The California Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of a pimp convicted of burning one of his prostitutes to death. Justices ruled today that jurors were improperly instructed on a special circumstance allegation of kidnapping. more ›

David Leslie Murtishaw, convicted and sentenced to death for the 1978 murders of three University of Southern California film students, was found dead in his cell at San Quentin State Prison late last night. Murtishaw, 54, died of natural causes, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. more ›

A new study by U.S. 9th Circuit Judge Arthur L. Alarcon and Loyola Law School professor Paula M. Mitchell, predicts that by 2030 San Quentin's death row population will have grown to over 1,000 and that death penalty costs will reach $9 billion, according to the L.A. Times. more ›

While leaving a restaurant at Universal City Walk this morning around 12:30 a.m., "former rap producer Marion 'Suge' Knight was arrested for outstanding traffic warrants," by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, reports KTLA. The former head of Death Row Records was wanted on, "a minor traffic warrant issued recently in Beverly Hills." more ›

The way things are going now, being on California's death row seems cozier than a life term without possibility of parole, the LA Times finds. On death row, you get a single cell, good telephone access and "exclusive control over the television, CD player or other diversions in their cells," among other perks. What about that whole death penalty part? A four-year-old moratorium has stopped the practice, at least for now. And in any case, since 1977, 13 executions have occurred while 71 condemned prisoners died by other causes. 685 are currently on death row, making the state's death row population the largest in the country. more ›

It's been 130 years since the Supreme Court has heard direct arguments about the method of execution -- back then, it was the firing squad. Today, it'll be on a Kentucky case; Kentucky, like California and 35 other states, uses lethal injection. more ›

April 2007 -- Gonzales says, "I don't recall" 72 times at Senate hearing It's Friday! And it's also the final day on the job for Bush-tushy-wipin', habeas corpus trashin', eavesdroppin', worst-AG-ever Alberto Gonzales. Nicknamed "Fredo" by the Commander in Disbelief either because his name is kinda like Alfredo, or perhaps after the weakest Corleone in The Godfather, Gonzales became a Bush Yes-man in the mid-'90s. Gonzales' crimes accomplishments are many. He assisted in obfuscating... more ›

- If you're looking for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in LA public libraries, you will be sorely disappointed - LAT - Right now Eddie Van Halen is in rehab - TMZ - The USC football lockerroom is colorless, says black Trojan running backs and special teams coach Todd McNair, who dubbed the kickoff team The White Nation, and calls the other black coaches Brojans. Controversy brewed yesterday when one of the students created... more ›

US attorney in Frisco sez the LA Times story was filled with inaccuracies when it claimed that Roger Clemens and others were the names redacted from the affidavit of MLB players fingered by stool pigeon Jason Grimsley - LAT Guns 'N Roses announces new tour dates including two in LA: 12/17, 12/19 at the Gibson - MTV Death Row inmate convicted of murder dies of a heart attack, victim's mother pissed that he wasn't... more ›

Stuart Alexander, the Sausage King of San Leandro, died in his prison cell today. He was on suidice watch. He was also on Death Row. more ›

Marion "Suge" Knight just can't ever get on the right side of a court case. A Los Angeles Judge has ordered Suge to pay $107 million dollars to a former business partner that claims she helped to found Death Row Records (now called Tha Row). Suge has been in and out of jail for the past 10 years and there is still some question about his involvement in the altercation Dr. Dre had at the Vibe Awards this past November. more ›

Not to be outdone by Master P, Marion "Suge" Knight was arrested over the weekend. In a surprise twist, Suge wasn't in trouble in connection with a violent incident but for driving fast and carrying the chronic in Barstow. One can only imagine that Mr. Knight will use the incident to help increase sales of the upcoming Tha Row release, The Very Best of Death Row. Part of the proceeds of the sale of the album are supposed to be going to helping support soldiers returning from Iraq. We here at LAist always knew Suge was a good samaritan at heart. more ›

The building at the southwest corner of San Vicente and Wilshire boulevards - with prominent rooftop billboards and cell tower rakes in $150,000 annually - is slated to be sold at a Jan. 12 auction. The IRS is seeking $6.5 million for the four-story, 30,000-square-foot office building at 8200 Wilshire Blvd. to recoup unpaid taxes and interest. more ›

LAist is still dazzled by Kurupt's pontifications on the nature of the love in the Snoop Dogg classic "Ain't No Fun," and is pleased to see this new development. Let's all hope he manages to space boogie Tha Row back to global prominence. more ›