AltWeeklies Wire
Right to a Speedy Trial Is an Illusion for Some Illinois Defendantsnew
Although the Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy trial, defendants in Cook County wait, on average, more than six months, and some in Sangamon County remain in jail two years or longer awaiting their turn in court.
Illinois Times |
Geri L. Dreiling |
08-19-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Scam Artist Joins Forces with Top Defense Attorneynew
On the surface, Robert Owens is a bit like Frank Abagnale Jr., the charming con man played by Leo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can. But where the Abagnale character was a nice kid forced by life's circumstances into crime through impersonation, Owens plays himself, an amoral man who would steal from his own family if it suited him.
Phoenix New Times |
Paul Rubin |
08-17-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Man Killer? 20 Years Later, Patty Prewitt Maintains Innocencenew
The mystery surrounding Bill Prewitt's death has lingered for 20 years. His widow sits in prison, convicted of pumping two bullets into his head.
Riverfront Times |
Shelley Smithson |
08-16-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Family Members and Lawyers Describe Assaults of Teens in Prisonnew
Wayne Boatwright Sr. couldn't hold back tears as he told legislators about the death of his 18-year-old son, Wayne Boatwright Jr. He was strangled to death in February at Lee Arrendale State Prison, where children between the ages of 13 and 17 found guilty of one of seven violent felonies are sent. Once there, they often are preyed upon by the prison's older population, documents show.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Alyssa Abkowitz |
08-13-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Florida Prison Tries to Turn Inmates into Better Soulsnew
In December, Gov. Jeb Bush dedicated Lawtey Correctional Institute as the state's first "faith-based," government-run prison in the country.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
08-07-2004 |
Crime & Justice
FBI Invites Reporters to Leave Their Thumbprintsnew
A reporter visiting the FBI's Sacramento headquarters on FBI Media Day beats the polygraph test, leaves his thumbprint and footprint for who knows what purposes, and is assured by an FBI official that the Patriot Act has "minimal effect" on what the agency does.
Sacramento News & Review |
Harmon Leon |
08-07-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Son of Executed Couple Helps Children of Other Activistsnew
Fifty years after Julius and Ethel Rosenberg died in the electric chair for conspiracy to commit espionage, their son Robert Meeropol is doing what he can to help dissenters.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Silja Ja Talvi |
08-07-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: FOIA, execution, conspiracy, dissent, Freedom of Information Act, lawsuit, atomic scientists, Attorney General John Ashcroft, electric chair, espionage, Ethel Rosenberg, international outcry, Julius Rosenberger, McCarthy era, reds, Robert Meeropol, Rosenberg Fund for Children, Sing Sing prison, traitors, crime & justice
Three Teens Tried on Charge of Raping Unconscious Girlnew
At the start of the Orange County, California, trial of three teenage boys accused of gang-raping an unconscious minor, a defense attorney made a startling assertion: the alleged victim enticed the "sweet," "caring," "kind" defendants into a sexual frenzy and then, while faking unconsciousness, sexually assaulted them.
OC Weekly |
R. Scott Moxley |
08-07-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Dropout Admits Running Mafia Gambling Ringnew
Anthony John Ascenzia Jr., aka "Tony," aka "Beaver," was handling millions of dollars a year running an illegal sports betting operation in New Haven, Conn.
Hartford Advocate |
Paul Bass |
08-07-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Prejudice Led to Attack on Sikhs in Queensnew
"Give me my curtain," men leaving a christening party taunted two turbaned Sikh men before beating them, one of the victims says. Five men have been arrested and charged with assault.
Long Island Press |
Lauren Wolfe |
08-03-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Did Eddie Crawford's Execution Gut Georgia's DNA Law?new
The denial of DNA testing for convicted child killer Eddie Crawford was a real shame, right up until his execution. Sure, Crawford's claim of innocence was a long shot. But the true casualty is Georgia's year-old DNA law, which was supposed to make post-conviction DNA tests a cinch to get.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Mara Shalhoup |
07-22-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Never Say Die: Woman Is Rearrested for Her Son's Murdernew
Despite a killer's confession and a successful appeal, Julie Rea-Harper
faces yet another trial for the brutal murder of her 10-year-old son.
Illinois Times |
Dusty Rhodes |
07-15-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Nigerian Email Scams Can Be Costly, Lethal
Nigerian email scams are a growing problem in the United States, but there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
Columbia Free Times |
David Axe |
07-08-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Justice Takes a Pool Cuenew
California prosecutors said an unconscious 16-year-old girl was gang-raped and molested with a Snapple bottle, lit cigarette, juice can and a pool cue, but defense lawyers called the girl a "slut" and a "whore" and convinced jurors to block convictions.
OC Weekly |
R. Scott Moxley |
07-06-2004 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
When Whitey Goes to Prisonnew
Consultant David Novak pads the landing as white-collar crooks fall from grace.
Salt Lake City Weekly |
Shane Johnson |
07-01-2004 |
Crime & Justice
