Archive for September, 2009
Polanski would face tougher prosecution today
LOS ANGELES (AP) — If Roman Polanski were charged with child rape today, DNA evidence, stiffer penalties, outcry over childhood sexual abuse and tougher scrutiny of celebrity justice would make prosecutors much less willing to cut the plea deal the director received more than 30 years ago, legal experts say. For one thing, changes in state law since the 1970s would give prosecutors other options in pursuing charges, including a law that includes a mandatory 15 years to life in state prison for rape, sodomy or a lewd act with a child coupled with certain circumstances, such as the use of a controlled substance, said Robin Sax, a former sex crimes prosecutor with the district attorney’s office. “He should be shutting up and thanking goodness for his sentence,” said Sax, who is also a victim’s advocate
New NBA rule prohibits Twitter use during games
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA is instituting a policy regarding Twitter and other social media sites, banning players from using them during games. The league sent a memo to teams on Wednesday telling them that cell phones and other communication devices can’t be used from 45 minutes before game time until after players have finished their responsibilities after games.
Polanski: Regard for his art, disdain for his act
NEW YORK (AP) — If a truly great artist engages in a truly awful crime, should our feelings about the art mitigate our feelings about the crime? That is just one of the gut-churning questions being asked across the Web, as people consider the predicament of Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski, sitting now in a Swiss jail and facing possible extradition to the United States for forcing sex on a 13-year-old girl in the 1970s.
Sound Smart at a Party for the Week of October 1 – October 7
Jon & Kate Plus 8 will soon be simply Kate Plus Eight. That’s the word from the TLC network, who announced its hit reality show…
Autumn Calendar: 8 Not-To-Miss (Green) Events On LI
Each summer we forget what snow feels like. We forget what it’s like to have numb toes from running through it (our first snow of…
Search on for Tenn. baby snatched by fake agent
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A newborn snatched from a Nashville home was missing and his mother recovering from stab wounds she said happened when she struggled with the woman kidnapper posing as an immigration agent, authorities said Wednesday.
