Driver Clings to Stolen Truck in 70-Mile Cop Chase

(NEWSER) - Two Atlanta-area police officers have been placed on paid leave for running a background check on President Obama, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The Secret Service was notified after the president's name was sent to the National Crime Information Center from a computer in the cops' police car. The Internal Affairs Division of the local police department is investigating. More»

Girl tackled, apparently punched after kicking off her shoes in Seattle cell

(NEWSER) - A video of a Seattle cop hurling a 15-year-old girl to the floor of a holding cell and apparently punching her in the head has been released by prosecutors trying the officer for excessive force. "This case is beyond police misconduct, it's criminal misconduct," said the lead prosecutor. The cop tackled the teen, who was busted for taking her parents' car, when she kicked off her shoes as she entered the cell. The deputy has pleaded not guilty. More»

Jury deadlocked over whether multiple murderer should be executed

(NEWSER) - A Georgia man convicted of killing four people after escaping from custody will serve consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Brian Nichols was found guilty last month of killing a judge, a court reporter, a sheriff's deputy, and a federal agent. The jury spared him a death sentence, but he got little mercy in his sentencing this morning. More»

Teen bank robber enters weepy guilty plea

(NEWSER) - Saying she wants to take responsibility for her actions, one of the so-called Barbie Bandits entered a tearful guilty plea today despite not having worked out a deal with prosecutors. In February, 19-year-old Heather Johnston and a fellow stripper robbed a Georgia bank of $11,000, using only sunglasses as disguises. They were arrested 2 days later. More»