will be carried out following established protocols.  Taylor was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a young girl that he abducted from a school bus stop in 1989.

Woman Sentenced to Life in Bizarre Murder Case: A Massachusetts woman convicted of killing her pregnant friend and taking her unborn baby has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  The Associated Press reports that 39-year-old Julie Corey was found guilty of first-degree murder after authorities say she killed her eight months pregnant friend and took the woman's baby from her womb in an attempt to pass it off as her own child.  Under Massachusetts' law, the conviction will automatically be appealed.  

Probation Officers Overwhelmed with GPS Monitoring Alerts: Probation officers in Los Angeles County had relied on  GPS monitoring devices to help keep track of offenders released from prison under Realignment.  Paige St. John of the L.A. Times reports that due to the volume of alerts they receive from the devices, which are often caused by a blocked signal or low battery, probation officers have begun to routinely ignore or delete them.  An audit of the department conducted in September revealed numerous cases where alerts were never responded to, and noted that officers lost track of 80 offenders in 2013 who had cut off their monitors and disappeared.  The story cites examples indicating that other states are having the same problem.

                

AZ Supreme Court Upholds Conviction, Death Sentence in Brutal Murder: The Arizona Supreme Court upheld the conviction and death sentence for a man found guilty of murdering five people in order to prevent them from testifying at his upcoming arson trial.  Walter Berry of the Associated Press reports that 36-year-old William Craig Miller was challenging his sentence and seeking a new trial based on the claim that he was deprived of his right to a speedy trial.  Authorities believe Miller murdered five members of an extended family after he discovered that two of the individuals were working as police informants and would be testifying against him at his upcoming arson-for-hire trial.   

LA County Sex Offenders Given Faulty GPS Monitors: An audit conducted by the state of California has revealed that one in four GPS monitoring devices used to track convicted criminals in Los Angeles County are faulty, allowing felons to go undetected sometimes for days at a time.  The Associated Press reports that in addition to faulty monitoring devices, the audit also revealed that some probationers had been released without tracking devices because the city had run out of functioning equipment.  LA County uses the devices primarily for repeat sex offenders, violent gang members, and for individuals who have violated terms of their restraining order.

New Boston Mayor, Police Clash Over Proposed use of AR-15's: Officials with the Boston Police Department and the city's new Mayor-elect, Martin Walsh, are clashing over a proposal by the police department that would allow a limited number of officers to be armed with high-powered rifles.  Fox News reports that the Police Department made the proposal in light of recent mass shootings.  The Department believes that the addition of AR-15's would give officers a "fighting chance" against suspects that often are better armed than police.  Under the proposal, the city would buy 33 AR-15's and would issue them to two trained officers in each of the city's 11 districts.  The Mayor-elect opposes the plan. 

In a word, no.

Kennedy Cousin Convicted of Murder is Granted New Trial: Michael Skakel, the man convicted of a 1975 murder and a cousin of the Kennedys, has been granted a new trial after a judge ruled that Skakel's attorney failed to adequately represent him.  The Associated Press reports that Skakel was found guilty in 2002 for the golf club bludgeoning murder of 15-year-old Martha Moxley, who had spurned his sexual advances.  He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.  Now that a new trial has been ordered, Skakel's attorneys are planning to ask the judge to release him from prison on bond.

Canadian Sex Offender Commits Assault in US: 48-year-old Michael Stanley is in custody after police say he removed his court-ordered GPS monitor, fled Canada, and sexually assaulted a Seattle teen just days after coming to the U.S.  The Canadian Press reports that Canadian authorities chose not to issue an arrest warrant or ask for Stanley's extradition because his sex crimes there were not serious enough. Because of this, Stanley was allowed to cross the border into Washington and was instructed by local authorities to register as a sex offender.  Less than four days after registering, Stanley, who happens to be a U.S. citizen, was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy.

Judge: Medical Marijuana OK on Probation: An Arizona judge has granted a motion on behalf of 43-year-old Jennifer Ferrell, allowing the woman to use medical marijuana while on probation.  Scott Orr of the Daily Courier reports that the motion was granted after Ferrell's attorney argued that the county could not restrict his client from using medical marijuana due to the fact that state law makes it legal.  Ferrell was given probation after being convicted of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and DUI in October 2012. 

School: Transgender Student's Rights Trump Privacy:  Female students at a Colorado high school have been threatened with disciplinary action if they continue to voice their concerns over being harassed by a male student who is allowed to use female restrooms on campus based on the claim that he is transgendered.  The Daily Mail reports that school administrators told concerned parents that the girls' right to privacy is not as important as the boy's right to be transgendered, and that if the girls continue to complain they may be removed from athletic teams or punished with hate crime charges.  School officials have suggested that female students possibly give up some of their restrooms on campus in order to accommodate their transgendered classmate and alleviate tensions.   

OK to Execute Child Rapists?:  The Ohio legislator, John Becker, has introduced House Bill 244 which would permit the death penalty for repeat sexual offenders found guilty of aggravated rape, aggravated sexual battery, or aggravated unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.  The Youngstown News reports that while such a bill would receive the moral support of many Ohioans, it would likely be held unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Other states which have adopted similar laws  have not utilized them or had them tested in court. 

Prisons Using Computer Algorithms for Parole Eligibility:  In an effort to cut costs at correctional facilities, prison parole boards in at least 15 states are turning to computerized risk assessments to weigh various factors and determine which inmates are most likely to commit new crimes while free on parole.  Jacob Kastrenakes of The Verge reports that the automated systems are showing signs of success - findings from 2011 point out a 3 percent decrease of re-incarcerated parolees since 2006.  The algorithms assess factors such as an inmate's age during their first arrest, fairness of their conviction, and level of education.

Legislation Targets Sex Offenders who Remove Tracking Devices: California's Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation that will prevent paroled sex offenders who remove their court-ordered tracking device from being eligible for early release from county jail.  The LA Times reports that offenders arrested for removing their GPS device will be sentenced to a mandatory 180-day sentence in county jail.  The legislation is aimed at deterring sex offenders from violating their terms of release.  Under the Governor's Realignment law, offenders were often released from jail less than 24 hours after removing their tracking-device. 

California Bill Changes Penalties for Sex Offender Parolees: The California Legislature has passed a bill which purports to increase the penalty for paroled sex offenders who remove or tamper with their GPS tracking device.  The Associated Press reports that the bill would allow the parole board to levy a six-month sentence in county jail for removing the device, however, the bill does not require that the punishment be fulfilled in actual custody.  This means that in California counties where jails are  overcrowded, the sex offender can be released on house arrest, or even back to parole.  The original version of the bill, SB57, made the removal of a GPS device a new felony, and doubled the penalty for a second offense. The legislature's amendments reduce this to a parole violation with the possibility of no consequences, no matter how many times it happens.  

Bizarre Murder Plot Leads to Arrest: A Massachusetts man who planned to kidnap children and lock them in a dungeon before raping and eating them will face a sentencing hearing next week after pleading guilty to multiple serious and violent crimes.  Lateef Mungin of CNN reports that authorities arrested 40-year-old Geoffrey Portway after finding more than 4,000 images and videos of child pornography, including images of children being cooked and prepared to eaten, on his home computer.  Authorities also discovered a locked basement in Portway's home that contained a child-sized coffin, a steel cage, and butchering kits.

ICE Launches App to Catch Sex Predators:  The Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has announced the launch of an app for mobile devices that seeks public help in identifying criminals involved in child pornography and sex abuse.  Stephen Dinan of the Washington Times reports that the Operation Predator App is currently available on Apple iTunes and will soon expand to other smartphones. The app shares images of people involved in child sex crimes and allows the public to anonymously report information on a suspect's identity and location.

Georgia Teen Found Guilty in Baby Shooting: A Florida man who shot and killed a 13-month-old baby as he was sleeping in a stroller has been found guilty of felony murder.  Graham Winch of HLN News reports that 18-year-old De'Marquise Elkins shot and killed the baby after the boy's mother refused to give him her purse.  Elkins faces a possible life sentence, and will be spared from the death penalty due to the fact that he was 17 at the time of the murder.  

Admitted Serial Rapist set to be Released: California's Supreme Court has denied a Los Angeles County prosecutor's request to block the release of a serial rapist from a state mental hospital.  Joshua Miller of Fox News reports that Christopher Hubbart, a serious sexual predator who has admitted to sexually assaulting over three dozen women, could be released within a few weeks.  Hubbart, who has been in and out of the California criminal justice system since 1972, will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and submit to regular polygraph testing.      

Teens Sentenced in School Bus Beating: Three Florida teenagers have been sentenced to indefinite probation after pleading guilty to beating one of their classmates while riding home on the school bus.  Fox News reports that the teenage boys attacked their classmate after he told school officials that one of the boys tried to sell marijuana to him.  As part of their probation, the boys will be required to complete community service hours, wear GPS ankle monitors, and attend anger management classes.

Sex Offenders Being Steadily Released from California Jails: In an effort to alleviate prison overcrowding, California sex offenders are being recycled in and out of county jails despite several violations of their parole.  Writers with CNN's Special Investigation Unit report that two years ago county judges lost their authority to send convicted felons back to prison after violating their parole, forcing them instead to send them to county jail.  State parole agents say that the most common parole violation being committed by sex offenders is illegally tampering with their GPS monitoring devices.    

DOJ Files Charges in Benghazi Attack: Members of Congress are urging President Obama to arrest Benghazi suspects in order to hopefully prevent further attacks and protect American citizens.  Fox News reports that the Obama administration is staying relatively quiet about the situation, and only said that their investigation is "ongoing."  The September 11, 2012 attack (involving armed assaults on the U.S. Consulate and a nearby CIA annex) left four Americans dead and several others injured.

Ft. Hood Murder Trial Halted Amid Death Penalty Discussion: The military court-martial case for accused Ft. Hood mass murderer Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan was recessed earlier today after backup defense attorneys said Hassan was "encouraging" the death penalty.  Elizabeth Chuck of NBC News reports that backup attorneys were set in place to ensure the case is handled properly after Hassan elected to represent himself.  The trial was halted after a motion was made by the defense team seeking to reduce their role in the case after the courtroom behavior of Hassan led them to believe he is trying to get a death sentence.

Ohio Kidnapper Accepts Plea Deal to Avoid Death Penalty: Ariel Castro, the man accused of holding three women captive in his home for almost 10 years, accepted a plea deal today that will allow him to avoid the death penalty.  Ashley Fantz of CNN reports that Castro will now be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus an additional 1,000 years in prison.  Castro was originally charged with 977 counts, but under the plea deal he agreed to plead guilty to 937 of the charges.

Convicted Murderer Executed in Alabama: Andrew Lackey, an Alabama man convicted of  beating and shooting an elderly man to death in 2005, became the first inmate executed in Alabama since 2011.  The Associated Press reports that Lackey dropped all of his sentencing appeals, and was executed after writing to the Alabama Supreme Court requesting that his death sentence be carried out.  

Convicted Sex Offender Arrested After Faking his own Death: A convicted sex offender who failed to show up to his July 8 sentencing hearing in Ohio was found in Florida after authorities believed him to be dead.  WFTV reports that William Wigfield, who was convicted of raping a 14-year-old boy, skipped his sentencing hearing, cut off his GPS ankle monitoring device and fled the state.  Police believe Wigfield dumped the GPS monitor into a river in order to fake a suicide and impede their investigation.  

Missing Girl Found After Being kept in a Metal Box: According to a federal complaint filed earlier this week, a teenage girl reported missing from Los Angeles was sexually assaulted, kept inside of a metal box, and forced to take care of marijuana plants under the direction of two Sacramento men.  Joseph Serna of the LA Times reports that the girl was allegedly kept in the box for three days, and was only able to drink water occasionally from a hose.  If convicted, the two men face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, but they have yet to be charged in the alleged abuse of the girl. 

More CA Fugitive Sex Offenders Than Originally Reported:  Paige St. John of the Los Angeles Times reports that California has twice the number of fugitive sex offenders than the state previously reported. According to new data released Wednesday, there was a 65% rise in the number of warrants issued for paroled sex offenders that absconded from October 2011 to January 1, 2013. The prior report had the number at an increase of 30%. Nearly 5,000 warrants were issued over the period since Realignment took effect far more than the 3,251 the department reported in March The discrepancy comes because multiple releases for the same offender were not originally accounted for. Parolees disabling or removing GPS devices suffer little to no consequences when caught due to overcrowding in county jails. Some parole violators go on to commit very serious offenses, including rape and murder. Sen. Ted Lieu introduced SB57 which would make it a felony to remove a GPS monitor punishable by prison time. Discussed in this News Scan.

OH Baby Killer's Plea Denied:  Andrew Welsh-Huggins of the Associated Press reports that the Ohio Parole Board denied Steven Smith's plea for mercy on Wednesday. On September 29, 1998, Smith, 46, raped the six-month-old Autumn Carter, the daughter of his girlfriend. The attack that lasted up to a half hour and resulted in the infant's death. His attorneys argued for his sentence to be commuted, claiming Smith had only intended to rape but not kill the little girl. Smith, a known alcoholic, has taken no responsibility for his crimes, instead blaming it on being drunk. The parole board was not convinced. Though not directly charged with rape, prosecutors used it as an aggravating circumstance in the murder to secure a death sentence. Prosecutors say Smith beat the girl to death in the course of the rape, while expert witnesses testify the baby may have suffocated while Smith lay on top of her.

OH Rapist's DNA Identified:  The Associated Press reports that a grand jury in Ohio has indicted an unknown man for a rape committed 20 years ago based on his DNA. The six count indictment is over the separate rapes and kidnappings of a 13-year old-girl on April 21, 1993 and a 37-year-old woman on June 15, 1996. The indictment will keep the statute of limitations from running out for "John Doe (hash)1, unknown male." An arrest warrant has been issued for his DNA profile. According to Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecutor Brian McDonough, DNA technology will keep rapists from getting away with their crimes. Over 2,300 untested rape kits have been sent in by police from across Ohio as part of an initiative begun by OH Attorney General Mike DeWine.

AB109er Killed After Allegedly Stabbing Woman to Death:  Doug Saunders of the Redlands Daily Facts reports probationer David Mulder is suspected of fatally stabbing Elisa VanCleve at a Fontana Park and Ride on Sunday. A California Highway Patrol officer arrived at the lot in response to a domestic disturbance call. Mulder ran at responding officers with a knife. The CHP officer shot and killed Mulder. VanCleve had been found stabbed multiple times in a car nearby. The Fontana Herald News reports Mulder had an extensive criminal history including grand theft, commercial burglary, and possession of a controlled substance. Mulder was released from prison for a most recent conviction of substance abuse and was placed on Post Release Community Supervision in September. His probation officer found that he violated the terms of his PRCS in December by not registering a change of address. A warrant was issued for Mulder's arrest. He was located on March 25 and sentenced to serve 30 days in jail. He was released eight days later on GPS monitoring, five days before the murder.

U.S. Army Veteran May Get Death Penalty:  Matthew Barakat of the Huffington Post reports United States Army Veteran Eric Harroun, 30, is accused of using a weapon of mass destruction outside the U.S. alongside a terrorist organization. From January to March, Harroun fought against the Syrian government alongside the group Jabhat al-Nusra, the "al Qaida in Iraq." The group was classified as a terrorist group by the U.S. Government in December. Harroun, 30, was at a court hearing on Monday, where U.S. Magistrate Ivan Davis decided there is probable cause and the issue will go to a grand jury. It was revealed at the hearing that Harroun could face the death penalty if it is found that his actions caused a death. Harroun recalls shooting 10 people during the attacks, but is not sure if they were killed. His lawyers argue that his actions were in line with U.S. interests, as he aided Syrian rebels. Whether he was a willing participant or a prisoner forced to fight was at the center of debate.

White Supremacist Prison Gangs Gaining Influence Beyond Bars:  Alan Greenblatt of NPR News reports white supremacist gangs are expanding their influence beyond prison bars and out into the streets. James Lohr, 47, was taken in for questioning on Friday, in regards to the murder of Colorado Department of Corrections Director Tom Clements. Lohr was known to have associations with white supremacist prison gang the 211 Crew. Another man wanted for questioning, who was wanted for questioning, died in a Texas shootout and was also a known 211 Crew member. The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, another white supremacist prison gang, is suspected of ties to the killings of the Kaufman County District Attorney, his wife, and the assistant DA. If suspicions are confirmed, the influence of racist prison gangs is reaching unprecedented levels. According to Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center, the gangs are building criminal empires. He says prison gang leaders are able to get messages out through girlfriends, spouses and even attorneys. Some information in this report taken from CBS Crime Insider, here. Continued from this News Scan.

Realignment Criminal Arrested After Robbery Spree: Kim Minugh of the Sacramento Bee reports that Emanuel Looney, 28, was arrested Tuesday for multiple robberies in the Sacramento area. At about 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Looney allegedly entered a convenience store and robbed the clerk at gunpoint. Immediately after, he allegedly knocked on the door of a home, still armed, and forced his way inside when the door opened. He demanded money and stole the victim's car. The vehicle was spotted by officers at 1:45 a.m. Looney led officers on a pursuit then fled the car on foot. He was arrested after running into a park which deputies surrounded. In 2008, Looney received a 3-year prison sentence for the felony charges of possession of stolen property, grand theft auto, resisting arrest, and falsely identifying himself to police. He was released on probation (called Post Release Community Supervision) rather than parole because of Realignment. 

CA Convicts Released Early, Unsupervised:  The Associated Press reports that many California counties are sentencing the majority of convicts to straight jail sentences in lieu of a combined custody and supervision program. Due to continued jail overcrowding under Realignment, convicts are being released before their time is served and are exempt from supervision under the terms of their sentences. Law enforcement and probation officers say they have no way of tracking these felons, stressing the growing threat to public safety. According to data covering October 2011 through September 2012, only 31 percent of convicts realigned to county jails have been given split sentences; Over two-thirds have opted for straight time without supervision upon release. Only five percent of inmates in Los Angeles County are serving split sentences. More in this blog entry.

CA GPS Trackers Flawed:  The Associated Press reports California officials replaced thousands of parolee ankle monitors last year after field tests confirmed flaws. The devices were found to have inaccurate location reporting problems and ineffective tamper alert systems. Some devices could be disabled when covered with foil, or by using illegal GPS jammers. 3M Co., the GPS supplier for about 4,000 parolees, was denied a state contract worth approximately $51 million over a six year period after a second round of tests confirmed the faulty nature of the devices. Although a Sacramento County judge ruled that Denise Milano, head of the state's GPS monitoring program, violated  contract laws by rejecting 3M Co.'s bid, her decision was still upheld based on the flaws discovered. The devices were replaced by another company, Satellite Tracking of People, based out of Houston, Texas. About 7,900 people are currently monitored by the new devices.

Double Cop Shooter Gets 60 Years:  The Sun-Times reports that Rashaun Carlisle was sentenced Tuesday to 60 years in prison for shooting two Illinois police officers in 2010. Carlisle, a gang member, got into a fight with rival gangsters at around 2:30 a.m.on May 8, 2010 in a liquor store parking lot. Following the altercation, he retrieved a sawed off double-barreled shotgun from his home then returned to the parking lot. The area had been vacated except for police officers and one of the men involved in the fight. Carlisle opened fire on the officers, permanently disfiguring the face of one and killing another with a shot to the chest.

Aryan Brotherhood May Be Responsible for TX Law Enforcement Killings:  Pierre Thomas and Russell Goldman of ABC News report that investigators are examining whether a white supremacist prison gang played a role in the recent Texas slayings of District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife and Assistant DA Mark Hasse. Both men were responsible for indicting members of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas and members of Mexican drug cartels. Law enforcement officials have been on the alert for retaliation since December, a month after 34 suspected associates of the prison gang were indicted on federal racketeering, murder and drug conspiracy charges. Ten of those indicted could receive death sentences. Authorities also suspect they may be involved in the March killing of Colorado Prisons Chief Tom Clements. Alleged gang member Evan Ebel had various white supremacist tattoos on his body. Continued from this blog entry.

DNA Helps Close Cold Case From 1996:  The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Florida convict Rafael Crespo was linked to the 1996 rape and murder of 17-year-old Anjeanette Maldonado Monday in Philadelphia. The match came from a sample that was entered into the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Combined DNA Index System during the cold case investigation.

Remember when Gov. Moonbeam told us about "realignment?"  Remember that we were all going to be safe?  That crime wasn't going to spike just because we were putting criminals back on the street?  Remember that?  Remember when "community supervision," strongly fortified with ankle bracelets, was going to do the job, keep tabs on everybody?  Don't need all this prison stuff  --  remember that?

TX Bill Would Require DNA Evidence for Death Penalty:  Chris Tomlinson of the Associated Press reports that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot and Sen. Rodney Ellis (D) introduced SB 1292 Tuesday. The bill would require the testing of all biological evidence for DNA prior to a prosecutor being able to seek the death penalty. They argue the legislation would protect innocents while, at the same time, removing prolonged appeals in the face of definitive evidence.

CA County Sued After AB 109 Overcrowds Jails:  The Associated Press reports that  inmates' rights advocates are suing Riverside County over jail conditions due to Realignment. The lawsuits cite overcrowding, poor medical care, and inadequate mental health resources for inmates. Don Specter, director of the Prison Law Office says realignment has exacerbated problems by putting too much burden on the counties. The City News Service reports that Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff is making a proposal to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday for approval of a Secured Electronic Confinement Program. The plan would release about 100 inmates from county jail to ease overcrowding. Those released would be fitted with GPS tracking devices and require weekly checks for compliance. Additionally, they would have to abide by 46 terms and conditions, making the program more stringent than regular GPS monitoring.

KS Recidivism Costs Prompt Look at Probation:   Tony Rizzo of the Kansas City Star reports on a proposal introduced to reform parole methods in Kansas. The proposal would implement a series of "graduated sanctions" of increasing severity based on repeat violations. Law enforcement officials fear it would reward bad behavior and keep dangerous criminals on the streets. The rate of probation and parole violators being re-arrested has increased 25 percent from 2009, according to KS Secretary of Corrections Ray Roberts. With costs averaging $24,000 per inmate annually, the growing recidivism rates are increasing the burden on the state's tax payers. The bill has passed the House and awaits the Senate's vote.

CA Sex Offender's Confession to Therapist Doesn't Count as Evidence:  Maura Dolan of the Los Angeles Times reports that the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that confessions by sex offenders to a therapist cannot be used as evidence for commission to a mental institution. In the case of sex offender and state parolee Ramiro Gonzales, a psychotherapist testified that he should remain in a state mental facility indefinitely. Her statement that Gonzales admitted  raping 16 children was not admissible as evidence. The decision cited that the original trial judge erroneously ordered the therapist to testify what was discussed in the state-mandated therapy sessions. Despite the ruling, Gonzales will remain incarcerated.

CA Crime Rises in Porterville After Realignment:  Denise Madrid of the Porterville Recorder reports that crime rates for 2012 have risen sharply in Porterville under AB 109. From 2011 to 2012, robberies increased from 58 to 70, and burglaries rose from 518 to 594. Homicides and rapes showed slight increases. Porterville Police Chief Chuck McMillan believes the increase comes as a direct result of Realignment. He says his department is re-arresting criminals released early under AB 109 for the same type of crimes they committed before.

TX Prisons Block Illegal Cellphone Use by Inmates:  The Associated Press reports that Texas is beginning to test equipment in its state prison system aimed at blocking illegally smuggled cellphones used by inmates. In addition to blocking calls, the managed access systems diverts text messages, emails and log-in attempts. The two prisons in which the system is being tested are considered to have the highest incidents of cellphone smuggling. Illegal inmate cellular use is a widespread problem. The last two years saw the capture of 1,368 cellphones found in inmate possession. Criminals have utilized cellphones to coordinate gang activities and harassment. Continued from News Scans here and here.

CA Seeks to Regain Control of Prison System:  Sam Stanton and Denny Walsh of the Sacramento Bee report California is seeking to regain control of its prison system after 18 years of federal oversight. In 1995, a federal court said California's 'substandard' prison mental health care played a key role in the state's high rate of inmate suicides. Citing reforms and increased funding for inmate mental health, Gov. Jerry Brown claims the state has solved its problems. Since 1999, 437 inmates have committed suicide in a state prison. An annual report from national suicide expert and special master's team member Dr. Raymond F. Patterson cited the state's prison inmate suicide rate at 23.72 per 100,000 in 2012. The national average was 16 per 100,000 last year. The state will make its case in court March 27.

CA Spree Robber Was Released Under Realignment: Brian Maxey of KMPH Fox 26 reports that gang member and registered sex offender Willie Murphy was arrested Saturday after a two-month armed robbery spree in Fresno. Murphy robbed six different businesses while acting like a regular customer. He would reveal a gun upon approaching the register and rob the location. Sontaya Rose of ABC News reports that Murphy was released on post-release community supervision under AB109. He was able to avoid parole and GPS tracking by committing the so-called non-serious, nonviolent, nonsexual felony of attacking a corrections officer.

AZ Attorney General Will Appeal Overturned Conviction:  Greg Botelho and Deanna Hackney of CNN report that Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne will appeal the overturned conviction and death sentence of Debra Milke. She was convicted by jury on October 12, 1990 of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, child abuse and kidnapping, shortly after the execution-style death of her young son. Milke was sentenced to death months later. The conviction was overturned Thursday by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Discussed in this post by Kent Scheidegger.

Trial Date Set for Killers of Officer:  Michael Doyle of the Sun-Star reports that inmates Joseph Cabrera Sablan and James Ninete Leon Guerrero will face trails for killing federal correctional officer Jose Rivera at the U.S. Penitentiary Atwater in California on July 23, 2003. Sablan and Guerrero were both federal inmates from Guam serving life sentences. Continued from this blog entry.

CO Sees Spike in Marijuana Use Among Children:  CBS reports that following Colorado's legalization of recreational marijuana use, a drug testing company is finding a sharp increase in use among minors. Drug testing company Conspire says it is being called to test students for marijuana use in one CO school district weekly now instead of monthly. The drug testing methods have changed as well, requiring lab analysis to determine the level of THC, marijuana's active ingredient, in a user. The potency of the drug in student users has increased since the law passed. Whereas levels were typically found at 50 to 100 nanograms, tests are now showing students with levels as high as 800 nanograms of THC in their system.

Appeals Court Restores Death Penalty for CA Killer:  Bob Egelko of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that a federal appeals court restored the death sentence Thursday for Marvin Walker. It had been overturned in 2011. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overruled U.S. District Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong's prior ruling that Walker's knee shackle when testifying improperly influenced the jury's decision. The reinstatement of his conviction passed 3-0 and his death sentence was reinstated 2-1. Continued from this News Scan.

CA Sex Offenders Removing GPS, No Fear of Prison:  Mike Luery of KCRA 3 reports sex offenders removing their GPS monitoring devices have no fear of punishment under AB109. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in the 15 months after Realignment, 2,706 sex offenders removed their GPS tracking devices, compared to 2,346 in the 15 months prior. An anonymous sex offender cites the current consequences, serving 30 days in a county jail, as a risk that sex offenders are willing to take. He notes that jail is often avoided altogether due to overcrowding. Continued from this News Scan.

Death Penalty on the Table for WY Killers:  The Associated Press reports that prosecutors are considering seeking the death penalty for Tanner Vanpelt, 18, and Stephen Hammer, 19, in Wyoming. The two teenagers allegedly stole a pair of handguns from a firearms store. They then fatally shot Ildiko Freitas, and her parents Janos and Hildegard Volgyesi, during a robbery. They stole her SUV and fled the scene. Vanpelt and Hammer are each charged with conspiracy, use of a deadly weapon, premeditated murder, and murder in the course of a robbery.

Federal Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty for TN Postal Killer:  Adrian Sainz of the Associated Press reports that a federal prosecutor will seek the death penalty for former prison guard Chastain Montgomery, 48. Montgomery is charged with the fatal shootings of federal workers Paula Robinson and Judy Spray in the course of robbing a Tennessee post office with his son in October 2010. No trial date has been set, but a hearing to address Montgomery's mental competency is set for September.

More CA Fugitive Sex Offenders Under Realignment:  Don Thompson of the Associated Press reports that, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the number of fugitive paroled sex offenders in the state has risen by 15 percent under AB109. More paroled sex offenders are not reporting to their parole officers and disabling or removing their GPS monitoring devices. More on GPS removal in this News Scan. When caught, most offenders are set free again within a matter of days due to jail overcrowding. In an effort to combat these numbers, Sen. Ted Lieu has introduced SB57, which would make disabling the GPS device a felony punishable by up to three years in state prison. Further discussed in this blog entry.

CO Anti-Death Penalty Bill to be Introduced:  Eli Stokols of Fox News reports that a bill seeking to abolish the death penalty will be introduced in the Colorado House on March 15. The bill has four sponsors, two in the House: Reps. Claire Levy, and Jovan Melton; and two in the Senate: Sens. Morgan Carroll, and Lucia Guzman. The bill coincides with an upcoming execution of Nathan Dunlap, covered in this News Scan. Should the bill pass, CO Gov. Hickenlooper will have to choose whether to sign the repeal or Dunlap's execution order.

KS Bill Introduced to Abolish Death Penalty:  Scott Rothschild of Lawrence Journal-World reports that Kansas state Rep. Steven Becker introduced a bill Thursday that would replace the death penalty with life without parole. KS last considered abolishing the death penalty in 2010. The Senate's vote ended deadlocked, 20-20. It was one vote shy of the number needed for the measure to advance. 

DNA Ties Dead Sex Offender to CA Murder:  Larry Altman of the Daily Breeze reports that DNA from a 23-year-old blood sample has helped solve a cold case in California. The sample was taken from sex offender Kevin T. Kemp after he was fatally shot in September 1990 by his victim during an attempted sexual assault. The sample was discovered last April in a refrigerator at a coroner's office. Upon examination, police found that Kemp's DNA matched forensic evidence on the body of murder victim killed three weeks before Kemp died.

DNA Links Freed TX Inmate to Slaying:  The Associated Press reports that Alvin Wiltz has been rearrested and charged with capital murder in Texas, just a day after being released from prison on a drug conviction. DNA evidence linked Wiltz to the 2006 fatal shooting of his alleged accomplice, Jermaine Clemons, in a robbery and utility scam. A homeowner, Oscar Richmond, was also wounded in the attack.

Illegal GPS Removal Rate Spikes Under Realignment:  KCRA 3's Mike Luery reports California is seeing increasingly high numbers of parolees removing or disabling their GPS tracking devices. The increase directly follows CA's Realignment. Discussed in this News Scan. In the 15 months after AB109 took effect,  482 criminals have cut off their tracking devices, a 118 percent increase over the 221 violations over the previous 15 months. Under Realignment, instead of a crime, this is a parole violation which may result in a few days of county jail time. CA Senator Ted Lieu has introduced a bill that would send violating felons back to prison.

Oakland Takes Steps to Combat Rising Homicide Rate:  Oakland North's Samantha Masunaga and Ashley Griffin report that in response to the city's rising homicide rate, six law enforcement experts will be brought in to deal with the situation. Last year Oakland had over 130 homicides. Continued from this News Scan. Caitlin Esch of KQED News reports that many of Oakland's homicides go unsolved because of uncooperative witnesses who refuse to get involved for fear of retaliation. Out of all homicides only 69.4% of the city's murders resulted in an arrest in 2012.

Ex-Cop May Face Death Penalty When Captured:  Jonathan Lloyd of NBC News reports ex-cop Christopher Dorner killed one officer and wounded another in a shootout with police Tuesday. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said Dorner has been located and is isolated in a cabin. Officers were engaged, and two were hit by gunfire. They were airlifted to a hospital where one died. The LA Times reports Dorner will face charges of murder and attempted murder from prosecutors in Riverside County. Due to several special circumstances related to the murders, he will be eligible for the death penalty.  Update:  The cabin burned to the ground Tuesday, and Dorner is probably the body found in it, although final identification has not been made as of Wednesday morning.  LA Times story here.