Showing posts with label criminal prosecution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label criminal prosecution. Show all posts


Menendez Brothers Re-sentencing: Erik and Lyle Prepare for Crucial Court Hearing

The Brief
  • Erik and Lyle Menendez are set for a potentially crucial court hearing on Friday, April 11.
  • The siblings were found guilty of killing their mother and father around thirty years prior.
  • The court proceeding scheduled for Friday may focus on a potential resentencing.

LOS ANGELES - Thirty years following the conviction of Erik and Lyle Menendez Their case is once again grabbing attention with a potentially crucial court hearing approaching.

What we know

The Menendez brothers do not have to be present for the hearing, set to start at 10 a.m. on Friday, provided they have proper legal counsel.

It all revolves around the potential for resentencing.

In 1989, the siblings were convicted of killing their mother and father in Beverly Hills and received life imprisonment with no chance of release.

In recent years, there has been significant efforts led primarily by their family to have their sentence revisited with the aim of getting them released from prison onto parole.

Previously the District Attorney of Los Angeles County George Gascón advocated for sentence reconsideration. However, the newly appointed DA, Nathan Hochman, does not back it.

The hearing scheduled for Friday focuses on the document previously submitted by former District Attorney Gascón to the court, requesting they reconsider sentencing for the brothers. Hochman seeks to have this document withdrawn, and these arguments will be presented before a judge.

During distinct hearings, the California State Parole Board is concurrently reviewing their cases, and after more than thirty years of incarceration for these brothers, they will provide their input to the governor. This feedback will assist him in determining whether or not to grant the brothers clemency.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

  • Update on the Menendez Brothers case: Supporter gathering outside Los Angeles District Attorney’s office as they seek a possible retrial.
  • Gavin Newsom reveals timing for Menendez brothers' parole board hearing
  • Lyle Menendez, family members speak out following prosecutor's objection to releasing his brother

LA DA: '16 falsehoods still go unrecognized'

What they're saying

Hochman states that the brothers have not demonstrated genuine regret and persist in fabricating details of the events from 1989.

" When examining whether the Menendez brothers have shown full insight and genuine accountability for their actions, they haven't. This is evident from the fact that out of 20 specific falsehoods identified, they acknowledged only four, leaving 16 unconfessed lies, as Hochman pointed out earlier.

The Source

Details provided by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman along with earlier reports from FOX 11.



Ex-Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries Declared Unfit for Sex Trafficking Trial Due to Dementia

The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, has been deemed mentally incompetent to face charges associated with an alleged international sex trafficking scheme, as stated in a court document released on Thursday.

In October, an 80-year-old individual was taken into custody and faced charges related to arranging events where men allegedly performed forced sexual activities. These gatherings also involved payment for participation as well as drug use among those present.

The recently disclosed legal papers reveal that Jeffries' lawyer, Brian Bieber, has stated several medical assessments conducted over the past few months indicate Jeffries is grappling with serious dementia, encompassing Alzheimer’s disease along with various other mental incapacities.

The news about the court submission was initially reported by the Wall Street Journal.

According to a psychiatrist retained by the defense, Jeffries' condition has worsened to such an extent that he currently needs round-the-clock supervision and care.

A specialist presented by the prosecution came to a comparable conclusion, asserting that Jeffries' state is highly likely to worsen even more.

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Given these findings, Jeffries' attorneys have requested that the court order his commitment to a medical facility for a duration of four months to evaluate if he might potentially become capable of participating in legal processes.

The prosecutors have not objected to the motion.

A representative from the U.S. Attorney's office in the Eastern District of New York chose not to comment on this issue.

Jeffries, who led Abercrombie from 1992 up till his exit in 2014, faced federal indictments during the previous autumn for alleged crimes including sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.

The indictment claims that Jeffries, along with his partner Matthew Smith and associate James Jacobson, masterminded an international sex trafficking scheme from 2008 to 2015.

The trio is alleged to have enticed young men by offering them chances at modeling jobs, tricked them into participating in sexual gatherings under deceptive circumstances, and forced them into experiencing unwanted sexual activities.

The alleged victims were administered drugs, coerced into signing non-disclosure agreements, and had their personal possessions taken away during those incidents.

The supposed events occurred in places such as New York City, the Hamptons, and several global locations.

The trio of men have all entered pleas of not guilty.

Brad Edwards, the lawyer advocating for the plaintiffs in a civil suit against Jeffries, stated that his clients intend to proceed with their case regardless of the judicial decision.

"We hope he undergoes rehabilitation and receives the punishment he merits," Edwards stated to the Journal.

Nevertheless, he cannot and will not escape responsibility in our civil class action lawsuit.

The criminal charges are accompanied by troubling accusations presented in a distinct civil lawsuit, the specifics of which were initially disclosed by The Post earlier this month.

In this situation, two up-and-coming male models initiated legal action at the Manhattan Supreme Court. They alleged that they had been assured lucrative positions with Abercrombie but instead fell victim to being drugged, assaulted, and exploited by Jeffries and those around him.

Two individuals, who wish to remain anonymous, claim that they were forced to remove all their body hair and underwent uncomfortable penile injections aimed at extending erections as part of the reported mistreatment.

As stated in the civil lawsuit, Jeffrey’s representative, James Jacobson, enlisted several men between 2010 and 2011. He lured them into confidential gatherings by falsely promising they would be considered for potential modeling roles.

It was reported that one of the individuals involved was a teenager at the time.

It is claimed that both individuals were sexually assaulted by Jacobson prior to their involvement in the broader conspiracy.

It is alleged that the misconduct took place at various locations including those in Manhattan and the Hamptons, along with several international trips, as stated by their attorney, Robert Georges.



Canandaigua Man Re-arrested on New Rape Charges After Child Sexual Assault Conviction

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A man from Canandaigua who was found guilty of predatory sexual assault now faces additional charges of rape.

The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department reported that 43-year-old Daniel Sevigny allegedly sexually assaulted a woman multiple times from January through February 2025. He was taken into custody on Thursday at the Ontario County Jail and faces charges of first-degree rape.

Sevigny was initially accused of predatory sexual assault back in August. These charges were based on several occurrences spanning from June through August 2024. According to deputies, this new charge was linked to her earlier rape conviction.

He was scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, however, deputies stated Sevigny removed his ankle bracelet. He was located. On April 1, sheriff's deputies discovered him on Chapin Street and took him into custody.

Sevigny appeared for arraignment at the Ontario County Centralized Arraignment on Thursday.

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North Dakota Man Faces Charges for Threatening to Set Fire to Augusta National Employee

The Brief
  • A North Dakota man faces a charge after prosecutors say he threatened an Augusta National Golf Club employee.
  • Joseph Armand Zimmer allegedly informed the employee that he would confine her to a cell and then set her ablaze.
  • He faces up to 5 years in federal prison.

AUGUSTA, Ga. - A grand jury in Georgia has charged a man from North Dakota with reportedly making threats against an employee at Augusta National Golf Club.

The police apprehended 48-year-old Joseph Armand Zimmer in Las Vegas early this week.

What we know

According to the Justice Department, Zimmer contacted the golf club via phone on February 18 and made threats against the staff member who responded to the call.

Zimmer allegedly threatened that he would "lock [the individual] up and set her on fire" and also said that he would "shoot [her] in the head."

He could be sentenced to as many as five years in federal prison for making threats against interstate communications.

What they're saying

"Anyone who threatens individuals within our community in breach of federal law will face consequences, as we collaborate with our law enforcement allies to pinpoint and prosecute those attempting to bully and frighten our residents," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Lyons.

What's next

The case continues to be investigated by the FBI.

Zimmer needs to show up at the Georgia courthouse to address the charges against him.

The Source

The information for this narrative was sourced from a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia.



Man Allegedly Impregnates Teen Daughter After 50 Years: Shocking Family Tragedy

A 50-year-old individual named Umar Sule, hailing from Kariya within the Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, is now under police detention for reportedly sexually assaulting his 17-year-old daughter repeatedly, which led to her becoming pregnant.

The shocking incident reportedly occurred while the victim’s mother was away visiting her parents in Burra, Ningi Local Government Area. Following the mother’s return, she noticed her daughter’s pregnancy, prompting the victim to disclose the horrifying truth.

A medical evaluation has now verified that the victim is three months pregnant, with her father being the biological parent.

This morning, Friday, confirming the arrest and accusations, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Bauchi Command, CSP Ahmed Wakil, announced that Mr. Sule along with his daughter are presently detained for interrogation. He also disclosed that "both suspects admitted to committing the offense."

CSP Wakil stated, "After the return of her mother, she noticed that the victim was expecting a child and asked who was accountable for this situation. The victim revealed that it was her own father."

The Commissioner of Police for the Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has instructed that the case undergo a comprehensive investigation and then be brought to court once the probe is finished, as stated by CSP Wakil.

A 50-year-old man from Bauchi reportedly impregnated his teenage daughter.



Ohio's New Child Grooming Law Officially Takes Effect, Cracking Down on Sexual Abuse

CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A new legislation has been enacted that prohibits The law aimed at protecting children from sexual predators goes into effect in Ohio on Wednesday.

The law was enacted after the case involving Father Geoff Drew. A ex-priest who was found guilty in 2021 for sexually assaulting a young boy when he worked as a music minister at Saint Jude Parish located in Green Township. For many years, Drew has faced accusations of grooming children, however, no charges were brought against him for this behavior because Ohio did not have explicit statutes addressing grooming at that time.

The new law classifies grooming as a misdemeanor, with the potential for felony charges for repeat offenders or if the child is under 13 years old.



Cop Killer Sentenced to Life Without Parole, Escapes Death Penalty

Seifullah Abdul-Salaam is returning to prison to serve the remainder of his life sentence following a resentencing hearing where he managed to avoid being sentenced to death again. Initially, jurors could not agree unanimously on whether they should return him to death row.

I was clearly let down," stated New Cumberland Police Chief Richard Wiley. "This has affected the officers who are currently serving in the department.

Abdul-Salaam initially received the death penalty for murdering New Cumberland Police Officer Will Cole during a robbery in 1994. However, his sentence was reversed in 2018 when an appellate court determined that Abdul-Salaam’s lawyer should have presented testimony regarding the childhood maltreatment he endured at his original sentencing hearing.

Richard Wiley, the newly appointed police chief of New Cumberland, mentioned that his officers found the latest decision quite difficult to embrace.

“No one was present in the department during this incident,” stated Wiley. “However, everyone experienced the same grief and distress that the community went through back in 1994.”

At the sentencing proceeding, Officer Cole’s sibling, Wendy, addressed the court expressing her distress over the verdict and mentioned that their family unit has not returned to normalcy since his passing.

A different individual informed the court that New Cumberland lost its purity following the shooting incident.

Decades later, old injuries resurfaced," stated Sean McCormack, Cumberland County District Attorney. "This is not a minor issue.

Since 2015, Pennsylvania has imposed a ban on carrying out executions, and Governor Shapiro has pledged not to approve any execution warrants during his time in office in Harrisburg.

Even with the moratorium in place, District Attorney McCormack felt it was crucial to reinstate Abdul-Salaam's initial death penalty.

I've had personal reservations about capital punishment over time," McCormack stated. "However, as I mentioned initially, I swore an oath as a district attorney to enforce the law.

Before exiting the courthouse, Abdul-Salaam offered an apology to Officer Cole’s family for the suffering he inflicted and expressed gratitude to the jurors for showing empathy toward him. Authorities trust that Abdul-Salaam will make good use of this fresh start and improve himself.

"Here's hoping he does and perhaps he might influence someone to make better choices," stated Wiley.



Killer Re-Sentenced to Life Imprisonment, Escaping Death Penalty

Seifullah Abdul-Salaam is heading back to prison to spend the rest of his life behind bars, after avoiding the death penalty during a resentencing trial. This comes after a jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether to send him back to death row.

“I was disappointed, obviously," said New Cumberland Police Chief Richard Wiley. "I think this impacted my officers that are in the department today.”

Abdul-Salaam was originally given the death penalty for the killing of New Cumberland Police Officer Will Cole during a robbery in 1994. His sentence would later be overturned in 2018, after an appeals court ruled that Abdul-Salaam's attorney should have called witnesses to testify about abuse he suffered as a child during his initial sentencing.

New Cumberland Police Chief Richard Wiley said the new ruling was hard for his officers to accept.

“Not one person is left in the department when this incident occurred," said Wiley. "But they all felt the sorrow and anguish that the community felt back in 1994.”

During the sentencing hearing, Officer Cole's sister, Wendy, told the court she was upset about the decision and said her family has never been the same since his death.

Another person told the court that New Cumberland lost its innocence after the shooting.

“Old wounds were opened decades later," said Sean McCormack, Cumberland County District Attorney. "That’s not a small thing.”

Since 2015, Pennsylvania has imposed a ban on carrying out executions, and Governor Shapiro has pledged not to approve any execution warrants for as long as he remains in office in Harrisburg.

Even with the moratorium in place, District Attorney McCormack felt it was crucial to reinstate Abdul-Salaam's initial death penalty.

I've personally wrestled with the issue of capital punishment over the years," stated McCormack. "However, as I mentioned initially, I swore an oath as a district attorney to enforce the law.

Before exiting the courthouse, Abdul-Salaam offered an apology to Officer Cole’s family for the suffering he inflicted and expressed gratitude to the jury for showing him kindness. Authorities trust that Abdul-Salaam will seize this new opportunity and improve himself.

“Hopefully he does and maybe he can make an impact on someone’s life that will make better decisions," said Wiley.



菲前總統杜特莉被捕：菲律賓參議院緊急展開調查

（法新社馬尼拉17日電） 菲律賓參議院今天宣布，將針對前總統杜特蒂上週被捕並迅速移交至國際刑事法院（ICC）一事展開正式調查。杜特蒂因任內發起致命掃毒戰爭，面臨違反人道罪指控。

現年79歲的杜特蒂（Rodrigo Duterte）是首位在國際刑事法院受審的亞洲前國家元首。他於2016至2022年擔任總統期間發動血腥掃毒戰，人權團體認為有數以千計的人在這波行動中遭到殺害。

參院的這項調查由菲律賓參議員艾米·馬可仕（Imee Marcos）提出，她正是總統費迪南德·馬可仕三世（Ferdinand Marcos Jr.）的大姐，並且是杜特蒂長女及副總統莎拉（Sara Duterte）的好朋友。

自2022年小馬可仕與薩拉聯手在總統大選獲得壓倒性勝利以來，馬可仕和杜特蒂家族陷入激烈爭鬥。如今薩拉也遭控威脅暗殺小馬可仕等罪名，面臨國會的彈劾審判。

艾米今天發布聲明表示：「身為參議院外交委員會主席，我下令對前總統杜特蒂被捕一事展開緊急調查。這起事件已導致國家嚴重分裂。」

艾米指出，必須確認杜特蒂的逮捕過程是否遵循正當程序，並確保其法律權利受到妥善保護，同時也要確保「我國主權和法律程序」未受侵犯。

杜特蒂本月稍早短暫訪問香港後，11日在馬尼拉機場被捕，不久便被送往荷蘭海牙，並押送至ICC。

菲國參院訂於20日舉行公開聽證會，並將邀請警方高層與其他政府官員出席，以提供相關證據。