Elizabeth Smart captor Wanda Barzee is sentenced to 15 years in prison

Wanda Eileen Barzee, the woman who helped her husband keep kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart captive for nine months in 2002, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for the abduction.

In a Salt Lake City federal court, Barzee pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor across state lines, said a Times article by Nicholas Riccardi today. She and authorities agreed upon the 15-year sentence provided she testifies against her husband, Brian David Mitchell.

Mitchell kidnapped Smart from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in March 2002 and brought her to a remote camp where Barzee helped him keep her chained up. She was found by a motorist in 2003.

U.S. Atty. Brett Tolman said the agreement means that Smart will not have to testify against  Barzee. Smart was not in the courtroom today.

Federal prosecutors hope to prove at a hearing on Nov. 30 that Mitchell can face charges in federal court after he was found mentally incompetent for state court charges.

What do you think about Barzee’s sentence? Were the charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor appropriate? Do you feel the length of the sentence (15 years) is a proper application of justice? Will this, as the U.S. attorney said today, begin the process of "bring[ing] long-awaited closure to Smart and her family"?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: Elizabeth Smart kidnapper Wanda Barzee following a hearing in federal court Tuesday in Salt Lake City. Credit: Colin E. Braley / AP

Beltway sniper John Allen Muhammad to be executed in Virginia [Updated]

Beltway sniper John Allen Muhammad is scheduled to be executed this evening in Virginia.

[Updated Wednesday: Muhammad's execution was carried out Tuesday night.]

According to the article by Times reporter David G. Savage, Muhammad was convicted in 2003 of the shooting rampage that occurred the year before. Of the 16 people shot, 10 died.

U.S. Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft made the choice seven years ago to send Muhammad, then 41, and his teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, to Virginia to be tried despite the fact that more of the mayhem took place in Maryland.

In 2002, Maryland had put the death penalty on hold because of racial unfairness. So while only three of the killings took place in Virginia, a death sentence was a possibility in that state. Thus Ashcroft chose Virginia to hold the trial.

Malvo was convicted of the murders, but because of his young age, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The prosecution and families of the victims have said they are comforted by the sentence. The Supreme Court justices turned down a final emergency appeal from Muhammad's lawyers that he needed more time to develop his appeals since the process has taken place at a rapid pace.

So the question is, is this execution happening too quickly? Was it right that Muhammad was tried in Virginia instead of Maryland? Or do you agree with the speedy execution?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: John Allen Muhammad listens to the jury's recommendation of death in Virginia Beach Circuit Court on November 24, 2003. Credit: Getty Images

Should image influence a jury's decision?

They say that Lady Justice is blind.  But in Los Angeles, Lady Justice also has a keen sense of fashion.

Richard Rodriguez, the gang member who was kicked in the head by an El Monte police officer after a televised car chase, has filed a $5-million legal claim against the city.  But before he appears in court, he'll possibly be undergoing a serious makeover. 

Rodriguez's attorney, Nick Pacheco, has suggested that his client ditch his thuggish look (seen in his mug shot on the left), in favor of a more conservative -- albeit less eye-catching -- visage (seen in the photoshopped version on the right).

In the booking photo, Rodriguez's head is shaved, and the name of his gang hangs over his lip. Tattoos climb his neck. In the "after" rendition, he's wearing a black suit with a metallic gray tie, neatly combed hair and a lush mustache.

Pacheco hopes Rodriguez's makeover will allow the jury to be sympathetic to Rodriguez, who claims to suffer headaches and blurred vision as a result of his arrest.

"People get past looks when you put on a suit and your hair is grown," said Pacheco.

What do you think of Pacheco's strategy?  What does it say about our justice system when a plaintiff feels he or she must disguise certain physical features in order to receive a fair trial?

-- Brendan Bigelow

Photo: Richard Rodriguez, who was kicked in the head by an El Monte police officer, has been advised to cover his tattoos and grow hair to look like the Photoshop image at right. Credit: Law Offices of Nick Pacheco

Has justice been served in the Chris Brown case?

L.A. Now reports that prosecutors have made a plea agreement with R&B singer Chris Brown, who faced a five-year sentence after being accused of assaulting Rihanna shortly before the 2009 Grammy Awards. 

Although he has not been formally sentenced, Brown now faces six months of community labor and five years' probation as a part of the deal. He will also be ordered to take a year-long domestic violence prevention class. Judge Patricia Schnegg added that she would be issuing a stay-away order, which would prevent Brown from making contact with Rihanna.

The case began in February, when Brown was arrested after he allegedly beat and threatened Rihanna while driving home from a pre-Grammy party. Since his arrest, Brown's case has received unprecedented media attention.  More than 50 media outlets had asked to attend today's proceedings. 

Now that the case has come to a close, we want to hear from you. What do you think of the plea agreement? Was justice served or did Chris Brown get off easy?

-- Brendan Bigelow

Photo: Chris Brown is confronted in court with assault charges. Credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

Does the threat of violence stop you from going to Dodger Stadium?

L.A. Times reporter Andrew Blankstein reported last month that a man was stabbed multiple times during the Dodgers home opener against the San Francisco Giants. Blankstein followed up today with a report that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the assault.

This is not the first time that violence has been committed at the stadium. Back in 2003, a West Covina man leaving the stadium got into an argument with a group of men, which resulted in his death by shooting.

Right after the recent stabbing, our readers expressed concern about attending Dodgers games at Chavez Ravine.

"I have to say, the games have gotten worse. All these people do is ruin it for the true fans. We go and spend good money and the last thing that I want is: having to worry about my kids having things thrown at them. I had to tell my 4 year old, that the fool next to me was yelling, “dirty socks”, rather then “Giant Suck”. There needs to be a no tolerance rule with all of this fools who think, getting drunk and going to a public place is cool." - Rafa 

Dodger Stadium can bring chaotic fans, but that can happen anywhere in LA. People get unruly and they fight. Only COWARDS pull out knives and guns. What happened to fighting one on one and whoever wins, wins! That's it.  - Gina

Time to bring back those middle aged ushers with straw hats to kick butt and take names. - dodger tony

On the other hand....