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Showing posts from March, 2013

Woman, 22, charged with drug-induced homicide

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Kristina L. Keating ( Illinois Department of Corrections photo ) By Dennis Sullivan Special to the Tribune 3:47 p.m. CST , March 6, 2013 A 22-year-old Romeoville woman serving time in the Illinois Department of Corrections on two Will County drug convictions has been charged with drug-induced homicide in the fatal heroin overdose of a 20-year-old Plainfield-area man in 2011. Will County Sheriff's Police spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said Kristina L. Keating, of the 2000 block of Whitmore Drive, provided Emelio R. Medina with heroin on Oct. 28, 2011, from a source in Chicago. Medina's mother and sister found him unresponsive in his bedroom around 1 p.m. the next day, Hoffmeyer said. Keating and two other friends told investigators they had been with Medina the previous night at his home, where he was restricted as the result of a residential burglary conviction, Hoffmeyer said. Medina was among 30 persons who died from drug overdoses involving heroin as t

Lakewood police investigating woman found dead at office as homicide

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Lakewood investigators pore over an area where a woman's body March 6, 2013. (9News) Lakewood police are investigating a homicide after a cleaning crew discovered the body of a woman Tuesday night, authorities say. Police have not released the name of the victim pending notification of family members. Police were called to an office building at 445 Union St. between 7 and 8 p.m., said Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman. "It took us a while to determine it was a homicide," Davis said. "We're chasing down leads as fast as we can." Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, denverpost.com/coldcases or twitter.com/kmitchelldp. Read More @ Source Criminal Stories Here

Homicide Detectives Investigating Cab Driver Death

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Facebook Google buzz Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Newsvine Buzz up! Fark it - A A A + BUFFALO, NY -- Buffalo Police homicide detectives were called out Wednesday morning to the vicinity of Norfolk and Kensington on the city's east side. Spokesperson Michael DeGeorge says a report of a body in the 700 block of Norfolk came in around 7 AM. When patrols arrived they discovered a cab driver dead inside a vehicle. The cause of death is not known at this time, and police have not released the victim's name. According to a relative of the victim, someone shot the man in the head. A witness tells Channel 2 News, investigators said it appeared someone shot the man elsewhere, then drove him to Norfolk and Kensington. A woman who works at a daycare next to the crime scene told us it was difficult getting her children to the bus stop because investigators told them they could not walk in the snow as detectives collected e

Chicago homicides drop dramatically as police target 'hot zones'

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Chicago's homicide problem saw unexpectedly dramatic improvement in February, falling to levels not seen since 1957 as city police stepped up a new strategy to rein in chronic violence. Last year ended with more than 500 homicides in Chicago , a 16 percent increase over the previous year, and this January was the bloodiest first month in 11 years. But February homicides dropped to 14, the lowest monthly total since 1957, according to police data. Police officials credit a new plan in which 200 officers are paid overtime and dispatched for nightly patrols to 10 "hot zones" on the South and West Sides of the city where street violence is most prevalent. Since launching the new initiative, there have been zero homicides in those areas, says Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. RECOMMENDED: How much do you know about the Second Amendment? A quiz. Now, he now wants officers on overtime pay sent to 10 more hot zones across the city. The idea of flooding cr

Homicide families want seven years to claim

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MORE TIME: Families of victims of homicide  such as Yalgoo farmer Ellen Rowe, whose husband Bill was bashed to death with a cricket bat, want seven years to lodge compensation claims, not three. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow VICTIM: Yalgoo farmer Bill Rowe, bashed to death with a cricket bat on a Geraldton beach on Christmas Day, 2007.  Source: PerthNow FAMILIES of murder victims should be able to apply for compensation for up to seven years after the loss of a loved one, says WA's Homicide Victims Support Group. Extending the deadline from three years is one of several demands put by the group to key politicians on the eve of the state election. It claims current legal processes are also "too firmly focused on the rights of alleged perpetrators." Group convenor Ellen Rowe, whose husband Bill was bashed to death with a cricket at a Geraldton beach in 2007, said they had submitted several ideas to redress the imbalance. "Givin

Manslaughter charges added in FAMU hazing death

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Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion Jr. died in November 2011. NEW: Champion's parents say the manslaughter charge is appropriate 12 defendants now face manslaughter and felony hazing Drum major Robert Champion died after a hazing ritual in 2011 The defendants face a maximum of 15 years in prison (CNN) -- Twelve former students now face manslaughter charges in the November 2011 hazing death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion Jr., attorneys familiar with the case said Monday. Ten of them were previously charged with felony hazing resulting in death. They and two new defendants will now also be charged with manslaughter, said Craig Brown, the attorney for one of the students. State Attorney Jeff Ashton "thought the proper charges in the case would be manslaughter and hazing with death," explained Assistant State Attorney Nicole Pegues in an e-mail sent to the defendants' attorneys. Brown's

Homicide checklist helps pinpoint imminent danger

Main story: Putting police response on trial   MONTREAL â€" Looking at the homicide risk checklist that police began using just months after Maria Altagracia Dorval’s murder in Montreal North on Oct. 17, 2010, one can’t help but wonder if it could have saved her life. The checklist helps police officers determine whether a woman is in imminent danger of being killed by her partner, and needs emergency protection. â€Å“Has your partner ever used a weapon against you?” is one question. Dorval told police a week before her death that two months earlier her estranged husband, Edens Kenol, had held a knife to her throat, and threatened to kill her and her children and then himself if she left him. â€Å“Are you a victim of harassment? Have the number and seriousness of violent acts increased recently?” Dorval told police that for the past few months, Kenol had been turning up at her apartment unannounced, knocking violently at the door, following her around in his

Stolen Guns Used in Triple Homicide

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Two men arrested in the triple homicide of a Clark, Wyoming family told authorities they went to the house armed with stolen guns, intending to steal an SUV, but instead left behind a scene of bloodshed that has stunned the rural community. Tanner Vanpelt, 18, and Stephen Hammer, 19, both from Cody, Wyo., appeared in court today to face charges, including murder and robbery, in a case authorities are calling "nothing short of cold-blooded murder." The bodies of 40-year-old Ildiko Freitas and her parents, Janos Volgyesi, 69, and Hildegard Volgyesi, 70, were discovered at 11:27 a.m. Saturday, less than an hour after they were shot to death in their home during a robbery. The garage door to the family home was left open and their black Audi SUV was missing. Neighbors said they saw two men arrive at the family's home Saturday morning in a white Ford Taurus. Nineteen minutes later they saw the sedan and the family's black Audi SUV drive away from the home a

Harrisburg police identify homicide victim

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Harrisburg police said the homicide victim found in the 900 block of Long Street Monday night was 20-year-old city resident Courtney Jackson. A memorial for Courtney Jackson, who was shot and killed Monday night in Harrisburg, has been placed at the crime scene in the 900 block of Long Street, near Forster Street. Sean Simmers, The Patriot-News       Police would not provide a home address for Jackson, but said he suffered a gunshot wound, "which was apparently the cause of his death." Medical personnel pronounced Jackson dead at the scene. An investigation continues into Jackson's death, which was the city's fourth homicide of 2013.  Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact Detective Jeff Schriver at 717-255-3183 or jschriver@cityofhbg.com or officer Paula Trovy at 717-255-3158 or ptrovy@cityofhbg.com. Anyone also can call Dauphin County police dispatch at 717-558-6900 and ask for a city detective. View Harrisburg-area homicides i

Closing arguments made in murder trial of Oakland teenager

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OAKLAND -- The murder trial of 18-year-old Casey Turner revolves largely around the statements of three witnesses, none of whom wanted to appear in court for fear of street retribution. Two of the witness, both friends of James Allen Jr., 18, who was killed with a single bullet to the chest during a gunbattle in 2010, have testified that Turner began the fight by shooting his semi-automatic pistol at Allen and a group of friends in East Oakland. The third witness, a resident of an apartment building near the scene, said she saw Turner run from the scene after Allen fell to the ground with blood dripping from his mouth. Deputy district attorney Butch Ford said the statements provide enough evidence for the jury of seven women and five men to convict Turner of second-degree murder. But Turner's defense attorney, Darryl Billups, told the jury the witnesses provided nothing but more questions that were never answered by the prosecution. Turner, who was 15 at the time of

Fatal stabbing in Toronto highlights frequency of knife crime

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Toronto's homicide tally for the year rose to 10 early Tuesday, after a man stabbed multiple times in the city's west end died in hospital of his injuries. Of those 10 victims, four were shot, three were stabbed to death and three died by other means, figures that roughly align with the numbers from previous years. More Related to this Story Toronto police arrest man in subway stabbing Toronto police seek 20-year-old in stabbing on Yonge subway Police hunt for three men after stabbing leaves one dead, one injured Knife crime, however, while showing no great leap in frequency, has garnered headlines in Toronto lately. And nationally, it remains the most frequent type of murder. In this latest incident, a 20-year-old man was stabbed in the back and upper body at Nairn Avenue, in the Eglinton Avenue and Dufferin Street area, shortly before 9:30 p.m. Monday. He was rushed to Sunnybrook hospital with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead

2 Alleged Heroin Dealers Charged With Drug-Induced Homicide

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Emerson Harris and Maximilian Kalemba are charged with drug-induced homicide for allegedly selling drugs to different people who died from overdoses. (Credit: Will County Sheriff) JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) – Will County authorities are charging two alleged dope dealers with drug-induced homicide stemming from separate fatal heroin overdoses in the fall. Authorities say Emerson D. Harris, 24, and Maximilian Kalemba, 21, of southwest suburban Homer Glen, sold drugs to different people that ultimately led to their deaths. Police were called to a Wendy's on Sept. 19, where 28-year-old Chad D. Conley was found lying in the parking lot. Conley, of Bolingbrook, was taken to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later, Lt. Mike Rompa said. Police said Harris sold Conley the drugs that ended up killing him. Toxicology tests later showed Conley died from an opiate — of which heroin is one — and alcohol intoxication. Will County sheriff'

Campbell Teen Killed In City’s 1st Homicide In 6-Years

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18-year-old Richard Vega was fatally shot in Campbell on March 3, 2013. (CBS) CAMPBELL (CBS SF) — Police in Campbell were investigating the city's first homicide in about six years, a police captain said. About 10:20 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area of West Latimer Avenue and Dunster Drive, Capt. Charley Adams said. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds, Adams said. The victim, 18-year-old Richard Vega, of Campbell, was transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center to be treated for his injuries, Adams said. He was later pronounced dead. Adams said a dark colored sedan was seen leaving the area of the shooting, heading east on West Latimer Avenue toward Winchester Boulevard. No suspect description was immediately available. Rare Homicide in One of Silicon Valley's Safest Communities Matt Bigler It was unknown whether the shooting was gang related, but police a

Murder Of 10-Year-Old: Evil Stepmom May One Day Walk Free

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Zahra Baker, pictured in 2010 at the age of 10, getting a hearing aid. Picture: AP/The Independent Tribune SHE was a real-life evil stepmother and many hoped she would be sentenced to death, but Elisa Baker has managed to use the law to her advantage one more time. Baker, who admitted murdering her disabled 10-year-old Australian stepdaughter Zahra Baker, cutting her up with a saw and dumping the body parts in North Carolina bush land, learned on Monday she could one day be a free woman. The 44-year-old self-described gothic and bigamist faced a death sentence for the 2010 murder of little bone cancer survivor Zahra, but did a deal with prosecutors in 2011 that led to a lesser second-degree murder charge and a maximum 18-year jail sentence. With the murder sentence set in concrete, prosecutors had one last chance to ensure Baker was kept behind bars for the rest of her life. That was dashed on Monday in a Statesville, North Carolina, courtroom. Baker was ori

Homicide-suicide under investigation

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John Althouse/The Daily News Published: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 16:08 PM. Updated at 6:46 p.m. Authorities are investigating what they say is a homicide-suicide discovered in the New River area of Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon. Officers with the Jacksonville Police Department found two bodies in the home at 1405 Hargett St. after receiving a call at 12:36 p.m. Tuesday from a family member concerned about the welfare of a resident of the home, according to JPD. They received no response at the home and found the bodies upon entering. Police have not indicated the respective causes of death nor when the deaths occurred. The names are being withheld pending notification of the family members, JPD stated in a press release. A neighbor, who asked to not be identified, said she didn't hear anything out of the ordinary at the home on Hargett Street. "I'd usually hear them come out of their house and get into their cars, but I didn't hear anything t

12 charged with manslaughter in FAMU death

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Twelve former Florida A&M University band members were charged Monday with manslaughter in the 2011 hazing death of a drum major. Ten of the band members had been charged last May with third-degree felony hazing for the death of 26-year-old Robert Champion , but the state attorney 's office said they are adding the charge of manslaughter for each defendant. They also have charged two additional defendants with manslaughter, though they have yet to be arrested. The second-degree manslaughter charge announced during an afternoon status hearing carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Champion died in Orlando in November 2011 after he collapsed following what prosecutors say was a savage beating during a hazing ritual. It happened on a bus parked in a hotel parking lot after Florida A&M played Bethune-Cookman in their annual rivalry football game. Authorities said Champion had bruises on his chest, arms, shoulder and back and died of int

Homicide confirmed in Gate City

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) --  Birmingham police are investigating a Monday afternoon shooting that left one man dead. According to Sgt. Johnny Williams with the Birmingham Police Department, east precinct officers responded to a shots fired call just after 3:00pm at the corner of Georgia Road and Joppa Ave. When they arrived, they located a victim in a car suffering from a gunshot wound. The car had crashed into a telephone pole. The man was transported to UAB for treatment where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are investigating this shooting, and ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777. Read More @ Source Criminal Stories Here

Geneva Homicide Victim Identified

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Geneva, N.Y.- Police released the name of the man shot and killed in Geneva Saturday morning. Police said Damon Thomas, 34, of Geneva, was discovered around 1:25 a.m. at 178 North Genesee Street. He was transported to Geneva General Hospital and pronounced dead. Police charged Larry Mallard, 26, with second degree murder. The investigation is continuing. Read More @ Source Criminal Stories Here

Jurors sought for Pa. abortion doc's murder trial

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jury selection is under way in the murder trial of a Philadelphia abortion provider and could prove difficult since both abortion and the death penalty are involved. Dr. Kermit Gosnell is charged with third-degree murder in a woman's 2009 death during a botched abortion. And he faces the death penalty if convicted of the first-degree murder of seven viable babies allegedly killed after they were born alive. The 72-year-old Gosnell has pleaded not guilty. He says he helped many vulnerable women and teens get medical care. Former clinic employee Eileen O'Neill is also on trial, charged with practicing medicine without a license. Eight others have pleaded guilty to murder or lesser charges. Large groups of prospective jurors have been dismissed Monday based on hardship, their opposition to the death penalty or other conflicts. Read More @ Source Haunted Nights - Hadsa : Part # 4 : 05/17/12 Next

Campbell Man Killed; First Homicide Since 2007

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Bob Redell Homicide scene in Campbell at Latimer Avenue and Dunster Drive. advertisement Campbell police on Monday began investigating the city's first homicide since 2007. Capt. Charley Adams said officers found 18-year-old Richard Vega of Campbell suffering from gunshot wounds about 10:20 p.m. Sunday around the intersection of Latimer Avenue and Dunster Drive near the Campbell Community Center. Vega was transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for emergency surgery but he did not survive.  Investigators are trying to figure out if Vega was targeted or a random victim. Adams said a dark colored sedan was seen leaving the area eastbound on on Latimer Avenue toward Winchester Boulevard just after the shooting. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Campbell Police Department Investigations Unit at (408) 871-5190. Or to leave an anonymous tip, contact Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867 Get

India minister quits over murder

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4 March 2013 Last updated at 01:05 ET Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya says he is innocent A minister in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has resigned after allegations that he was involved in the murder of a senior police officer. Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya is accused of "conspiracy and murder", police said. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ziaul Haque was shot dead on Saturday evening in Pratapgarh district. His widow has lodged a police complaint. Mr Singh was not present at the crime scene and says he is innocent. Two of his close aides have been arrested in connection with the murder. Mr Singh was the food and civil supplies minister in the state government. He has several criminal cases pending against him and has served time in jail too. Mr Haque was killed when he had gone to a village to investigate the murder of the village head in connection with a land dispute. Reports said Mr Haque's body was dragged

Homicide On Scene After Body Discovered In Burned NW OKC Apartment

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[File Photo] OKLAHOMA CITY - Homicide detectives were called to the scene of an a northwest Oklahoma City apartment complex after firefighters extinguished a blaze at one of the complex's units, Sunday night. Police confirm that a body was found inside one of the apartment units, but they are not saying how the person died or that person's identity. Some residents had to be evacuated as crews worked to knock out the fire. Firefighters were called to the fire at the Willow Cliff Lakeshore apartment complex located at 5607 Willow Cliff Rd. just before 9 p.m. A cause for the fire has not been determined. Read More @ Source Criminal Stories Here

Homicide Detectives Investigate Human Remains Found Near Gilman Springs

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GILMAN SPRINGS (CBSLA.com)  — Human remains were found near Gilman Springs Friday about 100 yards off the roadway, according to officials. Sheriff's detectives investigated the find as a homicide, a sergeant said Sunday. Witnesses found the remains off Gilman Springs Road and Jack Rabbit Trail, according to County sheriff's Sgt. Tyson Voss. The identity of the person and a cause of death was not revealed. Detectives with the sheriff's Central Homicide took over the investigation on Saturday. An autopsy is scheduled, Voss said. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department urges anyone with information about the remains to call detectives at (760) 393-3500 or the sheriff's Hemet station at (951) 654-2702. (©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.) Read More @ Source Criminal St