Chelsea King Murder Suspect May Be a Serial Killer: Richard Marosi and Julie Cart of the Los Angeles Times report on the recent discovery of the human skeletal remains of Amber Dubois, a 14-year-old girl who disappeared one year ago. When a registered sex offender was arrested for the murder of Chelsea King near San Diego, CA, police refocused their attention on the Dubois case. Amber's remains were found over the weekend near Pala, CA, and were identified through dental records. The suspect, John Albert Gardner III, is charged in the slaying of King, and police are looking for possible links that could connect Gardner to Amber. Gardner lived only a couple of miles from where Amber vanished near Escondido High School, and spent weekends at his mother's house near the lake where Chelsea King was found. Police are not disclosing any information that led investigators to the remains, however, the tip they received did not come from Gardner.
"Court Won't Disturb Ban on Death Row Interviews": The Associated Press reports on today's Supreme Court decision to deny an appeal from death row inmate, David Paul Hammer, regarding a federal prison policy that prohibits death row inmates from giving face-to-face interviews to reporters. Hammer argues that the policy is an unconstitutional violation of his free speech rights. The policy was adopted after Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, appeared on "60 Minutes" in 2000. SCOTUSblog's March 5th Petitions to Watch post provides links to Hammer's petition and the Seventh Circuit's opinion.
Sex Offender Not Breaking Laws by Living Near School: Linda Davis of The Oakland Tribune reports that a registered sex offender and parolee living less than 2,000 feet from an elementary school in Piedmont, CA has stirred up concern among the community. James Donnelly, 71, was recently released from federal prison for possession of child pornography, and registered at the police department in Piedmont. In addition to his federal conviction, Donnelly was also the subject of a federal investigation into child sex tourism. Residents are concerned with Donnelly's presence in their community and are asking why he is being allowed to live so close to an elementary school. According to Piedmont's acting Chief John Hunt, local police cannot arrest Donnelly based on his place of residence. Donnelly is not listed on the Megan's Law sex offender web site because he was convicted of a federal crime, not a state crime. In addition, although Jessica's Law prohibits any convicted sex offender from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park, California does not have a penalty associated with violating the provision. Gary Shih also blogs on the story for the New York Times.
Maryland v. Shatzer May Ease Prosecution of Chandra Levy's Killer: Last Friday, Michael Doyle reported for McClatchy Newspapers that the Supreme Court's decision in Maryland v. Shatzer has eased one of the burdens confronting prosecutors in the high-profile case. Ingmar Guandique is accused of killing Chandra Levy, and his attorneys have sought to block prosecutors from using information gained during a September 2008 meeting between Guandique and three Washington detectives. According to Doyle, Shatzer "gives prosecutors potentially more opportunity to use Guandique's unmediated words and behavior against him."
Attempted Suicide on Death Row? Can a condemned murderer get a stay of execution by attempting suicide? As strange as that sounds, it may have happened in Ohio, according to this AP story by Matt Leingang. Lawrence Reynolds was found unconscious of an overdose of pills just hours before he was scheduled to be executed. Gov. Strickland issued a 7-day reprieve.
"Court Won't Disturb Ban on Death Row Interviews": The Associated Press reports on today's Supreme Court decision to deny an appeal from death row inmate, David Paul Hammer, regarding a federal prison policy that prohibits death row inmates from giving face-to-face interviews to reporters. Hammer argues that the policy is an unconstitutional violation of his free speech rights. The policy was adopted after Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, appeared on "60 Minutes" in 2000. SCOTUSblog's March 5th Petitions to Watch post provides links to Hammer's petition and the Seventh Circuit's opinion.
Sex Offender Not Breaking Laws by Living Near School: Linda Davis of The Oakland Tribune reports that a registered sex offender and parolee living less than 2,000 feet from an elementary school in Piedmont, CA has stirred up concern among the community. James Donnelly, 71, was recently released from federal prison for possession of child pornography, and registered at the police department in Piedmont. In addition to his federal conviction, Donnelly was also the subject of a federal investigation into child sex tourism. Residents are concerned with Donnelly's presence in their community and are asking why he is being allowed to live so close to an elementary school. According to Piedmont's acting Chief John Hunt, local police cannot arrest Donnelly based on his place of residence. Donnelly is not listed on the Megan's Law sex offender web site because he was convicted of a federal crime, not a state crime. In addition, although Jessica's Law prohibits any convicted sex offender from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park, California does not have a penalty associated with violating the provision. Gary Shih also blogs on the story for the New York Times.
Maryland v. Shatzer May Ease Prosecution of Chandra Levy's Killer: Last Friday, Michael Doyle reported for McClatchy Newspapers that the Supreme Court's decision in Maryland v. Shatzer has eased one of the burdens confronting prosecutors in the high-profile case. Ingmar Guandique is accused of killing Chandra Levy, and his attorneys have sought to block prosecutors from using information gained during a September 2008 meeting between Guandique and three Washington detectives. According to Doyle, Shatzer "gives prosecutors potentially more opportunity to use Guandique's unmediated words and behavior against him."
Attempted Suicide on Death Row? Can a condemned murderer get a stay of execution by attempting suicide? As strange as that sounds, it may have happened in Ohio, according to this AP story by Matt Leingang. Lawrence Reynolds was found unconscious of an overdose of pills just hours before he was scheduled to be executed. Gov. Strickland issued a 7-day reprieve.
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