Violent crime in New York City had grown too much for the state’s criminal justice system to follow through with death penalties bogged down by the appeals process. Often, prisoners convicted of first-degree murder were given cushiony jobs while waiting for their cases to be heard. Lower-court judges were especially frustrated when they noted that several repeated offenders were “back on the street.” And it was primarily out of frustration that a secret organization was formed. The Concerned Citizens Group (CCG) was composed of twelve New Yorkers whose prime purpose was to decrease the percentage of violent crimes. And the method that the CCG chose caused it to be targeted by the NYPD, the FBI, and the mafia. Over just eighteen months, the organization publicly announced—and carried out—the execution of prisoners convicted of murder in the first degree. However, when a crime boss was also executed, a $2.5 million reward was offered for the identity of CCG members. Does the reward work, or does it solidify the membership even more?

During her career, Julie Grace worked for several political icons, including Paul Simon, Alan Dixon, Joseph Kennedy, Walter Mondale, and Jimmy Carter. In 1991, she accepted a job with TIME magazine, where she specialized in social issues and was touted as one of TIMEs best human drama reporters. Although Julie appeared to have a solid career, her world began to crumble when the stresses of her job became more than she could handle. In order to cope, she turned to alcohol. Eventually her addiction cost her the job. It was then that she sought help in an alcohol rehabilitation program. There, she met George Thompson, and they soon developed an extremely close relationship. Unfortunately, the relationship was rocky and George physically abused Julie on numerous occasions. Tragically, on May 20, 2003, the abuse ended when Julie died three days after one of their abusive encounters. George initially confessed to her murder but when his case went to trial, he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter rather than first degree homicide. Ruth Grace, Julies mother, was shocked. She blamed the Illinois judicial system for miscarriage of justice. Now, with the help of author Nancy Hoff man, she examines her daughters case in detail. Read the witnesses testimonies and judge for yourselfWas Justice Served?

Justice Served by Carolyn Barrett [--------------------------------------------]

Traces the accelerating trend towards privatization in the criminal justice system In contrast to government's predominant role in criminal justice today, for many centuries crime control was almost entirely private and community-based. Government police forces, prosecutors, courts, and prisons are all recent historical developments–results of a political and bureaucratic social experiment which, Bruce Benson argues, neither protects the innocent nor dispenses justice. In this comprehensive and timely book, Benson analyzes the accelerating trend toward privatization in the criminal justice system. In so doing, To Serve and Protect challenges and transcends both liberal and conservative policies that have supported government's pervasive role. With lucidity and rigor, he examines the gamut of private-sector input to criminal justice–from private-sector outsourcing of prisons and corrections, security, arbitration to full "private justice" such as business and community-imposed sanctions and citizen crime prevention. Searching for the most cost-effective methods of reducing crime and protecting civil liberties, Benson weighs the benefits and liabilities of various levels of privatization, offering correctives for the current gridlock that will make criminal justice truly accountable to the citizenry and will simultaneously result in reductions in the unchecked power of government.

Leira Berens has split with the Feds and has gone out on her own to save her corner of the world. Magic is on the loose and the werewolves, Elves and Witches are causing trouble. Leira's working on a new world with her Light Elf by her side and a certain swearing troll. There are whispers among the dark Wizarding families that she's a new kind of bounty hunter. Time to show them how it's done. They'll never see her coming.