Nevada Vows to Learn From Dugard Case: Nevada Governor, Jim Gibbons, stated that the Nevada parole system is being improved. The Associated Press reports that the case of Jaycee Dugard has focused public attention on the failure of California's parole system. Dugard was allegedly kidnapped and held captive by Phillip Garrido, a convicted sex offender on parole. Over the 18 years that Dugard was held captive by Garrido police received reports of hearing children in the yard, but, these were never adequately investigated by parole officers. Gov. Gibbons says that things previously overlooked in Nevada are being corrected. The Nevada Division of Parole and Probation Deputy Director Mark Woods outlined some of the improvements, including an increase in the number of parole officers and a reduction in the caseload per officer. There are 14,040 sex offenders living in Nevada, this includes those who are no longer on parole or under state supervision. Woods stated, 1,117 sex offenders are on supervised parole. While these offenders are being more closely watched, there are another 12,923 sex offenders that are not being monitored at all.
DNA Link May Solve Multiple Murder Case: Milwaukee authorities have found a DNA link tying someone they believed to be a relatively minor offender to the murders of nine women. AP writer Dinesh Ramde reports that 49 year old Walter E. Ellis, has been charged with the murders of two women, and a DNA links him to seven other murder victims. In 1998, Ellis pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of second-degree reckless injury. Out of a five-year sentence, Ellis served three years. Police Chief Edward Flynn stated, "Yes, he does have a criminal history, his criminal history, however, does not lend one to immediately say, you know, 'prime suspect.''' In this case, there was no indication from Ellis' previous criminal history that he would have committed murder. A DNA sample taken from Ellis' toothbrush was what broke the case. There is hope that many cold cases will be solved through the use of DNA evidence. A 2000 Wisconsin law requires that convicted felons give a DNA sample. Additionally, the law requires DNA samples to be taken from any convicted felon in prison before or after January 1, 2000. As Terry Williams, the brother of victim Joyce Mims said, "[j]ustice one day is better than no justice at all." .
DNA Link May Solve Multiple Murder Case: Milwaukee authorities have found a DNA link tying someone they believed to be a relatively minor offender to the murders of nine women. AP writer Dinesh Ramde reports that 49 year old Walter E. Ellis, has been charged with the murders of two women, and a DNA links him to seven other murder victims. In 1998, Ellis pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of second-degree reckless injury. Out of a five-year sentence, Ellis served three years. Police Chief Edward Flynn stated, "Yes, he does have a criminal history, his criminal history, however, does not lend one to immediately say, you know, 'prime suspect.''' In this case, there was no indication from Ellis' previous criminal history that he would have committed murder. A DNA sample taken from Ellis' toothbrush was what broke the case. There is hope that many cold cases will be solved through the use of DNA evidence. A 2000 Wisconsin law requires that convicted felons give a DNA sample. Additionally, the law requires DNA samples to be taken from any convicted felon in prison before or after January 1, 2000. As Terry Williams, the brother of victim Joyce Mims said, "[j]ustice one day is better than no justice at all." .
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