Convicted Child Molester Free During Appeals Process: Aaron Mohanlal was convicted of 13 counts related to sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy that lasted for nearly two years. Although he was sentenced to 43 years in prison, the Broward County, Florida judge has allowed him to remain in the community for the duration of his initial appeal. According to Ashley Fantz's report for CNN, the judge maintains he followed the law in making his decision. Perhaps it's time for the legislature to reexamine that law.

Two Murderers Executed: Texas and Mississippi have executed convicted killers Derrick Sonnier and Dale Leo Bishop, respectively. The AP reports that Sonnier was convicted for the 1991 rape and murder of a woman and the murder of her two-year-old son. Bishop was convicted for being an accomplice to the 1998 fatal beating of Marcus Gentry.

Struggle to Balance Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Needs: Smaller jurisdictions like Providence, RI are struggling to strike a balance between funding homeland security initiatives and daily law enforcement needs, according to David Johnston's NY Times story. Like many law enforment agencies, Providence recommitted itself to aiding national interests after 9/11, as it should have, but officials argue that rapists, murderers, and gangs are just as dangerous for the community