Kill ‘Em Quicker: Scary Motive Prompts Push for Speeding Up State Executions

Inside C30, a courtroom designated for major felony trials at Orange County’s Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, public seats are firm, half-century-old wooden chairs. After about an hour of use, they cause pain and prompt widespread squirming that results in an annoying, continual symphony of creaks. Unlike the majestic Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse a …

Mai Thai Restaurant in Fountain Valley Makes an Awesome Seafood . . . Custard?!

Certain dishes will always defy translation, no matter how multicultural our country gets. Americans, for instance, can't possibly appreciate the Mexican love for putting chile powder on sweets; durian will forever remain a Southeast Asian obsession as the rest of the world retches. And while most people don't blink at eating lamb or veal, the …

Orange County’s Crime Lab Accused of Doctoring DNA Analysis In Murder Cases

A onetime high-ranking Orange County Crime Lab official is being accused of doctoring key DNA analysis by giving conflicting testimony that aided prosecutors win two homicide trials. At issue are divergent, sworn statements Senior Forensic Scientist Mary Hong made in People v. Lynn Dean Johnson in 2008 and People v. Wendell Patrick Lemond the following year, according to records filed …

Deputies’ Criticism Unnerves Scandal-Scarred OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens

Only 18 months ago, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens hailed a formal survey of rank-and-file deputies who graded the department’s top managers on seven characteristics, including integrity, caring, innovation, communication, pro-action, trustworthiness and collaboration. Hutchens mentioned minor quibbles but praised the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS) for conducting a “professional and fair” rating …

First Look: Blinking Owl, OC's First Distillery, Opens Next Saturday!

If you've ever really believed in something, then you know how we're feeling. From the spirits to the head distiller to the founders, we firmly support the Blinking Owl. Conceptualized in the minds of Brian and Robin Christenson roughly four years ago and brought to life by Ryan Friesen, they are putting the final touches on their …

First Look: Blinking Owl, OC's First Distillery, Opens Next Saturday!

If you've ever really believed in something, then you know how we're feeling. From the spirits to the head distiller to the founders, we firmly support the Blinking Owl. Conceptualized in the minds of Brian and Robin Christenson roughly four years ago and brought to life by Ryan Friesen, they are putting the final touches on their …