Biden commutes sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row inmates to life in prison without possibility of parole
CBSN
President Biden is granting clemency to 37 of the 40 federal inmates facing death sentences. Their sentences will be commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The three inmates who didn't get clemency are the convicted murderer in the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, the gunman at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, and the surviving Boston Marathon bomber.
The announcement is sure to spark partisan debate, even though presidential commutation and pardon power are broad, constitutionally enshrined and irreversible.
Kari Lake said it's not her intention to turn the government-funded news outlet Voice of America into "MAGA TV," but that she wants to see a return of politically neutral journalism.
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea in an apparent "friendly fire" incident, the U.S. military said Sunday. Both pilots were recovered alive, with one suffering minor injuries in the incident.
[This story previously aired on Dec. 18, 2021. It was updated on Dec. 21, 2024.] POLICE: You have no idea where Laci is? POLICE: You have any questions? SCOTT PETERSON [voicemail]: Hey, beautiful. I just left a message at home 2:15. I'm leaving Berkeley. I won't be able to get to Vella Farms to get the basket for Papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I'll see you in a bit, sweetie. Love you. Bye. SCOTT PETERSON [police interview]: It seemed too cold to go play golf at the club, so ... SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: I wanted to call you. SCOTT PETERSON: We took care of each other very well. She was amazing – is amazing. GLORIA GOMEZ: Why would you leave Laci … alone to go fishing on Christmas Eve? SCOTT PETERSON: We have separate pursuits. … and being, you know, seven-and-a-half months pregnant she's not going to want to go out in a boat. SCOTT PETERSON: Want me to turn that off? AMBER FREY [phone recording]: Hello. SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: Amber are your there? SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: … I'm near the Eiffel Tower, the New Years' celebration is unreal. AMBER FREY [phone recording]: I deserve to understand an explanation of why you told me you lost your wife, and this was the first holidays you'd spend without her? That was December 9th – you told me this and how all- of-a sudden your wife's missing? Are you kidding me? … POLICE: You remember what part you saw? SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: I was staggered by it. I had no idea it was coming. SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: It's pretty awesome, fireworks there at the Eiffel Tower. POLICE INTERVIEW: OK, so then about 9:30 you left? SCOTT PETERSON: We were watching her favorite show, "Martha Stewart."
A truck driver drove through a mall in Killeen, Texas, Saturday night, striking several people and injuring at least five, authorities said. The suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, said Saturday that she's removing herself from consideration to be a Florida senator — ending speculation that she could replace Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who has been tapped to be the incoming administration's secretary of state.
Popular retail chain Party City filed for bankruptcy protection Saturday, a day after it disclosed to employees that it would be implementing mass layoffs at its New Jersey headquarters.
Mark Burnett, the power producer who helped reintroduce President-elect Donald Trump to a national television audience with "The Apprentice," is being tapped by the president-elect to the newly-created post of special envoy to the United Kingdom in his upcoming administration.
Actress Blake Lively is suing her "It Ends with Us" co-star Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment.
Legislation to expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans passed the U.S. Senate early Saturday and is now headed to the desk of President Biden, who is expected to sign the measure into law.
The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, happens on Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Northern Hemisphere. The celestial event signifies the first day of winter, astronomically.
Washington — The Senate on Friday confirmed two more of President Biden's nominees to the federal judiciary on Friday, giving him a total of 235 since he took office, surpassing the number of judges approved for lifetime appointment during President-elect Donald Trump's first term.