Arkansas May Adopt Cell Phone Locator Law: The Arkansas House has passed a bill that would allow police to locate a cell phone in an emergency. Max Brantley of the Arkansas Times reports that the measure was introduced by Rep. Rebecca Petty, the mother of a murder victim. It would require cell phone companies to provide police with location information for wireless phones in response to a call from emergency services or police in situations where the phone's owner was suspected to be at risk of physical harm. Opponents fear such access would violate the Fourth Amendment. The bill passed out of the House 70-8.
Bipartisan Effort To Amend CA Prop. 47: Republicans and Democrats are working together in the California Legislature to give voters a chance to amend Proposition 47, which voters adopted last November. The measure lowered the classification for several so-called "low level" crimes from felonies to misdemeanors causing what some say were unintended consequences. Among the crimes which are no longer considered felonies are firearm theft and possession of "date rape" drugs. Don Thompson of ABC News reports that, according to police, property crimes have increased. "I don't believe the voters truly knew what they were signing up for," said the President of the California State Sheriffs Association. If bills to restore felony charges for possession of "date rape" drugs (SB333, AB46) and firearm theft (AB150) are passed by majorities of both houses, the reforms would appear on the state's next general election ballot. Another measure to allow DNA testing for those charged with crimes previously considered felonies (AB390) can be adopted by a majority vote and the Governor's signature.
Murderer's Execution Set For March 17: A Georgia man sentenced to death for the 1992 ambush murder of 70-year-old John Watson is scheduled for execution later this month. The Rockdale Daily Citizen reports that days after habitual felon Brian Keith Terrell had been released from prison he stole several checks from Watson and began cashing them. When Watson learned that Terrell was cashing the checks he called the police and Terrell's mother, who was a friend. Two days later, Terrell waited outside of Watson's house until the older man came out to go to his dialysis appointment. Terrell then shot Watson four times and beat him so badly that a bone penetrated his brain. A jury recommended the death sentence following his conviction in 2001.
CA Supremes Overturn Jessica's Law Residence Restriction: In a unanimous decision released today, the California Supreme Court held that the provision of the state's 2006 Jessica's Law which bars paroled sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or playground is unconstitutional. Keegan Kyle of the Orange County Register reports that the court found the restriction overly broad, prohibiting sex offenders from more than 97% of available rental housing. The initial impact of the decision will fall on San Diego County, which is where the legal challenge to the restriction was raised.
Bipartisan Effort To Amend CA Prop. 47: Republicans and Democrats are working together in the California Legislature to give voters a chance to amend Proposition 47, which voters adopted last November. The measure lowered the classification for several so-called "low level" crimes from felonies to misdemeanors causing what some say were unintended consequences. Among the crimes which are no longer considered felonies are firearm theft and possession of "date rape" drugs. Don Thompson of ABC News reports that, according to police, property crimes have increased. "I don't believe the voters truly knew what they were signing up for," said the President of the California State Sheriffs Association. If bills to restore felony charges for possession of "date rape" drugs (SB333, AB46) and firearm theft (AB150) are passed by majorities of both houses, the reforms would appear on the state's next general election ballot. Another measure to allow DNA testing for those charged with crimes previously considered felonies (AB390) can be adopted by a majority vote and the Governor's signature.
Murderer's Execution Set For March 17: A Georgia man sentenced to death for the 1992 ambush murder of 70-year-old John Watson is scheduled for execution later this month. The Rockdale Daily Citizen reports that days after habitual felon Brian Keith Terrell had been released from prison he stole several checks from Watson and began cashing them. When Watson learned that Terrell was cashing the checks he called the police and Terrell's mother, who was a friend. Two days later, Terrell waited outside of Watson's house until the older man came out to go to his dialysis appointment. Terrell then shot Watson four times and beat him so badly that a bone penetrated his brain. A jury recommended the death sentence following his conviction in 2001.
CA Supremes Overturn Jessica's Law Residence Restriction: In a unanimous decision released today, the California Supreme Court held that the provision of the state's 2006 Jessica's Law which bars paroled sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or playground is unconstitutional. Keegan Kyle of the Orange County Register reports that the court found the restriction overly broad, prohibiting sex offenders from more than 97% of available rental housing. The initial impact of the decision will fall on San Diego County, which is where the legal challenge to the restriction was raised.
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