A Texas man named Duane Buck, convicted of murdering two people, has been sentenced to die. He's asked an appeals court to grant him a new sentencing hearing.
Buck's appeal is supported by a broad coalition of individuals and organizations, including a former Texas governor and one of the prosecutors who convicted him. They're not arguing for a new hearing because he's innocent – there are no doubts that he committed murder.
Post by: Ed Lavandera
Filed under: Crime & Punishment • Race in America
Arson not ruled out in Texas explosion
Investigators have not ruled out an intentional fire being behind explosions at a fertilizer plant in the small town of West that left 15 people dead, the Texas fire marshal said Thursday.
State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy said investigators were unable to rule out three possible causes, including a spark from a golf cart, an electrical short or an intentionally set fire.
Filed under: Texas
Hundreds remember slain Texas DA
CNN's Ed Lavandera reports on the funeral of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, who were killed in their Texas home last week.
Filed under: Crime & Punishment
Cops: UCF student had attack timeline
Throw down some drinks at The Mad Hatter bar in Orlando? Check.
Pull the fire alarm, so about 500 students in Tower 1 on the University of Central Florida campus rush outside, together? Done.
Give them hell?
Those three words were the last item of James Oliver Seevakumaran's checklist that he made before, authorities say, he would go out with up to 1,000 rounds of ammunition and start shooting, possibly setting off bombs in the process.
It was not crossed off.
Instead of a mass killing early Monday morning, police reported only one fatality: Seevakumaran.
Post by: Ed Lavandera, Greg Botelho
Filed under: Crime & Punishment • School Shooting
'America's deadliest sniper' killed by vet
CNN's Ed Lavandera reports on the death of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. He was shot by a veteran with PTSD whom he was trying to help.
Filed under: PTSD • Veterans
Dark history of Ravens' Ray Lewis
CNN's Ed Lavandera looks back at the murder case that could have disrupted Ray Lewis' career 13 years ago. He plans to retire after he plays in the Super Bowl for the Ravens this Sunday.
In his first interview on camera since the night two men were killed, Reginald Oakley spoke with Lavandera about the incident. He's selling a book about the deadly confrontation he and Lewis had with the victims after leaving a club.
"From my point of view, you know, I think it was self defense," said Oakley who was acquitted of murder.
Lavandera also spoke with Lewis' lawyer about the white suit Lewis was wearing during the fight - it has never been recovered.
Watch "Ravens, 49ers meet media"
Filed under: Sports
Hunting for a dolphin killer
As many as 10 slain and mutilated dolphins – some with bullet wounds – are mysteriously washing up along the Gulf Coast. CNN's Ed Lavandera went with officers from the Miss. Dept. of Marine Resources to search for the killers.
Texas Judge: 're-electing Pres. Obama could trigger riots'
Elected county Judge Tom Head is stirring up controversy in Lubbock, Texas. Judge Head made comments which were broadcast by CNN affiliate KJTV. Head claimed that after re-election President Obama '...is going to try to hand over the sovereignty of the United States to the U.N.,' he continued on to say 'I'm thinking worst case scenario now. I'm talking civil unrest, civil disobedience, civil war, maybe...'
Post by: Anderson Cooper, Ed Lavandera
Filed under: Ed Lavandera • President Barack Obama
Aurora survivors face big medical bills
Survivors of the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, and their families, face crippling medical bills. CNN's Ed Lavandera received statements from Children's Hospital Colorado and the HealthONE healthcare system, which includes The Medical Center of Aurora and Swedish Medical Center, stating that they plan to eliminate or limit medical costs for those injured in the attack who can't afford treatment. We're trying to clarify how long medical expenses will be covered as many patients may need long-term care.
Caleb Medley was at the movie with his pregnant wife. She gave birth to their first son on Tuesday, while Caleb was struggling to recover from a gunshot to his head. He lost his right eye and is suffering brain damage. Medley's family doesn't have insurance. If you'd like to donate, go to http://www.calebmedley.com/help
Petra Anderson had a bullet lodged in her skull. Her sister makes a desperate plea for help in a YouTube video to explain that their mother is battling an aggressive type of breast cancer. The family can't afford to pay the bills for both Petra and her mother. If you'd like to contribute, visit http://www.indiegogo.com/readytobelieve
Filed under: Colorado Shooting
Drought forces farmers to sell cattle
What auction barns across the country are seeing this summer is unprecedented. It is possibly the largest single year reduction in livestock population ever, leading some to call it "Cowpocalypse."
"We just don't have the grass to take care of them," Kansas cattle auctioneer Brian Little tells CNN's Ed Lavandera.
It's all due to the drought which has taken a toll on the cattle industry. The grazing pastures are fried and cost of cattle feed is skyrocketing, causing cows to head to slaughter much sooner than normal.
Cattle rancher Ben Allen is forced to sell half of his herd, 90 cows and calves in all. "I don't wanna seem them go to slaughter," he says. "You get attached to the cows, you know them, they know you."
Filed under: Weather