By JOSH LEDERMAN In a last major act as president, Barack Obama cut short the sentences of 330 federal inmates convicted of drug crimes on Thursday, bringing his bid to correct what he’s called a systematic injustice to a climactic close. With his final offer of clemency, Obama brought his total number of commutations granted […]
Obama commutes 330 drug sentences on last day as president Read More »
By JULIE BYKOWICZ and CHAD DAY President-elect Donald Trump pledged to step away from his family-owned international real estate development, property management and licensing business before taking office Jan. 20. With less than two weeks until his inauguration, he hasn’t stepped very far. Trump has canceled a handful of international deals and dissolved a few
Trump has taken few steps to disentangle from private empire Read More »
By KEN THOMAS Propelled by populist energy, President-elect Donald Trump’s candidacy broke long-standing conventions and his incoming Cabinet embodies a sharp turn from the outgoing Obama administration. Trump, a Republican who pledged major changes after eight years of a Democratic White House, has assembled nominees for a Cabinet that includes many business executives who have
Trump’s Cabinet selections signal a bold shift after Obama Read More »
By KEVIN McGILL The man who fatally shot retired New Orleans Saints defensive leader Will Smith faces a sentence of up to 40 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter during a trial that made spectators of some of the city’s sports heroes. Cardell Hayes was convicted of manslaughter Sunday night, ending a week-long
Manslaughter verdict caps trial of ex-NFL player’s killer Read More »
By IVAN MORENO The refrain is heard almost as often as the fatal gunshots: The way to reduce Chicago’s gun violence is tougher prison sentences for repeat gun offenders, keeping them off the streets and decreasing the city’s mounting death toll. That idea, pushed by the mayor, police superintendent and others, shifts pressure from patrol
Democrat to try solving Chicago gun violence with sentencing Read More »
By JONATHAN DREW and TOM FOREMAN Jr. The man accused of firing an assault rifle inside a Washington restaurant said he regrets how he handled the situation but refused to completely dismiss the false online claims involving a child sex ring that brought him there. “I just wanted to do some good and went about
Pizza shop gunman says he regrets how he handled situation Read More »
By BRUCE SMITH and JEFFREY COLLINS The white man who authorities said wanted to start a race war by killing nine black people in a South Carolina church is getting ready to stand trial in a city already bruised by a former police officer’s racially charged murder trial that ended in a hung jury. Jury
Charleston church shooting suspect’s trial set to begin Read More »
By BRUCE SMITH and SEANNA ADCOX Relatives of Walter Scott, the black motorist fatally shot while fleeing a traffic stop, say they are confident justice will prevail even though a South Carolina jury could not reach a verdict in the murder trial of a white former police officer charged in his death. Circuit Judge Clifton
After mistrial, slain SC motorist’s family still confident Read More »
By JEFFREY COLLINS and TOM FOREMAN Jr. A prosecutor on Wednesday cleared a Charlotte police officer in the killing of a black man whose death touched off civil unrest, and he presented detailed evidence to rebut assertions that the slain man was unarmed. Officer Brentley Vinson was justified in opening fire on Keith Scott and
Prosecutor clears officer in man’s death, says man was armed Read More »
