BREAKING NEWS ~ Peterson verdict reached News
BREAKING NEWS ~ Peterson verdict reached

[JURIST] Judge Alfred A. Delucchi has announced that the jury in the Scott Peterson murder trial in Redwood City, California, has reached a verdict which will be read out at 4 PM ET (1 PM local). Watch live coverage here via MSNBC.

2:50 PM ET – CBS5 in San Francisco has a story here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Sewing machine patented

On September 10, 1846, United States patent number 3640 was awarded to Elias Howe for his sewing machine. In 1854, Howe brought legal action against Isaac Singer, because he alleged Singer's machine infringed upon the patent. Howe won the case and was awarded royalties from the Singer sewing machines.
Learn more about Elias Howe from the University of Rochester.

Last French execution by guillotine

On September 10, 1977, Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant convicted of murder, became the last person executed by guillotine in France.

The French death penalty was formally abolished by President Francois Mitterand in 1981. Learn more about the history of the guillotine.