Prosecutors could have avoided $4.2M tab

We hope U.S. prosecutors have learned a lesson: Don’t try to impose the death penalty in a state that rejects the practice. Naeem J. Williams’ murder trial could have been avoided altogether. He was willing to accept life in prison years ago for killing his daughter Talia in 2005 — the same sentence he received after the jury deadlocked over the death penalty last week.

In their zeal to make a capital case, federal prosecutors rebuffed a plea bargain for Williams and gave Talia’s equally abusive stepmother a sweetheart deal to testify against him — without even knowing the full extent of her involvement in the crime. Justice could have been done years ago, at a far lower cost to the taxpayers who have shelled out at least $4.2 million for this case.

U.S. learns that soccer can be exciting

Wherever there was a TV in a workspace on Tuesday, folks were gathered for the exciting, if ultimately disappointing, U.S.-Belgium soccer showdown.

Even though this was the match that showed the Americans the World Cup exit, it may have been a tipping point for a nation that has been ambivalent about the sport for decades.

For the coming months, the hubbub will recede to the cheering sections occupied by soccer moms and dads in local league play. But wait until next World Cup. We’ll see if the thrill is really gone.