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Missouri
Convicted serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin was executed Wednesday morning by lethal injection, according to CNN. The execution was delayed because of court appeals. Franklin, a reported white supremacist, was sent to death row for the murder of Gerald Gordon, whom he killed outside a synagogue in St. Louis in 1977. Franklin was blamed for 22 killings that occurred between 1977 and 1980, which he committed in an attempt to start a race war. The lethal injection was administered at 6:07 a.m., and Franklin died 10 minutes later.
Tennessee
A National Research Council study reported Tuesday that sexual assaults are underreported. According to USA Today, the council notes that about 80 percent of sexual assaults go unreported to officials. However, some experts cite an increase in reports, such as at the Nashville Sexual Assault Center, which saw increases in reported incidents. This increase was attributed partly to Jerry Sandusky’s child molestation scandal at Penn State last year. The council recommends the National Crime Victimization Survey make changes to their interviews in order to encourage reports.
Virginia
Virginia Sen. Creigh Deeds was stabbed in the head and chest by his son Tuesday morning in Bath County, Virg., according to New York Daily News. Austin “Gus” Deeds reportedly attacked his father before shooting himself. Gus died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The senator is being treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va. Sen. Deeds’ condition improved from critical to fair Tuesday afternoon. Gus Deeds had reportedly been evaluated for mental health issues, but was turned away from an institution because of lack of beds.
Washington D.C.
Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., admitted to a D.C. Superior Court on Wednesday that he had purchased cocaine from an undercover officer in Dupont Circle, a historic district in northwest D.C. According to the Washington Post, the congressman pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and was sentenced to year of probation on a misdemeanor charge. Radel was on the 10th month of his term. He is seeking treatment in Florida, as well as counseling in the District. Radel has not indicated that he will leave office.
