Latest news with #JamieForbes
STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
Court process begins for FAI into death of man who jumped from flat after torture
The court process has begun for a fatal accident inquiry into the death of a man who jumped from a 12th-floor flat to escape a 'friend' who had spent two days torturing him. Jamie Forbes died after jumping out of the window of a flat in Elphinstone Court, Aberdeen, after being abducted and held against his will by Lee Smith. The 37-year-old was struck with a hammer and punched and kicked during the assault on January 14 and 15, 2024. Mr Forbes' body was discovered on January 15. Lee Smith was given an eight-year jail term in December last year after pleading guilty to culpable homicide. The Crown has lodged a First Notice to begin the court process for the inquiry. A preliminary hearing is set for October 7, 2025 at Glasgow Sheriff Court. The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances. Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame. This inquiry will explore the circumstances of Mr Forbes' death, with particular focus on police decision making and actions prior to the death of Mr Forbes. Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: 'The death of James Forbes occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such the Lord Advocate has decided that a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry should be held. 'The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff. 'An FAI will allow a full public airing of the evidence of the procurator fiscal's wider investigations with interested parties. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of an independent judicial determination. 'James' family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.' A spokesperson for Digby Brown, who are supporting the sister of Jamie Forbes, Lyndsay-Anne Forbes said: 'Setting a date for a formal inquiry to fully examine the horrendous circumstances in which Jamie Forbes died is a welcome step. 'His family deserve answers to their many questions surrounding how and why this happened. 'Nothing will ever bring Jamie back, but we hope this will give the emergency services the opportunity to examine their response, so no other family has to go through this trauma.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
28-07-2025
- BBC News
Inquiry into death of tortured man who jumped from Aberdeen flat
A fatal accident inquiry will be held into the death of a man who jumped from a 12th floor flat after being tortured for two Forbes, 37, was abducted and held against his will at his flat in Elphinstone Court, Aberdeen, in January Smith, 37, admitted culpable homicide at the High Court in Edinburgh and was jailed for eight years in court proceedings it emerged that multiple witnesses called 999 after hearing cries for help and police had attended the block of flats. Officers carried out door-to-door enquiries, but were unable to trace where Mr Forbes' cries were coming from. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said it has decided that an inquiry would be in the public Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations said: "Jamie's family will be kept informed of what will happen next including timescales for court hearings."The criminal trial into Mr Forbes' death heard that the abuse inflicted on him was so bad that he had no other option but to jump out the repeatedly struck his victim with a hammer and punched and kicked him during the attack, before Mr Forbes made the jump that ended his body was found on the ground on 15 January a statement at the time of his death, Mr Forbes' family said he was "much-loved".
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mixed-use, 65-acre Crystal Village project under construction in Leander
A 65-acre, mixed-use project in Leander is under construction with one restaurant already open and luxury apartments ready for lease. Crystal Village is expected to be completed by 2030 with retail, offices, a hotel, conference and meeting spaces and more residential units, said Jamie Forbes, the project's development manager. The project, expected to cost more than $250 million, is at the southeast corner of the 183-A tollway and East Crystal Falls Parkway. "Culver's (restaurant) opened in February this year, with a record-setting opening day for the franchise in the state of Texas," Forbes said. The QuikTrip convenience store has been open at the project since early 2024, he said. "Estancia Brazilian Steakhouse, Willie's Grill & Ice House, Southside Market & BBQ, and Texas Roadhouse are all in progress, and there is a recently completed 3.2-acre park at the south side of the Village, which is part of the city of Leander Park System," Forbes said in an email. The city of Leander has agreed to provide a sales tax rebate of $400,000 to the steakhouse to open at the village if the restaurant invests a minimum of $7.5 million in its building and employs at least 75 people, according to an economic agreement. The Evergrove at Crystal Village, a 348-unit luxury, garden-style apartment community, is leasing and expected to complete construction in the early summer, Forbes said. The developer of Crystal Village is Alaska-based Koniag Inc. It bought the 65-acre property in 2010, Forbes said. "Koniag has explored options for developing the property over the years, and, along with the tremendous growth of the Leander community, began moving forward with the plans for the current development in January 2020," Forbes said. More: Round Rock's upcoming mixed-use project, 'the District,' will transform city, mayor says Koniag chose to develop in Leander because it has been identified as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Forbes said. "This is an exciting time for expansion to support the evolving needs of the growing residential community," he said. "This location provides convenient access for residents to shop, dine, work, live, and enjoy time with family and friends." Leander's population is estimated at 86,469, according to the city's website. Crystal Village is being developed in three phases. Phase one is about 18 acres, phase two is more than 20 acres, and phase three is 24 acres, Forbes said. "Phase three will be the heart of Crystal Village, and the vision for the entire project is to be a hub for area residents to enjoy and highlight the vibrancy that the Leander community has to offer," said Forbes. "We are refining the exact configuration of Phase Three, but it is slated to include mixed-use space for family-friendly entertainment, dining, retail, professional offices, hotel, conference and meeting spaces, and further residential units." More: Leander's Northline gets first retail developer in project to create a downtown Another Leander development, the Northline project, will have "significant" retail development and townhome construction underway by the middle to late third quarter of this year, Alex Tynberg, the developer of the project, said Friday. He said an office building is expected to break ground this year. The 116-acre Northline project is between U.S. 183 and the 183-A tollway. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Mixed-use, 65-acre Crystal Village project taking shape in Leander
