Today could be the final parole hearing for the notorious leader of the 1971 Manson Family killings. Charles Manson's lawyer plans to argue that her client should be in a mental hospital not prison. more ›

Carrie Thomas, the manager of a Shakey's in Moreno Valley, was found dead in her car after being shot in an apparent robbery near an ATM, reports the Press-Enterprise. Thomas, 23, had worked at the Shakey's for the past five or six years, according to the restaurant's owner, Harold Veum. more ›

Despite increased crime predictions due to economic hardship, the murder rate in Los Angeles has dropped to 1967 levels and the absence of a massive drug epidemic may be a key factor. For the first time in over forty years, LA is within reach of ending the year with fewer than 300 homicides, reports the LA Times. more ›

Arcadia officials have been trapping and killing coyotes after a major fire in the area pushed the wildlife out of the woods and into neighborhoods last year. At present, fifteen coyotes have been snared and unceremoniously road runnered with officials defending the practice saying they have, "taken necessary steps to protect residents," according ABC Local. more ›

With only months to live, Susan Atkins was denied parole for the 13th and most likely final time yesterday. The San Gabriel-born 61-year-old Charles Manson follower has been behind bars for 38 years after being convicted of murder over a 1969 killing spree left eight people, including Sharon Tate, dead. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer, prompting her and family to ask for a "compassionate release," which was also denied last summer. more ›

Authorities are investigating what led up to a California Highway Patrol officer fatally shooting her husband last night at their home in Compton. The unnamed CHP officer has not been arrested or charged as of yet, according to abc7.com, and "Sheriff's officials say it will be up to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office to charge the officer in her husband's death." The officer was reportedly off-duty when the incident occurred, and authorities believe the shooting came following a domestic dispute between she and her spouse, 31-year-old Marcus Lavar Lemons. Lemons "was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot once in the chest." Early reports indicate the officer may have acted in self-defense. more ›

Something seems to be working, but one is still too many. Los Angeles had 380 murders in 2008, which is the lowest since 1969 and a downward trend from 2004 when there were 518. By comparison, both Chicago and New York City saw their murder rates increase each to over 500 last year. more ›