1.   She became noted for toughness and fairness even when confronted with personal threats and hate cases.

2.   The court vacates four federal sentences for drug crimes, under a ruling it passed down last term over burden of proof in a hate crime case.

3.   House Sponsor Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat, accepted a Senate provision giving counties with smaller populations easier access to state money to prosecute hate murder cases.

4.   It also would allow federal prosecutors to pursue a hate crime case if local authorities refuse to press charges.

5.   It also would give federal prosecutors the option of pursuing a hate crime case if local authorities refused to press charges.

6.   It would give federal prosecutors the option of pursuing a hate crime case if local authorities declined to press charges.