Recently in Notorious Cases Category

Two federal corrections workers who were on duty the night Jeffrey Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan detention cell have been indicted on federal charges in connection with the disgraced financier's death, according to charges unsealed Tuesday.

The maxim "if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth"* often serves our opponents well. In the case of the Big Lie about the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, though, it may be unraveling. Candidates' lies about that incident are so clearly contrary to the now-well-known facts that even left-leaning media are calling them out on it. William Saletan reports for Slate:

Last week, in a Democratic presidential debate, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro read a list of black Americans killed by police violence. Alongside Laquan McDonald, Walter Scott, and Eric Garner, Castro named Michael Brown, who was shot dead five years ago in Ferguson, Missouri. Several of the current Democratic candidates have accused the officer who shot Brown of murder. Brown's death was a tragedy, but it wasn't a murder. When Democrats claim it was, and when they refuse to correct that mistake, they cast doubt on their commitment to truth. And they undermine the cause of criminal justice reform.

Jeffrey Epstein died by hanging himself, according to an autopsy released Friday, capping days of speculation about how the disgraced financier died in his jail cell.

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In a brief statement, Barbara Sampson, the chief medical examiner in New York City, said Mr. Epstein's cause of death was suicide by hanging. She didn't elaborate further, saying she reached her determination after "careful review of all investigative information."

The claim is not merely false. It is one of the most destructive lies in recent history. For a candidate to repeat it is beyond inexcusable.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have subpoenaed Jeffrey Epstein's longtime personal pilots, according to people familiar with the matter, as investigators seek to question the financier's employees in the wake of his indictment on sex-trafficking charges.

A vigil commemorating the victims of the STEM School shooting in Colorado ended in protest Wednesday evening after students said they refused to be used as pawns to promote gun control.

Hundreds attended the vigil -- students, teachers, activists and elected officials -- to honor Kendrick Castillo, the 18-year-old who was fatally shot on Tuesday at the STEM School Highlands Ranch in suburban Denver. But Castillo's classmates were moved to protest after invitees Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) spoke. Many of the teenagers perceived the speeches as politicians politicizing their trauma when they wanted their own voices heard.

Kendrick Castillo - only days from graduation - acted fast inside of his British literature class at a suburban Denver school Tuesday afternoon. And he paid with his life.

When a gunman burst through the door at STEM School Highlands Ranch, barking at students to stay in place and not move, Castillo, 18, rushed the shooter. It was a quick-thinking move that fellow students said gave them a chance to bolt for safety or take cover under desks.

"Kendrick lunged at (the gunman), and he shot Kendrick, giving all of us enough time to get underneath our desks, to get ourselves safe, and to run across the room to escape," senior Nui Giasolli told NBC's Today on Wednesday morning. Other students helped Castillo tackle the shooter, classmates said.

CHICAGO--Prosecutors on Wednesday charged actor Jussie Smollett with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report when he claimed to have been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack last month.

Mr. Smollett turned himself in to police on Thursday, Chicago police said, according to the Associated Press.

The charge is a class 4 felony, Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. It carries a penalty of 1 to 3 years in jail, and up to a $25,000 fine, according to the state Legislature's website.

Authorities charged a Florida man Friday in connection with the packages containing suspected explosive devices sent to prominent Democrats and outspoken critics of President Trump this week.

Cesar Sayoc, 56 years old, was arrested in the Miami area Friday. Mr. Sayoc, a Trump supporter, is a failed entrepreneur and a former manager of a male revue with a history of arrests.

At a Justice Department press conference in Washington, officials said he would face five federal counts including interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives and making threats against former presidents. The charges in total carry a potential penalty of 58 years in prison, officials said.

"This is utterly unacceptable. Political violence, or the threat of violence, is antithetical to our vigorous system of self government," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said.

"This is a law and order administration," Mr. Sessions said. "We will not tolerate such lawlessness, especially not political violence."