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Arizona death row inmate released after 29 years behind bars

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona death row inmate whose convictions and death sentence in the 1994 death of a 4-year-old were thrown out was released from prison Thursday.Barry Lee Jones had spent 29 years behind bars for murder, child abuse and sexual assault convictions in the death of his girlfriend’s daughter. A Pima County judge ordered the release of Jones after approving a deal between his defense team and prosecutors, who said a medical re-examination of the case didn’t support a finding that Jones caused the girl’s injury. Jones pleaded guilty to a lesser murder charge. In early May 1994, Jones drove the child and her mother to a Tucson hospital, where the child was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her death was determined to have been caused by a small bowel laceration due to “blunt abdominal trauma.”Authorities had previously alleged that Jones had beaten and sexually assaulted the girl. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which agreed that Jones’ first-degree murder conviction ...

Conor McGregor is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at an NBA Finals game in Miami

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The NBA and the Miami Heat are investigating an allegation that former UFC champion Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman inside an arena bathroom after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.The woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, said her client has provided Miami police with the clothing she was wearing that night and that a report was filed.McGregor’s attorney said the fighter denied any wrongdoing. “Mr. McGregor will not be intimidated,” said the attorney, Barbara Llanes.In letters sent to the NBA, the Heat and McGregor’s representatives, Mitchell detailed her client’s allegations and said the client would discuss “reasonable settlement offers” before June 12 or else proceed with litigation.“We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation,” read a statement from the Heat. “Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.”The NBA had a similar statement, saying it was working with the H...

Bunting, Kerfoot, Holl not expected back with Maple Leafs: report

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

Michael Bunting, Alex Kerfoot and Justin Holl, three key members of the Toronto Maple Leafs, are not expected to return to the team in free agency, according to the Toronto Star’s Chris Johnston.Bunting, Kerfoot and Holl are three of several players heading to the open market, including Ryan O’Reilly, David Kampf, Noel Acciari and Luke Schenn, to name a few. Goalie Ilya Samsonov is a restricted free agent in need of a new contract, too.Bunting, 27, is the most noteworthy, given that he mostly played alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner this season. The Scarborough, Ont. native is coming off a two-year, $1.9 million contract ($950,000 per year) he signed in 2021. It’s largely been considered one of the biggest bargain deals in recent years, considering Bunting’s production.He scored 23 goals and finished with 63 points in 79 games in his rookie season with the Leafs but struggled with inconsistency and costly penalties in his second season. His point tot...

Buffalo teen guilty in high-speed crash of stolen Kia that killed 4 passengers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A Buffalo teenager who was behind the wheel of a stolen SUV involved in a high-speed crash that killed four passengers pleaded guilty Thursday to manslaughter and other charges.The 16-year-old appeared in Erie County Court as an adolescent offender. He is expected to be sentenced to 15 months to four years in prison. A total of six teens were in the Kia Sportage when it crashed on state Route 33 on Oct. 24, Buffalo police said. The car had been reported stolen the previous night.A 14-year-old girl and three males, ages 16, 17 and 19, died after being ejected through the glass sunroof when the vehicle slammed into a concrete embankment and flipped backward, authorities said. A second 14-year-old girl survived.Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said at the time that the teens may have been participating in a TikTok challenge encouraging people to break into and steal Kia cars using cellphone chargers.The driver pleaded guilty to four counts of second-deg...

Reaction to highway crash that killed 15 in Manitoba

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

CARBERRY, Man. — RCMP say 15 people are dead and 10 are in hospital after a bus carrying people from Dauphin, Man., many of them seniors, collided with a semi truck. Here is some of the reaction: “I’m sending my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones today, and I’m keeping the injured in my thoughts. I cannot imagine the pain those affected are feeling — but Canadians are here for you.” — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. —“I have complete confidence in the exceptional emergency response and health-care workers, and I know they are doing absolutely everything they can.“This is a devastating tragedy for our province, and I know all Manitobans will join me in offering heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the friends and family directly impacted.” — Manitoba Lt. Gov Anita Neville. —“The thoughts of the entire Day & Ross team are with those who have lost loved ones in this terrible incident, and we are holding out hope that those injured will ...

Group recommends reforms for scandal-plagued Los Angeles city council

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles should add 10 more city council members, create two independent redistricting commissions and establish a more powerful ethics commission, a panel of academics exploring reforms for the scandal-plagued city government said Thursday.The Los Angeles Governance Reform Project shared its recommendations just days after yet another councilman — the fourth in recent years — was charged with a felony, this time for embezzlement and perjury. The group, made up of academics backed by philanthropists, formed last year after leaked recordings revealed several council members making racist remarks as they discussed redistricting.“I don’t think anyone has forgotten that the moment is now for change,” said Ange-Marie Hancock, a co-chair of the reform group and a professor of gender studies and political science at the University of Southern California.The group eventually wants to put proposals before voters on the November 2024 ballot.City Council members in ...

Environmental activist shot to death in Honduras 6 months after activist brother slain

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — An environmental activist was killed by unidentified gunmen Thursday in northern Honduras, six months after his younger brother and another activist were killed in a similar attack, a relative and an environmental group said.Oquelí Domínguez was shot by two men on a motorcycle at his family’s home in Tocoa, his eldest brother, Reynaldo Domínguez, said.The Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods, a local environmental defense organization, also reported the attack in a statement. Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.In January, Aly Domínguez and Jairo Bonilla were riding a motorcycle between La Concepción and Guapinol when they were shot to death. Bonilla and all three Domínguez brothers were well-known defenders of the nearby Carlos Escaleras National Park.Reynaldo Domínguez said Thursday that police seemed to be steering the investigation toward a possible robbery, which he discounted.“In my house there’s not...

Archeologists find mummy surrounded by coca leaves on hilltop in Peru’s capital

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Archeologists have found a pre-Hispanic mummy surrounded by coca leaves on top of a hill in Peru’s capital next to the practice field of a professional soccer club.A team from The Associated Press on Thursday viewed the skeleton with long black hair lying face up with its lower extremities tied with a rope braided from vines of vegetable origin. Stones surrounded the mummy buried one meter (three feet) down.Miguel Aguilar, a professor of archeology at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, said the mummy was buried in a ritual that included coca leaves and seashells. The burial was on top of a destroyed U-shaped clay temple, a characteristic of some pre-Hispanic buildings. The mummy has not yet been subjected to radiocarbon dating to determine its age, Aguilar said.He said old fly eggs were found next to the male skeleton, leading them to believe the body was exposed for at least several days before being covered with dirt. It was found in Rímac, a district sepa...

Volunteer says migrants served moldy food at city shelter

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Leone Beach Field House in Rogers Park is being used as a temporary shelter for migrants, but volunteers not being able to help out.Migrants who are staying at the Inn of Chicago have expressed to volunteer Chaplain Claudia Figueroa that they're not getting enough to eat or they're being served moldy food. One claims she got sick from it."It's either the moldy ham with the bread and some pasta. They're like 'Ms. Claudia you can tell it's old,'" Figueroa said. "When I went to the Brands Park and the YMCA by Western and Touhy they're like that's what we get. That's exactly what we get." Migrants moved from YMCA to Daley College after delays Figueroa said the moldy food is only the beginning of issues concerning migrants. Even some claiming they aren't being given medical care and are having to shower with cold water."All these chicken pox, some of them have had even COVID, there's no space. They are literally sleeping next to one another. If not, one on top of each ot...

Willis Tower turns 50: 'It's the most Chicago thing you can think of'

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:13 GMT

CHICAGO — One of Chicago’s most beloved buildings – the Willis Tower – its golden anniversary on Thursday. “We are 50 years old,” said Lydia Jordan-Parnell, a Willis Tower spokesperson. “Fifty years ago, the last beam was set on May 3, 1973.”Previously known and still referred to often by local residents as the Sears Tower, a celebratory open house was held on Thursday that featured live music, photo-ops, and giveaways. It is the rare tall building that actually seems to scrape the sky, according to Barbara Hickey, the director of operations and construction of Willis Tower. “Nothing brings you not just the view, but the interaction with the clouds and the city the way the 90th-floor roof will,” she said.  To Chicagoans, and to much of the architecture world, the Willis Tower is more than a building, it is a symbol of Chicago, a marvel of modern architecture – and perhaps the most stunning expression of Daniel Burnham’s lasting edict“Make No Little Plans.”“It’s the most ‘Chicago’ th...