March 2, 2014

Florida State Attorney Corey Seeks 60-Year Sentence for Marissa Alexander

Jacksonville, FL - Florida State Attorney Angela Corey announced on March 1, 2014, that her office is seeking a maximum 60-year sentence in the retrial of Marissa Alexander, beginning in late July.

Marissa Alexander, the 33-year-old African American mother who fired a non-lethal warning shot to fend off her abusive husband, was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 2012. State Attorney Corey, who personally prosecuted the case, sought the maximum sentence of 20 years under Florida's mandatory sentencing laws, despite no injuries or deaths. The jury deliberated for 12 minutes before returning a guilty verdict. The judge ordered Alexander's 20-year sentences for the three charges to be served concurrently--at the same time.

However, in 2013, a 1st District Court of Appeals judge overturned Alexander’s conviction and called for a new trial. Corey's latest demand is for the judge to order consecutive sentences, meaning Alexander may serve three 20-year sentences, sixty years, if convicted again.

A statement from the Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign called the move by Corey, "A stunning abuse of power." The statement continues, "As a consequence of winning the appeal to hopefully secure a more fair trial, Alexander now faces the alarming prospect that the original devastating sentence could be tripled in the new trial."


http://www.fightbacknews.org/2014/3/2/florida-state-attorney-corey-seeks-60-year-sentence-marissa-alexander

March 1, 2014

Rumor surrounding 'Captain America: Winter Soldier' movie post-credit scene. (Spoiler Alert)

Someone claiming to have seen the Captain America sequel already has just announced the film's post-credits scene. It comes from an odd source, but the description still sounds pretty plausible to me. Either way, warning: After the jump is a significant spoiler or a pack of lies.

The news comes from Lainey Gossip, whose writer apparently has access to secret early Marvel movie screenings (which seems unlikely, but in her article she describes both the film's abundance of physical stunt-work, as well as the characters of both Peggy and Sharon Carter which leads me to believe the writer is legit). Anyways, here's her description of the scene:

But the thing that's probably going to leave people talking the most is the post-credits stinger. They're calling them "The Twins", the brother-sister team of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, and they don't look like any Marvel heroes we've met to date. Having seen them, I am really sad for Fox and the X-Men, because this sh*t… (Fox's version) is horrible in and of itself, but in comparison it's outright embarrassing.

Makes total sense to me. Of course Cap 2 would link to Avengers 2 instead of the goofier, cosmic Guardians of the Galaxy; besides, Marvel always loves introducing these types of characters in earlier movies when they have the chance; and I'm sure Marvel is cackling delightedly and essentially getting their Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in theaters before Fox's X-Men: Days of Future Past.


http://io9.com/will-this-be-captain-america-the-winter-soldiers-post-1515239478

March 1, 2014

Gov. Brown signs $687M plan for drought relief in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- Amid one of California's driest years on record, Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday signed legislation to assist drought-affected communities and provide funding to better use local water supplies.

"Legislators across the aisle have now voted to help hard-pressed communities that face water shortages," said Governor Brown. "This legislation marks a crucial step but Californians must continue to take every action possible to conserve water."

The legislation had broad, bipartisan support. SB 103 passed 34-2 in the Senate and 64-3 in the Assembly. SB 104 passed 33-3 in the Senate and 68-1 in the Assembly. The bills provide $687.4 million to support drought relief, including money for housing and food for workers directly impacted by the drought, bond funds for projects to help local communities more efficiently capture and manage water and funding for securing emergency drinking water supplies for drought-impacted communities.

In addition, the legislation increases funding for state and local conservation corps to assist communities with efficiency upgrades and reduce fire fuels in fire risk areas, and includes $1 million for the Save Our Water public awareness campaign which will enhance its mission to inform Californians how they can do their part to conserve water.


http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/state&id=9450283

March 1, 2014

Debbie Dingell launches campaign in Dearborn for husband's U.S. House seat

Debbie Dingell launched her congressional campaign Friday, telling supporters that making education affordable, protecting the environment and representing Michigan’s workers are her top priorities.

“I’m not running to replace John Dingell. I think he’s irreplaceable,” she said of her husband, who has held the seat for 58 years. “I want to keep fighting for the issues that have always been my passion, especially women and children.”

Several dozen supporters joined Debbie Dingell, 60, at the Panera Bread in her hometown of Dearborn, the first of three stops to launch her campaign.

Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly said Dingell is the best person to represent the district because of her breadth of knowledge of the cities and towns in the 12th Congressional District, which covers portions of western Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

“You have to know Washington and Washington needs to know you,” he said. “We’ll be sending a freshman to Washington. She should have the ability to be known and have access to departments. I can’t wait to see her take on Washington on our behalf.”



http://www.freep.com/article/20140228/NEWS06/302280073/Debbie-Dingell-U-S-House-campaign

March 1, 2014

Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere (VIDEO)