Nevada Murderer's Death Sentence Upheld:  On Monday, the Nevada Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of a truck driver who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl in September 2006.  Geoff Dornan of the Nevada Appeal reports that the court unanimously rejected Tamir Hamilton's claim that, rather than an insanity defense, his team of lawyers should have presented evidence that his chronic drug use made him unable to form the intent required for first-degree murder.  Hamilton's DNA was among the evidence that convinced a jury that he had brutally raped, mutilated, and murdered Holly Quick, nearly severing her head.  He had priors for aggravated assault, the rape of a college student, and the rape of his former girlfriend.

Sheriffs Oppose Sanctuary State Law:  The National Sheriffs' Association has joined a federal lawsuit to overturn California laws which prohibit state law enforcement, private citizens, and businesses from cooperating with federal agencies to identify and deport illegal aliens.  Bob Egelko of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the group, which represents all 58 of California's elected county sheriffs, filed an amicus curiae brief attacking SB54, arguing that by concealing an alien's whereabouts from federal agents, the law "coerces local law enforcement to violate the federal anti-harboring statute."   CJLF has also filed an amicus curiae brief in United States v. California, arguing that by prohibiting private businesses from voluntarily cooperating with federal law enforcement SB54 violates the Constitution's Privileges or Immunities Clause.