Big Sister on the Prowl. In today’s Washington Post Courtland Milloy reports on D.C. police chief, Cathy Lanier, who started her Safe Homes Initiative, primarily with women in mind. This new initiative would allow searching of homes if there were knowledge that a child or any other relative had a gun. Lanier is seeking permission from parents and grandparents. At one of the community meetings only two men were there, the rest were women, mostly grandmothers concerned with their safety. Lanier says the program is aimed at helping the city’s most violent neighborhoods where most residents are single mothers, elderly women and children in poverty.

DNA Database. The Maryland Senate joined with the House of Delegates in approving the collection of DNA samples of suspects charged with violent crimes and burglary. The Annapolis Digest reports in the Washington Post that initially the bill was said to be unfair because it targeted minorities who were arrested for a crime but never charged. The bill which passed last week, now allows a sample to be kept only if a person is charged with a crime. The sample will be destroyed if the person is exonerated. Black lawmakers had a problem with the legislation, but believe it is crucial for fighting crime.

Edwards Argument: In today’s San Francisco Chronicle, Mark Sherman reports on oral argument the case of Indiana v. Edwards. At issue is whether a mentally ill person is competent to act as his own attorney. Also, check out CJLF press release regarding this case.

Wisconsin's crackdown on drunk drivers
WKBT TV News reports that Wisconsin really gets tough on those convicted of drunk driving seven or more times. Such offenders will face a $25,000 fine and five years in prison and if they reach their 10th conviction it’s the same $25,000 fine with seven and a half years in prison. The law will take effect April 2.

Well Shut My Mouth
A story by Lawrence Buser in the Commercial Appeal reports that Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee held burglary and rape suspect Joshua Beadle in contempt for every word he uttered after being ordered to be silent. Beadle continued to talk himself into 700 days in jail, which works out to 10 days per word. Last January Beadle attempted to spit at the judge, but instead it hit the court clerk’s computer.

Update on the Medellin v. Texas Case
Dallas Morning News reporter Diane Jennings covers the Supreme Court's ruling in yesterday's Medellin decision.