A death penalty debate in Sunday's Washington Post featured these pro and con articles. The pro article by Eric Rozenman is skeptical of the no-deterrence claims of the opposition but does not cite the large, growing body of scholarly literature showing deterrence. Also, the Buffalo News has this story on legislative efforts to restore the death penalty in New York, at least for cop killers.

The Murder Conviction of a former Columbia police officer was overturned on friday by the Missouri Court of Appeals on the ground that hearsay evidence which did not meet accepted legal standards was admitted during his trial. The appeals court ordered that Steven Rios receive a new trial according to an AP story by Heather Hollingsworth. Rios was convicted of slashing his mistress's throat and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2005.

Conflicting Rulings in the Kentucky district courts have initiated a debate over the constitutionality of the states strengthened Megan's law aimed at sex offenders. Judges Frank Trusty and Martin Sheehan claim that the new law does not apply the sex offenders who were convicted of their crimes prior to July of 2006. However the story posted on the WLWT website reports that judge Ann Ruttle has taken the opposite position. Kenton County Attorney Gary Edmondson plans to appeal the rulings of Trusty and Sheehan.