crime

The Maryland Senate voted to repeal the state's death penalty this morning, passing a bill sponsored by Gov. Martin O'Malley, which will now go to the Maryland House of Delegates. If it passes, Maryland could become the sixth state in as many years to abolish the death penalty, and one of 18 states without capital punishment on the books. The Washington Post reports:

O'Malley's bill would replace death sentences with life in prison without the possibility of parole. It would not affect the five inmates currently on death row in Maryland, leaving it to the governor to determine whether to commute their sentences.

O'Malley has been an outspoken advocate for repeal since taking office in 2007. Prior to this year, he last sponsored a bill to do that in 2009. That measure was rejected by the Senate, with members choosing instead to tighten evidentiary standards in capital cases.

Since then, several new members have been elected, and a couple of senators have changed their positions, creating a majority of supporters for the first time.

Maryland is also home to the nation's first death row DNA exoneree, Kirk Bloodsworth, whose advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty has helped focus the debate on the danger of executing an innocent person. Bloodsworth watched today's debate from the Senate gallery.

Of the 303 DNA exoneration cases nationwide, 18 served time on death row. Read more about their cases.

Read the full article.

Send a message of support to Gov. O'Malley.

Read a recent New York Times profile about Bloodsworth and his fight to end capital punishment in his state.

Kansas City Star
KC police chief recognizes crime lab worker for DNA efforts
Kansas City Star
Within a span of about two months, Howard, a DNA technical leader at the department's Regional Crime Lab, compared DNA profiles of about 50 possible suspects to evidence found with the victims. Coming in to the lab at all hours of the day, she ...

A new Harlem Shake dance video upset Russian police because it took place on a WWII memorial. Five people were arrested after posting the video... The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-griffo/

Senate Panel to Discuss Money-Laundering Compliance
Wall Street Journal (blog)
The Senate Banking Committee will hear from regulatory officials about anti-money laundering compliance under the Bank Secrecy Act, which requires financial institutions to have compliance programs and to file reports with the government on suspicious ...

and more »

Two men charged with murder in different North Oakland fatal shootings
San Jose Mercury News
OAKLAND -- A reputed gang member has been charged in the fatal drive-by shooting Jan. 9 of a 20-year-old man in North Oakland that police said was retaliation for another killing last September. And in a strange twist, a man also targeted in the Jan.

Wonder how he feels about cocaine. Naked 21-year-old Quanta'e Powell jumped onto the hood of a police cruiser when authorities arrived recently at an apartment... Simon McCormack http://www.huffingtonpost.com/simon-mccormack/

Undertheradar
Video: Badd Energy - Riot (UTR Premiere)
Undertheradar
Auckland's Badd Energy, featuring Coco Solid, release their debut album Underwater Pyramids next Friday via Flying Nun Records. The album features singles 'Ba-Zing', 'Third Eye' and 'Riot' and we'll have an advanced preview running from Monday but for ...

Google News

Manchester Community College was on lockdown Wednesday after a student contacted authorities to report that another student had a gun in his waistband. The Connecticut... Andy Campbell http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-campbell/

A "caboose pistol"? Are you kidding me!? At this point, Chicago's very own WGN Morning News crew is no stranger to attracting headlines for their... Joseph Erbentraut http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-erbentraut/

The alleged hazing scandal at the Bronx High School of Science took another turn Wednesday, with the New York Daily News writing that "a sick... The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ron-dicker/

Constable Subhash Tomar case: Accused may face riot charge
Times of India
Though the accused were earlier charged with murder, sources say the chargesheet against the eight would be filed only for rioting. While the investigations so far have not been conclusive, officials say they would could continue to probe the murder angle.

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — Balloons, flowers, hugs and a hero's welcome greeted Mark Woodworth when he walked out of jail on a cold Friday in February,... AP http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-moye/

SALT LAKE CITY -- The resolution of a lengthy legal battle over homes and land owned by a polygamous sect led by Warren Jeffs crept... AP http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paige-lavender/

ABC News
Jodi Arias murder trial
CBS News
Jodi Arias, 32, is charged with first-degree murder in the June 2008 killing of her former lover, Travis Alexander, in his suburban Phoenix home. She said it was self-defense when he attacked her after a day of raunchy sex, but police said she planned ...
Arias Jury Has 100 Questions TodayABC News
Jodi Arias to answer juror questions in Arizona murder trialFox News
Watch live at 3 p.m.: Arias to answer juror questions in murder caseDetroit Free Press
Sacramento Bee -The San Luis Obispo Tribune
all 184 news articles »

AKRON, Ohio -- The alleged triggerman in the killings of three men lured by phony Craigslist job offers testified at his trial Wednesday, telling an... AP http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-griffo/

Perhaps Mary Kay cosmetics might be a better fit for defendant Jeanette Ellis.

read more

Perhaps Mary Kay cosmetics might be a better fit for defendant Jeanette Ellis.

read more

Chicago's murder rate is finally falling. Can that keep up?
Washington Post (blog)
Chicago's murder rate is finally falling. Can that keep up? Posted by Dylan Matthews on March 6, 2013 at 2:53 pm. Comments · Tweet. More. Chicago Police Chief Garry McCarthy (left) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel (right) are adopting hot-spot policing tactics.

and more »

Bellingham Herald
1990 murder continues to divide rural Mo. town; freed suspect hopes 3rd trial ...
Fox News
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – A hero's welcome greeted Mark Woodworth when he walked out of prison after a judge said he could return home while awaiting a third murder trial in his Missouri neighbor's 1990 death. Woodworth appreciates the flowers and balloons, ...
Town Split as Mo. Murder Suspect Awaits 3rd TrialABC News

all 2 news articles »

Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption Welcomes New ...
Marketwire (press release)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 6, 2013) - The Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) welcomed its new Chair, Senator Edgardo J. Angara from the Philippines, at the Fifth Global Conference of Parliamentarians ...

and more »