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Jury recommends death for Florida man who killed girl, babysitter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Jurors in southwest Florida have recommended the death penalty for a man convicted of killing an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter more than 30 years ago.The Lee County jury voted 10-2 in favor of death for Joseph Zieler on Wednesday night after about five hours of deliberations, according to court records. The same panel found Zieler, 60, guilty last week of two counts of first-degree murder.A judge will make the final decision in whether Zieler will be executed or spend the rest of his life in prison following a June 26 hearing. Florida law had previously required a unanimous jury recommendation for a convicted murderer to face the death penalty, but a new law signed last month by Gov. Ron DeSantis requires only an 8-4 vote in favor of execution.Zieler was jailed on an unrelated assault charge in 2016 when his DNA matched to the cold-case murders of Robin Cornell, 11, and Lisa Story, 32, authorities said.The girl and the woman were fou...

Motion denied to revoke bond of ex-Sunrise Police officer facing child porn charges after attending event with children present

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

A former South Florida police officer was back in court after he was accused of failing to follow a judge’s order.Former Sunrise Police Officer Carl Haller was previously arrested on child pornography charges and was ordered to stay away from children, but one day later, he was allegedly spotted at a party that included children.State prosecutors had concerns when Haller stayed at the party for a little over three hours. They believed he should have had some discretion for following the judge’s order to stay away from children. The judge had harsh words for Haller, Thursday afternoon. Haller is facing child pornography charges and was not suppose to be around minors. Haller was seen at an event last Friday where children were present. “The issue that I have, is what the court honed in on, is the fact that this was an outdoor event, crowds were coming in. I use the term crowd loosely, but people were coming and going, so we don’t know how many children were th...

Police commissioner calls for the public’s help following uptick in shootings in Boston this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

Boston’s police commissioner is speaking out from police headquarters after a recent uptick in violence this week that has left residents feeling uneasy. There have been three shootings in as many days, and one person has died.“We’re here and we care,” Police Commissioner Michael Cox said. “From our perspective, people need to understand this is a safe city. We can be safer with the public’s help”Wednesday night surveillance video captured shots ringing out along the sidewalk outside a liquor store next to Ramsay Park in Roxbury that left residents including young children running for cover.No one was hurt but this was nothing short of frightening for those who live and work here, said Sopaea Poca, the store owner.Tuesday surveillance video captures the terrifying moments when a gunman opened fire at the intersection of Dot Avenue and Gallivan Boulevard in broad daylight in Dorchester. One bullet ricocheted off a front door and others just missed a fire truck driving through the are...

Now-former project coordinator of Boston Reparations Task Force arrested for incident at City Hall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

A now-former city employee is facing charges after allegedly resisting arrest and trespassing at Boston City Hall, according to police.George Williams, previously a part-time contractor who was a new hire for Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration, was fired after an incident in which police say he was exhibiting unusual behavior.Williams had served as a project coordinator of the Mayor’s newly-created “Take Force on Reparations” before May 18, when Boston police say they were called to City Hall last Thursday night after 9:30 p.m. According to Boston PD, building security informed them about an employee who was trespassing in an office. It was Williams, who security said had been staying in City Hall after-hours over the past three weeks, sometimes becoming aggressive and threatening staff.But on May 18, police said Williams was acting even more bizarre than usual. Officers say they found him burning sage and incense while appearing to be under the influence of ...

Trial date set for Steve Bannon’s fundraising fraud case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Steve Bannon, the conservative strategist and longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, will stand trial next May on charges that he duped donors who gave money to build a wall along the U.S. southern border, a judge said Thursday.Judge Juan Manuel Merchan set Bannon’s trial in the “We Build the Wall” case for May 28, 2024, amending his calendar after realizing that the date he announced in court — May 27 — is next year’s Memorial Day holiday, when courts will be closed.If the schedule holds, Bannon will stand trial soon after Trump is slated to do so in the same Manhattan courtroom in an unrelated criminal case.Bannon, 69, pleaded not guilty last September following his indictment on state money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg took up the case after Bannon’s federal prosecution was cut short by a Trump pardon. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, not state offenses.Banno...

Man arrested after car driven at gates of Downing Street in London

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

London (CNN) — A man has been arrested after a car was driven at the gates of Downing Street in London, the official residence of the UK prime minister, police said Thursday.In video broadcast by the BBC, a small silver car can be seen driving at slow speed across Whitehall, the main thoroughfare that passes the end of Downing Street, directly at the wrought-iron gates that prevent public access to the heart of the UK government.British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in Downing Street at the time of the incident on Thursday, but has since left for a scheduled visit, the BBC reported.Armed police detained the man on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving following the incident, the Metropolitan Police said. There were no reports of any injuries.Westminster police later said that the incident was not being treated as terror-related.“A small cordon remains in place outside Downing Street after a car collided with the gates earlier this afternoon. The incident is being ...

Bear spotted in Marion, goes for a swim in Buzzards Bay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

Many in Marion recently noted an unusual sight as they spotted a black bear going for a swim in town. The bear was seen jumping off a dock and taking a dip in the waters of Buzzards Bay in one video posted on Facebook by local boatyard Saltworks Marine. The town of Marion issued a statement Thursday, saying police had received several calls reporting bear sightings throughout town.While officials said the bear had not been seen being aggressive, to date, officials also shared reminders of ways to stay safe around bears. Learn more here. 

Ticker: More seek jobless benefits last week; Rhode Island sues over ‘forever chemicals’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

U.S. applications for jobless claims rose slightly last week but remain at healthy levels with companies reticent to let go of employees in a tight labor market.The number of Americans filing for jobless claims for the week ending May 20 rose by 4,000 to 229,000 from 225,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The previous week’s number was revised down by a significant 17,000.Analysts have pointed to a sustained increase in the four-week averages as a sign that layoffs are accelerating, but are reluctant to predict that a spike in layoffs is imminent.Overall, 1.8 million people were collecting unemployment benefits the week that ended May 13, about 5,000 more than the previous week.Rhode Island sues over  ‘forever chemicals’Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha filed a lawsuit Thursday against the manufacturers of so-called “forever chemicals,” commonly referred to as PFAS, saying they have caused significant harm to the stat...

Police issue warning for ‘prolific violent offender’ who may be in GTA

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

Peel police have issued a public safety alert for a “prolific violent offender” who may be in the GTA.In a brief release Thursday afternoon, police say 39-year-old Kyle Andrews is a federal parolee who is currently wanted for multiple violent offences including firearms charges, assault, uttering threats and forcible confinement. Police say he may be driving a 2014 white Mercedes GLK SUV with licence plate CXCC550.“Kyle is to be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached,” said police. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Texas lawmakers recommend impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton after Republican investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:33 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton teetered on the brink of impeachment Thursday after years of scandal, criminal charges and corruption accusations that the state’s Republican majority had largely met with silence for years until now. In an unanimous decision, a Republican-led investigative committee that spent months quietly looking into Paxton recommended impeaching the state’s top lawyer. The state House of Representatives could vote on the recommendation as soon as Friday. If the House impeaches Paxton, he would be forced to leave office immediately. The move sets set up a remarkably sudden downfall for one of the GOP’s most prominent legal combatants, who in 2020 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory. Only two other officials in Texas’ nearly 200-year history have been impeached. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor and was separate...