Simpson Axed. AP reports, "After a firestorm of criticism, News. Corp. said Monday that it has canceled the O.J. Simpson book and television special 'If I Did It.' "

Unsolved Murder. Ryan Huff of the Contra Costa Times reports on a march through Richmond, California to plead for help in the unsolved murder of 16-year-old Jerrell Moore. We are bombarded with studies showing "disparity" in the punishment of crimes in the bleakest urban areas, often with an implicit or explicit accusation that the numbers prove racism on the part of the authorities. As this case illustrates, the difficulty of solving and prosecuting crime in areas where people are reluctant to come forward is a factor, and it is one that defies measurement.

SCOTUS Conference. SCOTUSblog's "petitions to watch" for tomorrow's conference is here. Criminal cases include questioning of a motorist during a stop, an allegedly excessive sentence, a dog sniff, and yet another USCA9 habeas case.

Cal. Sentencing. Andy Furillo of the Sacramento Bee has this story on the possibility that Cunningham v. California may give new political impetus to the idea of a sentencing commission in California. This produced a lively discussion over at SL&P, but a commission does not necessarily mean lighter sentences. Just look at the federal system. Plus, the Legislature can't repeal the most criticized feature of California sentencing -- the Three Strikes law. It's an initiative.

Nigerian Scams. Reuters reports that a study estimates that in the UK alone in 2005, £275M was lost to the Nigerian advance fee email scam. Send us a processing fee of $45,000, and we will send you the story. Or click here.