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Reports on the Jasper, Texas trial of white supremacist John William King for the racially motivated killing of James Byrd Jr., and hate groups in the United States. King's sentence; Number of white supremacy and other hate groups identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as of 1998; Features of Web sites maintained by US hate groups; Details of Byrd's death; Defense arguments. INSET: Hate Is Hot (hate crime statistics).

The article discusses the case of Cameron Todd Willingham to illustrate the author's view that the death penalty should be imposed only rarely, and that the criminal justice system in Texas is flawed. Willingham was convicted of murder in 1992 and executed in 2004. Texas governor Rick Perry appears to have shown little interest in evidence that could have exonerated him.

Looks at monuments to the Ten Commandments of Christianity which are still being displayed in public areas around the United States. Move by Georgia, Idaho and South Carolina to enact legislation that would allow posting of the Commandments in public buildings; Virginia which is asking Congress to allow the states to make their own decisions on the issue; Ruling from a federal appeals court that Austin, Texas could keep its display; Ruling in Nebraska that a monument was illegal; Likelihood it will end up in the Supreme Court.

Focuses on the trial of Andrea Yates of Houston, Texas, who is charged with the murders of her five children. Testimony of Dr. Melissa Ferguson, a forensic psychiatrist who interviewed Yates extensively; Videotape that was shown by prosecutors; Argument of the prosecution; Yate's history of postpartum psychosis; Question of whether Yates received adequate care during her psychotic episodes.

Focuses on the trial of Andrea Yates of Texas, who has pleaded not guilty to drowning her five children by reason of insanity. Relationship between Yates' family and her husband Rusty's family; Background on Yates, whose lawyers claim suffered a psychotic break that led to her acts; Focus of the trial.

Discusses the trial of Houston, Texas mother Andrea Yates who confessed to drowning her children in her family's tub. Approval of judge in the case to allow the jury to hear her taped confession to police; Plea by Yates of not guilty by reason of insanity; Possible punishments for Yates if convicted, including life in prison or death by lethal injection; Comments of Yates' brother Andrew Kennedy regarding his sister's mental state; Attempts by Yates' husband Rusty to talk to the media.

Addresses a Texas court case involving a group of environmentalists arguing that Governor George W. Bush violated their rights when state police arrested them for 'obstructing' the sidewalk.

Explores the questions surrounding the Texas death penalty case of convicted murder Gary Graham. How the case depended on the testimony of a single eyewitness, Bernadine Skillern; Fact that the murder weapon was never found and prosecutors have no physical evidence linking Graham to the scene; Two other witnesses that have not been heard by a jury who say that Graham was not the killer; Problems with Graham's court-appointed lawyer, Ronald Mock.

Mentions the case of convicted murderer Ricky McGinn and the decision to be made by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on whether he will be granted a stay of execution while DNA evidence is retested.

Focuses on the trial in Jasper, Texas, of white supremacist John William King in the racially motivated death of James Byrd Jr. Details of the crime; District Attorney Guy James Gray's presentation; Absence of local spectators at the trial; The town's formation of a task force to address problems of race; Residents' comments. INSET: A Fugitive One Step Closer to Justice? (Ira Einhorn extradition).

Comments on the suit for sexual harassment against fashion designer Victor Costa by his former model and assistant Lorna Pilgrim. Allegations; Costa's response.

Profiles Henry Lee Lucas, a convicted serial killer in Texas who is scheduled for execution on June 30, 1998. His confession spree and hoax resulting in eleven murder convictions; The death penalty for the murder of Orange Socks, which Lucas denies doing; Background on Lucas; The possibility he did not commit the crimes he is charged with; Comments.