Outgoing West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin expressed strong disapproval on Thursday over President Joe Biden's decision to commute the death sentences of two men convicted in the brutal 2002 murder of Samantha Burns, a 19-year-old student at Marshall University. The two men, Brandon Basham and Chadrick Fulks, had been sentenced to death for their roles in Burns' killing. On Monday, as part of a larger commutation effort, Biden reclassified their sentences from execution to life in prison without the possibility of parole, along with 35 other inmates on federal death row.
Phoenix police are investigating a violent altercation involving both a shooting and stabbing at Sky Harbor Airport’s Terminal 4 on Christmas evening. While the incident caused alarm for travelers, airport operations have since returned to normal.
In his annual Christmas Day message, King Charles III reflected on the timeless teachings of Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of compassion, service, and unity. Addressing the British Commonwealth, the King honored the sacrifices of military veterans, particularly those from D-Day, and expressed gratitude for healthcare workers who supported him and his family through health challenges.
A rising wave of DMCA takedown requests has swept across the internet, targeting fan art, merchandise, and content related to Luigi Mangione, a controversial figure accused of assassinating Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The requests are being used to remove various forms of Mangione-related media, including tee shirts and other merchandise featuring his image, much to the dismay of supporters and creators.
In a controversial decision just before Christmas, President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row, once again prioritizing convicted murderers over their victims. Among those granted mercy was Brandon Council, convicted of the brutal double murder of Donna Major and Katie Skeen during a robbery in 2017.
Payton McNabb, a promising high school athlete with dreams of playing collegiate sports, had her aspirations tragically cut short during a volleyball match on September 1, 2022.
A recent survey by Economist/YouGov shows that a plurality of Americans view President Joe Biden's use of his presidential pardon powers as “inappropriate.” According to the survey, 46 percent of respondents believe Biden's pardons and commutations have been inappropriate, compared to 28 percent who find them appropriate. Around 26 percent of those surveyed remain undecided.
