Younger members of the Kennedy political dynasty have emerged as high-profile opponents of medical marijuana and across-the-board legalization of the drug. Former Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy has joined forces […]
Criminal Justice
Posted inCriminal Justice, Health Care
Linsky taking new slant on gun control
A KEY HOUSE LAWMAKER said he plans to file legislation shortly that would require Massachusetts gun owners to obtain liability insurance and store any large capacity rifles at licensed gun […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
Stop crime — get the lead out
Homicides were down statewide in Massachusetts last year by 39 percent over 2011’s figures, a steep decline that law enforcement officials are crediting to a focused State Police effort in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, State House News Service
Lawmakers, gun control advocates mull strategy
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE.After hosting a private meeting that drew half the Legislature and invited gun control advocates, Natick Democrat Rep. David Linsky said today he intends to file a […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, State House News Service, The Download
Patrick aims again at gun reforms
In a state with some of the toughest gun control laws in the US, Gov. Deval Patrick tried to make them even stronger. In 2009, Patrick introduced a menu of […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
Now what?
Friday’s massacre of 20 first graders and seven staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School came the day after decisive action on guns in two state capitals: Legislators in Michigan […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, State House News Service, The Download
Child sex abuse case renews focus on offender law
A Level 1 sex offender from Wakefield was indicted for raping and abusing at least 13 children at an unlicensed day care service run by his wife. The boys and […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
Married sex offender challenges Ayer bylaw
John King and his wife Ashley are suing the town of Ayer, challenging the enforcement and constitutionality of a town bylaw that bars sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics
Since ’03, Dookhan output unusually high
FROM THE DAY SHE WAS HIRED in 2003, Annie Dookhan, the mystery chemist at the center of the unfolding state drug lab scandal, performed far more tests than any […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
The Cahill defense: My candidacy was a joke
The trial of former state treasurer Timothy Cahill and his chief of staff Scott Campbell for using Lottery funds for political purposes began yesterday with a novel, if not humbling, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics, State House News Service
Coakley recuses herself in drug lab probe
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICEFOLLOWING CALLS for Attorney General Martha Coakley to recuse herself from a broader probe into the functioning of the state drug lab at the center of an […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Back Story
Cop in a lab coat
SHE WAS A forensic chemist who put her finger on the scale of justice, continually testifying and confirming that evidence brought to her by police and prosecutors was, in fact, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
Boston braces for crime surge from state lab scandal
What was interesting about Thursday’s press conference at Boston City Hall on how the city plans to cope with the fallout of the Annie Dookhan scandal was who showed up […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Education
Fire drill
‘ As adults we believe we are putting our children into a safe environment,” says State Fire Marshall Stephen Coan.as tropical storm Irene raged through the western part of the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Menino, Davis warn of surge in crime
The Suffolk County District Attorney says he and his staff will do everything they can in court to keep a scandal at a state drug lab from returning hundreds […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Back Story
Crime lab costs may be significant
Massachusetts officials disclosed to potential bond investors late last month that misconduct at a state drug testing lab may give rise to significant costs to address the problem, to defend […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
Patrick appeals inmate sex-change ruling
Gov. Deval Patrick, who signed a transgender protection bill into law last November, is going to fight a judge’s ruling that the state must pay for a sex-reassignment surgery for […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Health Care, State House News Service
Department of Public Health Commissioner resigns
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Tendering his resignation, Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach on Monday accepted responsibility for the failed oversight of a state crime lab chemist accused of mishandling evidence […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, State House News Service
Restaurateurs oppose return of happy hour
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Restaurateurs warned on Tuesday that young, college-aged drinkers looking to take advantage of cheap alcohol would become a larger presence at local bars and pose a […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics, The Download
Combating gang violence
They gathered yesterday — about 200 strong — on Franklin Field in Dorchester to support the families of the three young women murdered nearby last weekend and to issue a […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics, State House News Service
Patrick signs sentencing reform bill
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Gov. Deval Patrick on Thursday morning signed legislation eliminating parole eligibility for certain repeat violent offenders and making about 600 non-violent drug offenders immediately eligible for […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics, State House News Service
DeLeo uncertain of Patrick’s sentencing bill plan
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE With the possibility that Gov. Deval Patrick could quietly kill habitual offender legislation by vetoing it after formal sessions end for the year at midnight tonight, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
The usual gun play
When it comes to guns used in crimes, Massachusetts is in the import business. The Boston Globe reports today that of the 1,020 firearms used in crimes last year in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
SJC chief sounds notes of caution on crime bill
The chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court raised two major concerns about the pending crime bill: the lack of judicial discretion on sentencing and the automatic appeals that could […]
