San Francisco's district attorney says his office will toss out or reduce thousands of marijuana criminal convictions dating back decades
Publication: Crime
Snopes→ Naked Bank Robber Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
A federal judge says a Florida man who robbed a bank, stripped naked and ran down the street throwing stolen money is severely mentally ill and can't be held responsible for the crime.
Snopes→ ‘Person of Interest’ Redacted from Vegas Shooting Records
Two Nevada judges in Las Vegas have ordered the release of search warrant records and autopsy reports related to the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, with some information redacted.
Truth or Fiction?→ “Hi, I Am Donna Hylton,” by Women’s March Speaker Who Murdered 60-year-old Man-Truth!
“Hi, I Am Donna Hylton,” by Women’s March Speaker Who Murdered 60-year-old Man-Mostly Truth! Summary of eRumor: A meme titled “Hi, I Am Donna Hylton” recounts the past of a Women’s March speaker who allegedly tortur
Snopes→ Victims’ Families: Jealousy Drove Car Wash Shooting Suspect
A jealous ex-boyfriend killed four people at a car wash in Pennsylvania, while a woman hiding in the back of a truck suffered minor injuries.
Snopes→ Dr. Accused of Dealing Drugs, Arranging Murder Dies in Jail
Authorities say James Kauffman, a New Jersey doctor accused of arranging the murder of his radio host wife, has apparently killed himself in jail.
Snopes→ Police Say Canadian Billionaire, Wife Apparently Murdered
Det. Sgt. Susan Gomes said investigators came to the conclusion after six weeks of investigation, but said there are no suspects.
Snopes→ Do People in Sweden Have to Sign a ‘Consent Form’ Before Having Sex?
A right-wing Facebook page used a prank photograph to misrepresent a Swedish government proposal to change the country's consent laws.
Snopes→ Captive Kids Slowly Providing Information to Investigators
Deputies arrested the husband and wife after their 17-year-old daughter climbed out a window and called 911.
Snopes→ Gymnastics Doctor Sentenced to 40 to 175 Years in Prison
A former sports doctor who admitted molesting the nation's top gymnasts was sentenced to prison by a judge who told him, "I just signed your death warrant."
Snopes→ DA Seeks to Bar Parents from Contacting 13 Kids Kept Captive
The court proceeding is the latest step as authorities seek to sever ties between David and Louise Turpin and their 13 children.
Snopes→ Students Ran for Their Lives as Shots Erupted in High School
The trauma consumed the rural town of about 4,300 people, where nearly everyone has a connection to the school.
Snopes→ ‘Enjoy Hell:’ Doctor’s Sentence Next for Assaulting Gymnasts
Larry Nassar has admitted sexually assaulting athletes when he was employed by Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics.
Snopes→ 15-Year-Old Girl Shot at Texas School; Boy, 16, Arrested
A 15-year-old student was injured in a shooting at a high school in Texas and a 16-year-old boy, also a student at the school, has been taken into custody.
Snopes→ Deaths of Canadian Billionaire, Wife a Tantalizing Mystery
Police haven't made any arrests, announced the search for any suspects, or said practically anything publicly about the deaths of the drug company founder and his wife.
Snopes→ Las Vegas Gunman Was Germophobe, Possibly Bipolar
Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock was a high-stakes gambler on a losing streak, obsessed with cleanliness, possibly bipolar and was having difficulties with his live-in girlfriend.
Snopes→ California Governor Denies Parole for Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten
Gov. Brown said in his decision that despite Van Houten saying at her parole hearing that she accepts full responsibility for her crimes, she still lays too much of the blame on Manson,
Snopes→ Las Vegas Gunman Carefully Planned Attack; Motive Is Mystery
The Las Vegas gunman meticulously planned how to carry out the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, researching SWAT tactics, renting other hotel rooms overlooking outdoor concerts and investigating potential targets in at least four cities.
Snopes→ 13-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Boy’s Crossbow Killing
A 13-year-old Oklahoma boy accused of fatally shooting his 10-year-old friend with a crossbow in anger has been charged with first-degree murder.
Snopes→ Man Punches Self in Face to Avoid Sobriety Test
Police in Maine have accused a man of punching himself in the face three times to avoid a sobriety test.
Snopes→ California DA Says Couple’s Abuse of 12 Kids Became Torture
Prosecutors laid out horrifying details of the allegations but didn't offer any theories about the motivation for what they called an escalating climate of brutality that began in Texas.
Snopes→ Prosecutor: Parents Chained Children for Months at a Time
A California couple tortured a dozen of their children for years, starving them to the point that their growth was stunted, chaining them to their beds for months at a time and forbidding them from showering more than once a year or using the toilet.
Truth or Fiction?→ Thieves Cloning Auto Door Lock Codes, Breaking Into Cars-Truth!
Thieves Cloning Car Remote Codes, Breaking Into Cars-Truth! Summary of eRumor: Thieves are using wireless devices to clone auto door lock codes transmitted by wireless key fobs, allowing them to break into cars. The Truth: Rumors about thieves cloning
Snopes→ Lawyer: OJ Simpson Is Golfing a Lot, Staying in Las Vegas
Simpson enjoys living in Las Vegas, and isn't planning to move to Florida like he told state parole officials before he was released in October from Nevada state prison.
Snopes→ Parents of 13 Children Charged with Years of Torture, Abuse
Prosecutors filed 12 counts of torture, seven counts of dependent adult abuse, six counts of child abuse and 12 counts of false imprisonment against the couple.
Snopes→ 13 Siblings Held Captive Were Likely Coerced to Remain Quiet
Authorities say an emaciated teenager led deputies to a California home where her 12 brothers and sisters were locked up in filthy conditions, with some of them malnourished and chained to beds.
Snopes→ Cellphone Jamming System Tested at Maryland Prison
Federal prisons officials have tested a jamming technology that officials hope will help combat the threat posed by inmates with cellphones.
Snopes→ California Couple’s Ordinary Home Held Torture Chamber
Authorities say an emaciated teenager led deputies to a California home where her 12 brothers and sisters were locked up in filthy conditions, with some of them malnourished and chained to beds.
Snopes→ Leading Kosovo Serb Politician Gunned Down
The incident sparked a manhunt and prompted the suspension of mediated talks between Kosovo and Serbia.
Snopes→ Toronto Police Say Alleged Attack on 11-Year-Old Muslim Girl Did Not Happen
The purported incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before being debunked by authorities.
Snopes→ Florida Man Calls 911 to Report Himself Drunk Driving
Authorities in Florida received a 911 call on New Year's Eve from a man who said he was driving drunk and needed police.
Snopes→ Attorney General Sessions Orders Return to Pre-Obama Marijuana Enforcement
The move has caused uncertainty in the legal cannabis industry just days after California opened the market for recreational use.
Snopes→ Police: Man Used Bank Robbery Cash to Buy Engagement Ring
Authorities say a man robbed a bank in Ohio and used the money to buy his fiancee an engagement ring.
Snopes→ California Man Arrested After Fatal ‘Swatting’ Shooting
The Los Angeles Police Department confirms it arrested Tyler Barriss in connection with a deadly 'swatting' call in Wichita, Kansas.
Snopes→ Media Group: 81 Reporters Died, Threats Against Journalists Soared in 2017
At least 81 reporters were killed doing their jobs this year, while violence and harassment against media staff has skyrocketed, the world's biggest journalists' organization says.
Snopes→ ‘Swatting’ Gaming Prank Led to Police Shooting Unarmed Kansas Man
A 28-year-old man was fatally shot by a police officer in what was believed to be a "prank" in which a hoaxsters called police to falsely report a murder and kidnapping.
Snopes→ 2017: The Year in Fauxtography
A look back at the year's biggest stories — and the hoax images that followed at their heels.
Snopes→ Cops Nab Escaped Inmate with Face Tattoo After Weeks on Run
Authorities say that Corey Hughes, who has a skull tattooed on his face and escaped last month from a work crew in central California, has been re-arrested.
Snopes→ Girl Gets 25 Years in Mental Hospital in Slender Man Case
Anissa Weier was sentenced to 25 years in a mental hospital, the maximum punishment possible.
Snopes→ Family of Slain Australian Concerned About US Investigation
John Ruszczyk demanded a more rigorous probe into the fatal shooting of his daughter, Justine Ruszczyk Damond, by Minneapolis police.