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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Inside Sunny Jacobs' hellish 17 years on US death row for crime she didn't commit before tragic Irish house fire death
AFTER enduring a hellish 17 years on death row in a Florida prison awaiting execution for a crime she did not commit, Sunny Jacobs found peace in the west of Ireland. But, in a tragic twist, Sonia, alongside her carer Kevin Kelly, sadly perished in a house 5 Sunny was wrongfully convivcted of murdering a cop Credit: Getty 5 Irishman Pringle and Sunny met in New York Credit: Getty The 78-year-old had moved to Ireland a number of years ago with her Irish husband, Peter Pringle, who had also been condemned to death before his conviction was quashed. But Jacobs hailed from across the pond in She spent 17 years of her life on death row in a Sunny, who was 28 at the time, was travelling to Read more in Irish news Her When the couple ran into A shooting incident broke out at the Interstate 95 rest stop where they had stopped, resulting in the deaths of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and a Canadian Jacobs and Tafero were tried for murder and convicted, with both sentenced to death row. Most read in Irish News Tafero was executed in 1990, but a malfunctioning electric chair meant it took several attempts and 13 minutes to kill him. Jacobs remained in a tiny solitary confinement cell during her time on death row. COPING MECHANISM It was there that the mother-of-two discovered her love of yoga and used it as a coping mechanism. Walter Rhodes, who had been in the back seat of the car, had received a life sentence for testifying against Jacobs and Tafero. He later confessed to the murder although he retracted the admission. Jacobs, meanwhile, was granted a new trial in 1992 after an appeals HOPEFUL LEGACY She entered into what is known as the Alford Plea on two counts of second degree murder. Both Sunny's parents died in a plane crash while she was incarcerated and her daughter Christina was put into foster care. Her son, Eric, who was aged in mid-teens at the time, supported himself with a part time food delivery job while his mum was behind bars. And when Sunny was released from prison in 1992, both her children had grown up. 'CHOICE TO HEAL' On her exoneration, Jacobs became a leading advocate against the death penalty and teamed up with Amnesty International to campaign against it. She lived in Los Angeles for a time and taught yoga, having solidified her love for the And she vowed not to become bitter, opting instead to leave her children with a legacy of hope. In 2006, she said: "It was very important, that choice I made to heal, rather than to spend the gift of a new life that I had looking backwards at the wrongs that were done to me." MEETING PARTNER In 1998, she met Peter Pringle at an Amnesty International Event which called for the sentence to be abolished. Pringle himself had been sentenced to death in Ireland for the murder of gardai John Morley and Henry Byrne during a He was acquitted in 1995 and the pair married in 2012, moving to Connemara in the same year. Jacobs once told The Irish Times : "The stone in the west of Ireland makes me feel grounded; it anchors me.' 'GONE TO BE WITH HER PETER' In 2008, Jacobs published her book, Stolen Time, about her life in prison, which went on the become a bestseller. In 2023, Pringle passed away. Jacobs remained in Connemara until her death just days ago, after which she was remembered as a "hero". One person said: 'Sitting here numb and sad, Sunny Jacobs has gone to be with her Peter Pringle in the afterlife. "What a sad sad day. Until we meet again, One Love Sunny.' And another added: "I am sad to share news of the passing of my dear friend, a true hero and a champion for Justice, Sunny Jacobs.' 5 Sunny and Peter Pringle were married in 2012 Credit: Getty 5 She spent 17 years in prison in Florida Credit: AFP 5 Sunny was killed in a house fire just days ago Credit: gettyimages
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Drag racing' teen guilty of vehicular homicide sentenced for fatal Iowa City crash
A second teenager accused of drag racing in a fatal Iowa City crash has been sentenced to serve a maximum of 10 years in prison. Kesean Ford and Elijah Seals, then each 17 at the time, collided with 22-year-old Jennifer Russell's vehicle while locked in what police believe was a side-by-side "drag race" down East Court Street on May 27, 2023. More: Iowa's Big Grove Brewery is headed south, revealing plans for Kansas City taproom Seals and Ford allegedly failed to stop at the posted sign and their vehicles collided with Russell's car, which had just entered the intersection. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicles traveling at a high speed down Court Street, according to police reports. Russell died from her injuries a short time later. Russell's family filed a civil lawsuit in July 2023 against Seals, Ford and the companies that insure their vehicles. The case was dismissed later that year without prejudice because of a procedural error. The Johnson County Attorney's Office filed criminal charges less than a week after the lawsuit was dismissed. Ford, 19, was sentenced Monday, May 19, after pleading guilty in February to one count of homicide by a vehicle traveling more than 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, a Class "C" felony in Iowa. A judge sentenced him to an "indeterminate term not to exceed 10 years," meaning Ford could be released before serving the full length of his term. More: Man charged in Iowa City bank robbery denied insanity plea, sentenced to 5 years in prison Seals pleaded guilty in 2024 to reckless driving causing homicide by vehicle. As part of their plea deals, Seals and Ford agreed to pay the Russell family $150,000 in victim restitution. Ford is also responsible for approximately $15,000 in additional payments for funeral costs and other minor court expenses. Seals entered an Alford Plea in September, which allowed him to plead guilty without admitting he committed a crime. He instead only acknowledged that a jury would likely find him guilty of vehicular homicide because of reckless driving if the case went to trial. In December, Seals was given a 10-year suspended sentence. He was informed he could avoid prison time if he completed three years of probation under certain conditions, including "commit(ing) no new law violations." Seals' license was also revoked as part of his plea agreement and sentencing. More: Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law banning citizen police review boards. What the bill does: On May 14, Iowa City police initiated a traffic stop on Seals' vehicle. The 19-year-old allegedly "ran from the vehicle on foot" before the officer reached the car. Criminal complaints indicate that the officer didn't immediately pursue Seals, though he was apprehended when he allegedly returned "to claim the vehicle." Seals' probation is supervised by the Sixth Judicial Circuit's Department of Correctional Services. A hearing will be held if his probation officer decides to revoke his probation or if he holds Seals in contempt of court. A judge could decide to affirm that Seals was in contempt of court and sentence him to jail time or revoke his probation. Seals would be required to serve the remainder of the 10-year prison sentence if his probation is revoked, minus time served. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: 2nd 'Drag racing' teen sentenced to prison for fatal Iowa City crash
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Kansas City could award $915,000 Tuesday to firefighter who killed 3 in crash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tuesday, Kansas City's Finance Governance and Public Safety Committee will be asked to approve nearly $3 million in settlements in three settlements come just weeks after the Kansas City Police Board approved more than $18 million in total settlements to Ricky Kidd for his wrongful incarceration and the family of Cameron Lamb for his wrongful death. Lee's Summit West student passes away after battle with Leukemia One of the latest payees may come as a surprise, the city employee who admitted guilt in three people's deaths and has already cost the city money in the case. Dominic Biscari, Frank Blake and Chris Hernandez all will have lawsuit settlements discussed Tuesday. A judge already awarded Hernandez at least $700,000 in a whistleblower lawsuit that stemmed from being told to lie to the media which ultimately led to the dismissal of City Manager Brian Platt. The $1.4 million dollar total now up for approval would also include legal fees. In 2021 Biscari, 21, was going 51 in a 35 mph zone with lights and sirens when he crashed into a vehicle at Westport and Broadway and a pedestrian on the sidewalk, before crashing into a building killing three people. Dispatch had told him to end response to the call prior to the crash. State caps helped the city only pay out $1.8 million of $32 million in judgments. Biscari admitted guilt but maintained innocence in what's called an Alford Plea in 2023 to three counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter. By the next year, friends and loved ones were protesting an arbitration decision to grant Biscari backpay and allow for him to return to work. Now, Kansas City's law department director says $915,000 will settle lawsuits between the city and the International Association of Firefighters, Local No. 42 and Biscari's worker's compensation claims. In 2021, Army Colonel Frank Blake was also badly injured in a crash while riding his bicycle at the North Kansas City intersection of Amity Avenue and Northwest Boulevard. FOX4 reported a year earlier on the dangerous intersection after nine crashes that year, but no changes were immediately made prior to Blake's injuries. Blake's settlement would be for $387,000. 22-year-old Kansas City woman named youngest architect in the US 'Yeah its concerning and we're on a tight budget anyway, and its really frustrating to spend money like that, but like I said, I trust our legal department to make the right recommendation,' Kansas City 2nd District Councilman Wes Rogers said. The settlements will be discussed at the committee meeting taking place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday inside City Hall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Greene County man to be sentenced for defrauding the elderly
GREENE COUNTY, Mo. – A Greene County man has entered an Alford Plea for exploiting the elderly and for deceptive business practices. Richard Gillette is being sentenced for defrauding consumers through his business, Premiere Exterior Solutions. He is also being sentenced in three counts of deceptive business practices and two counts of stealing. Greene County business owner charged with exploiting the elderly Gillette has entered an Alford plea, in which a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes that evidence exists that would likely result in a conviction. Gillette is set to be sentenced at 11 a.m. on May 29, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Munn pleads guilty to murder of James Ellington, Nancy Alford
Kevin Munn plead guilty Monday afternoon in Warren County Superior Court to two counts of first-degree murder. Munn, 38, was charged in the 2017 shooting death of Vance County businessman James 'Tommy' Ellington and the home invasion and fire at the Littleton home of the Rev. John and Nancy Alford in 2018, in which Rev. Alford was severely injured and Nancy died due to inhalation and blunt force trauma. Judge Henry W. Hight Jr. presided over the case and members of both the Ellington and Alford families were present in the Warren County courtroom on Monday. Judge Hight accepted Munn's guilty plea and sentenced him to two consecutive life terms. As reported in the Dispatch in 2018, while Munn was not officially sentenced when first charged with the crimes, the plea agreement called for him to be sentenced as he eventually was on Monday. Back in 2018, both the Ellington and Alford families, who initially approved the plea deal, released statements through the District Attorney's Office following Munn's guilty plea. 'While today's events will not replace the void we all feel with Tommy's loss, our prayer is that it will aid the healing process for family and friends, as well as bring more peace of mind to the community,' the Ellington family said. Ellington was found shot dead just after 8 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2017, in front of his home on Stewart Farm Road. District Attorney Mike Waters said that Munn had been questioned previously about Ellington's death after he was seen on gas station security footage not far from Ellington's home. Munn denied any involvement at the time. In its statement, the Alford family thanked law enforcement and prosecutors for their continued efforts and dedication to the ongoing case. On March 9, 2018, Nancy Alford was killed in a fire at the Lake Gaston home she shared with her husband. Her death followed a home invasion in which John Alford was beaten and she was driven to their bank in Roanoke Rapids and forced to withdraw money. Munn was apprehended in Warren County on March 13, 2018 after he was pulled over for speeding. According to Waters, Munn was taken in for questioning where he admitted responsibility in the deaths of both Nancy Alford and Ellington. Both Munn and John Alford identified Lester Kearney as the second suspect in the death of Nancy Alford. While Kearney has been charged with first-degree murder in Nancy Alford's death, he has not yet been charged with any involvement in Ellington's death. However, Waters said that Munn has also implicated Kearney in Ellington's death. As reported on Monday by the Warren Record, a capital, or potential death penalty, trial for Kearney was held in Warren County Superior Court in the spring of 2022. However, a mistrial was declared because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Kearney entered an Alford Plea to second-degree murder and other charges in October 2022. The plea means that a defendant does not admit guilt to a particular charge, but that the prosecution could probably prove the charge. Kearney's Alford Plea covered the charges of second-degree murder, felony breaking and entering, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to break or enter a building to commit felony larceny. He received an active sentence of between 13.6 and 17.4 years.
