Criminal Justice

Hearing: Gonzales Says Firings Justified

Fighting to save his job, embattled U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales today told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had not fired eight prosecutors for political reasons. “I would not do that, I would never do that,” he said. In a case-by-case review, Gonzales—in what one committee member termed a “reconfirmation”…

Apr 19, 2007 8:06 PM CDT

Copycat Va. Tech Threat Closes S.F. Law School

Shocked by Virginia Tech’s horrifying experience on Monday, other institutions of higher learning are now taking no chances about closing their campuses as soon as they hear of a possible security threat. The University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco closed abruptly Wednesday because of an…

Apr 19, 2007 5:55 PM CDT

Activist’s Wife Blames Yahoo for Husband’s Torture

Yahoo has effectively disclosed the identities of some Chinese users of its e-mail service to the Chinese government, leading to their imprisonment and even torture in that country, according to a lawsuit filed by international human rights activists yesterday. The 34-page suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, contends…

Apr 19, 2007 5:16 PM CDT

Today in Legal History: Lincoln Viewing, Oklahoma City Bombing

On this day in 1865, U.S. Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, diplomats and military leaders paid their respects to President Abraham Lincoln as his body lay in state at the White House. The president had been shot by assassin John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre five days earlier. A…

Apr 19, 2007 5:00 PM CDT

Multiple Senators Ask AG to Resign

Under often heated questioning from Senators, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales held firm on his stance that the firings of eight U.S. Attorneys were proper, though poorly handled.

Apr 19, 2007 3:44 PM CDT

Miami Attorney to Get 10-Year Sentence

A Miami attorney accused of stealing millions of dollars from asbestos clients is expected to get a 10-year sentence in a plea deal, the Daily Business Review reports. The newspaper cites sources within the U.S. attorney’s office, but was not able to reach Louis Robles or his lawyer for confirmation.…

Apr 19, 2007 12:19 PM CDT

CA Bills Seek to Prevent Wrongful Convictions

Criminal justice experts in a panel appointed by the state senate are urging the California legislature to pass new laws to help reduce the number of innocent defendants charged and convicted of crimes. Proposed bills they recommend seek to prevent false eyewitness identifications by setting standards for police lineups, eliminating…

Apr 19, 2007 1:25 AM CDT

Exonerated Duke Defendant: D.A. Should Resign

One of three former Duke lacrosse players declared earlier this week to be innocent of accusations of having raped a stripper at a team party is calling for the resignation of the Durham, N.C., district attorney who initially handled the prosecution. Colin Finnerty, through his lawyer, has asked state officials…

Apr 18, 2007 8:41 PM CDT

Almost 100 Lacking Counsel to be Released?

With at least 82 indigent defendants in New Orleans totally unrepresented by counsel, Judge Arthur Hunter may make good on his threat to let them out of jail if public defenders aren’t provided, the AP reports. The judge ordered 42 unrepresented prisoners released last month, but delayed implementation of the…

Apr 18, 2007 8:16 PM CDT

Man Held, Secretly, in London Terror Bombings

A Pakistani man appeared in court last week for the first time in his home country after allegedly being abducted from South Africa 18 months ago and held secretly in connection with the 2005 suicide bombings in London, according to news reports. The lawyer for Khalid Mehmood Rashid said he…

Apr 18, 2007 7:45 PM CDT

Court Interpreters a ‘Growth Industry’ in S.C.

South Carolina’s federal court dockets are being flooded with cases requiring interpreters, especially for defendants accused of bringing illegal drugs into the state. Cases involving interpreters are sometimes more complex and time-consuming, the Columbia, S.C., State reports. In one pending drug trafficking case, with 24 defendants accused of dealing in…

Apr 18, 2007 7:27 PM CDT

Today in Legal History: Martin Luther Defiant, Clarence Darrow Born

On this day in 1521, Martin Luther, a German professor and theologian considered the chief force behind the Protestant Reformation in Europe, was called before the Roman Empire’s assembly, or Diet, in Worms, Germany, to answer charges of heresy. (He was also excommunicated in 1521 from the Roman Catholic Church…

Apr 18, 2007 5:29 PM CDT

Supreme Court Issues Sentencing Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that an attempted burglary conviction is a violent felony requiring a 15-year sentence under federal law, SCOTUSblog reports. The decision is James v. United States, No. No. 05–9264. (PDF supplied by SCOTUSblog.) Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote for the majority. He was joined by…

Apr 18, 2007 4:07 PM CDT

Marine Pleads, Will Testify in 24 Iraqi Murders

In a plea deal announced today in the deadliest criminal case resulting from the Iraq war, the U.S. Marine Corps has dismissed all charges against one defendant and granted him immunity. In exchange for promised testimony by Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz against fellow Marines, the service dismissed all charges…

Apr 17, 2007 11:36 PM CDT

Bush: Prosecute Crimes, Don’t Restrict Guns

Weighing in today on the gun control debate ignited Monday by the massacre at Virginia Tech, the White House said President Bush will “participate” in the discussion. However, a statement by spokeswoman Dana Perino seemingly suggested that the president may stay the course on his oft-repeated call to prosecute crimes…

Apr 17, 2007 8:41 PM CDT