Nation Topics - Kerry Bensinger | The Nation

A federal judge last week abruptly postponed ruling on whether it was proper for prosecutors seeking wiretap permission to conceal their use of top members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang as informants. Meanwhile, the recent shooting of a Guatemalan day laborer by an LAPD officer has reignited a controversy over police reform that is at the root of the current courtroom drama.

The federal judge's order means that LA's top gang reduction officials will be subpoenaed to state what they know of Alex Sanchez.

The evidence against Alex Sanchez is quite refutable, but that assumes a fair trial. And that's not possible in Judge Real's courtroom.

A federal magistrate denied Alex Sanchez bail in his gang conspiracy trial, but the prosecution entered a surprisingly "weak" case, according to defense counsel.