FBI reports US murders down, rapes up in 2004 News
FBI reports US murders down, rapes up in 2004

[JURIST] An FBI report on US crime [PDF] released Monday found that while murders in the US fell for the first time in five years, 2004 saw an increase in the number of rapes. Overall the number of violent crimes fell by 1.2 percent and property crimes dropped 1.1 percent. The 350 fewer murders in 2004 compared to 2003 included a drop of 150 fewer murders in the city of Chicago, a large reason for the decrease. The number of rapes has increased in three of the past four years, including a .8 percent increase in 2004, 750 more than in 2003. Both categories are up from 2000 (rape – 5%; murder – 3.5%). The overall crime rate, however, is at a 30-year low and the rates of all violent crimes have dropped since 2000. The FBI has created a special report website. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.