FindLaw Blotter - The FindLaw Crime and Criminals Blog

Sex Offenders in Nursing Homes: IL Law Falls Short

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A gap in the Illinois law is part of the reason why most sex offenders living in nursing homes aren't listed on state police's online registry.

An investigation by the Chicago Tribune found facility administrators don't have to divulge the identities of sex offenders living in the homes. Instead, the law only requires homes to inform people of the state police online registry, which allows them to search for sex offenders by name (if known), city, county and ZIP code.

Michigan Man Accused of Killing Son over Sister Abuse

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Jamar Pinkney Sr. lost control.

Fueled by anger when he heard disturbing news about his son having inappropriate sexual contact with his 3-year-old half sister, he reacted with rage.

Investigators say that rage could be why Pinkney allegedly made his son strip his clothes off and kneel in a vacant lot before he was killed by a single bullet execution style, CBS and the Associated Press reports.

New York Assembly Passes Tough New DWI Law

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A new bill requiring ignition interlock devices for everyone convicted of driving while intoxicated is expected to reach the New York State Governor's desk this week.

The measure has passed the State Assembly and now needs a nod from New York's Senate.

Obama, the Death Penalty and Military Executions

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President Barack Obama has drawn criticsm lately not only for his administration's decision to go forward with the New York trial of the professed Sept. 11 mastermind but for his opinion that if Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is convicted he will face the death penalty.

Last week in the media, Obama said he is "absolutely convinced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be subject to the most exacting demands of justice. The American people will insist on it and my administration will insist on it."

Where was Shaniya Davis Killed? Jurisdiction is Key

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Investigators are still searching for clues about why and where a 5-year-old North Carolina girl was killed.

The body of Shaniya Davis was found on Monday on a rural road about in Lee County, about 30 miles northwest of Fayetteville.

Authorities need to determine where the killing occurred to in order to add new charges in the slain girl's case, CNN reports. These charges won't be added until the question of jurisdiction is answered.  

Anthony Sowell Case: Did Cops Ignore Attacked Woman?

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New information has come to light about Ohio serial killing suspect Anthony Sowell.

A woman who claimed she was attacked and raped by Sowell in his house last year says the police did not take her seriously.

Teen Enters Not Guilty Plea to Killing 4 Year Old

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The 14-year-old accused of molesting and killing a 4 year old and stuffing him in a dryer plead not guilty today Fresno County Superior Court.

As discussed in a previous FindLaw Blotter post, Raul Renato Castro is being charged as an adult in the October 30 killing.

Military Mom Refuses Deployment to Care for Baby

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Army cook and single mom Spc. Alexis Hutchinson had to choose between serving her country or the responsibility of being a new mom.

That tough decision now has left Hutchinson, 21, of Oakland, CA possibly facing criminal charges for refusing Afghanistan deployment.

Teacher Charged with Terroristic Threats against Student

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A Georgia high school teacher is under suspicion of making terroristic threats against one of his students, and has been accused of attempting to place a hit on the 16 year-old boy.

Randolph Forde, a 10th-grade special education teacher at Mundy's Mill High School in Clayton County, was arrested last month on suspicion of trying to persuade another student to kill a 16 year-old, the Associated Press reports.

He could lose his job.

Race and the Heather Ellis Case

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Hundreds of people will participate in a rally in Kennett Missouri today for Heather Ellis, a young black woman accused of cutting in line at Walmart.

The incident three years ago set off a racially charged dispute and now Ellis faces a trial that could send her to prison for 15 years.

The Associated Press reports that witnesses told authorities that Ellis cut in front of waiting customers at the Walmart in Kennett on Jan. 6, 2007 and became belligerent when confronted, according to court filings.