Podcast appearances and mentions of liliana segura

Episode 59 In this special episode of Crime to Burn, we go beyond the headlines with investigative journalist Liliana Segura of The Intercept, one of the first reporters to dig into the troubling details of the Michelle Taylor arson case. From flawed forensic science to systemic failures in the justice system, Liliana shares what drew her to the story, worrisome problems about the crime lab she learned while reporting, and why this case matters far beyond one woman's conviction. If you've ever wondered what it takes to uncover the truth in a wrongful conviction case, this interview pulls back the curtain. Read more of Liliana's work here: https://theintercept.com/staff/liliana-segura/ Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated  Get your Crime to Burn Merch! https://crimetoburn.myspreadshop.com Please follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube for the latest news on this case. You can email us at crimetoburn@gmail.com We welcome any constructive feedback and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating and review.  Listen to us on our friend Taylor Ruddle's podcast, Ruddle Me This right here: https://www.ruddlemethis.com/118-april-leland-from-crime-to-burns-tiny-joys/ If you need a way to keep your canine contained, you can also support the show by purchasing a Pawious wireless dog fence using our affiliate link and use the code "crimetoburn" at checkout to receive 10% off. Pawious, because our dog Winston needed a radius, not a rap sheet. 

Episode 51:  In this episode we conclude our coverage of Angela Garcia's case on Crime to Burn. Angela was faced with an impossible decision, risk another trial or accept what is known as a Dark Plea from prosecutors to secure her freedom. However, when he offered her the plea, prosecutor Richard Bell knew just how flawed his case against her was and many have suggested that his offer of this plea was really an effort to try to prevent his office from negative optics related to the mishandling of this case. And perhaps they're right, after all Richard Bell is now a sitting judge in Ohio. Were his actions an attempt to prevent Angela's conviction and the errors made in the case from tarnishing his reputation and negatively impacting his aspirations to win a seat at the bench? We'll tell you what he did and said, and you can decide. His actions may not have been illegal but they certainly don't seem very honorable.  To get involved in assisting formerly incarcerated individuals like Angela, please consider these organizations: https://innocenceproject.org/donate-monthly/#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20ways%20to,Project%20in%20your%20estate%20plans. https://exoneratednation.org/   https://www.lifeafterjustice.org/   https://organizationofexonerees.com/   This podcast is a true crime podcast about arson and criminal fires. Listener discretion is recommended.  Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated  Be sure to check out Season 2 of the You Should Be Here Podcast for the limited series, Or No by Fire Eyes Media. This this collaborative podcasters-give-back series is to bring awareness to and stand against domestic violence. All proceeds will go to a charity taking a stand against domestic violence and human trafficking. Your support of this project is so greatly appreciated. You deserve a safe love.  Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-should-be-here/id1779150686 or on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2VqlmgQxwn55tdY7td9IM9?si=e19fffdc24064f7b&nd=1&dlsi=e6920c0f7e4c4d65 Get your Crime to Burn Merch! https://crimetoburn.myspreadshop.com Please follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube for the latest news on this case. You can email us at crimetoburn@gmail.com We welcome any constructive feedback and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating and review.  Source List: Please also refer to the source list for Episodes 49 and 50 (Parts 1 and 2 of this case) for a complete list of resources used along with the list below.  One of the best articles on this case is by Liliana Segura (an absolute rockstar reporter) for The Intercept and you can find it here: https://theintercept.com/2017/03/05/did-angela-garcia-kill-her-own-daughters-arson-cover-up/ Liliana Segura's other article on the actions of Richard Bell can be found here: https://theintercept.com/2020/03/15/richard-bell-arson-junk-science-angela-garcia/ Other sources:  https://www.endthebacklog.org/blog/interview-with-rick-bell-pt-2/ https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2020/02/richard-a-bell-in-the-democratic-primary-for-cuyahoga-county-common-pleas-judge-unexpired-term.html  

Episode 50. Angela Garcia was a 22 year old mother of two when her house caught fire claiming the lives of her two toddler daughters. After her first trial ended in a hung jury, prosecutors tried Angela a second time. However, this time they had new witnesses and new statements "remembered" by investigators 8 months after the event. When her second trial ended in another hung jury, prosecutors completely changed their tactics for a third go at Angela Garcia. But Angela Garcia didn't commit arson. There were some guilty people in the courtroom though, they just weren't the ones sitting at the defense table. Join us now for Part 2 of Angela Garcia's wrongful conviction story on Crime to Burn.  To get involved in assisting formerly incarcerated individuals like Angela, please consider these organizations: https://innocenceproject.org/donate-monthly/#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20ways%20to,Project%20in%20your%20estate%20plans. https://exoneratednation.org/   https://www.lifeafterjustice.org/   https://organizationofexonerees.com/   This podcast is a true crime podcast about arson and criminal fires. Listener discretion is recommended.  Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated  Be sure to check out Season 2 of the You Should Be Here Podcast for the limited series, Or No by Fire Eyes Media. This this collaborative podcasters-give-back series is to bring awareness to and stand against domestic violence. All proceeds will go to a charity taking a stand against domestic violence and human trafficking. Your support of this project is so greatly appreciated. You deserve a safe love.  Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-should-be-here/id1779150686 or on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2VqlmgQxwn55tdY7td9IM9?si=e19fffdc24064f7b&nd=1&dlsi=e6920c0f7e4c4d65 Get your Crime to Burn Merch! https://crimetoburn.myspreadshop.com Please follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube for the latest news on this case. You can email us at crimetoburn@gmail.com We welcome any constructive feedback and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating and review.  Source List: Please also refer to the source list for Episode 49 (Part 1 of this case) for a complete list of resources used along with the list below.  One of the best articles on this case is by Liliana Segura for The Intercept and you can find it here: https://theintercept.com/2017/03/05/did-angela-garcia-kill-her-own-daughters-arson-cover-up/ https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cuyahoga-county/cuyahoga-ex-judge-mccafferty-isnt-disbarred-for-life/95-242002151 https://www.cleveland19.com/story/13993313/liar-liar-new-indictment-says-judge-bridget-mccafferty-was-not-very-honest-with-the-fbi/

Among a president's most profound responsibilities is the power to grant clemency. Now, as President Joe Biden's first term winds down, he faces mounting calls to use that authority to commute the sentences of the 40 men on federal death row.Donald Trump's final months in office marked a stark shift in federal execution policy. After a 17-year hiatus, his administration executed 13 people — the most under any president in over a century. While Biden halted this practice, advocates warn that a second Trump term could restart executions. It's why they're urging Biden to take decisive action now to reduce death penalty sentences to life without parole.On this week's episode of The Intercept Briefing, reporter Liliana Segura examines the gap between candidate Biden's promises and his actions as president. “By far the most significant thing that Biden could do and should do in my opinion is to make good on his stated opposition to the death penalty, which is something he ran on in 2020. Joe Biden said that he wanted to try to bring legislation to end the federal death penalty and, in fact, incentivize states to do the same. He had language in his campaign platform talking about how life without parole sentences were appropriate alternatives,” she says. According to Segura, the federal death penalty reaches far beyond the most notorious cases and its deterrent effect is questionable — challenging many Americans' assumptions. “This idea that the death penalty is a deterrent is like the myth that will not die. You know, I was in Indiana recently covering this midnight execution, and I'm looking at some of the rhetoric that is out there from the state attorney general, and he is banging that drum about, 'Oh, you know, this is a deterrent to crime.' There's absolutely no evidence that that is true and there really never has been.”To learn more about what Biden could do, listen to this week's episode of The Intercept Briefing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meanwhile, time marches on — as do cases, appeals and new bills. Today, we're welcoming journalists and authors Liliana Segura, Steven Hale and Joe Ingle to talk about their latest work writing about this punishment.Today's guests:Liliana Segura | Investigative journalist covering the U.S. criminal justice system, The InterceptSteven Hale | Author, "Death Row Welcomes You"; journalist at Nashville BannerJoe Ingle | Death row chaplain; author Too Close to the FlameFurther in: The books our guests have written include "Death Row Welcomes You: Visiting Hours in the Shadow of the Execution Chamber" by Steven Hale, “Cruel and Usual: The History of Lethal Injection" by Liliana Segura, and "Too Close to the Flame: With the Condemned inside the Southern Killing Machine" by Joe Ingle. To learn more about new legislation that allows the death penalty for child rape convictions in Tennessee, you can read this WPLN News story. Executions were put on hold in Tennessee in 2022 after the release of a third party review. You can read about the report findings here.

Warning: This episode contains details of graphic violence and sexual assault.  Using bitemarks to investigate crimes dates back centuries to the Salem Witch Trials, but it became famous in the modern era during the prosecution of Ted Bundy. Bitemarks are often touted as being as unique as a person's fingerprint.  But Keith Harward calls that claim bogus. He was wrongfully convicted of murder and rape based on bitemark evidence.  If you'd like to learn more about Charles McCrory's case, check out Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith's article in the Intercept: https://theintercept.com/2023/03/12/bite-mark-analysis-charles-mccrory-alabama/ CSI On Trial is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. It is a Curiosity Podcast based on the Curiosity Stream series CSI On Trial.  You can watch all six episodes of the video series here if you sign up for Curiosity Stream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rodney Reed has been on death row since 1998 for the killing of a 19-year-old woman named Stacey Stites. Although Texas prosecutors said the case was open and shut, Reed has consistently maintained his innocence. Over the years, dozens of witnesses have come forward with evidence that undermines the state's case, casting serious doubt on whether Reed is actually guilty. But Texas has refused to conduct DNA testing that could put lingering questions to rest. This week on Dissent, host Jordan Smith is joined by Intercept senior writer Liliana Segura to discuss the Supreme Court's review of the case. Segura was in Washington, D.C., for the oral arguments, which focused on whether the statute of limitations for DNA testing has run out. Although it may seem like a straightforward question, it's anything but — and the court's decision could have life-or-death consequences for defendants seeking to prove their innocence. join.theintercept.com/donate/now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The third and final episode in the Claude Garrett arson murder case. Tyler discusses Claude Garrett's many attempts at post-conviction relief for his first-degree murder conviction in the death of Lorie Lance. If you're interested in the full story, check out this lengthy article on The Intercept, penned by Liliana Segura: http://bit.ly/3ILtHlz Join the Music City Murder Patreon for only $1 per month: http://bit.ly/3iGsJMA Music City Murder is THE podcast about true crime cases in Nashville.

In part 2 of our true crime exploration of the death of Lorie Lance, the podcast will discuss what happened after Claude Garrett was convicted of first-degree murder. The main article guiding my discussion comes from a report by Liliana Segura on The Intercept, entitled "Playing with Fire: How Junk Science Sent Claude Garrett to Prison for Life."  Links: The Music City Murder Patreon My new novel, Not Dark Yet, on Amazon Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts  

While alternative media are up in arms about the Supreme Court's ruling, corporate news media don't seem to think there's much to see there. The post Liliana Segura on Supreme Court v. Innocence appeared first on FAIR.

Investigative journalist Liliana Segura joins Kate, Melissa, and Leah to tell the story of Barry Jones, who was the center of one of the cases in Shinn v. Martinez Ramirez [3:30]. The Supreme Court released an opinion in the case last week, and it's bad. There is a miniscule moment of joy, though, in the recap of the opinion in Morgan v. Sundance, which is about arbitration and also Taco Bell [51:58]. Finally, we do a quick round-up of other court-adjacent news, including the fever dream that is Ginni Thomas's email signature, and theories as to why the Court is being so unusually quiet for this late in the term [59:28].

Intercept Senior Editor Andrea Jones speaks with Jordan Smith and Liliana Segura — the reporters behind Murderville, Texas — on The Intercept's podcast Intercepted. They discuss how they learned about Charles Raby's death penalty case and his innocence claim and the investigative reporting that ensued, such as talking to key individuals involved, including detectives. They also talk about how they met Linda McClain, the daughter of the woman who Raby was convicted of murdering in 1992. They also share an update from McClain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Maria and guest co-host Jamilah King, deputy inequality editor at BuzzFeed News, discuss a federal judge's decision to strike down the federal mask mandate on airplanes and public transportation. They also get into the pushback from some Democrats against the repeal of Title 42, and talk about the case of Melissa Lucio, the first Latina woman to be put on death row in Texas. ITT Staff Picks: Aaron Blake breaks down the decision by Trump-nominated judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle against the CDC's mask mandate on airplanes and public transportation in this piece for The Washington Post. In this piece for The Intercept, journalists Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith dive deep into the case of Melissa Lucio, and efforts from trial jurors, activists, and lawmakers to prove her innocence. “The end of Title 42 paired with a new approach to asylum processing presents an opportunity to pivot not from a draconian border approach to chaos, as moderate Democrats fear and Republicans anticipate, but to a much more orderly and charitable system,” writes immigration reporter Felipe De La Hoz in this piece for The New Republic. Photo credit: Representante estatal de Texas, Jeff Leach, vía AP

Murderville, Texas just ended its nine-episode season, casting significant doubt on whether a man on death row for the 1992 murder of a Houston grandmother is actually guilty. This week on Intercepted: Intercept Senior Editor Andrea Jones speaks with Jordan Smith and Liliana Segura, the reporters behind the investigative podcast, about what happened after the murder of 72-year-old Edna Franklin.Relying on a hunch from one of her grandsons, police had a suspect — and an arrest warrant — within 24 hours: a family friend named Charles Raby, 22, who had been released from prison two months earlier. Raby was prosecuted on the basis of a single powerful piece of evidence: a confession he gave to police four days after the murder. After a brief trial in which his attorneys called no witnesses, Raby was found guilty by a Harris County jury. He was sentenced to death. Today Raby maintains his innocence. Smith and Segura break down shoddy police work, questionable confessions, and whether the state went after the wrong man. join.theintercept.com/donate/now See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hillary and Tina cover the Alien Property Custodian and the State of Texas vs. Melissa Lucio. Hillary's Story The Office of Alien Property Custodian began with the purpose of holding property belonging to enemies of the United States. BUT things go too far when bribes are exchanged for patents and other goods. Tina's Story Melissa Lucio lost her daughter in 2007 after a tragic accident. BUT despite no evidence to the contrary, the State of Texas sentenced her to death for a murder that never happened. Sources Hillary's Story Cornell Law School 50 U.S. Code § 4306 - Alien Property Custodian; general powers and duties (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/4306) Duke Law School THE WORK OF THE ALIEN PROPERTY CUSTODIAN (https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2230&context=lcp)--by PAUL V. MYRON National Archives Civilian Agency Records RG 131 (https://www.archives.gov/research/holocaust/finding-aid/civilian/rg-131.html) Records of the office of Alien Property (https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/131.html) Smithsonian Magazine The U.S. Confiscated Half a Billion Dollars in Private Property During WWI (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/us-confiscated-half-billion-dollars-private-property-during-wwi-180952144/)--by Daniel Gross University of Hawaii Government Documents - Independent Agencies, Boards, and Commissions: Alien Property Custodian (https://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/c.php?g=105350&p=4167860#:~:text=The%20Office%20of%20Alien%20Property,were%20transferred%20to%20the%20Alien) University of Virginia "Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Office of Alien Property Custodian:" Draft, 1943 (https://archives.lib.virginia.edu/repositories/uva-law/archival_objects/rules_of_practice_and_procedure_of_the_office_of) Wikipedia Office of Alien Property Custodian (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Alien_Property_Custodian) Photos President Wilson and Mitchell Palmer (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Wilson-palmer-c1918.jpg/1280px-Wilson-palmer-c1918.jpg)--Bain News Service, Public Domain Outside the sale of the A.W. Faber Pencil Co. Plant--via National Archives and Records Administration (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Alien_Property_Custodian_sale_of_the_plant_of_A._W._Faber_Pencil_Co.%2C_Newark%2C_N.J.jpg/1920px-Alien_Property_Custodian_sale_of_the_plant_of_A._W._Faber_Pencil_Co.%2C_Newark%2C_N.J.jpg), Public Domain Letter to the MET Museum of Art regarding Sale of Antiques (https://collectionapi.metmuseum.org/api/collection/v1/iiif/827333/1895282/restricted)--via The MET Museum Tina's Story The Action Network Melissa Lucio: Innocent Woman on Death Row in Texas (https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/melissa-lucio-innocent-woman-on-death-row-in-texas-2) Death Penalty Information Center Federal Appeals Court Overturns Mother's Conviction in Texas Child Murder Case That May Have Been an Accidental Death (https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/federal-appeals-court-overturns-mothers-conviction-in-texas-child-murder-case-that-may-have-been-an-accidental-death) U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Review Federal Appeals Court Ruling Overturning Grant of a New Trial for Texas Woman on Death Row for What May Have Been the Accidental Death of Her Child (https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/u-s-supreme-court-declines-to-review-federal-appeals-court-ruling-overturning-grant-of-a-new-trial-for-texas-woman-on-death-row-for-what-may-have-been-the-accidental-death-of-her-child) Free Melissa Lucio Free Melissa Lucio (https://freemelissalucio.org/) Independent via Yahoo News Juror who sentenced Melissa Lucio to death for daughter's murder calls for retrial: ‘I was wrong' (https://news.yahoo.com/juror-sentenced-melissa-lucio-death-192021169.html)--by Justin Vallejo Innocence Project Melissa Lucio: 9 Facts You Should Know About This Innocent Woman Facing Execution (https://innocenceproject.org/melissa-lucio-9-facts-innocent-woman-facing-execution/) The Intercept Rush to Judgment--by Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith (https://theintercept.com/2022/03/05/melissa-lucio-texas-death-penalty/) Jezebel Kim Kardashian Urges Clemency for Melissa Lucio, Woman on Death Row in Texas (https://jezebel.com/kim-kardashian-urges-clemency-for-melissa-lucio-woman-1848753308)--by Kylie Cheung Justia MELISSA ELIZABETH LUCIO v. THE STATE OF TEXAS (concurring) (https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/2011/21496.html) KRGV 'She's innocent': Family asking Valley officials to watch documentary, halt execution of Melissa Lucio (https://www.krgv.com/news/she-s-innocent-family-asking-valley-officials-to-watch-documentary-halt-execution-of-melissa-lucio/)--by Stefany Rosales Ms. Texas Set to Execute Melissa Lucio Despite Credible Claims of Innocence (https://msmagazine.com/2022/03/15/melissa-lucio-texas-death-penalty/)--by MICHELLE ONELLO NPR Lawyers hope new evidence can stop Texas woman Melissa Lucio's execution (https://www.npr.org/2022/04/03/1090491855/lawyers-hope-new-evidence-can-stop-texas-woman-melissa-lucios-execution)--by The Associated Press Texas Department of Criminal Justice Death Row Information: Lucio, Melissa Elizabeth (https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/luciomelissa.html) US Courts United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, No. 16-70027 (https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/16/16-70027-CV0.pdf) The Washington Post Her execution date looming, a mother maintains innocence in 2-year-old daughter's death (https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/02/10/melissa-lucio-death-row/)--By Marisa Lati Wikipedia Melissa Lucio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Lucio) The State of Texas vs. Melissa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_State_of_Texas_vs._Melissa) Photos Melissa Lucio Mug Shot (https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ap_ViputgVb760siePppwg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyOTQ7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/uf11OY5V9dIMirSGdO5iMA--~B/aD0xMzgwO3c9MTAyNDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/e9e537442ff97551c14c274b5d257b71)--from Texas Department of Criminal Justice via Yahoo News Melissa Lucio Prior to Her Conviction (https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ap_ViputgVb760siePppwg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyOTQ7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/uf11OY5V9dIMirSGdO5iMA--~B/aD0xMzgwO3c9MTAyNDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/e9e537442ff97551c14c274b5d257b71)--screenshot of family photo via The Innocence Project Kim Kardassian Tweet Regarding Lucio's Case (https://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-death-row-inmate-melissa-lucios-case/story?id=83934688)--screenshot via ABC News

Crime is surging in Houston, and homicide detectives are given free rein as they race to close cases. Investigators are certain that Charles Raby is guilty of Edna Franklin's murder — and that DNA evidence will prove it. But once Charles confesses, the forensic investigation stops.Murderville, an investigative podcast hosted by senior Intercept reporters Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith, examines the systemic failures that lead to wrongful convictions. Season Two takes Segura and Smith to the death penalty capital of the country, Harris County, Texas, where they investigate a disturbing crime, a startling confession, and a story that doesn't add up. To follow the series, subscribe to Murderville wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at https://theintercept.com/podcasts/murderville/If you'd like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/donate — your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Murderville, an investigative podcast hosted by senior Intercept reporters Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith, examines the systemic failures that lead to wrongful convictions. Season Two takes Segura and Smith to the death penalty capital of the country, Harris County, Texas, where they investigate a disturbing crime, a startling confession, and a story that doesn't add up. To follow the series, subscribe to Murderville at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at https://theintercept.com/podcasts/murderville/If you'd like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/donate — your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Murderville, an investigative podcast hosted by senior Intercept reporters Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith, examines the systemic failures that lead to wrongful convictions. Season Two takes Segura and Smith to the death penalty capital of the country, Harris County, Texas, where they investigate a disturbing crime, a startling confession, and a story that doesn't add up. To follow the series, subscribe to Murderville at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at https://theintercept.com/podcasts/murderville/If you'd like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/donate — your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Season two takes Intercept reporters Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith to the death penalty capital of the country, where they investigate a disturbing crime, a startling confession, and a story that doesn't add up. A production of The Intercept and First Look Media, Murderville, Texas drops February 1.If you'd like to support our work, go to theintercept.com/donate — your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We recap the second week of the December sitting, which is (more than) enough to justify a break for the New Year!Resources:Michele Goodwin's powerful op-ed in the New York Times: "I Was Raped by My Father. An Abortion Saved My Life."Liliana Segura's reporting on Barry Jones, whose case was consolidated with Shinn v. RamirezNelson Tebbe's 2008 article in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, "Excluding Religion"We rely on listeners to keep the show funded! You can become a Glow supporter for $7/month, or pick up some merch as you do the rest of your holiday shopping. 

WRFI Community Radio News 05/21/2021 On this week's episode, we bring you another installment of the Which Way Forward series. This episode is a reflection of a student activist, and professor on the last year of Black Lives Matters protests. Then, a speech from the recent 2021 Izzy Awards for Independent Media. Ithaca College's Park School for Independent Media honored Liliana Segura for her reporting on the executions carried out by the Trump administration in 2020, during the twilight of his presidency and the height of the pandemic. After that we, take a look at Trap Door, a walking play presented by the Cherry Arts. Participants will wear headphones, immersing themselves in an audio experience recontextualizing the space around them. Trap Door will take you on a journey into Ithaca's black history.

Intercept senior writer Liliana Segura has been reporting on the death penalty for years, including the Trump administration’s lame-duck killing spree. She comes on to discuss the legacy of putting people to death during a pandemic — and to share stories about the heroes she’s found in the darkness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rodrick and Sandra Reed, Mark Clements, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Liliana Segura in conversation about fighting the racist justice system. Join family members of death row prisoner Rodney Reed, Rodrick and Sandra Reed, police torture victim and former juvenile life without parole prisoner Mark Clements, author and scholar Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and journalist Liliana Segura for a discussion about fighting racism in the criminal “injustice” system. The massive uprising this year against police brutality and murder has sharply illuminated the racism of not only the police, but also the institutions that protect them. This struggle has thrown into sharp relief questions about the true nature of cops, the courts and prisons. The Black Lives Matter movement has given new life to movements for prison abolition, criminal justice reform and the abolition of the death penalty. The connection between these struggles is clear: the fight against racism. The same system that allows police to murder unarmed people of color in the streets is the system that incarcerates, tortures and murders people behind the walls. Speakers: Rodrick Reed is Rodney Reed's younger brother. Rodrick and his family have been fighting to prove Rodney's innocence and to free him for decades. Rodrick is the Vice President of Reed Justice Initiative. The idea for Reed Justice Initiative was born out of a series of conversations between Rodrick and Rodney, during which Rodney encouraged Rodrick to establish a collaborative to advocate for Rodney and people in similar situations to Rodney. Sandra Reed is the mother of Texas death row prisoner Rodney Reed. In the 23 years since her son was wrongly convicted, she has been a tireless advocate for justice for Rodney. Sandra served on the board of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty (CEDP) for many years. Following the folding of the CEDP, Sandra and her family founded the Reed Justice Initiative (RJI) to continue campaigning for Rodney and against the death penalty. Sandra currently serves as President of the RJI. Mark Clements is a Chicago police torture survivor. At age 16 in 1981 he was taken to area 3 violent crime unit where he was tortured to confess to a crime. Mark was one of Illinois first juvenile's sentence to natural life without parole in the state of Illinois. He remained incarcerated for 28 years before his conviction was overturned in 2009. In 2009 he was hired as administrator and organizer with the Campaign to End the Death Penalty and later served as a Board member with CEDP. Mark also helped establish the Illinois Fair Sentence of Youth through Northwestern University of School of Law, while sitting on the board of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor writes and speaks on Black politics, social movements, and racial inequality in the United States. She is author of From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation, which won the Lannan Cultural Freedom Award for an Especially Notable Book in 2016. She is also editor of How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective, which won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBQT nonfiction in 2018. Her third book, Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership, published in 2019 by University of North Carolina Press, was a finalist for a National Book Award for nonfiction, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for History. Liliana Segura is an award-winning investigative journalist covering the U.S. criminal justice system, with a longtime focus on harsh sentencing, the death penalty, and wrongful convictions. While at The Intercept, Segura has received the Texas Gavel Award in 2016 and the 2017 Innocence Network Journalism Award for her investigations into convictions in Arizona and Ohio. Watch the live event recording: https://youtu.be/OS6uT8PPWSo Buy books from Haymarket: www.haymarketbooks.org Follow us on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/haymarketbooks

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with Liliana Segura, who is an award-winning investigative journalist at The Intercept covering the U.S. criminal justice system with a focus on the death penalty, about Virginia being on the verge of abolishing capital punishment. Related Reading Liliana Segura at The Intercept (link) Liliana Segura: Trump's Execution Spree is Not About Him. It's About Us. (link) Bielawski and Frost: Time to End Virginia's Death Penalty (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

Liliana Segura is an award-winning investigative journalist covering the United States criminal justice system. She currently writes for The Intercept. Liliana covered the recent federal execution spree set in motion last summer by the Trump administration. We invited Liliana to share from her unique perspective, having traveled to Terre Haute, Indiana for all 13 executions. We also talked a little bit about Tennessee's renewed pursuit of executions and the future of the death penalty in America.

Content warning: This episode discusses the recent federal executions and details the circumstances of some related crimes, including abuse, assault, rape, and murder.For 17 years, the federal execution chamber in Terre Haute, Indiana, sat dormant. Then, with only six months left in his Presidency, Donald Trump and AG Bill Barr oversaw an unprecedented 13 executions. Of those 13, three took place during his final week in office. So why, with one foot out the door, did the Trump administration take extraordinary measures to rush through a historic slate of executions? This has been the center of Intercept Senior Reporter Liliana Segura’s work for a long time. One of the best people on this beat, Segura spent months traveling to Terre Haute over and over again as the spree unfolded. So when it came to learning more about what just happened, who these people were, and what it means for the death penalty more broadly, we knew who to turn to.

Something unbelievably awful was about to happen to Bobbie Jo Stinnett. She was about to live a nightmare. But the nightmare was already with Lisa Montgomery, swirling around her, never letting up. The nightmare had molded her, turning her into the sort of person that would knock on Bobbie Jo’s door with a knife beneath her jacket.  *** SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Become a Patreon supporter. Purchase THE UNQUIET ENGLISHMAN from this episode’s sponsor, W. W. Norton. And you can preorder my new book Confident Women here, and listen to Red Flags (my latest podcast project) here.*** Sources: “The Tortured Life and Tragic Crime of the Only Woman on Death Row,” 10 Nov 2020, The Huffington Post “My Sister, Lisa Montgomery, Took a Life. Her Own Was Scarred by Unimaginable Abuse. Spare Her,” 19 Nov 2020, Newsweek “Punch After Punch, Rape After Rape, a Murderer Was Made,” 18 Dec 2020, New York Times “Lisa Montgomery, a Kansan who cut a baby from a mother's womb, was executed by the federal government. Here is her story.” 13 Jan 2021, Topeka Capital-Journal “The Case of Lisa Montgomery,” Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide “Execution date rekindles memories in Skidmore,” 24 Oct 2020, News-Press Now “Accused woman’s relatives say warnings were ignored,” 10 Jan 2005, The Associated Press “Arrest made in death of pregnant woman,” 18 Dec 2004, The Standard “Fateful Day When Butcher Met Victim,” 21 Dec 2004, New York Post “Order Granting Motion to Stay Execution Pending A Competence Hearing,” 11 Jan 2021 “Inside the Race To Save The Only Woman On Federal Death Row,” 8 Jan 2021, The Huffington Post “PETITION FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY ON BEHALF OF LISA MARIE MONTGOMERY PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, DECEMBER 24, 2020” (prepared by Lisa’s lawyers) “U.S. Executes Lisa Montgomery for 2004 Murder,” 13 Jan 2021, New York Times Tweets from journalist Liliana Segura and Michael Tarn, who were at Terre Haute January 12-13, 2021 Music: Intro and conclusion: “Guilty” by Richard A. Whiting, Harry Akst, and Gus Kahn, sung by Anna Telfer  Ad break:  “The Great One Step” by Victor Dance Orchestra, via Free Music Archive, licensed under Public Domain Mark 1.0 Narration music: Stereodog Productions (Dan Pierson & Peter Manheim) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liliana Segura, senior reporter at the Intercept, joins us on this episode to talk about the tragic case of Brandon Bernard and the Trump administration’s rush to execute inmates on death row before he leaves office. We explore the extenuating circumstances affecting Brandon’s case and the change of heart jurors had after the sentencing. Additionally, we discuss the arguments against capital punishment and how it intersects with efforts to defund the police and reallocate those funds toward social programs.You can read more about Brandon’s case HERE.You can follow Liliana HERE.You can leave us a voicemail at: 202-570-4639. Or drop us a line at theinsurgentspod@gmail.com.You can also listen to the Insurgents on iTunes HERE.On Spotify HERE.On Google Podcasts HERE.And all other links are HERE.If you’d like to become a premium subscriber and gain access to premium episodes as well as our private Discord server, you can do so here: This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at theinsurgents.substack.com/subscribe

As with many aspects of his presidency, the execution spree is both Trump being especially gruesome, and his simply making use of a gruesome machinery he certainly didn't create.

Liliana Segura (Investigative Journalist at The Intercept) joins David to discuss the Trump-Barr Lame Duck Rush To Execute Inmates.   Liliana Segura is an award-winning investigative journalist covering the U.S. criminal justice system, with a longtime focus on harsh sentencing, the death penalty, and wrongful convictions. She was previously an associate editor at the Nation Magazine, where she edited a number of award-winning stories and earned a 2014 Media for a Just Society Award for her writing on prison profiteering. While at The Intercept, Segura has received the Texas Gavel Award in 2016 and the 2017 Innocence Network Journalism Award for her investigations into convictions in Arizona and Ohio. In 2019 she was honored in the Abolitionist category of the Frederick Douglass 200, a recognition given by the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives and the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. Segura has appeared on NPR, MSNBC, CNN International, Democracy Now!, and numerous other outlets. Her speaking engagements have included public interviews with authors such as Michelle Alexander and Bryan Stevenson. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post and Colorlines, and has been reprinted in outlets ranging from prison magazines to the anthologies “The Best American Legal Writing” and “Against Equality: Prisons Will Not Protect You.” She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.   https://theintercept.com/2020/11/18/death-penalty-execution-orlando-hall/   https://theintercept.com/staff/liliana-segura/   https://twitter.com/LilianaSegura?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor   https://lannan.org/events/bryan-stevenson-with-liliana-segura   https://theintercept.com/  

You can find links to each of Sean's analysis pieces here. This article covers the week beginning July 19.

You can find links to each of Sean's analysis pieces here. This article covers the week beginning June 14.

You can find links to each of Sean's analysis pieces here. This article covers the week beginning May 24.

Despite hundreds of people being put to death in the United States since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, surprisingly little data exists on who exactly is killed by the government. Two reporters at The Intercept, Jordan Smith and Liliana Segura, have spent the last three years working on filling the gap in knowledge––collecting and assembling data on how widespread, racially biased, and arbitrary the death penalty remains in 2020. This week, they join us to talk about their findings.

On this special episode of Intercepted, Jordan Smith and Liliana Segura discuss the case of Rodney Reed. The state of Texas has set an execution date of November 20 for Reed. He has been on death row since 1998, following his conviction in the murder of a young woman named Stacy Stites in April of 1996. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence in this case that Reed is innocent, and a very compelling case to be made that Stites’s fiancee at the time of her murder should be the focus of this case. Her fiancee was a police officer at the time of her killing. He is also now a convicted felon himself with a shocking track record of violent assault and rape. Rodney Reed’s life is now hanging in the balance, and an unlikely coalition of high profile people are trying to halt this execution, including Texas Republican politicians and elected officials. Perhaps most prominent among them is Sen. Ted Cruz.  Jordan Smith and Liliana Segura are both journalists at The Intercept and the cohosts of Murderville. Check out all of their work on this case at The Intercept. If you like what we do, support our show by going to TheIntercept.com/join.

Amber Hunt, Amanda Rossman, Elizabeth Andes. Madeleine Baran, Parker Yesko, Bertha Tardy. Liliana Segura, Jordan Smith, Donna Brown. You might not know their names. All women. All important. Listen to find out why. Bad things happen to women every day, and women are doing invaluable work to make the world a better place. We get to be a part of the process through the power of audio. Contrarah makes the case for true crime pods, but not all true crime media is the same. Serial: serialpodcast.org/ Accused: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/accused/id1145990861 In The Dark: www.apmreports.org/in-the-dark Murderville: theintercept.com/podcasts/murderville/ (& full long-form content: theintercept.com/series/murderville/) Want to recommend a true crime podcast? Email beyondbech@gmail.com and/or tweet us @Beyond_Bechdel

Episode 25 - Rushed Execution Series Part VI - Marcel WilliamsPart VI of the Rushed Execution Series covers the cases of the sixth inmate scheduled for execution in Arkansas during the rushed executions in April 2017. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate and review! You can also become a patreon and donate as little as $1 a month. PATREON: patreon.com/StrictlyhomicideWEBPAGE: Strictlyhomicidepodcast.comDon’t forget to follow us on all social media!TWITTER: @strictlyhmicideFACEBOOK: facebook.com/StrictlyHomicidePodcastMake sure to join our FB Group to discuss the cases, true crime, ask questions or just meet folks!INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/strictlyhomicidepodcastStrictly Homicide Podcast is researched, written, hosted and produced by Nicki T.The original music is created by Mr. T, no not that one MY MR. T! Follow him on Social Media!Twitter: @franknstinemdInstagram: Instagram.com/franknstinemd This Episodes Sponsors:PodCoin App –Find PodCoin on Google Play and Apple App Store, download and start earning for listening to your favorite shows like Strictly Homicide PodcastPromos/Shout out for:Mysterious Circumstances - Go Subscribe Today!True Crime Deadline- Go Subscribe Today!Just the Tip-sters - Go Subscribe Today!Sources used for research on this series: Police Reports, Court Documents and the following public information:Arkansas Times Article written by Benjamin Hardy (2015)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2015/08/13/udpate-arkansas-has-purchased-lethal-injection-drugs-including-midazolamTwo articles written by Liliana Segura (2017) for The Intercept Articlehttps://theintercept.com/2017/04/26/how-a-daughters-search-for-her-biological-father-led-her-to-an-execution-in-arkansas/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/12/arkansas-death-row-executions-kenneth-williams/The Marshall Project Article written by Maurice Chammahhttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/04/12/how-the-drug-shortage-has-slowed-the-death-penalty-treadmillArkansas Online piece written by Brandon Riddle, Emma Pettit, and Maggie McNearyhttps://www.arkansasonline.com/arkansasexecutions/

This is part 2 of a two part episode. Episode 24 - Rushed Execution Series Part V - Jack Jones Part 2Part V of the Rushed Execution Series covers the cases of the fifth inmate scheduled for execution in Arkansas during the rushed executions in April 2017. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate and review! You can also become a patreon and donate as little as $1 a month. PATREON: patreon.com/StrictlyhomicideWEBPAGE: Strictlyhomicidepodcast.comDon’t forget to follow us on all social media! TWITTER: @strictlyhmicideFACEBOOK: facebook.com/StrictlyHomicidePodcastMake sure to join our FB Group to discuss the cases, true crime, ask questions or just meet folks!INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/strictlyhomicidepodcastStrictly Homicide Podcast is researched, written, hosted and produced by Nicki T. The original music is created by Mr. T, no not that one MY MR. T! Follow him on Social Media!Twitter: @franknstinemdInstagram: Instagram.com/franknstinemd This Episodes Sponsors: PodCoin App – Find PodCoin on Google Play and Apple App Store, download and start earning for listening to your favorite shows like Strictly Homicide PodcastPromos from:Cult of Domesticity Podcast - Go Subscribe Today!True Crime Island- Go Subscribe Today!Voice of the Victim - Go Subscribe Today!Sources used for research on this series: Police Reports, Court Documents and the following public information:Arkansas Times Article written by Benjamin Hardy (2015)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2015/08/13/udpate-arkansas-has-purchased-lethal-injection-drugs-including-midazolamTwo articles written by Liliana Segura (2017) for The Intercept Articlehttps://theintercept.com/2017/04/26/how-a-daughters-search-for-her-biological-father-led-her-to-an-execution-in-arkansas/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/12/arkansas-death-row-executions-kenneth-williams/The Marshall Project Article written by Maurice Chammahhttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/04/12/how-the-drug-shortage-has-slowed-the-death-penalty-treadmillArkansas Online piece written by Brandon Riddle, Emma Pettit, and Maggie McNearyhttps://www.arkansasonline.com/arkansasexecutions/

This is part 1 of a two part episode. Episode 23 – Rushed Execution Series Part V – Jack Henry Jones JrPart V of the Rushed Execution Series covers the cases of the fifth inmate scheduled for execution in Arkansas during the rushed executions in April 2017. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate and review! You can also become a patreon and donate as little as $1 a month. PATREON: patreon.com/StrictlyhomicideWEBPAGE: Strictlyhomicidepodcast.comDon’t forget to follow us on all social media! TWITTER: @strictlyhmicideFACEBOOK: facebook.com/StrictlyHomicidePodcastMake sure to join our FB Group to discuss the cases, true crime, ask questions or just meet folks!INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/strictlyhomicidepodcastStrictly Homicide Podcast is researched, written, hosted and produced by Nicki T. The original music is created by Mr. T, no not that one MY MR. T! Follow him on Social Media!Twitter: @franknstinemdInstagram: Instagram.com/franknstinemd This Episodes Sponsors: Geeks United PodcastFacebook Page: https://www.Facebook.com/GeeksUnitedwithAlandBobPodCoin App – Find PodCoin on Google Play and Apple App Store, download and start earning for listening to your favorite shows like Strictly Homicide PodcastPromos from:True Crime Chronicles – A new True Crime podcast hosted by Will and Jessica – Go subscribe today!Azka’s Mystery Podcast – When a 5 year old wishes to host her own podcast, the Make a Wish Foundation makes it possible! Please subscribe and give her a listen! You will brighten her day! Sources used for research on this series: Police Reports, Court Documents and the following public information:Arkansas Times Article written by Benjamin Hardy (2015)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2015/08/13/udpate-arkansas-has-purchased-lethal-injection-drugs-including-midazolamTwo articles written by Liliana Segura (2017) for The Intercept Articlehttps://theintercept.com/2017/04/26/how-a-daughters-search-for-her-biological-father-led-her-to-an-execution-in-arkansas/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/12/arkansas-death-row-executions-kenneth-williams/The Marshall Project Article written by Maurice Chammahhttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/04/12/how-the-drug-shortage-has-slowed-the-death-penalty-treadmillArkansas Online piece written by Brandon Riddle, Emma Pettit, and Maggie McNearyhttps://www.arkansasonline.com/arkansasexecutions/

Episode 22 - Rushed Execution Series Part Four - Stacy Johnson In April 2017 Arkansas' Supply of the drug Midazolam was going to expire, to avoid wasting the drugs they had that are hard to get, The governor thought rushing eight executions in four days would be best.... Part four covers the case of the fourth inmate scheduled for execution, Stacy Johnson. Strictly Homicide is researched, written, hosted and produced by Nicki T. Original Music by Mr. TTheis episode's promos include:UnresolvedSomethings Not RightSources used for research on this series: Police Reports, Court Documents and the following public information:Arkansas Times Article written by Benjamin Hardy (2015)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2015/08/13/udpate-arkansas-has-purchased-lethal-injection-drugs-including-midazolamTwo articles written by Liliana Segura (2017) for The Intercept Articlehttps://theintercept.com/2017/04/26/how-a-daughters-search-for-her-biological-father-led-her-to-an-execution-in-arkansas/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/12/arkansas-death-row-executions-kenneth-williams/The Marshall Project Article written by Maurice Chammahhttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/04/12/how-the-drug-shortage-has-slowed-the-death-penalty-treadmillArkansas Online piece written by Brandon Riddle, Emma Pettit, and Maggie McNearyhttps://www.arkansasonline.com/arkansasexecutions/

Episode 20 Rushed Execution Series - Part IIILedell LeeA serial Rapist, murderer, and the third inmate scheduled for execution in April 2017. PROMOS From:California True CrimeHoosier HomicideThe Asian Madness Podcast Sources used for research on this series: Police Reports, Court Documents and the following public information:Arkansas Times Article written by Benjamin Hardy (2015)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2015/08/13/udpate-arkansas-has-purchased-lethal-injection-drugs-including-midazolamTwo articles written by Liliana Segura (2017) for The Intercept Articlehttps://theintercept.com/2017/04/26/how-a-daughters-search-for-her-biological-father-led-her-to-an-execution-in-arkansas/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/12/arkansas-death-row-executions-kenneth-williams/The Marshall Project Article written by Maurice Chammahhttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/04/12/how-the-drug-shortage-has-slowed-the-death-penalty-treadmillArkansas Online piece written by Brandon Riddle, Emma Pettit, and Maggie McNearyhttps://www.arkansasonline.com/arkansasexecutions/

In the final days of the 115th Congress, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law the First Step Act, which made changes to the operation of the federal prison system. In this episode, learn every detail of this new law, including the big money interests who advocated for its passage and their possible motivations for doing so. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Click here to contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD176: Target Venezuela: Regime Change in Progress CD129: The Impeachment of John Koskinen Bills/Laws S.756 - First Step Act of 2018 Govtrack Link Committee Summary Bill Text House Final Vote Results Senate Final Vote Results Sponsor: Sen. Dan Sullivan (AK) Original bill numbers for the First Step Act were S.2795 and HR 5682 First Step Act Outline TITLE I - RECIDIVISM REDUCTION Sec. 101: Risk and needs assessment system Orders the Attorney General to conduct a review current and possible recidivism reduction programs, including a review of products manufactured overseas the could be produced by prisoners and would not compete with the domestic private sector Orders the Attorney General to create an assessment system for each prisoner to be conducted during the intake process that will classify each of them as having minimum, low, medium, or high risk of recidivism, the prisoner’s likelihood of violent or serious misconduct, and assign them to programs accordingly. This process must be published on the Department of Justice website by July 19, 2019 (210 days after enactment). Prerelease custody means home confinement with 24 hour electronic monitoring, with the possibility of being allowed to leave to go to work, to participate in a recidivism reduction program, perform community service, go to the doctor, attend religious services, attend weddings or funerals, or visit a seriously ill family member. Sec. 102: Implementation of Risk and Needs Assessment System By mid-January 2020, the Attorney General must implement the new risk assessment system and complete the initial intake risk assessments of each prisoner and expand the recidivism reduction programs The Attorney General “shall” develop polices for the warden of each prison to enter into partnerships with “non-profit and other private organizations including faith-based, art, and community-based organizations”, schools, and “private entities that will deliver vocational training and certifications, provide equipment to facilitate vocational training…employ prisoners, or assist prisoners in prerelease custody or supervised related in finding employment” and “industry sponsored organization that will deliver workforce development and training, on a paid or volunteer basis.” Priority for participation will be given to medium and high risk prisoners Sec. 104: Authorization of Appropriations Authorizes, but does not appropriate, $75 million per year from 2019 to 2023. Sec. 106: Faith-Based Considerations In considering “any entity of any kind” for contracts “the fact that it may be or is faith-based may not be a basis for any discrimination against it in any manner or for any purpose.” Entities “may not engage in explicitly religious activities using direct financial assistance made available under this title” Sec. 107: Independent Review Committee The National Institute of Justice will select a “nonpartisan and nonprofit organization… to host the Independent Review Committee" The Committee will have 6 members selected by the nonprofit organization, 2 of whom must have published peer-reviewed scholarship about the risk and needs assessments in both corrections and community settings, 2 corrections officers - 1 of whom must have experience working in the Bureau of Prisons, and 1 individual with expertise in risk assessment implementation. The Committee will assist the Attorney General in reviewing the current system and making recommendations for the new system. TITLE II - BUREAU OF PRISONS SECURE FIREARMS STORAGE Sec. 202: Secure Firearms Storage Requires secure storage areas for Bureau of Prisons employees to store their firearms on the outside of the prisoner area. Allows Bureau of Prison employees to store firearms lockboxes in their cars Allows Bureau of Prison employees “to carry concealed firearms on the premises outside of the secure perimeter of the institution” TITLE III - RESTRAINTS ON PREGNANT PRISONERS PROHIBITED Sec. 301: Use of Restraints on Prisoners During the Period of Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery Prohibited From the day a prisoner’s pregnancy is confirmed and ending 12 weeks or longer after the birth, a “prisoner in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, or in the custody of the United States Marshals Service… shall not be placed in restraints” Will not apply to state prisons or local jails Exceptions include if the prisoner is an “immediate and credible flight risk” or if she poses an “immediate and serious threat of harm to herself or others” No matter what, a pregnant or recovering mother can’t: Have restraints placed around her ankles, legs, or waist Have her hands tied behind her back Be restrained using “4-point restraints" Be attached to another prisoner Within 48 hours of the pregnancy confirmation, the prisoner must be notified of the restraint restrictions (it doesn’t say how they must be notified) TITLE IV - SENTENCING REFORM Sec. 401: Reduces Sentencing for Prior Drug Felonies Changes the mandatory minimum for repeat offender with a previous “serious drug felony” (which is defined based on the length of the prison sentence: An offense for which they served more than 12 months) or a “serious violent felony” (added by this bill) from an automatic 20 year sentence to an automatic 15 year sentence. Changes the mandatory minimum for repeat offenders with two or more previous “serious drug felony or serious violent felony” convictions from a mandatory life sentence to a mandatory 25 years. Applies to cases that have not been sentenced as of the date of enactment and is not retroactive Sec. 402: "Broadening of Existing Safety Valve” Expands the criteria for leniency from mandatory minimums to include people with up to 4 prior non-volent convictions, not including minor misdemeanors. Applies to cases that have not been sentence as of the date of enactment and is not retroactive. Sec. 404: Appeals For Current Prisoners Convicted of Crack Related Crimes Allows people who were convicted of crack related crimes prior to August 3, 2010 (when the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 - which reduced the sentencing differences between crack and power cocaine - became law) to be eligible for reduced sentences. TITLE V - SECOND CHANCE ACT OF 2007 REAUTHORIZATION Sec. 502: Changes Existing Programs Creates an optional grant program for the Attorney General allowing him to provide grants to private entities along with governmental ones, for consulting services (to “evaluate methods”, “make recommendations”, etc). Authorizes, but doesn’t appropriate, $10 million per year from 2019 through 2023 ($50 million total) Sec. 503: Audits of Grantees Requires annual audits of entities receiving grants under the Second Chance Act of 2007 beginning in fiscal year 2019. Prohibits grantees from using grant money to lobby Department of Justice officials or government representatives, punishable by the full repayment of the grant and disqualification for grants for 5 years. TITLE VI- MISCELLANEOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE Sec. 601: Placement of Prisoners Close to Families Requires that attempts be made to place a prisoners within 500 driving miles of the prisoner’s primary residence Adds “a designation of a place of imprisonment… is not reviewable by any court.” Sec. 603: Terminally Ill Prisoners Can Go Home Allows some terminally ill or elderly prisoners over the age of 60 to serve the rest of their sentences in home confinement Sec. 605: Expanding Prison Labor Allows Federal Prison Industries to sell products, except for office furniture, to government entities for use in prisons, government entities for use in disaster relief, the government of Washington DC, or “any organization” that is a 501(c)3 (charities and nonprofits), 501(c)4s (dark money “social welfare" organizations), or 501d (religious organizations). Requires an audit of Federal Prison Industries to begin within 90 days of enactment, but no due date. Sec. 611: Healthcare Products Requires the Bureau of Prisons to provide tampons and sanitary napkins to prisoners for free Sec. 613: Juvenile Solitary Confinement Prohibits juvenile solitary confinement to only when needed as a 3 hour temporary response to behavior that risks harming the juvenile or others, but it can not be used for “discipline, punishment, or retaliation” Federal Prison Industries: UNICOR UNICOR Index FPI is a “wholly-owned government corporation established by Congress on June 23, 1934. It’s mission is to protect society and reduce crime by preparing inmates for successful reentry through job training” UNICOR FAQs UNICOR 2018 Sales Report UNICOR Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Fiscal Year 2015, Annual Management Report, November 16, 2015 Shutdown Back-Pay Law -Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, signed January 16 2019. - Bill Text Additional Reading Article: Revolving door brings Trump-tied lobbying firm even closer to the White House by Anna Massoglia and Karl Evers-Hillstrom, OpenSecrets News, January 22, 2019. Article: Trump fails the first test of the First Step Act by Edward Chung, The Hill, January 10, 2019. Article: The First Step Act could be a big gift to CoreCivic and the private prison industry by Liliana Segura, The Intercept, December 22, 2018. Article: For-profit prisons strongly approve of bipartisan criminal justice reform bill by Karl Evers-Hillstrom, OpenSecrets News, December 20, 2018. Statement: SPLC statement on bipartisan passage of First Step Act criminal justice reform bill by Lisa Graybill, Southern Poverty Law Center, December 20, 2018. Article: The First Step Act is not sweeping criminal justice reform - and the risk is that it becomes the only step by Natasha Lennard, The Intercept, December 19, 2018. Article: Conservatives scramble to change criminal justice bill by Jordain Carney, The Hill, December 18, 2018. Article: The FIRST STEP Act will make us safer without the Cotton-Kennedy amendments by Tricia Forbes, The Hill, December 18, 2018. Article: Who no details about criminal justice 'reform'? by Thomas R. Ascik, The Hill, December 17, 2018. Letter: The ACLU and the Leadership Conference support S.756, and urge Senators to vote yes on Cloture and no on all amendments, The Leadership Conference, CivilRights.org, December 17, 2018. Article: Koch-backed criminal justice reform bill to reach Senate, All Things Considered, NPR, December 16, 2018. Article: The problem with the "First Step Act" by Peniel Ibe, American Friends Service Committee, December 14, 2018. Article: Why is a Florida for-profit prison company backing bipartisan criminal justice reform? by Steve Dontorno, Tampa Bay Times, December 7, 2018. Article: How the FIRST STEP Act moves criminal justice reform forward by Charlotte Resing, ACLU, December 3, 2018. Article: Private prison companies served with lawsuits over using detainee labor by Amanda Holpuch, The Guardian, November 25, 2018. Statement: GEO Group statement on federal legislation on prison reform (The FIRST STEP Act), GEO Group, November 19, 2018. Article: Karl Rove's crossroads GPS is dead, long live his multi-million dollar 'dark money' operation by Anna Massoglia and Karl Evers-Hillstrom, OpenSecrets News, November 16, 2018. Article: We are former attorneys general. We salute Jeff Sessions. by William P. Barr, Edwin Meese III, and Michael B. Mukasey, The Washington Post, November 7, 2018. Article: How the Koch brothers built the most powerful rightwing group you've never heard of by Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Caroline Tervo, and Theda Skocpol, The Guardian, September 26, 2018. Article: U.S. prisoners' strike is a reminder how common inmate labor is by Ruben J. Garcia, CBS News, September 8, 2018. Article: Kim Kardashian, activist, visits White House to call for prisoner freedom by Amelia McDonell-Parry, Rolling Stone, September 6, 2018. Article: Who is Chris Young? Kim Kardashian West to meet with Donald Trump to try to get prisoner pardoned by Janice Williams, Newsweek, September 5, 2018. Article: Kim Kardashian West visits White House to talk prison reform by Brett Samuels, The Hill, September 5, 2018. Article: Kim Kardashian West to another convicted felon's case: report by Brett Samuels, The Hill, September 5, 2018. Article: 'Prison slavery': Inmates are paid cents while manufacturing products sold to government by Daniel Moritz-Rabson, Newsweek, August 28, 2018. Article: Turf war between Kushner and Sessions drove federal prison director to quit by Glenn Thrush and Danielle Ivory, The New York Times, May 24, 2018. Report: Attorney General Sessions announces Hugh Hurwitz as the Acting Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, May 18, 2018. Article: Beware of big philanthropy's new enthusiasm for criminal justice reform by Michelle Chen, The Nation, March 16, 2018. Article: Corporations and governments collude in prison slavery racket by Mark Maxey, People's World, February 7, 2018. Article: Super PAC priorities USA plans to spend $50 million on digital ads for 2018 by Jessica Estepa, USA Today, November 2, 2017. Article: Private prisons firm to lobby, campaign against recidivism by Jonathan Mattise, AP News, October 31, 2017. Article: Slave labor widespread at ICE detention centers, lawyers say by Mia Steinle, POGO, September 7, 2017. Article: The sordid case behind Jared Kushner's grudge against Chris Christie by Byron York, The Washington Examiner, April 16, 2017. Report: How much do incarcerated people earn in each state? by Wendy Sawyer, Prison Policy Initiative, April 10, 2017. Press Release: The GEO Group closes $360 million acquisition of community education centers, Company Release, GEO Group, Inc., April 6, 2017. Article: How a private prison company used detained immigrants for free labor by Madison Pauly, Mother Jones, April 3, 2017. Article: Bias in criminal risk scores is mathematically inevitable, researchers say by Julia Angwin and Jeff Larson, ProPublica, December 30, 2016. Article: Jailed for ending a pregnancy: How prosecutors get inventive on abortion by Molly Redden, The Guardian, November 22, 2016. Article: Federal prison-owned 'factories with fences' facing increased scrutiny by Safia Samee Ali, NBC News, September 4, 2016. Investigative Summary: Findings of fraud and other irregularities related to the manufacture and sale of combat helmets by the Federal Prison Industries and ArmorSource, LLC, to the Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, August 2016. Report: Federal prison industries: Background, debate, legislative history, and policy options, Congressional Research Service, May 11, 2016. Article: New Koch by Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, January 25, 2016. Article: Pregnant and behind bars: how the US prison system abuses mothers-to-be by Victoria Law, The Guardian, October 20, 2015. Article: American slavery, reinvented by Whitney Benns, The Atlantic, September 21, 2015. Article: Yes, prisoners used to sew lingerie for Victoria's Secret - just like in 'Orange is the New Black' season 3 by Emily Yahr, The Washington Post, June 17, 2015. Report: Treatment industrial complex: How for-profit prison corporations are undermining efforts to treat and rehabilitate prisoners for corporate gain by Caroline Isaacs, Grassroots Leadership, November 2014. Report: The prison indistries Enhancement Certification Program: A program history by Barbara Auerbach, National CIA, May 4, 2012. Article: The hidden history of ALEC and prison labor by Mike Elk and Bob Sloan, The Nation, August 1, 2011. Article: Slave labor - money trail leads to Koch brothers and conservatives who want your job! by Bob Sloan, Daily Kos, February 21, 2011. Article: The Legacy by Gabriel Sherman, New York Magazine, July 12, 2009. Hearing: Federal Prison Industries, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, C-SPAN, July 1, 2005. Article: Democratic donor receives two-year prison sentence by Ronald Smothers, The New York Times, March 5, 2005. Sound Clip Sources Discussion: Criminal Justice Reform and Senate Vote on First Step Act, C-SPAN, December 19, 2018. Speakers: - Mike Allen, Founder and Executive Editor of Axios - Mark Holden, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Koch Industries - Senator Amy Klobuchar Sound Clips: 22:27 Mike Allen: So, I have on NPR, “Koch-Backed Criminal Justice Reform to Reach Senate.” To some people, at least at first blush, there’s an incongruity to that. Tell us how Koch Industries got involved in this issue. Mark Holden: Yeah, well, I mean, Charles Koch and David Koch have been very focused on these issues forever, literally. They were early funders of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Institute for Justice, a lot of different groups. And from Charles’s perspective, the war on drugs, it’s been a failure. It doesn’t mean that you—there aren’t—it was in a criminal element within the war on drugs, but there are a lot of people in the war on drugs who don’t need to be incarcerated for so long. And so we’ve been very much in favor of proportional sentencing. You know, punishment must fit the crime. You break the law, you should pay a price, and then once you pay that price, you should be welcomed back into society, with all your rights. All your rights come back. That’s why we supported Amendment 4 down in Florida, the voting restoration rights for people with felonies in Florida. We don’t think it makes sense for people not to be able to participate once they’ve paid their debt to society. And for us, for Charles in particular, this is all about breaking barriers to opportunity. 24:10 Mark Holden: And last night, 87 to 12, that’s a curb stomping. And I will note, as a Patriots fan, Gronk is 87 and Brady’s 12, right? I mean, yeah. Something there. 49:00 Mike Allen: Watching last night, and the conversations today, it was clear there was a real sense of history, a sense of occasion on the Senate floor last night. Take us there. Tell us what that was like. Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN): Well, we haven’t had a lot of joyous moments in the Senate this year. Big-surprise-news item I gave you. And this was one of those because I think for one thing we’re coming to the end of the year. We were able to get some really important things done: the farm bill; the sex harassment bill that I led with Senator Blunt that had been really difficult to negotiate for the last year; and then of course the budget, which we hope to get done in the next two days; and then we’ve got this. And this was something that has been explained. It was five years in the making. It took people out of their comfort zones. You had people on both sides that never thought they’d be talking about reducing drug sentences. So in that way, it was kind of this Christmas miracle that people came together. But the second piece of it was just that we knew they were these bad amendments that you’ve heard about. Some of them we felt were maybe designed to put us in a bad place, only because politically the bill protected us from a lot of the things that were in the amendments. So what was the best part of the night for me was that it wasn’t Democrats fighting against Tom Cotton and these amendments; it was Chuck Grassley, in his festive-red holiday sweater, who went up there with that Iowa accent that maybe only I can understand, being from Minnesota, and was able to really effectively fight them down. And the second thing was just the final vote—I mean, we don’t get that many votes for a volleyball resolution—and that we had that strong of support for the reform was also really exciting. Senate Session: Senate floor First Step Act Debate and Vote, C-SPAN, December 18, 2018. Podcast: Wrongful Conviction Podcast: Kim Kardashian and Jason Flom join forces to advocate for Criminal Justice Reform and Clemency, September 5, 2018. Netflix Episode: Orange is the New Black, Season 3 Episode 5, Fake it Till You Make It Some More, June 11, 2015. Netflix Episode: Orange is the New Black, Season 3 Episode 6, Ching Chong, Chang, June 11, 2015. Video Clip: Whitney Houston 'Crack is Whack' Clip from 2002 Diane Sawyer Interview on ABC News, YouTube, February 11, 2012. Hearing: Federal Prison Industries, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, C-SPAN, July 1, 2005. Witnesses: - Phillip Glover - American Federation of Government Employees Prison Locals Council - President - Paul Miller - Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers Association Sound Clips: 1:32 Former Representative Howard Coble: Prisoners who are physically able to work must labor in some capacity five days a week. FPI is a government corporation that operates the BOP’s correctional program and employs inmates of the federal prison population to manufacture goods for and provides services to federal agencies. About 20% of the inmates work in Federal Prison Industries’, FPI, factories. They generally work in factory operations such as metals, furniture, electronics, textiles, and graphic arts. FPI work assignments pay from $0.23 to $1.15 per hour. 6:19 Representative Bobby Scott (VA): FPI can only sell its products and services to federal agencies. The program was established in the 1930s, in the midst of the Great Depression, as a way to teach prisoners real work habits and skills so that when they are released from prison they’ll be able to find and hold jobs to support themselves and their families and be less likely to commit more crimes. It is clear that the program works to do just that. Followup studies covering as much as 16 years of data have shown that inmates who participate in Prison Industries are 14% more likely to be employed and 24% less likely to commit crimes than like prisoners who do not participate in the program. 1:39:58 Former Representative Pieter Hoekstra, current Ambassador to the Netherlands: Mandatory source was great for Federal Prison Industries during the 1990s and 2001 and 2002. But you know what? I think it was wrong that Federal Prison Industries was the fastest and probably the only growing office-furniture company in America during that time. As the industry was going through significant layoffs, Federal Prison Industries was growing by double digits each and every year. 1:46:40 Philip Glover: If you have someone serving at USP, Leavenworth, for instance, and they’re in for 45 years or 50 years, you can educate them, you can vo-tech them, but to keep them productive and occupied on a daily basis and feel like they have a little bit of worth, this program seems to do that. That’s where, at least as a correctional officer, that’s where I come from on this program is that it gives the inmate a sense of worth, and every day he goes down and does something productive. Resources About Page: Americans for Prosperity American Addiction Centers: Crack Cocaine & Cocaine: What's the Difference? Annual Report: The GEO Group, Inc. 2017 Annual Report Lobbying Report: Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) Media Statement: Statement from CoreCivic President and CEO Damon Hininger on the First Step Act OpenSecrets: Americans for Prosperity OpenSecrets: CoreCivic Inc. Lobbyists OpenSecrets: CoreCivic Inc Profile for 2018 Election Cycle OpenSecrets: GEO Group Lobbyists OpenSecrets: GEO Group Profile for 2018 Election Cycle OpenSecrets: Outside Spending of Political Nonprofits OpenSecrets: Trump 2017 Inauguration Donors Product Page: Pride Enterprises Ranker.com: 50 American Companies That Have Ties to Modern Slavery SPLC: Criminal Justice Reform Visual Resources Community Suggestions See more Community Suggestions HERE. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Jessica Cino is a dean at the Georgia State University law school — and Devonia Inman’s biggest advocate. His plight has shaken her faith in the criminal justice system. She’s poured hours into his case, trying to help him clear his name. But the odds are stacked against him, and she knows it. But then new evidence comes to light, something the cops should have known about all along.

Hercules Brown grew up in a well-respected family in Adel. Residents remember him as a good kid. But then something changed. He became violent and mean. And he had several run-ins with the law. But when he got in trouble, nothing seemed to stick. Until the murders of Bennett and Browning raised new questions about the Taco Bell and the Patel murders too. When DNA comes back as a match to Hercules on a key piece of evidence, will it be enough to help Devonia Inman?

Part II of the Rushed Execution Series covers the case of Don Davis, who was scheduled to be executed on the first of the four execution dates along with Bruce Ward. Promos: Mugshot PodcastGo Postal PodcastThe Hidden Staircase Its always Funny in Philly Strictly Homicide is researched, written, hosted and edit by Nicki T. I will be at the True Crime Podcast Convention in Chicago this year! Strictlyhomicidepodcast.comSources used for research on this series: Police Reports, Court Documents and the following public information:Arkansas Times Article written by Benjamin Hardy (2015)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2015/08/13/udpate-arkansas-has-purchased-lethal-injection-drugs-including-midazolamTwo articles written by Liliana Segura (2017) for The Intercept Articlehttps://theintercept.com/2017/04/26/how-a-daughters-search-for-her-biological-father-led-her-to-an-execution-in-arkansas/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/12/arkansas-death-row-executions-kenneth-williams/The Marshall Project Article written by Maurice Chammahhttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/04/12/how-the-drug-shortage-has-slowed-the-death-penalty-treadmillArkansas Online piece written by Brandon Riddle, Emma Pettit, and Maggie McNearyhttps://www.arkansasonline.com/arkansasexecutions/

Dan Kaufman, author of "The Fall of Wisconsin: Conservative Conquest of a Progressive Bastion and The Future Of American Politics," digs into the history, analyzes the latest Republican conspiracy and lays out why we all should study the Wisconsin model.  Longtime criminal justice reporters Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith talk about their gripping new true crime podcast, Murderville, which tells the story of a series of grisly killings in a small Georgia town and the man they believe has been wrongly imprisoned.  Canadian hip-hop artist and host of Netflix's "Hip-Hop Evolution," Shad, talks about his roots, class warfare, and his imaginative new album “A Short Story About a War.”

Episode 18Rushed Executions SeriesPart One - Bruce Earl Ward In April 2017 Arkansas' supply of the drugs used for lethal injection were about to expire, to avoid wasting the drugs that are hard to get, the state decided to rush the execution of eight inmates...  This series will cover each of their cases... Starting with Bruce Earl Ward.Research, Writing, Hosting, Recording and Production done by Nicki T. Original Music by Mr T. Promos in this episode: Dumb and Busted PodcastTargeted PodcastStatus Pending PodcastSources used for research on this series: Police Reports, Court Documents and the following public information:Arkansas Times Article written by Benjamin Hardy (2015)https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2015/08/13/udpate-arkansas-has-purchased-lethal-injection-drugs-including-midazolamTwo articles written by Liliana Segura (2017) for The Intercept Articlehttps://theintercept.com/2017/04/26/how-a-daughters-search-for-her-biological-father-led-her-to-an-execution-in-arkansas/https://theintercept.com/2017/11/12/arkansas-death-row-executions-kenneth-williams/The Marshall Project Article written by Maurice Chammahhttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/04/12/how-the-drug-shortage-has-slowed-the-death-penalty-treadmillArkansas Online piece written by Brandon Riddle, Emma Pettit, and Maggie McNearyhttps://www.arkansasonline.com/arkansasexecutions/

Today we're joined by Liliana Segura, who writes about the death penalty, prisons, and the criminal justice system for The Intercept. We discuss the death penalty, and about how to situate it in the larger context and apparatus of the carceral state. Here are links to some of the articles mentioned in this episode: https://theintercept.com/2018/08/15/tennessee-restarts-executions-billy-ray-irick-death-penalty/ https://theintercept.com/2018/08/05/death-penalty-lethal-injection-trial-tennessee/ https://theintercept.com/2018/06/17/lynching-museum-alabama-death-penalty/

Recorded live at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Jon is joined by Symone Sanders, Liliana Segura, and Benjamin Sawyer to break down the week's news. Trump shifts, but families are still separated. Fox & Friends gets a little too honest about who deserves compassion. Kellyanne Conway faces an unlikely critic. And sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a Trump stooge and a villain from X-Men. Anyway, awful week, but a great show at an amazing place.

Chana Joffe-Walt is a producer and reporter at This American Life. Her latest story is "Five Women." “I felt like there was more to learn from these stories, more than just which men are bad and shouldn’t have the Netflix special that they wanted to have. And I was interested, also, in that there were groups of women, and that somehow, in having a group of women, you would have variation of experience. There could be a unifying person who they all experienced, but they would inevitably experience that person differently. And that would raise the question of: Why? And I feel like there is this response: ‘Why did she stay?’ Or: ‘Why didn’t she say fuck you?’ Or: ‘I wouldn’t have been upset by that. I wouldn’t have been offended by that thing.’ Which I feel like is a natural response, but also has a lack of curiosity. There are actual answers to those questions that are interesting.” Thanks to MailChimp and Credible.com. @chanajoffewalt Joffe-Walt on Longform [01:10] "Five Women" (This American Life • March 2018) [01:25] Longform Podcast #289: Liliana Segura [02:55] Joffe-Walt's Archive at This American Life [04:55] "Five Women Are Accusing A Top Left-Leaning Media Executive Of Sexually Harassing Them" (Cora Lewis • BuzzFeed • Dec 2017) [06:15] I Love Dick (Amazon Studios • 2016) [08:45] "From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Tell Their Stories" (Ronan Farrow • New Yorker • Oct 2017) [10:15] "Lupita Nyong’o: Speaking Out About Harvey Weinstein" (Lupita Nyong'o • New York Times • Oct 2017) [08:25] "Your Reckoning. And Mine" (Rebecca Traister • New York Mag • Nov 2017)

Liliana Segura writes for The Intercept. “My form of advocacy against the death penalty, frankly, has always been to tell those stories that other people aren’t seeing. And to humanize the people—not just the people facing execution, but everyone around them.” Thanks to MailChimp, Mubi, and Tripping.com for sponsoring this week's episode. @LilianaSegura Segura on Longform [01:50] "Dispatch From Angola: Faith-Based Slavery in a Louisiana Prison" (Colorlines • Aug 2011) [02:10] "What Happened to Rachel Gray" (The Intercept • Oct 2017) [02:15] "The Fire on Howard Avenue" (The Intercept • March 2017) [05:30] Bolton’s [06:10] Segura’s Archive at The Intercept [07:05] "Arkansas Plans to Execute Seven People This Month, Continuing Long Tradition of Assembly-Line" (The Intercept • April 2017) [11:00] "Playing With Fire" (The Intercept • Feb 2015) [25:30] "As Families in Charleston Share Stories and Pain, Dylann Roof Shows No Remorse" (The Intercept • Jan 2017) [25:30] "Will Dylann Roof’s Execution Bring Justice? Families of Victims Grapple With Forgiveness and Death" (The Intercept • Jan 2017) [28:50] "How a Daughter’s Search for her Biological Father Led to an Execution in Arkansas" (The Intercept • April 2017) [36:40] Segura’s Archive at Alter Net [38:40] "Five Women Are Accusing A Top Left-Leaning Media Executive Of Sexually Harassing Them" (Cora Lewis • BuzzFeed • Dec 2017) [46:10] "Publisher of The New Republic Resigns After Misconduct Claims" (Sydney Ember • NY Times • Nov 2017) [56:05] "A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses" (ACLU Foundation • Nov 2013) [57:55] "Lead Prosecutor Apologizes for Role in Sending Man to Death Row" (A.M. "Marty" Stroud III • Shreveport Times • March 2015) [58:20] "A Prosecutor Seeks Redemption. Can We Allow Prisoners the Same?" (The Intercept • March 2015)

The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security are the most powerful domestic law enforcement officers in the United States government. In this episode, hear critical highlights from the confirmation hearings of President Trump's nominees for those jobs: Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General and General John Kelly for Secretary of DHS. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD098: USA Freedom Act: Privatization of the Patriot Act Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Attorney General Nomination, Senate Committee on the Judicary, January 10, 2017 Watch on C-SPAN Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Timestamps & Transcripts Part 1 1:12:10 Senator Chuck Grassley: During the course of the presidential campaign, you made a number of statements about the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, relating to her handling of sensitive emails and regarding certain actions of the Clinton Foundation. You weren’t alone in that criticism—I was certainly critical in the same way, as were millions of Americans, on those matters—but now you’ve been nominated to serve as Attorney General. In light of those comments that you made, some have expressed concern about whether you can approach the Clinton matter impartially in both fact and appearance. How do you plan to address those concerns? Jeff Sessions Mr. Chairman, it was a highly contentious campaign. I, like a lot of people, made comments about the issues in that campaign with regard to Secretary Clinton, and some of the comments I made, I do believe that that could place my objectivity in question. I’ve given that thought. I believe the proper thing for me to do would be to recuse myself from any questions involving those kind of investigations that involve Secretary Clinton that were raised during the campaign or could be otherwise connected to it. Sen. Grassley: Okay. I think it’s—let me emphasize, then, with a followup question. To be very clear, you intend to recuse yourself from both the Clinton email investigation, any matters involving the Clinton Foundation, if there are any. Sessions: Yes 1:22:55 Senator Diane Feinstein: Appearing on the TV show 60 Minutes, the president-elect said that the issue of same-sex marriage was “already settled. It’s law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. It’s done, and I’m fine with that.” Do you agree that the issue of same-sex marriage is settled law? Jeff Sessions: Supreme Court has ruled on that. The dissents dissented vigorously, but it was five to four, and five justices on the Supreme Court—a majority of the court—have established the definition of marriage for the entire United States of America, and I will follow that decision. 1:30:05 Senator Orrin Hatch: In the 108th Congress, you introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 77, expressing the sense of the Congress that federal obscenity laws should be vigorously enforced throughout the United States. It passed the Senate unanimously—it pleased it, too. In fact, it is the only resolution on this subject ever passed by either the Senate or the House. Now, Senator Sessions, with your permission I want to share with you that resolution adopted last year by the Utah legislature outlining why pornography should be viewed as a public health problem, as well as some of the latest research into the harms of obscenity. Is it still your view that federal laws prohibiting adult obscenity should be vigorously enhanced? Jeff Sessions: Mr. Chairman, those laws are clear, and they are being prosecuted today and should be—continue to be effectively and vigorously prosecuted in the cases that are appropriate. Sen. Hatch: In making this a priority for the Justice Department, would you consider reestablishing a specific unit dedicated to prosecuting this category of crime? Sessions: So, that unit has been disbanded—I’m not sure I knew that, but it was a part of the Department of Justice for a long time, and I would consider that. 1:49:40 Senator Patrick Leahy: Do you agree with the president-elect, the United States can or should deny entry to all members of a particular religion? Jeff Sessions: Senator Leahy, I believe the president-elect has, subsequent to that statement, made clear that he believes the focus should be on individuals coming from countries that have history of terrorism, and he’s also indicated that his policy, and what he suggests, is strong vetting of people from those countries before they’re admitted to the United States. 1:55:35 Senator Lindsey Graham: What’s your view of Obama’s administration’s interpretation of the Wire Act law to allow online video poker, or poker gambling? Jeff Sessions: Senator Graham, I was shocked at the memorandum, I guess the enforcement memorandum, that the Department of Justice issued with regard to the Wire Act and criticized it. Apparently, there is some justification or argument that can be made to support the Department of Justice’s position, but I did oppose it when it happened, and it seemed to me to be an unusual— Graham: Would you revisit it? Sessions: I would revisit it, and I would make a decision about it based on careful study. 2:12:55 Senator Dick Durbin: Senator Graham asked this question, and I listened to your answer when he asked you what would happen to those 800,000 currently protected by President Obama’s executive order, known as DACA, who cannot be deported for two years—it’s renewable—and can work for two years, and you said, let Congress pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. You opposed the only bipartisan effort that we’ve had on the Senate floor in modern memory. And what’s going to happen to those 800,000, if you revoke that order and they are subject to deportation tomorrow, what is going to happen to them? What is the humane, legal answer to that? Jeff Sessions: Well, the first thing I would say is that my response to Senator Graham dealt with whose responsibility this is. I had a responsibility as a member of this body to express my view and vote as I believed was correct on dealing with issues of immigration. That’s not the attorney general’s role; the attorney general’s role is to enforce the law. And as you know, Senator Durbin, we’re not able financially or any other way to seek out and remove everybody that’s in the country illegally. President Trump has indicated that criminal aliens, like President Obama indicated, certainly are the top group of people, and so I would think that the best thing for us to do—and I would urge colleagues that we understand this—let’s fix this system. And then we can work together, after this lawlessness has been ended, and then we can ask the American people and enter into a dialogue about how to compassionately treat people who’ve been here a long time. Durbin: That does not answer the question about 800,000 who would be left in the lurch, whose lives would be ruined while you’re waiting on Congress for a bill that you opposed. Sessions: Well, I thought it did answer it pretty closely about what you asked, and I understand your concerns. 2:31:10 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: As a question of law, does waterboarding constitute torture? Jeff Sessions: Well, there was a dispute about that when we had the torture definition in our law. The Department of Justice memorandum concluded that it did not necessarily prohibit that, but Congress has taken an action now that makes is absolutely improper and illegal to use waterboarding or any other form of torture in the United States by our military and by all our other departments and agencies. 2:54:50 Senator Amy Klobuchar: If you could just explain your views of the Voting Rights Act moving forward and what would happen in terms of enforcement if you were attorney general. Jeff Sessions: The Voting Rights Act that passed in 1965 was one of the most important acts to deal with racial difficulties that we face, and it changed the whole course of history, particularly in the South. There was a clear finding that there were discriminatory activities in the South that a number of states were systematically denying individuals the right to vote. And you go back into the history, you can see it plainly: actions and rules and procedures were adopted in a number of states, with the specific purpose of blocking African Americans from voting, and it was just wrong, and the Voting Rights Act confronted that. And it, in effect, targeted certain states and required any, even the most minor, changes in voting procedure, like moving a precinct across— Klobuchar: So, how would you approach this going forward? For instance, the Fifth Circuit’s decision that the Texas voter ID law discriminates against minority voters, that was written by a Bush appointee, do you agree with that decision? How would you handle this moving forward? Sessions: Well, I have not studied that. There’s going to be a debate about it, courts are ruling on it now, and that is a voter ID and whether or not that is an improper restriction on voting that adversely impacts disproportionately minority citizens. So that’s a matter that’s got to be decided. On the surface of it, it doesn’t appear to me to be that. I have publicly said I think voter ID laws properly drafted are okay, but as attorney general it’ll be my duty to study the facts in more depth to analyze the law, but fundamentally, that can be decided by Congress and the courts. 3:10:33 Senator Ben Sasse: This administration has made the case regularly that they need to exercise prosecutorial discretion because of limited resources—and, obviously, there aren’t infinite resources in the world—so what are some proper instances, in your view, when an administration might not enforce a law? Jeff Sessions:Well, critics of the immigration enforcement, the DAPA and the DACA laws, said that the prosecutorial-discretion argument went too far. It basically just eliminated the laws from the books. Secondly, with regard to that, the president’s executive—well, the order came from homeland security, not from the Department of Justice, but homeland security’s order not only said we’re not going to force the law, with regard to certain large classifications of people, but those people who’d not been given legal status under the laws of the United States were given photo IDs, work authorization, and social security numbers, and the right to participate in these government programs that would appear to be contrary to existing law. So that would, to me, suggest an overreach. Part 2 1:19:12 Senator Patrick Leahy: Would you use our federal resources to investigate and prosecute sick people who are using marijuana in accordance with their state laws even though it might violate federal law? Jeff Sessions: Well, I won’t commit to never enforcing federal law, Senator Leahy, but absolutely it’s a problem of resources for the federal government. The Department of Justice under Lynch and Holder set forth some policies that they thought were appropriate to define what cases should be prosecuted in states that have legalized, at least in some fashion, some parts of marijuana. Leahy: Do you agree with those guidelines? Sessions: I think some of them are truly valuable in evaluating cases, but fundamentally, the criticism I think that was legitimate is that they may not have been followed. Using good judgment about how to handle these cases will be a responsibility of mine. I know it won’t be an easy decision, but I will try to do my duty in a fair and just way. 1:25:13 Senator Mike Lee: Are there separation-of-powers concerns arising out of the Department of Justice’s current approach to state marijuana laws? Jeff Sessions: Well, I think one obvious concern is that the United States Congress has made the possession of marijuana, in every state, and distribution of it an illegal act. If that’s something is not desired any longer, Congress should pass a law to change the rule. It’s not so much the attorney general’s job to decide what laws to enforce; we should do our job and enforce laws effectively as we’re able. 1:48:18 Senator Dianne Feinstein: Thanks very much, Mr. Chairman. Just to begin, I would like to ask unanimous consent that all statements and written testimony sent to the committee concerning Senator Sessions be made part of the record, and I have some testimonies and letters. Chairman: Without objection, so ordered. Feinstein: Thank you very much. Senator Sessions, when I was a small child, it was during World War II, and my father took me to a racetrack south of San Francisco called Tanforan, and it had become a detention camp for Japanese American citizens, and during the length of World War II, well, thousands of families were held in this compound. And we checked with CRS that says no Japanese American was ever convicted of any sabotage against the United States during that period of time. Senator Lee, Senator Cruz, and I have tried together to enact a bill to assure that no American citizen or lawful permanent resident detained in the United States can be held indefinitely without charge or trial, pursuant to authorization of military force. So, here’s the question: do you believe that the government can, pursuant to a general authorization to use military force, indefinitely detain Americans in the United States without charge or trial? Jeff Sessions: Senator Feinstein, that’s an important question. Classically, the answer is yes. Classically, if you captured a German soldier, they could be held until the war ended. That was done, I’m sure, at the Civil War and most wars since. Feinstein: I’m talking about Americans. Sessions: I hear you. So, then, the question is, we’re in a war like we have now that’s gone on multiple years, and I would think the principal of law certainly would appear to be valid, but as reality dawns on us and wars might be even longer, it’s on us to discuss those issues. So I respect your willingness to think about that and what we should do, but in general I do believe, as Senator Graham has argued forcefully for many years, that we are in a war, and when members who—unlike the Japanese who were never proven to be associated with a military regime like the Japanese government, these individuals would have to be proven to be connected to a designated enemy of the United States. So I’ve probably explained more than I should, but that’s basically the arguments and the issues we’re facing. I respect your concerns, and I’m sure they will continue to be debated in the future. Feinstein: Well, let me just say a few things about that. I’ve served on the intelligence committee for fifteen years. I read all of it. I think I know as much as anybody about what’s happening in the United States, and this is not—these are Americans that we’re talking about. They can be picked up and detained and held without charge— Sessions: You’re talking about Americans. Feinstein: —of trial indefinitely. And that should not be the case. Sessions: Well, I understand your point, and a citizen of the United States has certain important rights. They cannot be abrogated. It is absolutely so. They cannot be detained without undergoing a habeas review, and the government surely has to prove that they are indeed connected sufficiently with an enemy action against the United States, so they couldn’t be detained. Feinstein: Well, I appreciate that. 1:52:32 Senator Dianne Feinstein: You were one of nine senators to vote against the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005. It prohibited the imposition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of any person in the custody or control of U.S. personnel. You also voted against an amendment sponsored by Senator McCain in the 2016 Defense Authorization bill to limit interrogations to the techniques provided by the army field manual, which does not include waterboarding. Do you agree that the CIA’s former enhanced interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, are prohibited by this provision of law as now codified at 42 U.S.C. 2000dd? Jeff Sessions: It does appear to be clear that on the last act and McCain amendment would prohibit waterboarding. Feinstein:And you would enforce that. Sessions: I would enforce the law, yes. Feinstein: Thank you very much. 1:56:50 Senator John Kennedy: My name is John Kennedy. That’s really my name. 2:01:33 Senator John Kennedy: When a radical Islamic terrorist drives a truck into a group of people and kills them, we’re told that we should not judge all Muslims by the act of a few. And I agree with that. Don’t you think the same rule ought to apply when one or two law enforcement officers make a mistake? Don’t you think that same rule ought to apply to all the other 99.9 percent law enforcement officials out there who just get up every day and go to work and try to protect us? Jeff Sessions: Well, I really do. And I think those of us in high public office do need to be cautious about demeaning whole departments and whole groups of people, because within those, most any department you can find in America, surely most of the people are just wonderful public servants trying to do the right thing. So when we say these things, we can increase risk for them, we can make it harder for them to have relationships with the constituents where they’re serving, and actually result in an increase in crime and ineffectiveness in law enforcement. So, boy, these issues are—we can’t miss these issues. Kennedy: No. Part 3 3:20 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: Does a secular attorney have anything to fear from an Attorney General Sessions in the Department of Justice? Jeff Sessions: Well, no, and I used that word in the ninety-thousand-foot level of a little concern I have that we as a nation, I believe, are reaching a level in which truth is not sufficiently respected, that the very ideal, the idea, of truth is not believed to be real, and that all of life is just a matter of your perspective and my perspective, which I think is contrary to the American heritage. So that’s just a kind of a criticism of mine, but we are not a theocracy, nobody should be required to believe anything. I share Thomas Jefferson’s words on the Memorial over here—I swear eternal hostility over any domination of the mind of man—and I think we should respect people’s views and not demand any kind of religious test for holding office. Whitehouse: And a secular person has just as good a claim to understanding the truth as a person who is religious, correct? Sessions: Well, I’m not sure. In what method? Is it less objectively committed to— Whitehouse: In the methods that an attorney would bring to bear a case. Sessions: Well, let me just say we’re going to treat anybody with different views fairly and objectively. 59:04 Senator Chris Coons: We worked together to restore funding to the federal public defender service when it was cut by sequestration, and I think that’s because we both agreed that outcomes are more fair when there’s effective representation on both sides. One of the amendments I offered to that immigration bill would have provided counsel to children who were applying for refugee status because they were fleeing violence in their home countries, in U.S. immigration proceedings. Is that something you would support? Jeff Sessions: Senator Coons, as I understand it, that is the law, that you cannot provide lawyers to illegal entrants into the country, and I don’t believe it makes a distinguished—it distinguishes between minors and adults, but I may be wrong about that. I presume that’s why you’ve offered legislation to that effect to change established law, but in general I do not believe we can afford nor should we undertake to provide free lawyers for everybody that enters the country unlawfully. I think that would be a massive undertaking. So you’re talking about children specifically, I understand that. Coons: Specifically doesn’t matter... Sessions: And I think that’s a matter that Congress would need to decide what to do about. 1:02:25 Jeff Sessions: I would not favor a registry of Muslims in the United States—no, I would not—and I think we should avoid surveillance of religious institutions unless there’s a basis to believe that a dangerous or threatening illegal activity could be carried on there. 1:28:03 Senator Lindsey Graham: Let’s talk about the law of war. I think you were asked by Senator Feinstein about the indefinite detention. Hamdi v. Rumsfeld—this is Sandra Day O’Connor’s quote: There is no bar to this nation’s holding one of its own citizens as an enemy combatant—that case involved a U.S. citizen that was captured in Afghanistan and was held as an enemy combatant. Are you familiar with that case? Jeff Sessions: Generally, yes. Not as familiar as you, but I know you’ve studied at great depth. Graham: Well, this has been a military law. This is sort of part of what I did. Do your constitutional rights as a U.S. citizen stop at the nation’s shores, or do they follow you wherever you go? Sessions: Well, you have certain rights wherever you go. Graham: So if you go to Paris, you don’t give up your Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure. Could the FBI break into your hotel room in Paris and, basically, search your room without a warrant? Sessions:I don’t believe— Graham :No, they can’t. Your constitutional rights attach to you. So, to the people who say, well, he was in Afghanistan—that doesn’t matter. What the court is telling us, no American citizen has a constitutional right to join the enemy at a time of war. In Ray Quirin—that case involved German saboteurs who landed in Long Island. Are you familiar with this? Sessions: I’m very familiar with that case. I have read it. Graham: They were German saboteurs and had American-citizen contacts in the United States. They were all seized by the FBI and tried by the military. So, what I would tell Senator Feinstein and my other colleagues—the law is well settled here, that a United States citizen in other wars have been held as enemy combatants when the evidence suggests they collaborated with the enemy. Under the current law, if you’re suspected of being an enemy combatant, within a certain period of time—sixty days, I think—the government has to present you to a federal judge and prove by preponderance of the evidence that you’re a member of the organization they claim you to be a member of. Are you familiar with that—your habeas rights? Sessions: Correct, yes. Graham: So, as to how long an enemy combatant can be held, traditionally under the law of war, people are taken off the battlefield until the war is over or they’re no longer a danger. Does that make sense to you? Sessions: It does make sense, and that is my understanding of the traditional law of war. Graham: And the law of war is designed to, like, win the war. The laws around the law of war are designed to deal with conflicts and to take people off the battlefield—you can kill or capture them—and there’s no requirement like domestic criminal law, at a certain point in time they have to be presented for trial, because the goal of the law of war is to protect the nation and make sure you win the war. So when you capture somebody who’s been adjudicated a member of the enemy force, there is no concept in military law or the law of war that you have to release them in an arbitrary date because that would make no sense. So, all I’m saying is that I think you’re on solid ground and this idea of an American citizen being an enemy combatant is part of the history of the law of war, and I am very willing to work with my colleagues and make sure that indefinite detention is reasonably applied and that we can find due process rights that don’t exist in traditional law of war because this is a war without end. When do you think this war will be over? Do you think we’ll know when it’s over? Sessions: I’ve asked a number of witnesses in armed services about that, and it’s pretty clear we’re talking about decades before we have a complete alteration of this spasm in the Middle East that just seems to have legs and will continue for some time. That’s most likely what would happen. Graham: You’re about to embark on a very important job at an important time, and here’s what my suggestion would be: that we work with the Congress to come up with a legal regime that recognizes that gathering intelligence is the most important activity against radical Islam. The goal is to find out what they know. Do you agree with that? Sessions: That is a critical goal. Graham:And I have found that under military law and military intelligence gathering, no manual I’ve ever read suggested that reading Miranda rights is the best way to gather information. As a matter of fact, I’ve been involved in this business for 33 years, and if a commander came to me as a J.A.G. and said, we just captured somebody on the battlefield—you name the battlefield—they want their rights read to them, I would tell them they’re not entitled to Miranda rights. They’re entitled to Geneva Convention treatment, they’re entitled to humane treatment, they’re entitled to all the things that go with the Geneva Convention because the court has ruled that enemy combatants are subject to Geneva Convention protections. So, I just want to let you know, from my point of view, that we’re at war; I’m encouraged to hear that the new attorney general recognizes the difference between fighting a crime and fighting a war and that the next time we capture bin Laden’s son-in-law—if he’s got any more—I hope we don’t read him his Miranda rights in two weeks. I hope we keep him, humanely, as long as necessary to interrogate him to find out what the enemy may be up to. Does that make sense to you? Sessions:Well, it does. We didn’t give Miranda warnings to German and Japanese prisoners we captured, and it’s never been part of the—so they’re being detained and they’re subject to being interrogated properly and lawfully any time, any day, and they’re not entitled to a lawyer, and so forth. Graham: Right. And Miranda didn’t exist back in World War II, but it does now, but the law of the Hamdi case says this is very important, that you do not have to read an enemy combatant the Miranda rights. They do have a right to counsel in a habeas pursuit— Sessions: In a habeas corpus, you’re correct. Graham: —to see if the government got it right; you can hold them as long as it’s necessary for intelligence gathering; and you can try them in Article III course, you can try them in military commissions. As attorney general of the United States, would you accept that military commissions could be the proper venue under certain circumstances for terrorists? Sessions: Yes. Graham: Thank you. Hearing: Nomination of General John F. Kelly, USMC (Ret.) to be Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs, January 10, 2017. Watch on C-SPAN Timestamps & Transcripts 1:37:18 Senator Kamala Harris: I’d like to ask you a few questions, starting with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA. Hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients around the country are afraid right now for what this incoming administration might do to them and also what it might do to their unauthorized family members. In order to receive DACA, these young people submitted extensive paperwork to the federal government, including detailed information regarding themselves and their loved ones. They also had to qualify, as you know, for the program; and in qualifying, each person’s case was reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis: the young person must have not been convicted of a felony or a significant misdemeanor or three or more misdemeanors; the young person must also not be deemed to pose a threat to national security or public safety; the young person must currently be in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general-education development certificate, also known as GED, and/or have been honorably discharged as a veteran of the Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States. Among other things, DACA applicants must submit proof of identity, proof of time and admission in the United States, proof of relevant student school completion or military status, and biometric information. As part of the DACA application process, we conduct biometric and biographic background checks against a variety of databases maintained by DHS and other federal agencies. If a DACA applicant knowingly makes a misrepresentation or fails to disclose facts in an effort to obtain DACA, it is a felony, and the applicant will be treated as an immigration-enforcement priority to the fullest extent permitted by law and be subject to criminal prosecution and/or removal from the United States. This means, obviously, that applicants to DACA know that if they’re not giving us the whole truth about their story, they’re putting a target on their own backs. At the time, the Department of Homeland Security assure them that it would follow its long-standing practice of not using such information for law-enforcement purposes except in very limited circumstances. These young people are now worried that the information that they provided in good faith to our government may now be used to track them down and lead to their removal. So my question is, do you agree that under DACA, and those young people have relied—by hundreds of thousands of them have relied—on our representations, do you agree with that, that we would not use this information against them? General John Kelly: The entire development of immigration policy is ongoing right now in terms of the upcoming administration. I have not been involved in those discussions. If confirmed, I know I will be involved in those discussions. I think there’s a big spectrum of people who need to be dealt with in terms of deportation— Harris: I’m speaking specifically about DACA.General Kelly: —and those categories would be prioritized. I would guess—I’m not part of the process right now—I would guess that this category might not be the highest priority for removal. I promise you, Senator, that I will be involved in the discussion. 1:45:00 Senator Rand Paul: We have on the books, and we passed about five years ago, a law that says that an American citizen can be indefinitely detained—not an American citizen overseas, not someone captured in Syria on a battlefield. Someone captured in the United States and accused of terrorism—accused of terrorism—can be kept indefinitely. They could be sent to Guantanamo Bay, but they could be sent to a variety of places. It’s never been used—and this president has said he wouldn’t use it, but he signed it anyway, much to the chagrin of some of us—but it is on the books. And I guess my question to you would be, do you think we can adequately arrest people in our country who are somehow a threat to our homeland security? Do you think the Constitution could be good enough, that due process in our courts of law in our country would work? Or would you think there’re going to have to be times when we’re just going to have to detain people without trial? General John Kelly: I’m pretty committed to the Constitution. I was not aware of the law—it surprises me—but I think we have enough laws to help us out in that regard. Paul: A couple of years ago they decided they’d use license plate screeners, and, apparently, they’re very rapid and they can collect hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, of license plates an hour. But they decided they would go to a gun show, and why this particularly concerns me is you could also conceive the people at a gun show as exercising some sort of freedom of speech or some sort of ideological belief by being at a gun show, not just wanting to buy a gun, but actually defending their Second Amendment right to buy a gun. What alarms me is that if we’re going to scan license plates at a gun show, that we might go to a pro-life rally or a pro-abortion rally, depending on who’s in charge. I don’t want the government scanning people’s license plates. I don’t want them covering and getting all of our data just so we can possibly be safe some day from something. I want the individual to be protected, but I’m not against Homeland Security going after individuals and digging as deep as you want with the proper process. So what I would ask you is your opinion on how do we defend the country? Can we do it with the traditions of looking at individuals for whom we have suspicion, or are we going to have to collect all of this data and give up our privacy in the process? General Kelly: Senator, I would go with the traditional route. The scanning of the license plates, I mean, may be a reason—I can’t think of one right now. I’m not for the mass collection of data on people. I’d go the other way. Paul: And this is an amazing amount of information we can look at. If you had all the information of everyone’s Visa purchases in the country, there’s no end. But realize that this is a big part of what your job is, is people are going to be coming to you saying, protect us; we want to be safe, but at the same time, what are we willing to give up? Can we keep what we actually believe and what we are as a people, the freedom that you are committed to as a soldier? And I hope you’ll keep that in mind. General Kelly: Sir. Paul: Thank you. 2:15:08 General John Kelly: My law-enforcement friends tell me that in the case of drugs that come in—frankly, I’m not arguing for legalization for marijuana here; I’m just saying that the only drugs I’ve really ever concerned myself with at SouthCom were the three hard drugs. All the marijuana flow that we saw was coming from some of the Caribbean islands, south. So I’d just focus on the hard drugs. Hearing: Is the Department of Justice Adequately Protecting the Public from the Impact of State Recreational Marijuana Legalization?, Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, April 05, 2016. Watch on YouTube Senate Session: Republican Senators on Surveillance Bill Reauthorization, May 15, 2015. Jeff Sessions speaks at 28:18 Senate Session: Jeff Sessions Mocks Karl Rove, June 21, 2013. Additional Reading Article: 10 Things You Didn't Know about Gen. John Kelly by Sara Clarke, US News, January 17, 2017. Article: 10 things to know about Sen. Jeff Sessions, Donald Trump's pick for Attorney General by Amber Phillips, The Washington Post, January 10, 2017. Article: Sessions failed to disclose oil interests as required, ethics experts say by Tom Hamburger, The Washington Post, January 9, 2017. Article: Trump picks retired General John Kelly to lead Homeland Security, report says by Ben Jacobs and Spencer Ackerman, The Guardian, December 7, 2016. Article: Bowe Bergdahl, Facing Desertion Trial, Asks Obama for Pardon by Charlie Savage, New York Times, December 2, 2016. Webpage: State Marijuana Laws in 2016 Map, Governing the States and Localities, November 11, 2016. Article: Gutting Habeas Corpus by Liliana Segura, The Intercept, May 4, 2016. Press Release: Senators Introduce Restoration of America's Wire Act, Senator Dianne Feinstein, June 24, 2015. Article: The Destruction of Defendant's Rights by Lincoln Caplan, The New Yorker, June 21, 2015. Commentary: The Wire Act Ñ Don't Fix What Isn't Broken by John Pappas, Roll Call, March 18, 2015. Article: Department Of Justice Flip-Flops On Internet Gambling by Nathan Vardi, Forbes, December 23, 2011. Article: Holder accused of neglecting porn by Josh Gerstein, Politico, April 16, 2011. Article: American Lawbreaking by Tim Wu, Slate, October 15, 2007. Justice Dept. Memo May 5, 2005. Supreme Court Opinion: Hamdi vs Rumsfeld by Justice O'Connor, Supreme Court, June 28, 2004. References Legal Dictionary at Cornell University: Habeas Corpus U.S. Code: Production and transportation of obscene matters for sale or distribution Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

After the Latest U.S. Airstrike, Can Anyone Wonder Why Do 'They' Hate Us? by Liliana Segura http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/www.alternet.org/139923/ War is the end of the chain of consequences of statism Extortion and fiat currency inflation are the statist means to war Terrorism arises from statism; it won't be defeated until statism is extinguished The "war on terror" isn't about freedom or justice; it's a con game to deny people's freedoms The Historical Societal Problem http://www.logicallearning.net/libhistoricalsoc.html Resorting to violence by Larken Rose http://www.libertyforall.net/?p=2770 We live in a politically enslaved culture; people pretend they aren't slaves, as they slavishly obey If government were voluntary...it would then become a justice agency that respects property rights Government is the initiation of force People in government don't own anything, so they have NO jurisdiction Only smart acts of civil disobedience, coupled with education, will be able to appreciably change the status quo Reason and reality prevail over violence and mythology Just How Free Is the World’s Freest Economy? by John C. Goodman http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDgyZmI1NGNlNmYzYjA5YzFkMGQ3YjY4MTU2MzMwNWE= "Free health care"...at whose expense? Any and all governmental "benefits" are neither moral nor just--in addition to being terribly efficient Property taxes mean that you don't own your property; those in government can seize it anytime Voting to get goodies from government yields a giant welfare state Voting destroys self-responsibility and free market prosperity Humans must respect themselves enough to embrace and promote the ethics of liberty Why I Write And Publish The Voluntaryist by Carl Watner http://www.voluntaryist.com/articles/093.php No people should presume to be authorities over your own mind and life The "law" is something created by other human beings to control people; lawmakers have no understanding of individual rights and natural law--and therefore no understanding of justice Philosophical enlightenment of our culture is key to successful change bumper music "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/masters-war to comment, please go to http://completeliberty.com/magazine/category/91697  

Meet the Bloggers is a live online video show created by Brave New Foundation which is broadcast online every Friday focusing on unconventional political opinion and analysis. Host Cenk Uygurs discusses war profiterering with John Cusack. Featured bloggers: Liliana Segura and Marcy Wheeler.

Meet the Bloggers is a live online video show created by Brave New Foundation which is broadcast online every Friday focusing on unconventional political opinion and analysis. Host Cenk Uygur talks to Rinku Sen about race in the presidential election. Featured bloggers: Josh Busch, Liliana Segura, and Adia Harvey Wingfield.

Meet the Bloggers is a live online video show created by Brave New Foundation which is broadcast online every Friday focusing on unconventional political opinion and analysis. Henry Rollins steps in for Cenk Uygur to discuss with our bloggers how FOX News and the corporate media have failed to cover the election properly. Featured bloggers: Jonathan Kim, Liliana Segura, and Paul Waldman.

Meet the Bloggers is a live online video show created by Brave New Foundation which is broadcast online every Friday focusing on unconventional political opinion and analysis. Host Cenk Uygur discusses Mike's guide to the 2008 election with Michael Moore. Featured bloggers: Cheryl Contee, Liliana Segura, and David Sirota weigh in.

Meet the Bloggers is a live online video show created by Brave New Foundation which is broadcast online every Friday focusing on unconventional political opinion and analysis. Host Cenk Uygur discusses U.S. policy in Afghaniston. Featured bloggers: Roberto Lovato, Liliana Segura, Baratunde Thurston weigh in.

Meet the Bloggers is a live online video show created by Brave New Foundation which is broadcast online every Friday. Host Cenk Uyger and guest host Robert Greenwald discuss Karl Rove. Featured bloggers: Liliana Segura, Baratunde Thurston, and Marcy Wheeler weigh in.