Illinois lawmakers seek to modify death penalty News
Illinois lawmakers seek to modify death penalty

[JURIST] Illinois lawmakers presented legislation Friday that could end the current state moratorium on executions. House Bill 2704 [text] calls for "guilt beyond any doubt" to replace the current penalty phase standard in capital cases of "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." Jurors would still find guilt or innocence under the reasonable doubt standard, but a death sentence could only be imposed it the jury found no doubt of guilt. The legislation is intended to stop the wrongful convictions that lead then-Governor George Ryan to halt all executions in the state in 2000. Before leaving office in 2003, Ryan commuted the death sentences of 167 inmates, and since that time the Illinois Supreme Court has been given greater power to throw out unjust verdicts. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.