Free Republic

When the Lincoln store owner bought $700 worth of cell phones for $110 from an undercover officer, he didn't understand they were stolen, his attorney says. So Benicio Lobo, owner of City Mex Market Convenience Store, 338 N. 27th St., ordered two 27-inch flat screen TVs, two microwaves and two toasters. But he soon learned it was all part of an undercover investigation, spurred by confidential tips, that ended in his arrest and the arrests of four others in March. At Lobo's sentencing Monday, attorney Harry Moore argued his client had a less formal way of doing business and didn't...

Three Pakistani gang rapists who are facing life in jail yesterday begged a judge to be pardoned, citing cultural differences that led to the brutal attack, immaturity on their part and hardship within their families if they were imprisoned. But Supreme Court Justice Brian Sully said "culture or no culture", a strong message needed to be sent to other young men that such horrific sex crimes against women will not be tolerated in modern society. Andrew Haesler, for one of the defendants, known as MMK, 17, said his client was immature and had lived in Australia for two years without...