California Court Orders Release of Convicted Murderer: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed the state parole board's decision to release convicted killer Michael McDonald three separate times, claiming McDonald shows a "lack of insight" into his crime because he still insists that he's innocent. But a state appeals court ruled this week that neither the governor nor the parole board can insist on a confession before granting parole to a prisoner, and that McDonald's refusal to confess does not prove he lacks insight or that he's prone to violence. In light of McDonald's background, his behavior in prison, and psychological evaluations, the court determined he poses little risk of future violence. In 1992, at age 16, McDonald stabbed 16-year-old Alexander Geraldo in the neck and strangled him with a guitar string in San Pedro. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life. Bob Egelko of the San Francisco Chronicle has more on the story here.
LWOP vs. Death Penalty: William Glaberson of the New York Times reports on closing arguments in the sentencing trial of Steven Hayes, convicted of killing three members of the Petit family. Defense attorneys argued that Hayes should be sent to life in prison, claiming it would be the "harshest punishment." Arguing for a death sentence, prosecutor Gary Nicholson told the jury that "if there ever was a case where the facts and the law require such a penalty, it is this case. It was horrific. It was shocking. It was vicious. It was brutal. It was evil." Jurors began deliberating today. Update: The New Haven Register (CT) reports on a note sent by the jury related to mitigating factors.
California Prison Population Further Reduced: California plans on sending another 5,000 inmates to private prisons in other states to reduce overcrowding, bringing the total reduction to 10,000 inmates since 2006. Prison officials already signed a three-year contract with GEO Group Inc. to house 2,600 inmates at its prison in Baldwin, Michigan, at a cost of nearly $60 million annually. Officials are currently negotiating with Corrections Corp. of America to house another 2,400 inmates. The two-year contract will cost roughly $300 million a year to house inmates in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Later this month, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether federal courts can require California to cut its prison population further. The San Francisco Chronicle has the story here.
Microwave Murder Conviction Reversed: AP writer Lisa Cornwell has this article on an Ohio appeals court's decision reversing the conviction of China Arnold. Arnold was accused of killing her 28-day-old daughter in 2005 by placing the baby in a microwave. She was sentenced to life without parole in 2008, but the appellate court remanded the case after finding prosecutorial misconduct and an error by the trial court in refusing to let a key witness testify in Arnold's defense.
LWOP vs. Death Penalty: William Glaberson of the New York Times reports on closing arguments in the sentencing trial of Steven Hayes, convicted of killing three members of the Petit family. Defense attorneys argued that Hayes should be sent to life in prison, claiming it would be the "harshest punishment." Arguing for a death sentence, prosecutor Gary Nicholson told the jury that "if there ever was a case where the facts and the law require such a penalty, it is this case. It was horrific. It was shocking. It was vicious. It was brutal. It was evil." Jurors began deliberating today. Update: The New Haven Register (CT) reports on a note sent by the jury related to mitigating factors.
California Prison Population Further Reduced: California plans on sending another 5,000 inmates to private prisons in other states to reduce overcrowding, bringing the total reduction to 10,000 inmates since 2006. Prison officials already signed a three-year contract with GEO Group Inc. to house 2,600 inmates at its prison in Baldwin, Michigan, at a cost of nearly $60 million annually. Officials are currently negotiating with Corrections Corp. of America to house another 2,400 inmates. The two-year contract will cost roughly $300 million a year to house inmates in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Later this month, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether federal courts can require California to cut its prison population further. The San Francisco Chronicle has the story here.
Microwave Murder Conviction Reversed: AP writer Lisa Cornwell has this article on an Ohio appeals court's decision reversing the conviction of China Arnold. Arnold was accused of killing her 28-day-old daughter in 2005 by placing the baby in a microwave. She was sentenced to life without parole in 2008, but the appellate court remanded the case after finding prosecutorial misconduct and an error by the trial court in refusing to let a key witness testify in Arnold's defense.
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