James carville on sec commissioner

(CNN) The man arrested after a roughly 30-hour manhunt in the shooting of 10 people on a subway train in Brooklyn was denied bail at his initial court appearance Thursday. Frank James, 62, did not enter a plea on charges of violating a law that prohibits terrorist and violent attacks against mass transportation . In court, Assistant US Attorney Sara Winik described the attack as "premeditated and carefully planned" as prosecutors requested James remain behind bars. Defense attorneys told the federal judge they consented to him remaining in custody for now but may press again for bail later. The lawyers further asked for a psychiatric evaluation to determine James' medical needs. Wearing a khaki prison uniform and blue surgical mask, James spoke only once, to acknowledge he had seen the complaint. Outside the courthouse, his attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, cautioned against a rush to judgment. "We are all still learning about what happened on that train," she said. "What … [Read more...] about Subway shooting suspect denied bail on federal terrorism-related charge

(CNN) The New York Police Department is cracking down on offenses that have become part of daily life in some neighborhoods: public consumption of alcohol, open-air marijuana sales and public urination. The goal is to combat relatively minor infractions that the nation's largest police department maintains lower the quality of life and foment the type of disorder that resulted in 30 shootings last weekend and Monday -- including a 7-year-old girl wounded in gang crossfire. In Detroit, the city's newly released plan to reduce violent crime over the summer refers to the association between "urban blight" and gun violence and vows greater enforcement of noise complaints and traffic offenses and keeping a close eye on vacant lots and buildings. In Miami Beach, city officials responded to what they say are "excessively large and unruly spring break crowds" by declaring a state of emergency and imposing a midnight to 6 a.m. curfew through Monday. New … [Read more...] about Law enforcement focus on quality-of-life offenses renews old debate over ‘broken windows’ policing

Paul Callan is a CNN legal analyst, a former New York homicide prosecutor and counsel to the New York law firm of Edelman & Edelman PC , focusing on wrongful conviction and civil rights cases. Follow him on Twitter @paulcallan . The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN. (CNN) I began my legal career as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn in 1975, when New York City resembled the Gotham depicted in the darkest of Batman movies rather than the safe American city we have grown to love in recent years. Sadly, a recent surge in violent crimes in New York and other large American cities may be a sign of a return to that crime-ridden era. And Tuesday morning's shooting at a subway station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park is perhaps the strongest evidence. The perpetrator allegedly opened two smoke grenades before shooting at least 33 times and striking 10 people -- seven men and three women. An … [Read more...] about Opinion: NY subway shooting revives memories of 1980s crime wave

These have been tense times for Udonis Haslem, sweating out these playoffs, stakes raised, clock ticking. Oh, and he’s been involved with the Miami Heat’s championship chase, as well. Consider it playoffs squared for the South Florida icon, because the veteran Heat captain also can’t get enough of his Florida Panthers. “It’s exciting, really exciting,” Haslem said amid a playoff chase of his own, both teams now on to the next round. “The way they have been able to play this year has captivated my attention.” In some ways, Haslem is a typical middle-aged (sorry, UD) suburbanite caught up in the NHL, with FLA Live Arena in Sunrise a short drive from his Southwest Ranches estate. “They’re keeping me on the edge of my seat,” he said. “It’s really something.” The connection to the game and to the Panthers is about more than proximity, though. It also is about a brotherhood, a fellowship, the ability to see himself in those who have put their careers on ice. In addition … [Read more...] about Ira Winderman: Heat’s Udonis Haslem getting NHL playoff chills from Panthers