Mexico's Largest Prison Break in History: CNN reporter Gustavo Valdes reports on a massive manhunt last Friday after 85 inmates escaped from a Mexico prison on Mexico-Texas border. The prisoners used a ladder to escape and quickly dispersed through the streets of Mexico. 66 of the fugitives were serving time on federal charges, and the rest for less serious violations. Two prison guards remain missing and 44 have been detained under suspicion for corruption.
"Speed Freak Killer" Set to be Released: One of two convicted in a methamphetamine-fueled murder spree lasting 15 years in San Joaquin County, California, is set to be released from prison in the coming days, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Wesley Shermantine and Loren Herzog were each initially convicted of several first-degree murder charges, but in 2004, the California Court of Appeals tossed out Herzog's convictions and sentence after finding his confession to be coerced. Without his videotaped confession, prosecutors had no choice but to enter a plea deal with Herzog. Now, though Shermantine fortunately remains on death row, Herzon will walk free after serving 14 years of a 78-year sentence. Residents of San Joaquin County fear Herzog's release even though he will be released hundreds of miles away. Herzog and Shermantine are also implicated in several unsolved murders.
Impeachment Trial Begins Against Federal Judge: In its first impeachment trial since 1999 against former President Clinton, the Senate today began impeachment hearings in the case against U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteous of Louisiana. Porteous, who was appointed by Clinton in 1994, is charged with accepting money gifts from several attorneys, including an all-expense paid trip to Vegas complete with expensive meals and a trip to the strip club. Porteous's conduct was discovered during the FBI investigation "Operation Wrinkled Robe." Though he was never charged with a crime, the Judicial Conference of the U.S. recommended that Congress consider impeachment. If convicted by the Senate, Porteous will be the eighth judge to be removed by impeachment. Read the AP's story here.
Homeland Security to Test Iris Scanners: USA Today reports on DHS's plan to test iris scan technology on illegal immigrants in a Texas Border Patrol station. Able to scan and take pictures from three to four feet away, iris scanners pose a faster method of identification than fingerprinting. The military has used the procedure since 2007 to track suspected Iraqi militants. The ACLU has expressed ... wait for it ... objections to such an efficient means of tracking persons.
"Speed Freak Killer" Set to be Released: One of two convicted in a methamphetamine-fueled murder spree lasting 15 years in San Joaquin County, California, is set to be released from prison in the coming days, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Wesley Shermantine and Loren Herzog were each initially convicted of several first-degree murder charges, but in 2004, the California Court of Appeals tossed out Herzog's convictions and sentence after finding his confession to be coerced. Without his videotaped confession, prosecutors had no choice but to enter a plea deal with Herzog. Now, though Shermantine fortunately remains on death row, Herzon will walk free after serving 14 years of a 78-year sentence. Residents of San Joaquin County fear Herzog's release even though he will be released hundreds of miles away. Herzog and Shermantine are also implicated in several unsolved murders.
Impeachment Trial Begins Against Federal Judge: In its first impeachment trial since 1999 against former President Clinton, the Senate today began impeachment hearings in the case against U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteous of Louisiana. Porteous, who was appointed by Clinton in 1994, is charged with accepting money gifts from several attorneys, including an all-expense paid trip to Vegas complete with expensive meals and a trip to the strip club. Porteous's conduct was discovered during the FBI investigation "Operation Wrinkled Robe." Though he was never charged with a crime, the Judicial Conference of the U.S. recommended that Congress consider impeachment. If convicted by the Senate, Porteous will be the eighth judge to be removed by impeachment. Read the AP's story here.
Homeland Security to Test Iris Scanners: USA Today reports on DHS's plan to test iris scan technology on illegal immigrants in a Texas Border Patrol station. Able to scan and take pictures from three to four feet away, iris scanners pose a faster method of identification than fingerprinting. The military has used the procedure since 2007 to track suspected Iraqi militants. The ACLU has expressed ... wait for it ... objections to such an efficient means of tracking persons.
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