Free Republic

RICHMOND, Va. - A divided Virginia Supreme Court affirmed the nation's first felony conviction for illegal spamming on Friday, ruling that Virginia's anti-spamming law does not violate free-speech rights. Jeremy Jaynes of Raleigh, N.C., considered among the world's top 10 spammers in 2003, was convicted of massive distribution of junk e-mail and sentenced to nine years in prison. Almost all 50 states have anti-spamming laws. In the 4-3 ruling, the court rejected Jaynes' claim that the state law violates both the First Amendment and the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. "This is a historic victory in the fight...

LOS ANGELES - Lyle "Spud" Murphy, a prolific Hollywood composer and arranger best known for developing a composing system widely used by professional musicians, has died. He was 96. Murphy died Aug. 5 at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital of complications from recent surgery, colleagues said. Murphy, who contributed music to more than 50 films, arranged two of bandleader Benny Goodman's biggest hits, "Get Happy" and "Jingle Bells," and also transformed the children's song "Three Blind Mice" into the theme for the Three Stooges show. In his later years, Murphy kept active by spreading his method of composing, arranging and orchestration, which...