Ohio Judge Orders New Execution Method: Adam Liptak and Adam B. Ellick report for the New York Times that Judge Burge of Ohio has ordered a change in Ohio's execution protocol. Despite the Supreme Court's decision in Baze v. Rees, Judge Burge ruled that Ohio could no longer use the three-injection method, citing state law that the protocol must be sufficient "to quickly and painlessly cause death".

Judge Recommends Release of Convicted Murderer, Cites Defense Attorney's Mistakes: An Associated Press article by Janet McConnaughey in the San Francisco Chronicle provides details on the Magistrate Judge's reasoning for recommending that a former Black Panther convicted of the 1972 murder of a prison guard should have his sentence overturned and should be released from prison. The defense attorney's failure to object to certain testimony and to hire expert witnesses were among the complaints.

Inmate Guilty of Murder, Not Criminally Responsible: Ruben Castaneda of the Washington Post details Monday's ruling by Judge Plitt finding Maryland inmate Kevin Johns Jr. guilty, but not criminally responsible, in the 2005 murder of Philip Parker Jr. Johns strangled Parker while the two were on a prison transport bus. Because of prison guards' failure to restrain Johns properly and his documented mental illness, he will not be held criminally responsible.

The Criticism Intensifies... As the Bush Administration attempts to move forward with prosecutions of Guantanamo detainees in designated military proceedings, the critics are becoming more and more vocal. Here's what some of them are saying.
Carol Williams for the LA Times
William Glaberson for the New York TImes
Michael Melia for the Associated Press (Hat Tip: Fox News)
While the majority of the articles focus on criticisms of the proceedings. Matt Apuzzo of the Associated Press reports Attorney General Mukasey's support of the special military proceedings.