Latest news with #Dev
6 days ago
California man's 378-year sentence overturned after judge rules accuser may have made up charges
WOODLAND, Calif. -- A Northern California man's 378-year sentence for sexual assault has been overturned by a judge who said there was strong evidence that his adopted daughter made up the accusations to punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the U.S. Ajay Dev, 58, was released May 23 after 16 years in prison for 76 convictions of sexual assault on a minor and related charges, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday. Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio scheduled a hearing for June 13 for Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig to decide whether to retry Dev. Prosecutors could also appeal the ruling. Reisig's office declined to comment on the case. Dev, an immigrant from Nepal who worked as a water engineer, was visiting the South Asian nation with his wife in 1998 when they decided to adopt 15-year-old Sapna Dev, part of their extended family, and bring her to live with them in Davis, California. In early 2004, Sapna Dev's boyfriend broke up with her, and she accused Ajay Dev of causing the breakup, Beronio said in her ruling. Later she told police that Ajay Dev had had sex with her two or three times a week for three or four years until she moved out of his home, the judge said. Four witnesses who had not been contacted by Dev's trial lawyers testified at a recent hearing that Sapna Dev had told them that her accusations against him were lies or were motivated by her anger at him, the Chronicle reported. One of the witnesses said Sapna Dev told him she made the accusations because she 'was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that,' Beronio said. The judge's decision 'dismantles the DA's case," said Patricia Purcell, a member of advocacy group that has held demonstrations in support of Dev. 'We have known from the beginning that Ajay Dev was wrongfully convicted,' Purcell told the Chronicle. "Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document.' Attorney Jennifer Mouzis, who represented Ajay Dev in his appeal, said much of the prosecution's evidence was based on racial and ethnic bias that would be illegal today under California's Racial Justice Act, a 2021 law barring testimony that appeals to prejudice.
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
California man's 378-year sentence overturned after judge rules accuser may have made up charges
Published May 28, 2025 • 2 minute read A judge with gavel is pictured in this file photo. Photo by Getty Images WOODLAND, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California man's 378-year sentence for sexual assault has been overturned by a judge who said there was strong evidence that his adopted daughter made up the accusations to punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the U.S. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ajay Dev, 58, was released May 23 after 16 years in prison for 76 convictions of sexual assault on a minor and related charges, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday. Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio scheduled a hearing for June 13 for Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig to decide whether to retry Dev. Prosecutors could also appeal the ruling. Reisig's office declined to comment on the case Wednesday. Dev, an immigrant from Nepal who worked as a water engineer, was visiting the South Asian nation with his wife in 1998 when they decided to adopt 15-year-old Sapna Dev, part of their extended family, and bring her to live with them in Davis, California. In early 2004, Sapna Dev's boyfriend broke up with her, and she accused Ajay Dev of causing the breakup, Beronio said in her ruling. Later she told police that Ajay Dev had had sex with her two or three times a week for three or four years until she moved out of his home, the judge said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Four witnesses who had not been contacted by Dev's trial lawyers testified at a recent hearing that Sapna Dev had told them that her accusations against him were lies or were motivated by her anger at him, the Chronicle reported. One of the witnesses said Sapna Dev told him she made the accusations because she 'was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that,' Beronio said. An attorney for Sapna Dev could not be located Wednesday. The judge's decision 'dismantles the DA's case,' said Patricia Pursell, a member of advocacy group that has held demonstrations in support of Dev. 'We have known from the beginning that Ajay Dev was wrongfully convicted,' she told the Chronicle. 'Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document.' Jennifer Mouzis, who represented Ajay Dev in his appeal, filed a habeas corpus petition seeking to free him in 2018. Mouzis said much of the prosecution's evidence was based on racial and ethnic bias that would be illegal today under California's Racial Justice Act, a 2021 law barring testimony that appeals to prejudice. Toronto & GTA Canada Canada Tennis Canada
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
California man's 378-year sentence overturned after judge rules accuser may have made up charges
WOODLAND, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California man's 378-year sentence for sexual assault has been overturned by a judge who said there was strong evidence that his adopted daughter made up the accusations to punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the U.S. Ajay Dev, 58, was released May 23 after 16 years in prison for 76 convictions of sexual assault on a minor and related charges, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday. Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio scheduled a hearing for June 13 for Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig to decide whether to retry Dev. Prosecutors could also appeal the ruling. Reisig's office declined to comment on the case. Dev, an immigrant from Nepal who worked as a water engineer, was visiting the South Asian nation with his wife in 1998 when they decided to adopt 15-year-old Sapna Dev, part of their extended family, and bring her to live with them in Davis, California. In early 2004, Sapna Dev's boyfriend broke up with her, and she accused Ajay Dev of causing the breakup, Beronio said in her ruling. Later she told police that Ajay Dev had had sex with her two or three times a week for three or four years until she moved out of his home, the judge said. Four witnesses who had not been contacted by Dev's trial lawyers testified at a recent hearing that Sapna Dev had told them that her accusations against him were lies or were motivated by her anger at him, the Chronicle reported. One of the witnesses said Sapna Dev told him she made the accusations because she 'was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that,' Beronio said. The judge's decision 'dismantles the DA's case," said Patricia Purcell, a member of advocacy group that has held demonstrations in support of Dev. 'We have known from the beginning that Ajay Dev was wrongfully convicted,' Purcell told the Chronicle. "Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document.' Attorney Jennifer Mouzis, who represented Ajay Dev in his appeal, said much of the prosecution's evidence was based on racial and ethnic bias that would be illegal today under California's Racial Justice Act, a 2021 law barring testimony that appeals to prejudice.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
California man's 378-year sentence overturned after judge rules accuser may have made up charges
WOODLAND, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California man's 378-year sentence for sexual assault has been overturned by a judge who said there was strong evidence that his adopted daughter made up the accusations to punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the U.S. Ajay Dev, 58, was released May 23 after 16 years in prison for 76 convictions of sexual assault on a minor and related charges, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday. Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio scheduled a hearing for June 13 for Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig to decide whether to retry Dev. Prosecutors could also appeal the ruling. Reisig's office declined to comment on the case. Dev, an immigrant from Nepal who worked as a water engineer, was visiting the South Asian nation with his wife in 1998 when they decided to adopt 15-year-old Sapna Dev, part of their extended family, and bring her to live with them in Davis, California. In early 2004, Sapna Dev's boyfriend broke up with her, and she accused Ajay Dev of causing the breakup, Beronio said in her ruling. Later she told police that Ajay Dev had had sex with her two or three times a week for three or four years until she moved out of his home, the judge said. Four witnesses who had not been contacted by Dev's trial lawyers testified at a recent hearing that Sapna Dev had told them that her accusations against him were lies or were motivated by her anger at him, the Chronicle reported. One of the witnesses said Sapna Dev told him she made the accusations because she 'was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that,' Beronio said. The judge's decision 'dismantles the DA's case,' said Patricia Purcell, a member of advocacy group that has held demonstrations in support of Dev. 'We have known from the beginning that Ajay Dev was wrongfully convicted,' Purcell told the Chronicle. 'Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document.' Attorney Jennifer Mouzis, who represented Ajay Dev in his appeal, said much of the prosecution's evidence was based on racial and ethnic bias that would be illegal today under California's Racial Justice Act, a 2021 law barring testimony that appeals to prejudice.
Deccan Herald
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Salman Khan pays tribute to 'Jai Ho' co-star Mukul Dev
In a post on Instagram Stories, Salman shared a throwback photo of Dev from the sets of Jai Ho and captioned it, 'Miss you my dear brother Mukul. Rest In Peace.'
