Photo by Hooman Kowkabi

Good morning, Washington. I should be upfront with you: today’s news is mostly about horrible, depressing murders (also, the oil spill has started washing up on land). So let’s find some good news before we get down to the awfulness! Um… hmm. Bret Michaels is out of the hospital? Does that count?

Betts Murder Coverage Continues: Local reporters continue to work out the details of the murder of Garnet-Patterson principal Brian Betts. The Post and Examiner have stories focusing on how Betts met his killers, discussing chat lines and other local gay men who have recently been killed by attackers presenting themselves as potential romantic partners. Then there’s the other angle: the accused killers. The two, papers also have stories discussing the suspects’ criminal records and interactions with D.C.’s juvenile justice system.

More Details Emerge in UVa. Murder: Today’s papers are also full of stories about George Huguely, the UVa lacrosse player accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend Yeardley Love. The Post writeup is probably where you should start. There is some genuine news: Huguely has apparently admitted to physically attacking Love, though his lawyers maintain that her death was unintentional. Police also have fiber evidence linking Huguely to the scene. The article also discusses Huguely’s past arrest for an incident of drunken, violent belligerence, which seems both somewhat germane and reflective of an unfortunately reductive understanding of how and why domestic violence occurs.

Briefly Noted: Montgomery County beginning to back out of promised pay raises for its employees… ACLU, Va. state police clash over new chaplain prayer policy… Va. AG subpoenas climate scientist’s records… P.G. funeral home gets license suspended… Police plan to step up HOV enforcement, starting today… Prince William school day may be getting longer…

This Day In DCist: One year ago President Obama and Vice President Biden headed to Ray’s Hell Burger.