Georgia Executes Death Row Inmate:  Last night, Georgia executed death row inmate Brandon Rhode, who was convicted of murdering three people while burglarizing their home in 1998.  The execution was scheduled for last week, but it was postponed after Rhode attempted to commit suicide in his cell.  His final request for a stay was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court two hours before his death.  The Macon Telegraph (GA) has this story.

Texas Governor Cracks Down on Rapists:  The AP reports on Texas Governor Rick Perry's plan to strengthen the state's response to repeat sex offenders.  Announced yesterday, the plan calls for a change in state law permitting LWOP for all repeat rapists (the current law allows LWOP only for repeat sex predators who target children).  Governor Perry also proposed electronic monitoring of the most high-risk sex offenders and a team of law enforcement officers to pursue violating parole offenders.  Governor Perry summed up his objective: "We're after them and we're gonna get em."

CA Bill to Seal Murdered Children's Autopsy Reports:  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed a bill that could permanently seal autopsies of murdered children, reports the AP.  In an effort to protect the privacy of the victims' families, the bill was sought by San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis on behalf of the families of Chelsea King and Amber Dubois, both teenage girls killed by a convicted child molester.  The bill was narrowed from its original proposal to prohibit a relative from seeking a sealed record if he or she is suspected of involvement in the child's death.