Criminal Justice Degrees Guide

The 10 Most Dangerous Gangs of the 21st Century

Site Administrator — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:14:40 +0000

Gangs have been terrorizing communities and fighting for turf for as long as street crime has been around. Today’s gangs have evolved into more powerful and sophisticated groups that will do just about anything and kill just about anyone for a quick buck. According to the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, there are approximately 1.4 million gang members roaming the streets and operating in prisons in the United States. Out of the tens of thousands of gangs in the world, these 10 have caused the most danger in the 21st century.

The Latin Kings

The Latin Kings is one of the largest and most dangerous Latino street gangs in the country. The Latin Kings formed in Chicago during the 1940s and have grown exponentially through the years. The Latin Kings’ chapters operate in at least 31 states, 158 cities, and have spread to all of Latin America, Spain, and other parts of Europe. Today, the Kings are as violent and ruthless as ever — many of the leaders and members have been indicted for mass murders, million-dollar drug trafficking operations, and federal weapons charges.
Trinitarios

The Trinitarios are a New York-based Hispanic gang that was established in the state prison system during the early ’90s. The Trinitarios are the fastest growing gang in the New York/New Jersey area, and their operations have extended to at least 10 other states, in addition to Spain and the Dominican Republic. The Trinitarios, also called Trinitarians, are involved in a range of street crime, including racketeering, gun trafficking, narcotics, and robberies. Unlike most large gangs, the Trinitarios are not affiliated with other gangs and its rival gangs include the Bloods, Crips, the Latin Kings, and Dominicans Don’t Play.
The New Dons

The New Dons, also known as Goodfellas and One Twenty-Nine, is a dangerous street gang that operates around West 129th Street in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. The gang is known for their wide collection of firearms, which they use to intimidate rivals. In November 2011, 19 of the New Dons members were arrested and charged with conspiracy, and some were charged with weapons possession, firearms trafficking, and attempted murder.
MS-13

MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) is arguably one of the deadliest and most powerful gangs in the country. MS-13 has one of the largest memberships nationwide with operations in at least 42 states and the District of Columbia. MS-13 members mostly consist of Salvadorans or first generation Salvadoran-Americans, as well as Hondurans, Guatemalans, Mexicans, and other Central and South American immigrants. The gang has a reputation for committing extremely violent crimes, using a wide range of weapons and intimidation tactics.
Aryan Brotherhood

The Aryan Brotherhood gang has been committing heinous crimes inside federal prisons for more than 40 years, but the gang has gained an even bigger and more dangerous presence during the 21st century. The Aryan Brotherhood began as a hate group/gang that targeted and often murdered non-white prisoners, but has since shifted its focus to crimes that are not solely motivated by race. Today, the Aryan Brotherhood has more than 15,000 members throughout the U.S., and its criminal activity ranges from murder, narcotics trafficking, and extortion to gambling, robbery, and intimidation.

Wave Gang and Hood Starz

The Wave Gang and their rivals, the Hood Starz, have been terrorizing the neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn for years. Both gangs have been involved in a number of murders, assaults, robberies, and other illegal activity. A total of 43 members from each gang were recently arrested and indicted after bragging on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube about a deadly shooting that killed three people and injured several others.
Insane M.O.B. (Money Over Bitches)

Insane M.O.B. (aka Money Over Bitches) is a modern-day gang that is allied with a group of Chicago gangs called "Folk Nation." In October 2010, 29 members of Insane M.O.B. were arrested in Orange County, Fla., for their involvement in homicides, murder-for-hire plots, drug trafficking, arson, gun sales, and other criminal activity within the area.
The Red Scorpions

The Red Scorpions is a violent drug-trafficking gang based in British Columbia, Canada. The gang was allegedly formed by Quang Vinh Le in 2000, while he was incarcerated at a Vancouver detention center. The Red Scorpions come from different multicultural backgrounds and are identified by the "RS" tattoos on their neck, shoulders, and wrists. Since their formation, the Scorpions have been involved in a large cocaine trafficking operation and many homicides, including the slaughtering of six people in 2008.
18th Street gang

The 18th Street gang is a Los Angeles-based street gang that has become one of the largest and most ruthless organizations in the country and possibly in the world. The Latino gang is considered to be the largest street gang in LA, and its members can be found in 37 states, as well as Mexico and Central America. The violent gang has been around for decades, but its growing membership and generations of gang leaders have kept it alive and strong. The 18th Street gang is involved in all areas of street crimes and has been linked to more than 250 homicides in Los Angeles over the last 10 years.
Mexican Mafia

The Mexican Mafia is one of the oldest and most dominant prison gangs in the country. The violent gang formed in California’s prisons in the late ’50s and has since expanded to federal prison systems in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. The Mexican Mafia is involved in a number of criminal activities inside and outside of prison, such as murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and has had a longstanding rivalry with the Black Guerilla Family. The group reigns over almost every Chicano gang in Southern California and they are obligated to carry out all orders from the Mexican Mafia or risk the chance of being murdered.

10 Weirdest and Worst Ads for Lawyers

Site Administrator — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:12:39 +0000

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, lawyer ads are simply ridiculous. Whether it’s the overly eager lawyer who promises to "hammer" insurance companies that don’t pay, or the cynical divorce lawyer who can make you lose faith in humanity in 30 seconds, these ads run the gamut from awesomely bad to just plain weird. Check out the 10 weirdest and worst ads for lawyers.

Berger & Green

If you like explosions and flying cars, then you’ll love Berger and Green’s wacky ad. He’ll help you "get what’s yours," if you’re not too scared to call after watching this.
Jim Adler

Personal injury lawyer, Jim Adler, is legendary in Texas, but his awesomely bad ads are famous all over. Adler, better known as "The Hammer," has a reputation for yelling and shaking his fist in commercials while using ridiculous phrases you can’t get out of your head.
Bruce Flint

When all else fails, rap about it! That’s what Dallas lawyer Bruce Flint did, and the rap video came out looking like a crappy version of Grand Theft Auto.
Denvil Crowe

Bald-headed actor? Check. Flaming background? Check. Tone-deaf singer? You got it! That about sums up this quality ad from attorney Denvil Crowe.
DivorceEZ

You know when an ad starts off with, "If you and your spouse hate each other like poison," it’s got to be good. This no-nonsense lawyer makes it "EZ" to get out of the "hellhole you call a marriage," all while sounding 100% jaded.
Brian Loncar

Here’s another personal injury lawyer overdramatizing a commercial for no apparent reason. He might be known as "The Strong Arm" in Texas, but here he just looks like a nutcase who crashes cars for the hell of it.
Bernstein & Maryanoff

This ad is almost as bad as the fit of Bernstein’s shirt. Before he sues any insurance company, we hope he takes down the tailor who let him walk out like that.
J. Michael Gallagher

If ruining your spouse’s holiday with divorce papers sounds delightful, then J. Michael Gallagher is here to take your call. And don’t just pick up the phone; fight over it like the miserable couple in this terrible ad.
Brown & Grouppen

This walking, talking trio of "good guys" is as cheesy as it gets. If only they had done a group high five before entering the sun-blinding courtroom.
Barry Glazer

Calling all urination victims! Attorney Barry Glazer is here to stop insurance companies from "urinating on your leg and tell you it’s raining." We don’t know what his urination obsession is all about, but it makes for an awesomely bad ad.

10 Things You Should Never Carry in Your Purse or Wallet

Site Administrator — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:11:18 +0000

We carry a great risk of becoming victims of identity theft every day, and it all starts in the wallet and purse. Every piece of plastic, every password, and every receipt you put in your wallet or purse could be the very thing thieves use to compromise your finances and steal your identity. The best way to protect yourself and your belongings is to use common sense and not carry the following items:

Social Security card and number

Your Social Security number is incredibly valuable and it can be detrimental if someone gets access to it. You may use your Social Security number for work documentation and government services, but very rarely will you have to show your Social Security card. If your card gets into the wrong hands, there’s no telling what a person will do with it. Thieves can open a credit card in your name, apply for loans, and much worse. If you can’t memorize this number for the life of you, do not write the numbers on paper and leave it in your wallet or purse. Even if you delete the dashes, a thief can figure out what number this is because all SSN have nine digits. Be smart and leave your Social Security card and number in a safe place with other important documents.
Passport

When traveling abroad, you can’t really get around carrying your passport on you. However, American travelers are advised to pack extra passport photos and a photocopy of their passport information in case it is lost or stolen. These documents and photos should be left in the hotel, preferably in a hotel safe. This will make getting a replacement easier and protect you from other identity theft dangers.
Checkbook

It might be convenient to keep your checkbook on hand, but it can be a big mess if someone gets ahold of it. One look at your checkbook and a thief will have access to your account number, routing number, and possibly your signature. If they’re really sneaky, they might be able to forge your signature and cash a check. Avoid this fiasco by keeping your checkbook at home in a safe place.
Passwords

Passwords, such as PIN numbers, e-mail passwords, and even alarm codes should not be carried around in your wallet or purse. It doesn’t take much for a thief to figure out that four digits could be your PIN number. If you cannot remember important passwords that you need to use on a regular basis, then store them on a protected computer or phone.
Gift cards and certificates

Many people carry gift cards and certificates in their wallet because they never know when they’ll end up using them. This might seem convenient, but if your wallet or purse gets stolen, you’ll be kicking yourself for not leaving these gifts at home. Gift cards and certificates are as good as money, and you don’t have to show an ID to use them. Avoid this risk by leaving gift cards and certificates at home until you’ve picked a day to use them.
USB devices

As wonderful and convenient as USBs are, they can be very problematic if a thief gets ahold of one. Many USBs contain confidential files and personal information that a thief would love to have. Not to mention, all of your hard work and important documents could be lost in an instant if someone snags your purse or wallet.
Receipts

Many people disregard receipts and leave them hanging around or stuffed into a purse or wallet, but these small pieces of paper can be quite telling, especially to a smart thief. Some receipts contain your credit card information and signature, which opens the door for identity theft and forgery. Also, if a thief has access to your address and they can see what you bought on a receipt, they may go as far as to rob your house.
Unprotected cell phone

A cell phone without a password is a dangerous thing to carry around. A thief will have full access to your e-mail and other personal information stored in your phone. Placing a password on your phone could deter a thief from taking your phone in the first place and prevent them from accessing any personal information. If your phone does not have a password option, then carry it in a pocket or on your body instead of in a bag.
Too many credit cards

Carrying all of your credit cards in your wallet can be very risky and quite the hassle if they get stolen. Not only will you have to cancel each and every credit card, but you’ll also have to use cash or write checks while you wait on new credit cards to be sent. To avoid this fiasco, only carry the cards you use on a regular basis and leave the rest at home so you’re not completely S.O.L.
Large amounts of cash

Carrying a lot of cash in your wallet or purse is risky for many obvious reasons. If you get mugged, you’ll be out a lot of money. It’s never a bad idea to keep some cash on you, especially when traveling, but be sure to bring only as much as you need and don’t flash it around for others to see.

10 Least Surprising Celebrity Arrests

Site Administrator — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:17:37 +0000

Celebrities might have all the money in the world, but they certainly aren’t above the law. Stars are easily swept up by drugs, guns, and criminal activity, but they don’t do a great job of covering up their tracks or learning from their mistakes. Here are the 10 least surprising celebrity arrests.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg has been in the big house one too many times, and now he can add one more charge to the list. The famous West Coast rapper was recently arrested at a U.S.-Mexico border checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas, for possession of marijuana. The 40-year-old was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and turned over to the Hudspeth County sheriff. Snoop Dogg was released and given a Jan. 20 court date. Considering his track record of drug possession charges and weapons offenses, this probably won’t be the last time we hear of the bad boy rapper going to the slammer.
Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan is no stranger to causing trouble and we wouldn’t be surprised if she was arrested this year. Over the past few years, the 25-year-old actress has had many run-ins with the law. Lohan’s party girl ways had caught up to her when she was arrested for driving under the influence and police found a "usable" amount of cocaine in her car. Lohan’s 45-day rehab stint didn’t seem to straighten her up because she was arrested two weeks later for a second DUI and more cocaine was found. Her downward spiral has continued over the years, causing her to miss out on many film opportunities and tarnish her reputation in the process.
Willie Nelson

Country music legend, Willie Nelson, has had his fair share of run-ins with the law. His love for marijuana has landed him some trips to the slammer, starting in 1974, when he was arrested for marijuana possession in Dallas. Years later, Nelson was arrested when police found a marijuana cigarette in his car. In 2006, Nelson was on the road again when he got pulled over in St. Martin Parish, La., and was arrested for possession of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Four years later, Nelson was arrested for carrying six ounces of marijuana on his tour bus. At first, the prosecutor suggested Nelson sing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" for the court instead of paying the fine, but the judge said it was a joke and Nelson still had to pay the fine just like every other offender.
Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne might be a rap genius, but his criminal track record is dumbfounding. The rapper has been arrested several times, mostly for possession of drugs and weapons. In 2008, Lil Wayne’s tour bus was stopped by Border Patrol agents in southwestern Arizona, where they discovered marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and drug paraphernalia. He was charged with four felonies and posted his $10,185 bond. The rapper later served eight months at Rikers Island prison for a year-long sentence for criminal possession of a weapon. Since his time in the big house, Lil Wayne has stayed out of trouble, but we wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it happened again.
Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton’s criminal record keeps growing by the year. The hotel heiress’ first big run-in with the police occurred in 2006, when she was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. The next year, she was pulled over for driving with a suspended license. Hilton got pulled over the next month for speeding and driving without her headlights on. Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail for violating her probation, but was reassigned to home confinement after just a few days in jail. Hilton got herself in trouble again when she was caught with cocaine on the Las Vegas strip in 2010, but claimed it wasn’t hers and said she thought it was gum.
Rip Torn

Actor Rip Torn has been in and out of jail more times than we can count. The star, whose hit movies include Men in Black and The Beastmaster, has a long history of drunk-driving arrests. Torn’s most recent run-in with the law involved breaking into a Connecticut bank while drunk and armed with a loaded revolver. Torn pleaded guilty to the charges of reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, and the illegal carrying of a firearm. He was given three years of probation, will be subject to random drug and alcohol tests, and is banned from possessing a firearm.
Michael Lohan

Michael Lohan may not be a true celebrity, but his legal drama is on par with the most badly behaved stars, in particular, his daughter. Lohan is a former cocaine user who’s been dealing with the po-po since the early ’90s. He was first investigated for insider trading and charged with criminal contempt of court. He spent three years in jail and got another year for violating probation. In pre-Real Housewives of New Jersey style, Lohan got into a fistfight with his ex-wife’s brother during a communion party for their youngest child. He was charged with attempted assault. Before the assault case came to an end, Lohan was arrested for driving under the influence and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. For years, Lohan has been in and out of rehab for his alcoholism, but got arrested in 2011 for the umpteenth time for suspected domestic violence.
Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen has been arrested so much throughout his career that nothing he does surprises us anymore. Sheen’s drug and alcohol use got him in trouble with the law on many occasions. In 2009, Sheen’s third wife, Brooke Mueller, claimed he assaulted her. He was arrested and charged with felony menacing, third-degree assault, and criminal mischief. Sheen pleaded guilty to the assault charge and the other charges were dropped as part of a plea bargain. He completed a stint in rehab and anger management. His most recent debacle occurred in 2010, when Sheen was removed from The Plaza Hotel for causing $7,000 in damage to his hotel suite in a drunken, cocaine-induced rampage.
Andy Dick

Comedian Andy Dick has had his fair share of legal problems, ranging from cocaine and marijuana possession, indecent exposure, groping patrons at a comedy club, and being drunk and disorderly in public. One of Dick’s worst crimes occurred in 2008, when he exposed the breasts of a 17-year-old girl by pulling down her shirt and bra. He was charged with misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to three years probation. Since then, Dick has been racking up the fines and probation time for altercations, sexual abuse accusations, and public intoxication.
Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson has been causing trouble for years and we wouldn’t be surprised if he got arrested in 2012. The accomplished actor has a long history of driving under the influence of alcohol and not controlling his temper. In 2010, Gibson was called into question for accusations of domestic violence against his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. Although Gibson pleaded no contest to the battery charges, his irate phone call recordings are still engrained in our memories and we can’t help but wonder when his next arrest will be.

The 10 Most Common Holiday Crimes

Site Administrator — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:18:59 +0000

The holidays are a joyful time of the year, but it is also a peak time for criminal activity. Criminals take advantage of the seasonal chaos and people’s giving nature by committing some of the worst crimes imaginable. Even though police are out in droves this time of year, criminals always find a way to ruin the holidays for somebody. Here are the 10 most common holiday crimes:

Identity theft

Identity theft is a risk for virtually everyone during the holidays. Thieves are online and offline, waiting to steal your personal information, credit card number, and Social Security number, and use it to commit crimes. Thieves can steal your identity in various ways, such as skimming, phishing, pretexting, and old-fashioned stealing. As common as identity theft is during the holidays, there are many ways to protect yourself and your finances from being compromised, such as reviewing your monthly statements, balancing your checkbook, reviewing your credit reports, and securing your personal information.
Shoplifting

Shoplifting is one of the most common crimes committed during the holidays. With shopping at an all-time high during Christmas, shoplifters have more opportunities to take advantage of the large crowds and distracted workers. According to Adweek, one in every 11 people engages in shoplifting and with the recession still in full swing, that number could be much higher.
Robbery

The holidays are a hot time for robberies because of the increased cash volume and the distractions of crowds. Robbers are well aware of the fact that people carry more money on them during the holidays and they will go to great lengths to try to steal from people on the street, in parking lots, and other public places. People have turned to crime to solve their financial problems and see robbery as one of the quickest ways to do that.
Drunk driving

The holidays are a time for fun and celebration, but they are unfortunately one of most dangerous times to be on the road. Drunk driving is extremely common this time of year and fatalities related to alcohol-impaired driving has risen since 2005. In December 2008, 520 people died from alcohol- or drug-related crashes.
Vehicle theft

Vehicle burglaries are a problem all year long, but it is far worse around the holidays. Thieves know that shoppers leave expensive gifts in the car and that they could be gone for hours. It doesn’t take much for criminals to see what’s inside your car and figure out a way to steal your valuables. The good news is drivers can prevent auto burglaries by taking some simple, but effective preventative steps, such as locking the doors, hiding your valuables, and taking the keys with you.
Rape and sexual assault

Reports of rape and sexual assault have increased around Christmastime. This is most likely due to the increase of parties and alcohol consumption that takes place during this time of year. Women who engage in heavy drinking have a greater risk of becoming a victim of rape or sexual assault. When alcohol or drugs are involved, people’s judgment becomes impaired and they may find themselves in more dangerous situations than when they are sober.
Home burglary

Home burglary is a concern any time of the year, but it’s especially bad during the holidays. Burglars tend to break into homes that are easy to access and they usually steal items that they can quickly and inconspicuously carry, such as laptops, electronics, jewelry, and cash. The risk of being burglarized is always there, but homeowners can take effective measures to protect their house and belongings.
Counterfeiting

Every year, unsuspecting shoppers get duped into buying counterfeit merchandise that they think are genuine. Counterfeiters profit from tricking consumers into buying knock-off items and illegally downloading music, movies, and television shows. Not only do these criminals steal from consumers, but they also cost legitimate companies a great deal of money. Counterfeiters often use these profits to fund other illegal activities.
Scams

Scams are very common during the holidays, when unsuspecting shoppers give money to a phony charity or enter a bogus sweepstakes. Scammers will tug at your heart strings and take advantage of your giving mood. They also prey on naïve and desperate people who are easily lured by deals that seem too good to be true. Shoppers can protect themselves from these sneaky scams by doing thorough research on a particular deal or offer before giving any money or personal information to anyone or any site.
Domestic violence

Domestic violence is a growing problem during the holidays, and experts believe it increased with the stress of gift giving, celebrations, and the close proximity to family. Alcohol and drugs only add to the problem and put more people in danger. The holidays have a tendency to exacerbate family tension, drug use, and financial woes, causing people to act out in violent and destructive ways.

9 Judges Who Disgraced the Bench

Site Administrator — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:12:51 +0000

Judges are leaders who are expected to exercise good judgment when presiding over cases. For the most part, judges have no problem using good judgment in and outside of court, but by no means are they perfect. These men and women do not have legal immunity, and when they break the law, they pay for it like every other citizen. Here are 9 judges who disgraced the bench:

Judge William Adams

Texas Judge William Adams disgraced the bench when a video was released of him viciously lashing his then-16-year-old daughter because she was illegally downloading from the Internet. Hillary Adams, now 23, posted the clip on YouTube to show her father’s true colors and prevent him from being re-elected as the Aransas County court-at-law judge. To make matters worse, Adams presides over child abuse cases. The family law judge could not be charged with injury to a child or assault because the five-year statute of limitations has passed since the incident.
Clarence Thomas

Before Clarence Thomas was appointed to the High Court, he was accused of sexual harassment by his former assistant, Anita Hill. The controversial Senate hearings were largely a matter of "he said, she said." Hill said Thomas subjected her to graphic discussions of pornography and made unsolicited sexual advances. Thomas denied all of the allegations and called the incident "legal lynching." He received his commission and became a member of the Supreme Court.
Judge Samuel Kent

Texas Judge Samuel Kent disgraced the bench when he was indicted for allegedly sexually abusing his former case manager in 2008. The next year, Kent was accused of sexually abusing another court employee. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison. Kent is the first-known federal judge ever charged with a federal sex crime.
Judge James Heath

Judge James Heath found himself in deep water when he was arrested for drunk driving. The Warren County common pleas judge had been arrested for the same charges months before and a video of his first arrest leaked onto the Internet. Heath pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving and attended a three-day counseling program, but 18 hours after his second such arrest, Heath committed suicide.
Mark Ciavarella

Mark Ciavarella, a Pennsylvania juvenile court judge, disgraced the bench when he got caught accepting money to send minors to juvenile prison. The scandal became known as "kids for cash." Ciavarella accepted nearly $1 million to send kids to the private detention facility on minor or questionable charges. In 2011, Ciavarella was convicted of several charges, including money laundering and racketeering conspiracy, and was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
George R. Korpita

New Jersey Judge George R. Korpita disgraced the bench when he was arrested for drunk driving and allegedly told the police officers to "get the Vaseline out and bend over." Korpita was suspended from practicing law for three months after the incident, but he ultimately decided to resign in 2007. Korpita pleaded guilty to threatening a public servant and his drunken driving charge.
Judge John Suddock

Superior Court Judge John Suddock violated judicial rules when he approached a state commissioner outside of court and discussed the case. The Alaska judge argued that he was simply alerting the commissioner that it was a prime time to delegate his statutory representative, but this conflict of interest did not sit well with the defendant’s attorney.
Supreme Court Justice Gerald Garson

Gerald Garson is a former New York Supreme Court Justice who found himself in the hot seat when got caught accepting bribes to settle custody in a divorce case. Garson was convicted of taking $1,000 cash "referral fee" and other gifts from the divorce lawyer he appointed. Garson’s violation of judicial conduct got him disbarred as an attorney and he spent more than two years in prison.
Judge Thomas Porteous

New Orleans Federal Judge Thomas Porteous disgraced the bench when he kept his relationship with a lawyer in a federal case a secret. In addition to perjury, Porteous was also accused of taking bribes from lawyers and a bail bond company, which included money and expensive meals. This kind of misconduct meets the Constitution’s "high crimes and misdemeanors" criteria for impeachment and he was impeached in March 2010 by the House of Representatives.

History’s 9 Most Notorious Crimes of Passion

Site Administrator — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:05:43 +0000

History is plagued by all types of crime, but crimes of passion, in particular, have caused a great deal of heartache and have left so many people asking "why?" Crimes of passion typically involve assault or murder and are fueled by rage, heartbreak, and revenge. Out of all the tragic crimes of passion that have happened, these nine are the most notorious.

Murder of Phil Hartman

On May 28, 1998, comedian Phil Hartman was shot and killed by his wife, Brynn, who committed suicide hours after the murder. The shocking murder-suicide that left the couple’s two children orphaned stunned family and friends. The Hartmans had been married for 10 years, but Brynn was deeply troubled and the marriage was suffering because of her drug use. On the night of the murder, Brynn returned home intoxicated and got into a heated argument with Phil. He threatened to leave her if she started using drugs again. While Hartman was sleeping, Brynn shot him three times with a handgun. After the shooting, Brynn drove to a friend’s house and confessed to her crime, but he did not believe her. When they returned to Brynn’s home, her friend called the police and she went into the bedroom, where she committed suicide.
Dismemberment of John Wayne Bobbitt

One of the most bizarre and unforgettable crimes of passion occurred on June 23, 1993, when Lorena Bobbitt attacked her husband and cut off approximately 2.5 cm of his penis after he allegedly raped her. According to her court testimony, Lorena left the house and threw his severed penis along the side of the highway. She realized the seriousness of the incident and called 911. Surgeons were able to reattach Bobbitt’s penis. and the jury found Lorena not guilty due to her husband’s sexual abuse — and her insanity that spurred this wild crime of passion.
Attempted murder of Mary Jo Buttafuoco

The infamous love triangle between Joey Buttafuoco, his wife Mary Jo, and his mistress Amy Fisher became one of the biggest news stories of the ’90s. Joey Buttafuoco, a New York auto body shop owner, was having an affair with 17-year-old Amy Fisher, who subsequently shot his wife, Mary Jo, in the face. On May 19, 1992, Fisher, then nicknamed the "Long Island Lolita," had an accomplice take her to Joey’s house to confront the wife. Mary Jo answered the door and Amy told her that Joey was having an affair with her 16-year-old sister. When Mary Jo brushed her off and told her to leave, Amy came inside and shot her in the head. Mary Jo survived the shooting and suffered a loss of hearing in one ear and partial paralysis on one side of her face. Fisher’s jealousy turned deadly and she served seven years in prison for first-degree attempted murder. Joey served six months in jail for statutory rape.
Steve McNair murder

The brutal murder of Steve McNair was a crime of passion that shocked the sports world and beyond. On July 4, 2009, McNair was shot and killed by his 20-year-old girlfriend Sahel Kazemi, who immediately turned the gun on herself. Detectives said Kazemi was struggling to make ends meet and had recently been arrested for driving under the influence. She also made comments to co-workers about ending her life. Kazemi discovered that McNair was in another extramarital relationship and she decided to take his life in revenge.
Arturo Gatti Murder

On July 11, 2009, Canadian boxer Arturo Gatti was found dead in a Brazilian hotel while on vacation with his wife, Amanda, and their infant son. Amanda spent 10 hours in the hotel before realizing that her husband was dead, and her blood-stained purse strap led authorities to believe she murdered him. His widow vehemently denied the allegations and claimed Arturo committed suicide. Brazilian police let her go and ruled his death as suicide, but the Canadian government required further investigation. In 2011, private investigators reported Arturo’s death as a homicide, but no arrests have been made.
Lisa Nowak

In 2007, astronaut Lisa Nowak was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping, burglary, and battery of Colleen Shipman, a woman who was involved with Nowak’s love interest. In a rage of jealousy, Nowak drove from Houston to Orlando to follow Shipman from the airport and talk to her about her relationship with Navy Cmdr. William Oefelein, pilot of the 2006 Discovery flight. The crazed Nowak packed a wig, trench coat, pepper spray, a BB gun, knife, and garbage bags on her trip to see Shipman. A disguised Nowak followed Shipman to her car and sprayed her with a chemical. She was caught and arrested by police and was later charged with attempted first degree murder.
Marvin Gaye murder

Famous singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye was killed by his father during a heated argument at his parents’ LA home. Marvin Jr. and his father, Marvin Sr., had a long history of conflicts that were worsened by the singer’s personal problems. Tension continued to grow between the two men, and Marvin Jr. began collecting guns to protect himself. On April 1, 1984, the two men got into a heated argument that quickly turned physical. The fight was broken up by Gaye’s mother, but Marvin Sr. returned with the .38 pistol that his son gave him and shot his son in the chest and fired again. Marvin Sr. killed his son in the heat of the moment and he was sentenced to five years of probation.
Murder of Alfred T. Elliot

Crimes of passion became more common during the Great Depression, and the murder of Alfred T. Elliot became one of the most notable cases. Bibeau murdered Elliot because he was having an affair with Elliot’s wife and he wanted him out of the picture. What further spurred this crime of passion was the fact that Elliot was handling some of Bibeau’s finances, which could have turned detrimental if Eliott found out about their secret romance.
Murder of Philip Barton Key

U.S. Congressman and Union general Daniel Sickles committed a crime of passion when he killed his wife’s lover, district attorney Philip Barton Key, son of Francis Scott Key, in 1859. Sickles shot and killed Key in Lafayette Park, which is across the street from the White House, because he was having an affair with his wife. Sickles is also famous for being the first person to use "temporary insanity" as a legal defense. Sickles’ defense told the jury that he was driven insane by his wife’s infidelities and he was later acquitted of his crime of passion.

9 Ballsy Real-Life Spies

Site Administrator — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:12:41 +0000

It’s entertaining to watch secret agents on TV or read the latest spy novel, but hearing about the real people who make their living through espionage takes the excitement to another level and leaves you with all kinds of questions. How do they avoid getting caught? How crazy do you have to be to risk your life trying to find secrets? Does being a spy help them pick up chicks? These spies may not go by the name James Bond or drink shaken martinis, but they are just as gutsy as the fictional hero (or even more so).

Fritz Joubert Duquesne

If this guy doesn’t deserve a movie about his life, no one does. One was made in 1945, but when you hear about his adventures, you’ll beg Hollywood to make another. Duquesne started out as a South African in the Boer army when they fought against the British, and his hatred for the Brits never left him. He was captured but escaped the British prison camp. He joined the British army to try to sabotage operations; they stationed him in South Africa as an officer, where he discovered his sister had been murdered and his mother had been put in a concentration camp. He was thrown in prison several times when his sabotage was discovered, escaped by doing things like pretending he was paralyzed and dressing as a woman, and faked his own death at one point. Ultimately, he avenged his family’s deaths by killing the commander he held responsible and finally ended up in prison for spying on the U.S. for Germany.
The Cambridge Five

Lots of people join clubs when they get to college, but these five guys joined the spy world. After meeting at Cambridge University and finding they all had communist sympathies, Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, and Anthony Blunt became spies for the Soviet Union. The fifth man is suspected to be John Cairncross. Their covert operations lasted through World War II and into the 1950s. The Five found places in the top government organizations in England, including the foreign intelligence and domestic security groups, where they got information on atomic bombs, foreign strategy, and efforts to crack code, which they passed on to Moscow. They all eventually either defected, left the country, or confessed.
Violette Szabo

Spies are always more intriguing when they are beautiful women. Szabo, a young, single mother and war widow, joined the Special Operations Executive in England and was sent to France for undercover missions. Her job was to help organize the French Resistance and sabotage German communications, but during one of her missions, she was captured when her car came upon an unanticipated German roadblock. Szabo was arrested and tortured, but she never gave up any information on her fellow spies. She was executed at a concentration camp. Her fellow SOE operative, Odette Sanson, who also experienced brutal torture, said Szabo was "the bravest of us all."
Aldrich Ames

We sometimes think of spies as people who only work during war time, but there have been spies caught in the U.S. within the past few decades. Ames was convicted in 1994 — less than 20 years ago. He got a position with the CIA at a very young age using his father’s connections; his father must have regretted helping him when it was discovered what Ames was doing. Not only was Ames a pretty lousy CIA agent, he also began selling the identities of double agents to the Russians. By the time he was discovered (because he was obviously living well beyond his CIA salary), almost 40 CIA agents had been executed, imprisoned, or had simply disappeared at the hands of the Soviet Union.
Robert and Dayna Baer

These two CIA agents first met while working in the field in Sarajevo. Their job was to gather information on Hezbollah operatives. In fact, George Clooney’s character in the film Syriana was based on Robert’s experiences as a spy, and that job seemed frightening, to say the least. When the couple first met, they only knew each other by their aliases; Dayna went by Riley and Robert always had about 20 names to choose from at any given moment. They carried guns, knew how to flip cars off the road, and managed to stay alive. Since then, they’ve quit the agency, gotten married, and written a book about their adventures called The Company We Keep.
Richard Sorge

Under the guise of being a journalist, Sorge, a German communist, was able to travel to several different countries and collect intelligence for the Soviet Union. He provided important intelligence on the military plans of Germany and Japan, which went largely ignored by Stalin until Germany launched an attack on the Soviet Union and Sorge had predicted it. One of Sorge’s most important pieces of intelligence was that Japan was not going to attack the USSR until the Germans had already captured Moscow. This allowed the Soviet army to focus its attention on the German attack knowing they wouldn’t be blitzed from the other side, and ultimately helped turn the tide of World War II. Sorge was eventually executed after the Soviets refused to trade him for Japanese spies.
Eileen Nearne

As part of "Churchill’s secret army," Nearne parachuted into France to perform her duties as a secret agent with Britain’s Special Operations Executive. She ran the secret radio communications between London and the French Resistance and coordinated weapons drops that would prepare the resistance for D-Day. She had volunteered for this job, even though she knew there was a one in four chance that she would be killed, and she was tortured in a Nazi concentration camp at the age of 23. Nearne was repeatedly dunked in ice water until she began to lose consciousness, but she still wouldn’t give up the intelligence her captors wanted. After being shipped to several different labor camps, Nearne escaped the Nazis and lived to be 89 years old.
Anna Chapman

Chapman is the woman of every man’s dreams. Not only is she a TV star and lingerie model now, but she is also a little mysterious and potentially dangerous. Chapman was one of the most recently discovered spies in the U.S., along with nine other Russians who were arrested by the U.S. government in 2010. The group was involved in a deep-cover operation to get close to top American officials and discover state secrets. The 10 spies had succeeded in befriending an acquaintance of a U.S. Cabinet member, but were arrested soon after. Chapman, a woman bound to attract attention for her good looks, must’ve had a hard time blending in — a fact that may have contributed to them being caught but has also made her a star. The spies were traded back to Russia for some detained U.S. agents.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

The Rosenbergs helped to intensify the hysteria within the U.S. over communism and atomic warfare. They were also victims of that same hysteria, a threat that would’ve made the average person push any communist sympathies deep inside himself. But the Rosenbergs provided intelligence for the Soviets in spite of the consequences. Julius and Ethel, through a grapevine of informants, discovered secrets from the Manhattan Project research and passed this information, important for creating an atomic bomb, on to the Soviet Union. This allowed the Soviets to build nuclear weapons very quickly. When the Rosenbergs’ espionage was discovered, the two were executed.

8 Horror Movies That Inspired Real-Life Crimes

Site Administrator — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:15:08 +0000

Horror movies are meant to entertain and excite audiences, but by no means are they intended to be taken off the screen and acted out in real life. In some rare cases, horror movies give mentally ill people creative, yet twisted ideas that they feel compelled to repeat. Here are eight horror movies that inspired real-life crimes:

Natural Born Killers

Natural Born Killers has inspired some of the most gruesome copycat killings in history. The film has been associated with several serial killers, including the homicidal couple Sarah Edmonson and Benjamin Darras. In 1995, the murderous duo dropped LSD and watched Natural Born Killers repeatedly before going on a drug-fueled crime spree of robbing and shooting a convenience store clerk that left her a quadriplegic. During the crime spree, Darras shot and killed a Mississippi businessman. Edmonson was sentenced to 35 years in prison and Darras is doing life.
Scream

Wes Craven’s slasher movie series Scream was the inspiration behind the murder of Gina Castillo by her 16-year-old son and his 15-year-old cousin, Samuel Ramirez. The two teenagers confessed to the gruesome murder of Castillo and admitted that they did it because they needed money to fund a murder spree that would reenact the story line of the first two Hollywood Scream movies. In order to follow the Scream story line, the teenage boys planned to buy the ghost-face mask and electronic voice boxes that are seen in the movie.
A Clockwork Orange

Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange has been the inspiration for many twisted real-life crimes, specifically throughout Britain. The crimes have exhibited similarities with the film, but one of the most bizarre cases involved a man named John Ricketts who was dressed up as a droog from A Clockwork Orange and assaulted a woman dressed as Little Britain‘s Vicky Pollard at an office party. The violent movie was banned from UK cinemas because of the increase in violent crimes following its release.
Queen of the Damned

In 2002, Allan Menzies murdered his longtime friend, Thomas McKendrick, because he claimed a character in the vampire movie, Queen of the Damned, told him to do it and promised to make him a vampire in the next life. After watching the film about 100 times and receiving a visit from the female vampire Akasha in the middle of the night, he decided to murder people. Menzies also believed that McKendrick and another friend were plotting to kill him, but he turned on McKendrick first. Menzies stabbed his friend to death, drank his blood, and ate part of his head before burying him in a shallow grave. The "vampire killer" was later found dead in his prison cell from an apparent suicide.
Child’s Play 3

Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were 10 years old when they kidnapped and brutally murdered two-year-old James Bulger in Liverpool. In 1993, Thompson and Venables snatched the toddler from a shopping mall and took him to a railway line where they beat and sexually assaulted the young boy. They left Bulger’s mutilated body on the railway tracks to die. Thompson and Venables were supposedly inspired by the horror film Child’s Play 3. The killer doll movies caused a great deal of controversy in the United Kingdom, as well as a public outcry for tightening "video nasties."
American Psycho

In 2004, Michael Hernandez, 14, stabbed his middle school classmate to death and admitted to modeling his behavior after the serial killers in American Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs. The South Florida teen said he identified with the horror movie murderers and wanted to act out their roles in his real-life plan to become a serial killer. Hernandez believed God gave him special powers and agreed with his decision to kill his classmate. The teen boy was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2008.
Nightmare on Elm Street

The famous ’80s horror film, Nightmare on Elm Street, was the inspiration for Daniel Gonzalez’s killing spree. In 2004, the paranoid schizophrenic went on a drug-fueled rampage and murdered four random people, including a doctor and his wife. Gonzalez armed himself with several knives and acted out a Freddy Krueger-like spree. Official reports claimed that Gonzalez did not receive proper treatment for his mental condition. He was given six life sentences for the four murders, as well as two attempted murders throughout England. In 2007, Gonzalez committed suicide in his cell.
Saw

The Saw horror movie series was the inspiration behind a cruel prank that turned into a serious matter for two teenage girls in Winchester, Tenn. The teenagers used the Saw plot of making victims play games to stay alive by leaving a gruesome message on 52-year-old Beverly Dickson’s phone. They told Dickson that one of her friends was hidden in her house and it would be filled with toxic gas shortly. They asked if she wanted to live or die. Dickson got the message while attending a funeral and suffered a stroke from the frightening incident. The two 13-year-olds responsible for the prank call were charged with phone harassment.

History’s 10 Most Famous Criminal Duos

Site Administrator — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:08:24 +0000

Some criminals like to work alone, while others need an accomplice to carry out their illegal acts. Criminal duos are determined to make their sadistic fantasies a reality, and it’s all the more possible with the help of a partner. Check out history’s 10 most famous criminal duos.

Dick Hickock and Perry Smith

Together, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith murdered the Clutter family and were the central characters in Truman Capote’s classic non-fiction novel, In Cold Blood. On Nov. 15, 1959, the two ex-convicts raided the Clutter family farmhouse in Holcomb, Kan., in search of a safe containing $10,000. They never found a safe and decided to kill the four family members one by one. Smith admitted to shooting the father and son, but neither one admitted to killing the two women. Hickock insisted that Smith performed all the murders, and after a great deal of story revisions, Smith finally confessed to shooting all of the Clutters. Smith and Hickock were discovered in Las Vegas and taken into custody in December 1959. The men were sentenced to death and executed by hanging on April 14, 1965.
Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Champion Barrow are arguably the most well-known American outlaws, who carried out one of the biggest crime sprees in U.S. history. The gun-toting couple and their gang traveled throughout the central United States, robbing dozens of banks, stores, and gas stations during the Great Depression. The lovers garnered national attention for their criminal activities that always seemed to outsmart police. Although Bonnie rode with Barrow and the gang for several years, there is no record of her ever shooting a gun or murdering anyone. Clyde and the gang reportedly killed nine police officers and several civilians. Authorities finally caught up to Bonnie and Clyde on May 23, 1934, when they ambushed the outlaws on a rural road in Bienville Parish, La., killing them instantly.
The Menendez brothers

In 1989, brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez shot their parents to death at their Beverly Hills home. The murderous duo carefully planned the attack to get rid of their strict father and end their mother’s agony. On the night of the murders, the Menendez brothers returned home to the mansion and shot their father in the back of the head and gunned down their mother. They dumped their shotguns and bought movie tickets to use as an alibi. Lyle called that night to report that his parents had been killed. The Menendez brothers began spending their inheritance money on lavish items and started fake businesses, raising suspicions that they were somehow involved in their parents’ murders. Erik eventually confessed to his psychologist about the murders, and the brothers were taken into custody. The Menendez brothers were convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Columbine Killers

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were the disturbed teenagers responsible for the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999. On that chilling day, the two high school seniors went on a shooting spree inside their suburban school, killing 13 people and injuring 24 others before turning the gun on themselves. Journal entries revealed that Harris and Klebold’s attack was designed to be a terrorist bombing that would kill everyone inside the school, but when their homemade bombs fizzled, the boys began shooting instead. Years after the tragic incident, researchers have discovered that Harris and Klebold hadn’t been bullied, but actually bullied others and had serious psychological problems, including depression, paranoia, and suicidal tendencies.
Robert Thompson and Jon Venables

Robert Thompson and Jon Venables are two of the youngest murderers in history. In 1993, the 10-year-olds abducted and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in Liverpool, England. The young boys lured the toddler away from a shopping mall when his mother was inside a store, and took him on a long walk across Liverpool to a railway line, where they tortured and beat him to death. Bulger suffered several blows to the head and was sexually abused by Thompson and Venables. The vicious boys left Bulger’s mutilated body on the railroad tracks to be cut in half. Police identified the two boys from mall videotapes, and later matched blood found on their shoes to Bulger. Thompson and Venables were arrested and tried in an adult court, where they were both found guilty of murder and sentenced to detainment indefinitely.
Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb

From the outside, Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold didn’t meet the profile of cold-blooded killers, but the murdering duo proved to be just that. Eighteen-year-old Loeb and his well-educated lover, 19-year-old Nathan Leopold, wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone, and that someone happened to be Loeb’s cousin, Bobby Franks. On May 21, 1924, the duo kidnapped and murdered 14-year-old Franks and dumped his body in a drain near their homes in Chicago. It seemed like a flawless killing to the men, but Leopold accidentally left his glasses at the crime scene. The men were taken into custody and confessed to the murder 10 days after the incident. Loeb and Leopold’s trial didn’t play to their favor, except that they escaped the death penalty. Loeb was killed in prison by a fellow inmate, and Leopold was released in 1958 and moved to Puerto Rico.
DC Snipers

The DC snipers, John Muhammad, 41, and John Lee Malvo, 17, were the duo responsible for shooting and killing 13 people from Washington D.C., to Rockville, Md., and Fredericksburg, Va. The DC snipers’ killing rampage lasted three weeks during October 2002. Muhammad and Malvo traveled on the Capital Beltway, causing mass fear in communities along the way, but always staying ahead of law enforcement. During their shooting sprees, the men would communicate via two-way radios and alternate between shooter and lookout man. Muhammad and Malvo were eventually found sleeping in their car at a rest stop and taken into custody for federal weapons charges. The murdering duo received life terms in prison, without the possibility of parole. Muhammad was sentenced to death and Malvo was sentenced to life in prison.
Frank and Jesse James

Frank and Jesse James are the notorious outlaws of the Wild West. The James brothers were Confederate guerrillas in the Civil War, where they engaged in a wide range of criminal activity. The men held up and robbed trains, killing 22 of the 23 Union soldiers on board and scalping many of them. Following the war, Frank and Jesse started robbing banks, trains, and shops around Iowa, Alabama, and Texas. In 1866, the dangerous duo pulled off the very first daytime bank robbery, where they killed a bystander and stole $58,000. The American outlaws’ crime spree came to an end when Jesse was killed by gang member Robert Ford.
The Lonely Hearts Killers

Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck are the infamous Lonely Hearts Killers, who teamed up to woo lonely, single women and subsequently rob and even kill the ones who fell for their scam. Using Fernandez’s theft experience, the duo began targeting single women by writing letters to wanted ads. He would woo them, then take their money and run. It wasn’t long before Beck grew jealous of Fernandez’s conquests and the couple decided to start killing their victims, as well. Following the murder of a widow and her child, Fernandez and Beck were arrested and convicted of nearly 20 murders. In 1951, the couple was executed by electric chair.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy was a notorious Old West outlaw who had a talent for robbing trains and banks. Between 1896 and the early 1900s, Cassidy and his accomplice Harry Longabaugh, better known as the "Sundance Kid," held up dozens of trains, robbed passengers, and broke into safes, collecting thousands of dollars. The duo and other members from their gang, the Wild Bunch, took up more robbery activities, including the infamous Union Pacific overland flyer robbery that lead to a serious man hunt. With authorities on the lookout, Cassidy and Sundance escaped to South America, where the duo was allegedly killed in a shootout.