A senate bill proposed in California could lower drug sentences for small quantities of cocaine and heroin. Does the bill perpetrate hard drug use? Then, the prosecution in the James Holmes trial does not want the jury to hear testimonies on death penalty procedures.How will this impact the trial? Next, the Peterson Automotive Museum is getting a total renovation and TGIF it's Filmweek with our critics. Lastly, we talk with Val Kilmer about his one-man show called "Citizen Twain," where he plays Mark Twain. The play will show at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Sacramento eyes lower drug sentences for cocaine, heroin
Twenty states have legalized the use of medical marijuana and there seems to be a general move of leniency toward recreational drug use and simple possession of hard drugs in the country.
Senate Bill 649 in California, sponsored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), is the latest example of this trend. The proposal would give prosecutors the option to charge those with a small amount of cocaine, heroin and synthetic marijuana with a demeanor instead of a felony. Leno says California should follow the lead of 13 states with similar laws in place. He says by lowering charges, these states have funneled more offenders into drug rehab programs and reduced crime.
Proponents include the Drug Policy Alliance and the ACLU, which say that the minority kids are disproportionately harmed by the current law. Opponents like the California District Attorney Association and the California Police Chiefs Association say the bill could have the opposite effect.
Should drug sentences be lowered for those in possession of a small quantity of cocaine or heroin? Does the bill condone the use of hard drugs? Would it perpetrate hard drug use?
Guests:
Lynne Lyman, California state director for the Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group for drug law reform
Cory Salzillo, Director of Legislation, California District Attorneys Association
When sentencing, should juries hear testimonies on death penalty procedures?
The trial of the alleged Aurora theater shooter is still months away, but the prosecution has already asked the judge to bar witness testimony concerning death penalty procedures if James Holmes is convicted. Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and injuring dozens more when he opened fire on a theater full of people watching a Batman movie. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but the prosecution is pursuing the death penalty.
In Colorado, death penalty laws have come under fire. And in multiple states such as California, Missouri, Texas, Ohio, and Arkansas, the humaneness of lethal injection drugs are under scrutiny. By motioning to bar testimonies about death penalty procedures, the prosecution is launching a preemptive strike to ban these current controversies from entering this trial.
However, if a jury is deciding between the death penalty and a life sentence, do they have the right to know about the intricacies of the options? Or would all these details distract from the case itself?
Guests:
Nancy Haydt, criminal defense attorney who specializes in death penalty cases; she has practiced in California, Colorado, and federally; she is also on the Board of Governors for California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Brian Gurwitz, criminal defense attorney and former Senior Deputy District Attorney for Orange County
Museum row gets exotic with Petersen renovation plan (Photos)
The iconic Petersen Automotive Museum is about to get a very expensive present for its 20th birthday: a total renovation.
The Miracle Mile museum is about to undergo a dramatic silver and red redesign that's been called a "fiery red zebra." The new exterior will be competing for eyeballs on Museum Row with the $650 million renovation of LACMA.
"The exciting exterior is something that a fellow named Gene Kohn, of Kohn Pedersen Fox, designed. They're one of the top three architectural firms in the world," said Terry Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. "Cohn said that while its other museum neighbors are the gentlemen in black tie, this is the ballerina."
Kohn designed the building, which is essentially a wrap around the existing museum, to create the illusion of motion and speed. Its aerodynamic curves mimic those seen in modern-day sports cars. Made of matte stainless steel, it consists of a series of curved beams backlit by hot rod red lights.
"Constantly as you see the building from different points of view, it's going to read somewhat different," said Kohn. "During the day the play of sunlight on the building will be quite marvelous. Stainless steel is a matte finish, not a highly polished one, so there won't be much glare. Certainly the building will be sparkling."
Will the dramatic new exterior design by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates draw attention away from the new LACMA? Is the design too overpowering for the location? If you've visited the Petersen in the past, will the new design bring you back for a second look?
Guests:
Terry Karges, Executive Director, Petersen Automotive Museum
A. Eugene Kohn, Chairman, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) - lead architectural firm for the Petersen Automotive Museum; KPF designed the expansion and renovation New York’s Museum of Modern Art
Filmweek: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, The Grandmaster, You're Next and more
Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Henry Sheehan and Alynda Wheat to review this week’s releases, including The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, The Grandmaster, You're Next and more.
Then, Ben Affleck is going to be the next Batman, but the social media world is not happy. And Cinecon 49 begins in Hollywood next Thursday. TGI-Filmweek!
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
The Grandmaster
You're Next
Smash and Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers
Guests:
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Alynda Wheat, film critic for KPCC and People
Val Kilmer stars as Mark Twain in a one-man show
Val Kilmer has spent the last three years of his life thinking about Mark Twain. The result is a one-man play written by and starring Kilmer as the famous writer. The play, “Citizen Twain,” began its run at the Pasadena Playhouse on Wednesday and will continue through next week. Kilmer is known for his extensive filmography and the nuances he brings to his characters.
For this play, Kilmer was particularly interested in how Twain attempted to discover himself and his viewpoints through writing. Kilmer calls this a character study of Twain, but also interprets Twain’s relationship with Mary Baker Eddy. Although Twain and Eddy never met, Twain publicly criticized and admired her work.
What made Kilmer interested in Mark Twain? What did he learn about Twain and his relationship with Eddy? What’s Kilmer’s experience writing, directing, and starring in this one-man play?
Also, what does Kilmer think about Ben Affleck as the new Batman?
Guest:
Val Kilmer, Actor starring in “Citizen Twain” at the Pasadena Playhouse; Kilmer is a Grammy-nominated actor known for his roles in Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, Batman Forever, Heat, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and more.
“Citizen Twain” is running at the Pasadena Playhouse until August 30th. To buy tickets and for more information on the VIP Meet & Greet Pass with Val Kilmer, click here.