Arrests Plunge in CA, Lowest on Record due to Prop 47: California has just revealed its lowest arrest rate in state history and experts say it is the result of Proposition 47, the 2014 voter-approved initiative that reduced penalties for certain drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. CBS reports that according to state Department of Justice statistics, the number of felony arrests plunged 28.5% last year and misdemeanor arrests rose 9%, resulting in 52,000 fewer arrests overall and the fewest felony arrests since 1969. Law enforcement officials believe the "de facto decriminalization of drugs" under Prop. 47 may be having a serious impact, noting that there were about 22,000 fewer drug arrests last year. Other figures found by the state Department of Justice include a 10% jump in violent crime last year over 2014 and increases in property crime, namely a 12% increase in shoplifting and an 11% spike in thefts. Mangus Lofstron, a researcher with the Public Policy Institute of California, acknowledged that "it's quite clear that Prop. 47 is the major contributor to the changes we've seen," but also said the plummeting arrests are part of a long-term decline that dates back to the 1980s which stems from the law, crowded jails and fewer police.
VA Gov. Announces Restoration of 13,000 Felons Voting Rights: Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Monday that he has restored the rights of over 13,000 felons on a case-by-case basis, an order which is complicated by a state Supreme Court ruling that overturned his original order to restore the rights of hundreds of thousands of felons. Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that McAuliffe's executive order was announced on April 22 and outlined a plan to restore voting and other civil rights to 206,000 felons with completed terms. However, the Supreme Court of Virginia struck it down in a 4-3 ruling as unconstitutional on July 22 and ordered the Virginia Department of Elections to cancel the registration of the roughly 13,000 "invalidly registered" felons under the now-overturned order. McAuliffe's promise to restore the rights of the 13,000 felons who registered to vote prior to the high court's ruling -- part of his announcement today -- further complicates the already-problematic rights restoration dispute. Since his initial order four months ago, felons have run for office, voted in Richmond's mayoral race and purchased firearms.
Man who Killed GA Teens Could Face Death Penalty: The man who fatally shot two Georgia teens behind a grocery store earlier this months could face the death penalty, says legal analysts. Christopher Hopper of WXIA reports that Jeffrey Hazelwood, 20, has admitted to killing teenagers Natalie Henderson and Carter Davis on Aug. 1. He allegedly followed the two behind the grocery store, watched them for some time and moved in to attack them. He admitted to pistol-whipping Davis before shooting him in the head and sexually battering Henderson before killing her. Writings discovered by detectives indicate that Hazelwood wanted to be an assassin. Since the crime involved two victims that died horrific, torturous deaths, 11Alive News legal analyst Phil Holloway says the case is eligible for the death penalty. The case is headed to the grand jury and a decision is expected in September. More chilling details about the crime can be read here.
VA Gov. Announces Restoration of 13,000 Felons Voting Rights: Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Monday that he has restored the rights of over 13,000 felons on a case-by-case basis, an order which is complicated by a state Supreme Court ruling that overturned his original order to restore the rights of hundreds of thousands of felons. Michael Martz of the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that McAuliffe's executive order was announced on April 22 and outlined a plan to restore voting and other civil rights to 206,000 felons with completed terms. However, the Supreme Court of Virginia struck it down in a 4-3 ruling as unconstitutional on July 22 and ordered the Virginia Department of Elections to cancel the registration of the roughly 13,000 "invalidly registered" felons under the now-overturned order. McAuliffe's promise to restore the rights of the 13,000 felons who registered to vote prior to the high court's ruling -- part of his announcement today -- further complicates the already-problematic rights restoration dispute. Since his initial order four months ago, felons have run for office, voted in Richmond's mayoral race and purchased firearms.
Man who Killed GA Teens Could Face Death Penalty: The man who fatally shot two Georgia teens behind a grocery store earlier this months could face the death penalty, says legal analysts. Christopher Hopper of WXIA reports that Jeffrey Hazelwood, 20, has admitted to killing teenagers Natalie Henderson and Carter Davis on Aug. 1. He allegedly followed the two behind the grocery store, watched them for some time and moved in to attack them. He admitted to pistol-whipping Davis before shooting him in the head and sexually battering Henderson before killing her. Writings discovered by detectives indicate that Hazelwood wanted to be an assassin. Since the crime involved two victims that died horrific, torturous deaths, 11Alive News legal analyst Phil Holloway says the case is eligible for the death penalty. The case is headed to the grand jury and a decision is expected in September. More chilling details about the crime can be read here.
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