Free Republic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A 22-year-old father of six was brutally murdered in broad daylight Saturday while standing in a restaurant parking lot in downtown San Jose and a nearby surveillance camera captured the entire scene. Witnesses too scared to go on camera told KTVU that the shooting stemmed from a fight, saying someone struck the victim, 22-year-old Ramon Garcia with axe-like weapon before he was shot and killed. Later that night, a woman dropped by the scene and lit candles near the spot where Garcia was found. She would not identify herself but she told KTVU that she had...

Minority activists air complaints about proposed redistricting AUSTIN (AP) — Minority activists and elected officials testified Wednesday that a Republican-drawn congressional redistricting map could hurt the political progress black and Hispanic Texans have made over many years. "I think it's probably going to set us back maybe 20, 25 years," said Deralyn Riles Davis, a black political activist from Tarrant County. "The people are going to be discouraged." Attorneys for the state say Republican legislative leaders were trying to craft a congressional map for partisan gain, and that race was not a predominant factor. They dispute claims by Democrats and...