Speaking as someone who was actually out there … neither the National Guard nor the Marines moved more than 150 feet off of federal property for the entire month-plus they were deployed
Crime: Real & Imagined. L.A. Times Courts/Chaos Reporter Alleged Author: Russell Avery Novels (Formerly Polis, Now Counterpoint) Rep: @jmcgowanbks.bsky.social Long Suffering Knicks Fan. Less Suffering As Of Late Liberty Fan
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Speaking as someone who was actually out there … neither the National Guard nor the Marines moved more than 150 feet off of federal property for the entire month-plus they were deployed
This story has it all: aquaculture, Black Flag, Bernie Sanders, Star Trek as policy, John Hodgman, male tears, and a candidate citing Luthen’s monologue from Andor. Meet Graham Platner, the Maine oysterman trying to crack the senate. @grahamformaine.bsky.social newrepublic.com/article/1996...
Don’t use this as an excuse when you draft a trash team in my league today though….
Late last month, Atty. Gen. Bondi named Essayli Acting U.S. Attorney so he could continue working without Senate confirmation or judicial approval. Similar tactics have been used in NY, NJ, Nevada and New Mexico, but challenges are mounting: www.latimes.com/california/s...
BREAKING: Federal Public defenders are seeking removal of Trump's top federal prosecutor in L.A., @USAttyEssayli , arguing his appointment is unlawful. Follows successful challenge of New Jersey U.S. Atty. Alina Habba's status. Latest w/ @brittny_mejia www.latimes.com/california/s...
Brain: I don't wanna do any work, it's Fridayyy... Ears: Activate "wake the F%#^ Up, you big baby music." open.spotify.com/album/0Pv5bd...
A.G. Bonta announced this investigation in Dec. 2021 -- the same day I revealed a batch of the texts and exposed the officers involved. You can read more here: www.latimes.com/california/s...
BREAKING: California A.G. & Torrance Police have reached an "enforceable agreement" to reform the agency after after a dozen officers were caught sending racist violent texts in 2021. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Also just to be clear ... throwing a sandwich at a cop is pretty obviously a misdemeanor battery by the letter of the law. But there is no universe where this would have ever passed muster as a felony.
So ... guess you can't actually indict a ham sandwich?
There's still time to check out the first Russell Avery novel before the final one comes out next year! And if you buy today it's half off! www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Update -- The Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed Hodgson was found dead in a home in Hemet, CA on Friday, Aug. 22nd. There were no signs of foul play.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent who was facing charges of drunkenly attacking Long Beach police has been found dead. www.latimes.com/california/s...
2-hour taxi waits at Burbank Airport caused plane diversions to multiple other states.
Gotta love when your 90-minute flight home from Sacramento gets re routed 4+ hours through Phoenix. How dare you make me wistful for LAX, Burbank Airport.
More on the surprising release of an audio recording that caused havoc during Lyle Menendez’s parole hearing w/ @SalHernandez www.latimes.com/california/s...
In one final calamity today, it was not clear if Lyle was even seated in front of the feed when the parole board began issuing its ruling.
Transcripts of parole hearings become public within 30 days. CDCR has indicated they would honor public records requests for audio recordings of the Menendez brothers hearings, but the victims families said they were never informed, which sparked outrage in the hearing.
The hearing was stalled for hours after the California Corrections Dept. accidentally released a recording of Erik Menendez's parole hearing to a news outlet. The family was outraged. Many then declined to speak in support of Lyle for fear their recordings would be made public.
BREAKING: Lyle Menendez has been denied parole after an 11-hour hearing. It is a minimum denial of three years. Same result as his brother Erik's hearing on Thursday. These are almost certainly the two longest parole hearings in California history.
Erik Menendez's family was stunned after parole denial, now Lyle's fate will be determined today. Latest w/ @salhernandez.bsky.social & @lacrimes.bsky.social -- www.latimes.com/california/s...
Once again, I can't transmit live details. California Corrections is tightly controlling access, which they had to approve weeks ago. If you're not in the pool, sorry, but that's not my call. I'm working with press access groups to modernize this process for the future.
If anything, the L.A. Deputy D.A. assigned to the case hinted yesterday he might have additional lines of attack to use against Lyle, like the allegation that he tried to get witnesses to lie at their initial trial.
-- Today's parole commissioners will be different than yesterday's. -- Most legal experts we've spoken to, however, say the odds that Lyle and Erik would get different results are small, given they were convicted of the same crime and have similar prison violations.
Good morning from the suburbs outside Sacramento, where I'll be the pool reporter covering Lyle Menendez's parole hearing today. Here's out story on the board's rejection of Erik yesterday, and a few housekeeping notes: www.latimes.com/california/s...
This likely forecasts poorly for Lyle Menendez tomorrow. The brothers still have a path to immediate relief if @gavinnewsom.bsky.social were to grant them clemency.
The Commissioners cited Erik's multiple rule violations in prison -- including the use of cell phones, drugs, allegedly aiding a gang in a tax scheme and two instances of violence -- as aggravating factors.
Full story now @latimes.com w/ @salhernandez.bsky.social -- Erik Menendez to remain in prison after decision by California Parole Board www.latimes.com/california/s...
BREAKING: Erik Menendez has been denied parole after a nearly 10-hour hearing. He can come before the board again within three years.
Erik Menendez goes before the California Parole Board today. I’m in Sacramento to cover the hearing and will bring you updates as soon as it’s over. But what does the parole board consider? Who testifies? You can read our preview below: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Will the Menendez brothers finally be set free? Convicted in one of the nation's most infamous killings, Erik & Lyle go before a California parole board this week. A preview from me & @lacrimes.bsky.social -- www.latimes.com/california/s...
Gov. Gavin Newsom is demanding more information from the Trump Administration after Border Patrol appeared outside his redistricting news conference last week. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Today, we announced that 80% of the union members @latimes.com are ready to vote yes to authorize a strike. It has been three years without a contract, without a cost of living raise, without meaningful effort from our leaders to bargain a fair contract. We deserve better. So do our readers.
NEW: Sources tell me the D.A.'s office convened a grand jury in Curren Price corruption trial and tried to force his wife, who is at center of conflict allegations, to testify. Records show they even considered charging her as a co-defendant. My latest: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Damn it, now you've all got me listening to Jeff Buckley at 9 a.m. in a courthouse.
'Help me, please!': Video captures ICE arrest outside L.A. courthouse, the latest instance where they've used the much derided tactic here in Southern California www.latimes.com/california/s...
Yeah Shawn is a wonderful dude who will never big time anyone. Still just as fun to see in a bar before and after becoming a bestseller. He was kind enough to blurb my second novel and I can never thank him enough.
Update: This book fucking rules.
I will never ever believe this really happened.
SCOOP: L.A. City Councilman Curren Price to face new corruption charges, sources tell us over @latimes.com www.latimes.com/california/s...
A federal judge has blocked U.S. Atty Bill Essayli’s attempt to dismiss an excessive force conviction against an L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy after he was already sentenced to prison. Latest w/ @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
Ironic? I'm in court in L.A. this morning with an ex-DEA agent charged with pointing a gun at a co-worker and another motorist, beating his spouse and hoarding illegal weapons in multiple incidents over 3 years. Federal law enforcement allegedly causing a one-man city crime wave.
So glad you’re giving them a shot. SURVIVING THE LIE, the final book in the series comes out next year from its new home at Counterpoint Press! Until then, I'm still selling some of the final first issues of first two Russell Avery novels if you're interested!
L.A. D.A. won’t charge deputy who shot man in back as he lay on ground at auto body shop. My latest: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Inside the high-stakes clandestine poker world that led to a Hollywood Hills murder. Latest in a series I like to call "Matt Ormseth stories I plan to steal for fiction plots." www.latimes.com/california/s...
Happy belated birthday to @blacktopkid.bsky.social — a guy who has deservedly made it 10x over but remains a tireless champion of all of us up and coming crime writers. Happy to know ya Shawn, and can’t wait to tear into this one.
Every single time I drive to the office: — 2.5 hours of work I don’t get done that could be achieved at home. — a 200% increase in the likelihood I get out of my car and choke slam one of L.A’s many, many terrible motorists through their windshield. The L.A. Times is gonna cause a crime wave.
L.A. in a nutshell right now — people see white unmarked vehicles and men with rifles and camo and all stop and assume it’s ICE or Border Patrol (Twas neither, LASD executing a felony warrant at a NoHo flop motel, ended peacefully)
Playing Black Flag for your toddler between bouts of Miss Rachel is just a balanced musical diet … right?
There is 1000% a Javaris Crittenton reference in this story.
Not a fun one for this NBA junkie to write: Feds arrest ex-All-Star Gilbert Arenas - a.k.a. Agent Zero a.k.a. Hibachi -- for allegedly running 'high-stakes illegal poker' games at his Encino mansion. Latest w/ @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
Shot. Chaser.
"Protesting is not a crime. Defending my community is not a crime. I want to thank all the supporters across the country who mobilized to get the charges dropped. We won because we're on the right side of history and our cause is just." - statement from Alejandro Orellana
NEW: Just hours after the Trump administration moved to extend his term as L.A.'s top federal lawman, U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli moved to dismiss two controversial cases against a Trump donor and an L.A. County sheriff's deputy. Latest w/ @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
Very odd especially considering -- as we reported last week -- the U.S. Attorney's office in L.A. has been struggling to get indictments in most of its 40 alleged protest violence/immigration raid interference cases. This was one of just 7 indictments they'd won. Story coming...
NEW: The White House made moves Tuesday to keep Bill Essayli as L.A.’s top federal prosecutor, the latest in a series of Trump Admin maneuvers sidestepping normal confirmation processes to keep their people in power. Latest w/ @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
I love this song but had avoided thinking about its personal relevance until now so ... Thanks Dave!
I tried to pick back up on an enterprise piece I've been neglecting on and off for a year this morning ... this clearly angered the News Gods.
The first criminal prosecution stemming from an attack on a pro-Palestine encampment at UCLA last year has come to a close. A man accused of a hate crime will see his case dismissed if he completes a diversion program. My latest: www.latimes.com/california/s...
But wait, there’s more: www.latimes.com/california/s...
The Trump Administration has used odd legal moves to keep its desired U.S. attorneys in place without following normal confirmation processes in N.Y. and N.J. Is L.A. next? We take a long look at @USAttyEssayli time in office so far.
The new Freddie Gibbs is so good I already almost got in a car accident listening to it.
Hulk Hogan’s final appearance on WWE programming saw him get booed out of an L.A. arena peddling shitty jingoistic beer, meaning he appropriately died a heel with go away heat. That works for me, brother.
NEW: Trump's pick as L.A.'s top federal prosecutor is struggling to win indictments against anti-ICE protesters, to the point where he yelled at subordinates to disregard the DOJ Manual in frustration. Latest w/ @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
BREAKING: California A.G. Rob Bonta will move to take control of scandal-plagued L.A. County juvenile halls www.latimes.com/california/s...
Powerful and devastating work from @brittnymejia.bsky.social Deaf, mute and terrified: ICE arrests DACA recipient and ships him to Texas www.latimes.com/california/s...
The L.A. D.A.'s office has filed 37 counts of attempted murder against the driver who allegedly plowed into a crowd at an East Hollywood nightclub www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reporter @jqwritesstuff.bsky.social said he was shoved by police officers while covering an immigration protest in LA on June 10. At demonstrations earlier in the week, he also reported being hit with tear gas and shot at with pepper balls.
I'm inbetween publishers right now but there's always hand sales like I'm in a local band again!
You could also just resubscribe cause I'm like, really good at my job? And you like me?
Learn news about newspaper I work at from the newspaper itself. Challenge Level: Impossible. Also Jonny Stew. I was a Jersey boy for a few years. Love ya. That was the SAWFTEST interview you've ever given anyone. Do better. www.latimes.com/california/s...
3 U.S. Marine brothers faced toughest mission: Getting their dad freed from ICE custody -- Good read from @tarantulaarms.bsky.social today www.latimes.com/california/s...
The people that played on the roof forever ago (Damnit, I've been here a long time) eventually ran a team in a DTLA league for several years.
A relic from when the L.A. Times had a basketball team and I was (unsurprisingly) its bruising 1990s-era power forward/center.
Sitting in front of my laptop in a journalism themed basketball jersey listening to ska and annoying the federal government … just like God intended.
L.A. prosecutors filed murder charges against a man accused of beating his ex's 5-year-old son to death, and leaving the boy's body in a Panorama City dumpster. www.latimes.com/california/s...
When he allegedly killed his ex's son, Brycson Gaddis had: - an active warrant for his arrest - absconded from electronic monitoring - dodged a carjacking charge b/c an L.A. D.A. wasn't ready for a hearing. w/@summerrlin.bsky.social & @missdakotasmith.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
Update: The Border Patrol agent charged with drunkenly attacking a Long Beach cop while off duty was involved in the controversial arrest of a U.S. citizen last month. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Full story here -- Border Patrol agent charged with drunkenly attacking Long Beach cop while off duty www.latimes.com/california/s...
NEW: The L.A. D.A.'s office has charged an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent with resisting arrest and battery on a police officer following a drunken scene at a Long Beach bar earlier this month.
Haven't seen the movie yet but uhhh... Superman has been an immigrant story since the Action Comics days. He is literally a refugee from a dying planet sent here for a better life. Perhaps the problem isn't "wokness," but reading comprehension? www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...
Despite White House claims that L.A. is a crime-ridden hell pit, the city's on pace for a record low homicide total this year. LAPD also reports double-digit drops in robberies, aggravated assaults and property crime. More here from @liborjany.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
After running a traditional tough-on-crime campaign, L.A. D.A. Nathan Hochman has tried to run the ofifce as an apolitical lawman bringing calm to an office that was at war with itself. Can his “hard middle” approach last as Trump targets L.A.? My latest: www.latimes.com/california/s...
The White House just put out a blast on dangerous criminals arrested by ICE recently. There were 20 cases described. Interestingly, despite everything going on here, only one case was connected to Los Angeles.
He's free on bond at present.
Thieves with 'signal jammers' snatch $1 million in jewelry in Glendale caper, D.A. says; 7 charged www.latimes.com/california/s...
RIP Michael Madsen, and my sense of decency, for watching this scene for the first time way too young, which probably explains ... me.
Orellana pleaded not guilty during a brief court hearing today. A trial date is currently set for late August.
Kidnappers or ICE agents? LAPD grapples with surge in calls from concerned citizens. Good story from @liborjany.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...
An L.A. activist who handed out protective masks to protesters during anti-ICE demonstrations last month has been indicted on federal counts of conspiracy and aiding civil unrest. My latest: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Don't love the message the universe is sending that Greet Death is one of the best bands going right now ... but Greet Death is one of the best bands going right now. open.spotify.com/track/36G8wa...
This book is amazing. This movie will, no doubt, be amazing. Now someone tell Hollywood to find a spine and make EVERYBODY KNOWS into a feature next.
Five hospitalized after suspected drug incident at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. This comes less than 48 hours after someone was arrested on suspicion of smuggling Xanax into the same hall. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Really glad we fired Tom Thibodeau to make way for NBA coaching legend ... Mike ... Brown? I mean hell at this point could've just made Papa Brunson the boss. At least that would have been entertaining.
New work uniform.
Nonprofit employee suspected of smuggling drugs into L.A. juvenile hall www.latimes.com/california/s...