Crime & Punishment

Depp not right for Bulger role

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Having glamorous stars cast in the roles of vicious murderers unfortunately infuses these killers with glamor and humanity.

The Next Target of Terror?

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

There are two factors that argue against permitting the most deadly of viruses to be held at the Albany Street facility -- the population density at this location and last month's Marathon bombings. Clearly, this is neither the place nor the time for a Level-4 biolab.

Boston Strong and Boston Wrong

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:45:00 GMT

Notwithstanding my position on the matter, I do respect the right for anyone to resist and resent the idea of having Tsarnaevs body buried in our land. It is the disgraceful way in which they demonstrate their point of view that offends me.

A deadly brotherly bond

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Arguably, these crimes would not have taken place were it not for the close brotherly connection. Indeed, it is far easier to do despicable things when others join in. No matter how deeply committed each is to the cause, participation in itself helps support and justify the mission.

Enough blast videos!

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:30:00 GMT

The TV stations' obsessive highlighting of the moments of terror, rather the response and recovery, has grown excessive.

Newtown victim #27 and the Boston Marathon

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

We should assume that Nancy Lanza had the best of intentions in raising her Adam, unless and until we have definitive evidence otherwise.

Gun rights, gun control and mass murder

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:15:00 GMT

In the final analysis, neither gun rights nor gun control will do much to alter the rate of mass murder. Of course, in the weeks and months following the Newtown shooting, there has been momentum in Washington and in various state legislatures to establish policies and procedures designed to make us all safer. Lots of good things to do, although not necessarily for the best reason to do them.

Zero tolerance makes zero sense

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:30:00 GMT

The zero tolerance approach lacks the essential element of discretion and level-headed reasoning about the difference between menace and mistake.

Teachers packing heat

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Just yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed a plan to provide $40 million annually for schools to invest in safety programs, including training for teachers. Let's hope than no one gets the crazy idea of using these funds for gun purchasing or firearms classes for the faculty.

Fujita: Right verdict, wrong outcome

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:00:00 GMT

In this instance, the jury did stay true to the cold hard facts of the case, finding sufficient evidence that Fujita had premeditated the murder. Regrettably, the other cold hard fact is that the trial judge has no options in sentencing the defendant -- no leeway for showing any compassion for the Fujitas youth and emotional state that contributed to his crime.

Clear sight on gun crimes

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:30:00 GMT

Before jumping to the conclusion that gun control is a futile approach to crime control, or even that it does more harm than good, we should consider what had happened just prior to implementing the new set of laws.

Responding to Mother Jones

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:00:00 GMT

I urge Mother Jones to widen its net by including mass shootings in all forms. This can only add to our understanding of extreme killing.

The right time to do the right thing for juvenile murderers

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:00:00 GMT

The only question will be whether we comply with the Supreme Court mandate minimally be replacing life without parole by extremely long prison terms or we adopt a more enlightened, sensible and flexible approach that reflects the spirit of the Court decision.

Mass shootings not trending

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Given the widely-publicized and exceptionally dreadful mass shootings in Colorado last summer and in Connecticut last month, it is rather easy to believe that that mass murder, particularly those involving firearms, is a growing menace. Yet the growing menace lies more in our fears than in the facts.

Sensible gun policy long overdue

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:00:00 GMT

Without minimizing in any way the well-meaning groundswell in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, it is sad and ironic that it took the violent deaths of so many children and teachers to get us to the point where we collectively say no more.

Back-to-school fears

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:30:00 GMT

It is important to maintain perspective of the risk when considering the need and advisability of arming teachers, staging lockdown drills, purchasing bullet-resistant backpacks or similar measures that can increase anxiety rather than alleviate it.

NRA's flawed strategy

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:00:00 GMT

If using armed guards to protect our schools and school children is the way to go, what about the playgrounds and playing fields outside the buildings. And what about the fleet of yellow school buses transporting the kids home after school? Are we going to arm the bus drivers as well?

Top 10 myths about mass shootings

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:45:00 GMT

Sensible gun laws, affordable mental-health care, and reasonable security measures are all worthwhile, and would enhance the well being of millions of Americans. They may do much to impact the level of violent crime that plagues our nation daily. We shouldnt, however, expect such efforts to take a big bite out of crime in its most extreme form.

Preventing mass murder: No easy solutions

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT

The fact that gun control, psychiatric services, and security measures are limited in their ability to prevent the dreadful acts of violence doesnt mean we shouldnt try. Although they may stop the next mass murderer, wherever he may strike, we can enhance the well-being of millions of Americans in the process.

Mass murder -- Horrible enough without hype

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I have grown accustomed to the massive media attention and frantic search for breaking news developments associated with mass murder. However, the seemingly insatiable need for some journalists to create a context for tragedy is mystifying. Barely two hours after...

Intimate partner violence: Down but far from out

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Thus, despite the improvements in the rate of domestic violence, non-lethal and lethal, far too many victims continue to suffer in abusive relationships. As a society, we have a long way to go before we can claim mission accomplished is our efforts to prevent intimate partner violence.

Life without parole: Right for some, wrong for others

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:00:00 GMT

It has been nearly two years since 24-year-old Jared Lee Loughner opened fire upon a crowded plaza in Tucson, killing six and wounding several others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Yet, after all the legal maneuvering, Loughner received sentence that...

The victim of crime trend

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:45:00 GMT

With the violent crime victimization having fallen by as much as 75% from the early 1990s through 2010, the 2011 spike is not at all unexpected. To cite Newtons law in reverse, what goes down, generally comes back up.

Sandusky's fate in prison is no joke

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:00:00 GMT

There is nothing funny about murder, even inmate homicide. Few people have any sympathy for criminals like pedophile priest Paul Geoghan or serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, but their untimely deaths at the hands of fellow prisoners were no reason for celebration.

Lessons from crime lab scandal

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Despite the unparalleled power to prove guilt or innocence, reliance on DNA evidence has its downside. The science of DNA may be indisputable, but the testing and analysis are performed by people, even though assisted by highly reliable lab equipment.