Migrants suicidal' at former RAF base housing hundreds of asylum seekers
A new report accuses the Home Office of using Wethersfield airfield as a large open-prison camp for asylum seekers.
The report reveals that asylum seekers at the camp are experiencing worsening mental health, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. [ more ]
Josef Fritzl could never come to UK under visa rules, says home secretary
Josef Fritzl, notorious for imprisoning his daughter, expressed a desire to move to the UK upon release, but the UK Home Secretary declared he would not be allowed entry.
UK government guidelines dictate that individuals convicted of serious offenses like Fritzl would be denied entry into the country. [ more ]
Judge vacates conviction of man whose identity was stolen in 'Kafkaesque' case
A man's wrongful conviction was vacated after his real identity thief pleaded guilty, showcasing a Kafkaesque situation in the criminal justice system. [ more ]
Gregory Yee, Times reporter who chased the stories that shaped L.A., dies at 33
Gregory Yee, a hard-charging breaking news reporter for the Los Angeles Times, died unexpectedly Wednesday at the Hollywood bungalow where he lived.His family said the cause appeared to be complications from a respiratory issue.He was 33.Yee joined The Times in summer 2021 as a night reporter on the Metro staff, and he had been working as one of 18 reporters on the Fast Break desk, the paper's breaking news operation.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down the landmark federal abortion rights case Roe vs. Wade led to a flurry of new laws in California, even though abortion rights already are solidly protected in the state.Still, 2022 proved to be a fairly measured year when it comes to the number of bills approved by the California Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, perhaps a continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic lull in recent years.
A Troubling Trump Pardon and a Link to the Kushners
Jonathan Braun, who received a commutation from President Trump, returned to working as a predatory lender after being freed from prison.
The consequences of Braun's commutation raise questions about Trump's intervention in criminal justice decisions and his potential actions in a second term.
The New York Times investigation uncovered additional ramifications from Braun's commutation and revealed new details about his predatory lending activities. [ more ]
A Founding Member of This Church Was Enslaved by Its First Pastor
Good morning.It's Friday.We'll look at how a Manhattan church is reckoning with the discovery that one of its founding members was an enslaved woman.We'll also find out about a proposed change in the way restaurants dispose of trash.Image The artist Clayton Singleton's depiction of Betsey Jackson, a founding member of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.Credit...Clayton Singleton; Photograph by Porter Binks The room where the trustees of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church meet every month, on the fifth floor of the building on West 55th Street adjacent to the sanctuary, has always been called the boardroom.
Ex-Head of N.Y.P.D. Sergeants' Union Admits to Stealing From His Members
Edward D. Mullins, one of the most powerful and combative leaders in the history of the New York City sergeants' union, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud on Thursday in a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization and its members.Mr. Mullins was fraudulently reimbursed for about $1 million that he spent on luxury items and meals at high-end restaurants over nearly two decades as president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, according to Manhattan federal prosecutors.
Major Crimes Rose 22 Percent in New York City, Even as Shootings Fell
Surges in robbery, burglary and other crimes drove a 22 percent increase in overall major crime in New York City last year compared with the year prior, despite a significant drop in shootings and murders.Mayor Eric Adams, who campaigned on a promise to improve public safety, said at a news conference at Police Department headquarters that the city had made progress.
Family and colleagues honor fallen CPD Officer Areanah Preston in evening vigil; 5 in custody in connection with shooting
Hundreds gathered Tuesday evening in the District 5 police station courtyard to honor and mourn Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston, who was fatally shot after returning home from a shift early Saturday.A hush fell over the crowd as a bagpipe played and Preston's family made their way to some chairs in front of a yellow and light blue balloon arch.
Illinois prosecutors ask a judge to quash law that is set to eliminate cash bail on Jan. 1
Less than two weeks before cash bail is set to be abolished in Illinois, opponents of the measure on Tuesday asked a Kankakee County judge to stop the change from taking effect and declare the sweeping criminal justice law it is part of unconstitutional.In a crowded Kankakee County courtroom, Judge Thomas Cunnington heard arguments from a group of Illinois state's attorneys who oppose doing away with cash bail, and from lawyers for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul who defended the measure.
Man was 'executed' as he ate alone at California restaurant, officials say. 2 charged
Two men charged with murder and conspiracy after man is shot while dining alone at a California restaurant.
The shooting was premeditated and planned with one suspect executing the victim and the other providing support and attempting to destroy evidence. [ more ]
Opinion: Why is California still paying for prisons it doesn't need?
Despite a decline in the incarcerated population and rising costs, Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized billion-dollar raises for corrections officers and additional funding for prison buildings.
Efforts to address the issue, such as prison realignment and releasing thousands of inmates during the pandemic, have not solved the systemic problems and wasteful spending endemic to California prisons. [ more ]
Hochul called on to remove Bragg after soft-on-crime DA let migrant mob walk free despite caught-on-camera cop beating
New York Republican lawmakers are calling for the removal of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg after migrants accused of attacking NYPD officers were released without bail.
Critics claim Bragg has been lenient on criminals and selective in enforcing laws, putting the public's safety at risk. [ more ]
State Senate Panel Rejects Right-Winger for New York's Chief Judge
Progressive lawmakers and rights advocates in New York celebrated Wednesday after the state Senate Judiciary Committee voted against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul's nominee to serve as the state's top judge, Justice Hector LaSalle whose rulings regarding abortion rights, labor, and criminal justice made his nomination an absolute disaster, according to one critic.
Brooklyn Defender Services outlines goals for 2024 legislative session
Brooklyn Defender Services and other public defender offices in New York City are pushing for legislative reforms targeting injustices within the criminal legal, family regulation, and immigration systems.
Advocacy efforts include the Youth Justice and Opportunities Act, the Family Miranda Rights Act, the End Predatory Court Fees Act, and the Treatment Not Jail Act. [ more ]
Post office owner says Horizon system used to frame him for wife's murder
Robin Garbutt, who is serving a life sentence for murdering his wife, claims that the faulty Horizon IT system used in the Post Office scandal was also used to frame him.
Garbutt says the evidence relied upon during his trial is faulty and that a man wearing a balaclava and holding a gun forced him to hand over £16,000, after which he found his wife dead.
The prosecution argued during the trial that Garbutt may have staged the robbery to cover up losses reported on the Horizon accounting system. [ more ]
From prison to art gallery, former inmates take center stage
Installation view, No Justice Without Love (April 4 - June 30, 2023).Sebastian Bach/Ford Foundation Gallery When Sherrill Roland talks about his art, he's sure to mention steel, resin and Kool-Aid.These materials, easily accessible during his time in prison, still figure prominently in the art he creates now that he's free.
The chatty daytime talk show The View might seem like an unlikely platform for Tim Scott, a senator from South Carolina and a presidential candidate, to get his footing with Republican primary voters, but he saw an opening on Monday and tried to make the most of it.Mr. Scott, the first Black Republican from the South elected to the Senate since Reconstruction, had asked for an audience on the show after a co-host, Joy Behar, said Mr. Scott doesn't get it when he denies the existence of systemic racism, which is why, she said, he is a Republican.
No conspiracy behind Ireland's new hate speech laws, says justice minister
An Irish Government minister has insisted there is no conspiracy behind new hate speech laws as he dismissed criticism levelled by Donald Trump Jnr and Elon Musk.Justice minister Simon Harris said when someone from the Trump family or Mr Musk took a contrary view it was not a bad day at the office.Mr Harris said people portraying the new legislation as an attempt to police thought were seeking to misrepresent the intent of the laws.
Can existing laws regulate AI? The federal government and experts say yes
A new joint pledge by U.S. federal agencies to enforce existing laws upon cutting-edge AI tools is winning praise from tech law experts, who say it's an effective rebuttal to industry arguments for self-regulation.The statement released earlier this week by the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission emphasizes that the agencies aren't going to give artificial intelligence companies special treatment just because their products are new.
Whole life sentence prisoners face ban from marrying under Government plans
Prisoners serving whole life sentences would be prevented from marrying under new Government plans.It comes amid anger over a bid by Levi Bellfield to challenge a decision blocking the serial killer from marrying in prison.Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has pledged to change the law to prevent those serving whole life sentences from getting married, but the move could create fresh legal challenges for the Government.
Dominic Raab's warning over serial killer Levi Bellfield's prison marriage bid
Dominic Raab said he plans to move quickly to stop Levi Bellfield challenging a decision that blocked the serial killer from marrying in prison.The Justice Secretary said Bellfield's bid for a legal challenge is not appropriate, and vowed: I'm going to change the law.Bellfield, 54, is currently serving two whole life sentences for the murder of three women, including 13-year-old Milly Dowler.
Impact of warmer seas on fish stocks leads to rise in pirate attacks
Dwindling fish stocks caused by the climate crisis are leading to an increase in pirate attacks, according to a new study looking at two piracy hotspots over the past two decades.Warmer seas have negatively affected fisheries in east Africa, one of the world's worst areas for piracy; while in the South China Sea, another hotspot for attacks, it has had the opposite effect: fish populations have risen.
Banko Brown: Supes unanimously call on DA to release shooting video
Tonight's five-and-a half-hour Board of Supervisors meeting ended in a unanimous vote in favor of Board President Aaron Peskin's resolution urging the District Attorney's office to release video evidence of Banko Brown's April 27 killing by a Walgreens security guard.This evidence has thus far been withheld by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, citing Administrative Code 7923.600, which states that disclosure of investigations and information is "not required."
The Prison Newspaper Directory finds that the number of prison-based papers is growing
The local newspaper industry has seen better days (though not so much in my lifetime).One growth spot, however, is where you might not expect it: Behind bars.According to the newly launched Prison Newspaper Directory by the Prison Journalism Project, there are 24 prison-based newspapers in 12 states.
New Met Police helpline to put victims at heart of everything we do'
S cotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley vowed to put victims' voices at the heart of everything we do as he launched a dedicated phone helpline.Metropolitan Police's Sir Mark and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hope the new service will make it easier for victims to access key updates about their cases.The phoneline, funded by a new 3 million annual investment from City Hall, was unveiled today in advance of a victims' summit in central London.
Two teenagers injured with one taken to hospital after stabbing in Lewisham
A 16-year-old boy has been taken to hospital after a stabbing in Lewisham.(Image: Newsquest) A 16-year-old boy has been taken to hospital after a stabbing in Lewisham.The incident happened in Bondfield Road just before 2pm today (January 26).Officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended and found two teens injured.
Ambulance service issue statement after two teens injured in Lewisham stabbing
London Ambulance Service has issued a statement after a stabbing in Lewisham.(Image: Newsquest) London Ambulance Service has issued a statement after a stabbing in Lewisham.Two boys, 16 and 17, were found injured in Bondfield Road at around 2pm yesterday (January 26).Officers and London Ambulance Service crews were called to the scene.
Police never searched 'catfish' cop Austin Lee Edwards' second home
Police never searched a Richmond-area apartment belonging to Austin Lee Edwards, the Virginia cop who killed three relatives of a 15-year-old Riverside girl whom police say he "catfished" online.A judge approved Edwards' eviction from that apartment Wednesday.Now that the eviction is official, any evidence that might exist within could be removed or destroyed, if it has not been already.
Drink-driver who murdered student minutes after snorting cocaine jailed for life
A drug dealer who deliberately drove into a crowd of pedestrians, murdering a 22-year-old woman, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.Stephen McHugh had snorted about eight lines of cocaine and downed six beers and ten double shots of spirits before driving his Volvo S60 on to a footpath in Oswestry, Shropshire.
Starmer promises plans to cut violent crime and increase trust in policing
Sir Keir Starmer will promise to halve levels of violence against women and girls within a decade if Labour takes office.He will also pledge to halve serious violent crime and raise confidence in the police and criminal justice system in the wake of the damning report by Baroness Casey into Scotland Yard.
Starmer accuses Tory prime ministers of negligence in light of Casey report
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused successive Conservative prime ministers of being negligent in reforming policing in light of the grim detail of the Casey report.Speaking at a press conference at the Labour party headquarters in central London on Tuesday, Sir Keir said policing is collapsing after 13 years of Tory government.
Georgia Harrison: Stephen Bear destroyed my innocent spark' with revenge porn'
TV personality Georgia Harrison has told how her ex-partner Stephen Bear took away her innocent spark and left her fearing he could sell more footage after he posted revenge porn online.The former Love Island star recalled how multiple men approached her saying they had seen the private sex video before she discovered it had gone viral on the internet.
4 trends and challenges for Impact Investing & Social Innovation in 2023
We're in the midst of a massive wave of human ingenuity.As issues like climate change and criminal justice become increasingly acute, innovation and capital flock to address them.Private markets are stepping up, challenging antiquated notions that impact and alpha are mutually exclusive.This is a beautiful thing, but like any other (relatively) new idea, it comes with challenges.
Major bust at drugs-mixing facility in Dublin will disrupt cocaine supply chains'
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails A major bust of a drugs-mixing facility in Dublin is expected to disrupt cocaine supply chains, a senior Garda has said.Six people remain in custody after cocaine with an estimated street value of 2.8 million euro and thousands of nitrous oxide cannisters were seized in a multi-agency Garda operation in the capital.
Idaho house where 4 university students were killed will be torn down
The Idaho house where four college students were killed in November will be demolished as a healing step, the University of Idaho said in a statement Friday.Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, were each stabbed multiple times in the early morning hours of November 13 at the off-campus house in the small college town of Moscow.
Idaho house where 4 students were killed to be torn down
By Mallika Kallingal and Veronica Miracle | CNN The Idaho house where four college students were killed in November will be demolished as a healing step, the University of Idaho said in a statement Friday.Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20 were each stabbed multiple times in the early morning hours of November 13 at the off-campus house in the small college town of Moscow.
Service Members Told to Avoid Poppy Seeds Because of Drug Test Effects
The Defense Department has advised service members to avoid eating poppy seeds because officials are concerned they could cause misleading drug test results.The warning reflects longstanding concerns that people who eat a poppy seed bagel or lemon poppy seed loaf sometimes have drug tests come back positive for codeine or morphine, even if they are not using the drugs.
The Director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission Resigns Today
Steve Marks, executive director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), submitted his resignation - effective as of this afternoon at 5 p.m. - on Monday to OLCC's board of commissioners."Governor Kotek has requested that I resign from my position as Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission," he writes.
Man remanded on abduction charge after disappearance of 11-year-old
A man has appeared in court charged with abduction after an 11-year-old girl went missing.The child was reported missing from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders on Sunday night, which prompted a search involving specialist divers, a police helicopter, a mountain rescue team and members of the public.
Police break up New Year's Eve rave attended by 200 people in woods
A New Year rave attended by around 200 people has been broken up by police.Avon and Somerset Police were called to Rowberrow Woods near Winscombe, Somerset, at about 12.25am on New Year's Day.Officers arrived on the scene at around 1am and found up to 200 people had gathered.A police spokeswoman said: One generator was shut down and officers prevented further access to the site.
'Catfish' cop used his father as a reference to get job as deputy
Austin Lee Edwards, the cop who "catfished" a 15-year-old Riverside girl and killed her grandparents and mother before taking his own life, used his own father as one of three character references on his application for a job as a sheriff's deputy.Edwards signed on with the Washington County Sheriff's Office in rural Virginia weeks after resigning from a nine-month stint with the Virginia State Police.