9th US Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Alex Kozinski Published Detailed Analysis of Flaws In Trials And Evidence In Our Criminal Justice System (from an evidentiary standpoint)

Judge Alex Kozinski, of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, who is one of America's most prominent jurists, publishes an article enumerating the serious flaws in the present criminal justice system in California.  There article can be read here.  You can also download it directly as a pdf here.   

I began to list the more salient points – but there are too many.  Please take the time to read this – it is a pleasure, and it is enlightening, and it is frightening. 

Sally Yates, New Deputy Attorney General, States “We’re not the Department of Prosecutions”

Washington Post.  Sally Yates operates the DOJ and oversees the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Prisons.  She has voiced her commitment to follow through on the Criminal Justice Reforms started by Eric Holder.  In the article, Sally Yates is quoted stating ““Certainly, I don’t think I can ever be accused of being soft on crime,” Yates said. “But we need to be using the limited resources we have to ensure that we are truly doing justice and that the sentences we’re meting out are just and proportional to the crimes that we’re charging…We’re not the Department of Prosecutions or even the Department of Public Safety,” Yates said. “We are the Department of Justice.” To read the article, click here:  New deputy attorney general: ‘We’re not the Department of Prosecutions

President Obama To Limit Police Force’s Access To Military-Style Equipment

The President has announced that – as part of his push to ease tensions between communities and law enforcement – he will ban police departments from using federal funding to acquire items that include tracked armored vehicles, the highest-caliber firearms and ammunition, and camouflage uniforms.  This follows the release of a 116 page DOJ report arising out of the incident in Ferguson, calling for law enforcement agencies to “embrace a guardian — rather than a warrior — mind-set to build trust and legitimacy both within agencies and with the public.”  The NY Times Article is here:  Obama to Limit Military-Style Equipment for Police Forces

Boston Citizens Troubled By Death Penalty Finding In Boston Bomber Case

In the NY Times article “Death Sentence for Boston Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Unsettles City He Tore Apart”, people share confused sentiments in response to the death penalty finding.  “But since a federal jury on Friday sentenced the convicted bomber to death, the finish line suddenly seems to be a place of ambivalence. Fresh flowers are accumulating. A sense of sorrow lingers in the air. Sightseers who come to snap a photo feel a little self-conscious. Residents train their gaze on the line, and the conversations turn to death — and disappointment.  ‘I was shocked,’ said Scott Larson, 47, a records manager who works near the finish line. ‘The death penalty — for Boston.’”  To read the full article, click here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/us/death-sentence-for-boston-bomber-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-unsettles-city-he-tore-apart.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0

Article in NY Times Discusses Very Progressive Method For Inmate Reform

Today, the NY Times published an article captioned “In Brazil, Some Inmates Get Therapy With Hallucinogenic Tea.” 

The article is here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/world/americas/a-hallucinogenic-tea-time-for-some-brazilian-prisoners.html

The article discusses use of a ritual hallucinogenic tea and meditation as a treatment for inmates.  It’s fascinating.  There is no chance at all that anything this progressive would happen here (very few programs that are empathetic to the plights of inmates proceed in the US).  But it is hopeful that other countries – more evolved in the care of treatment and inmates – are pursuing genuine means for rehabilitation.

Police Officer Who Killed Dontre Hamilton “Permanently Discharged” For Violating Protocol During Pat-Down That Lead To The Killing

Following a city hearing on the propriety of the decision of Police Chief Ed Flynn to terminate Officer Manning (who killed Dontre Hamilton in Milwaukee), the panel concluded that “violated department protocol and will not get his job back”

http://www.ibtimes.com/dontre-hamilton-update-former-milwaukee-officer-violated-protocol-permanently-1856726

This is the second step on the long road to justice for this family.  Following the killing of Dontre Hamilton, Officer Manning was not criminally charged, even though he shot Mr. Hamilton 14 times (including once in the back).  Chief Flynn did terminate Officer Manning for engaging in the warrantless and groundless pat-down that led to the incident.  Manning appealed, while simultaneously claiming disability, stating that the incident resulted in the mental illness of “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” (Manning is still able to collect disability).  On Monday, the Fire and Police Commission upheld Chief Flynn’s decision.  Christopher Manning has been permanently stripped of his duties as a police officer.  As he should be.

New York Times Highlights Dontre Hamilton Case And Police Shootings In Milwaukee

The Video, prepared by the New York Times, is both powerful and informative.  The Hamilton family deserves our praise for their relentless and nonviolent pursuit of justice in response to this senseless killing.

The video is here:  http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000003563944/police-shooting-tests-new-wisconsin-law.html