Texas Murderer Executed:  A Texas murderer was executed Thursday evening for the 2001 murder of a 75-year-old auto repair shop owner.  Michael Graczyk of the AP reports that Gregory Russeau robbed James Syverston at his shop in East Texas, fatally beat him and stole his vehicle before being apprehended at a drug house.  He became the 17^th convicted killer to die by lethal injection in the nation this year and the ninth in the state.

High Court Reinstates CA Murderer's Death Sentence:  In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court justices reinstated the conviction and death sentence of a California murderer on Thursday, ruling that the defendant was not entitled to argue that prosecutors excluded minority jurors from his 1989 trial.  Sam Hananel of the AP reports that Hector Ayala was sentenced to death for a triple murder that occurred during a drug robbery in San Diego.  The court determined that while there were trial errors, such as the trial judge allowing prosecutors to explain their reasons for excusing jurors when Ayala's lawyers were not present, they were ultimately harmless.

Three L.A. Gangs Unite to Control Trafficking:  A racketeering indictment against 22 gang members says that three rival Los Angeles gangs formed a rare alliance to control drug trafficking and crime in Northeast Los Angeles.  The AP reports that 55-year-old alleged Mexican Mafia member Arnold Gonzalez, serving a life sentence for murder, ordered the truce from his prison cell, uniting the Frogtown, Toonerville and Rascal gangs to divvy up profits.  The unification is described as a "unique and dangerous turn of events."

4 Shootings in 28 Hours in Fresno:  Four people have been shot in four separate shooting incidents over the last few days in Fresno, California, all occurring within a 28-hour period.  Corin Hoggard of ABC 30 reports that police attribute drug and gang problems to the increased violence in some areas, and also see "a multitude of issues" stemming from AB 109 and Prop 47.  Suspects from some of the shootings are still at large.

CHP to Begin Testing Body Cameras Next Year:  The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will begin testing body cameras next year under a proposal included in the state budget that is being considered today by lawmakers.  Don Thompson of the AP reports that the budget gives the CHP $1 million to develop policies that address law enforcement's use of body cameras by January 1 before a sampling of officers start testing the cameras in four areas of the state.  It will take an estimated $10 million to expand the program to every one of the state's 8,000 CHP officers.

Second Cartel Surveillance System Found Near Border:  Mexican authorities have dismantled yet another sophisticated video surveillance system set up by the Gulf Cartel near the U.S.-Mexico border to stay one step ahead of law enforcement, their rivals and their future victims.  Ildefonso Ortiz of Breitbart reports that 39 cameras were set up all around the city of Reynosa, just across the border from McAllen, Texas, under orders from the Gulf Cartel.  This discovery is similar to another seized in May which had 52 cameras placed around the city, some of which were wireless and controlled remotely.