Arms Trafficker Extradited to NY for Trial: Tom Hays reports for the Associated Press that Spain gave final approval for the extradition of a wealthy arms trafficker to face trial on charges related to funneling arms to revolutionary Colombian forces in order to kill American troops. (Hat tip: US News and World Report)
Former "Manson Family" Member Requests Compassionate Release: Susan Atkins has served 37 years in prison for her role in the brutal slayings of Sharon Tate and six others over the course of two nights in 1969 and has been denied parole 11 times. Now she has requested compassionate release, citing an undisclosed terminal illness. Andrew Blankstein and Hector Becerra have the story for the LA Times.
Mukasey Says Boumediene Ruling Won't Stop Trials: According to Mark Sherman of the Associated Pres, Attorney General Mukasey says that yesterday's Supreme Court decision to grant habeas corpus to Guantanamo detainees will not have any impact on the trials that are already being conducted. Officials say that the ruling will predominantly affect detainees being held indefinitely, while detainees who have already been charged with crimes are in "a different category".
What are people's views on Atkins? Obviously, 37 years is not enough for 8 murders, and Atkins doesn't really deserve a ton of compassion, but the costs of her end-of-life care to the prison system is likely to be pretty high.