Obama Grants 98 More Commutations:  President Obama commuted the sentences of 98 federal inmates Thursday, bringing his total number of commutations to 872, more than the previous 11 presidents combined.  Dave Boyer of the Washington Times reports that of the inmates granted clemency, 19 committed crimes with firearms, 42 had life sentences for drug offenses, 11 had convictions of trafficking at least 11 pounds of cocaine and several others were convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Earlier this month, Obama commuted the sentenced of another 102 prisoners.  This year alone, Obama has granted clemency to 688 prisoners.

La. Man to Face Death Penalty:  The Jefferson Parish district attorney's office announced Thursday that it will pursue the death penalty against a Louisiana man, marking the second capital punishment case the office announced in a two week period, following a three-year lull.  The New Orleans Time-Picayune reports that Joshua Every faces a death sentence for the murder of a restaurant manager in a robbery-turned-homicide.  The decision to seek the death penalty was made after District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. met with the victim's family.  Earlier this month, Connick announced he will seek the death penalty against Jerman Neveaux Jr., 19, who fatally shot Sheriff's Office detective David Michel Jr. during a stop.

MD Sheriff Begins Immigrant Screening Program:  A Maryland sheriff has implemented a new program in his department to screen for dangerous illegal immigrants and see that they are deported.  NumbersUSA reports that Maryland Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler signed a 287(g) local/federal partnership which will allow his deputies to screen for illegal immigrants with a criminal history identifying them as a threat to the community.  Once these criminals are identified, the deputies will be able to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure that the criminals are deported back to their home countries.  ICE representative Tom Homan states that 287(g) is not meant to target all illegal aliens, but intends to deal with those that pose a threat to public safety.