Category Archives: Prisons and Justice and Police

Texas Jury Acquits Man For Killing Escort Who Wouldn’t Have Sex With Him

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Ampersand

(UPDATE: Make sure to read the update at the end of the post, which puts a very different spin on the jury’s decision.) From Vanity Fair: Frago went outside where her driver, Christopher Perkins, was waiting. Gilbert came out and … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, Prisons and Justice and Police, Prostitution, Porn and Sex Work | 36 Comments  

Forgiving Their Daughter’s Murderer

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Ampersand

Jake Squid’s comments about an acquaintance who accidentally shot a relative reminded me of this stunning New York Times article, about a pair of parents who forgave their daughter’s murderer, going so far to get him a reduced sentence (20 … Continue reading →

Posted in Prisons and Justice and Police | 18 Comments  

President Obama’s Worst Betrayal Of Liberals

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Ampersand

Robert Kuttner writes about Obama’s bewildering indifference to judicial appointments: But the common element was that nobody—not the White House chief of staff, not the Senate leadership, not the president himself–made judicial nominations a priority. So nearly four years into … Continue reading →

Posted in Prisons and Justice and Police | 2 Comments  

Obama and Pot

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ampersand

David Maraniss‘ forthcoming biography of President Obama reports that in high school and college, Obama not only inhaled, he was a rather intense user. This quote from Penn Jillette is apropos: Do we believe, even for a second, that if … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, Prisons and Justice and Police, Race, racism and related issues | 18 Comments  

If everyone demanded a jury trial, the system would crash

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Ampersand

All of this short article by Michelle Alexander (author of The New Jim Crow) is worth reading, but here’s a highlight: No wonder, then, that most people waive their rights. Take the case of Erma Faye Stewart, a single African-American … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Prisons and Justice and Police | 28 Comments  

Increased Incarceration And The Decline In Marriage Rates

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Ampersand

From economist Marina Adshade’s “Dollars And Sex” blog: New research published in The Review of Economics and Statistics shows that growing incarceration has contributed to declining marriage rates. In fact, this paper finds that about 13% of the decline in … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Families structures, divorce, etc, Prisons and Justice and Police | 2 Comments  

Brandon McInerney Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison Via Plea Bargain

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Ampersand

The Oxnard teen who shot a gay classmate he believed was flirting with him has agreed to spend the next 21 years in prison, a plea deal that ends a case that drew national attention and ignited debate on how … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, In the news, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Prisons and Justice and Police | 30 Comments  

An Officer Acting Out Of Concern For His Own Safety, According To UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Ampersand

UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza said officers used force out of concern for their own safety after they were surrounded by students. “If you look at the video you are going to see that there were 200 people in … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, In the news, Prisons and Justice and Police | 58 Comments  

Open Thread, so that’s why people become cops edition

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Ampersand

I read this story on Reason Magazine – a typically appalling police forfeiture story in which cops raided a strip club for drugs and, finding no drugs, confiscated (without receipt) cash, computers, computer pads, and the manager’s wallet. But what … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Link farms, Prisons and Justice and Police | 20 Comments  

Study: Lighter-Skinned Black Women Get Lighter Prison Sentences

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Ampersand

From the blog “Layers of Blackness“: ‘The Impact of Light Skin on Prison Time for Black Female Offenders’ is the first of its kind to examine the relationship between skin tone and sentencing among African American women. It looked at … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Prisons and Justice and Police, Race, racism and related issues | 1 Comment