The man known as as the "Sausage King" for his execution-style murders of three meat inspectors was found dead in his cell at San Quentin prison Tuesday morning. A corrections officer found Stuart Alexander, 44, lying in his cell. He was taken to the prison infirmary where attempts to revive him failed, reports The Oakland Tribune.

A 33-year old father admits to fatally poisoning his three children because he "didn't want the kids to suffer through the divorce," according to court papers. Jim Nice confessed to the murders of 6-year-old twins Justin and Spencer, and 2-year-old Raquel after he was taken into custody Wednesday.

The latest FBI crime statistics released Monday show the nation's murder rate increased 2 percent during the first six months of 2005, while crime fell for other major crimes such as rape, arson and assault. The FBI says small towns with populations of less than 10,000 people had the highest increases in crime with 13 percent, according to the FBI's uniform crime reports. After a significant drop of 5. 7 percent in the murder rate last year, it went up 2. 1 percent between January and June.

Christopher Duncan, 21, is sentenced to life after pleading guilty to killing Jagdip Najran, 26, a law student and aspiring singer. Prosecutors disclose that Duncan beat Najran to death, with a metal baseball bat in her apartment earlier this year.

Christopher Duncan, 21, is sentenced to life after pleading guilty to killing Jagdip Najran, 26, a law student and aspiring singer. Prosecutors disclose that Duncan beat Najran to death, with a metal baseball bat in her apartment earlier this year.