Latest news with #Prosecutor
CBS News
21 hours ago
- CBS News
Judge tosses safe storage violation charge against man in Detroit shooting that injured teen
A judge on Saturday dropped a felony charge against a Detroit man in connection with a July incident where a 13-year-old boy shot the man's 18-year-old brother. Court records show 36th District Court Judge Marlena Taylor in Detroit dismissed the case against the 26-year-old man without prejudice after the complaining witness failed to appear for a court hearing on Saturday. Prosecutors charged the man on July 17 with one count of firearms, safe storage violation, premises under an individual's control, minor present and injured self or another. The July 14 shooting happened around 5:20 p.m. at the man's apartment on the 9100 block of Kercheval Street in Detroit. According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, the man's 13-year-old neighbor and the man's brother found an unsecured handgun inside the apartment. The boy was allegedly handling the firearm when it went off, striking the 18-year-old man in the wrist. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Taylor dismissed the case without prejudice, which means prosecutors could charge the man again at a later date.
Reuters
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
French probe of Musk's X deepens as police are called in
PARIS, July 11 (Reuters) - A French probe into Elon Musk's social media platform X deepened on Friday, when the Paris prosecutor's office said it had enlisted police to investigate suspected abuse of algorithms and fraudulent data extraction by the company or its executives. The move adds to the pressure on Musk, a former ally of U.S. President Donald Trump who has accused European governments of attacking free speech and has also voiced support for some of the region's far-right parties. French police could conduct searches, wiretaps and surveillance against Musk and X executives, or summon them to testify. If they do not comply, a judge could issue an international arrest warrant. X did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Paris prosecutors launched a preliminary probe in January, after receiving complaints of alleged foreign interference by X from a lawmaker and a senior French official, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement. On July 9, after preliminary findings provided by researchers and French public institutions, they asked police to investigate X "as both a legal entity and through individual persons". The alleged crimes are "organised interference with the functioning of an automated data processing system" and "organised fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system". Paris prosecutors' latest investigation of powerful tech figures may deepen a rift between Washington and European capitals over what sort of discourse is permitted online. Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of the Telegram messaging app, is under judicial supervision in France after being arrested last year and placed under formal investigation for alleged organised crime on the app. He denies guilt. Durov's arrest, which Musk criticised, ignited a debate about free speech that has been taken up by senior Trump officials. Musk has used X to personally support right-wing parties and causes in France, Germany and Britain. After months in lockstep with Trump, he recently broke with the president over his federal budget, and he is now launching his own political party.
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Forbes
Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Agrees to Plead Guilty, Avoiding Death Penalty
Bryan Kohberger, the man suspected of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022, will plead guilty to all charges after accepting a plea deal from prosecutors, according to multiple reports. Kohberger reportedly accepted a plea deal to serve four consecutive life sentences. Getty Images Kohberger's trial was scheduled to begin in August, and prosecutors said they were seeking the death penalty. Kohberger will plead guilty in exchange for prosecutors dropping the death penalty, ABC News reported, and instead serve four consecutive life sentences without the possibility to appeal. A Facebook post reportedly from the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves seemingly confirmed the rumors, while admonishing the state of Idaho for offering the deal. The Latah County Prosecutor's Office said they could not comment on the potential plea deal at this time. This is a breaking story and will be updated.
Malay Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
New York jury to decide Sean ‘Diddy' Combs's future as sex trafficking case wraps
NEW YORK, June 30 — Jurors today will begin deliberating whether Sean 'Diddy' Combs parlayed his celebrity, wealth and business empire into a decades-long criminal ring that saw him force women into drug-fueled sexual performances with escorts. The dozen New Yorkers tasked with deciding the music mogul's future will began poring over thousands of phone, financial and other records along with the stories of 34 people who testified against him over seven painstaking, and at times excruciating, weeks. Combs, 55, faces upwards of life in prison if convicted on five federal charges that include racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution. The producer and entrepreneuer, once one of the most powerful people in the music industry, denies the charges. On Friday his lawyer vied to skewer the credibility of his accusers—namely two women he dated for years—saying they were out for money, while rejecting any notion he led a criminal ring. But in their final argument, prosecutors tore into the defense, saying Combs's team had 'contorted the facts endlessly.' Prosecutor Maurene Comey told jurors that by the time Combs had committed his clearest-cut offenses, 'he was so far past the line he couldn't even see it.' 'In his mind he was untouchable,' she told the court. 'The defendant never thought that the women he abused would have the courage to speak out loud what he had done to them.' 'That ends in this courtroom,' she said. 'The defendant is not a god.' Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo scoffed at the picture painted by prosecutors of a violent, domineering man who fostered 'a climate of fear.' Combs is a 'self-made, successful Black entrepreneur' who had romantic relationships that were 'complicated' but consensual, Agnifilo said. Combs, 55, faces upwards of life in prison if convicted on five federal charges that include racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution. — AFP pic Manipulation The defense has conceded that Combs at times beat his partners—but insist the domestic violence does not amount to the sex trafficking or racketeering he's charged with. Key to the prosecution's case were witnesses Casandra Ventura and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane, both of whom described abuse, threats and coercive sex in wrenching detail. In their closing arguments the defense dissected their accounts and at times even mocked them, insisting the women were adults making choices that were best for them. Speaking for the government on Friday, prosecutor Comey snapped back at that notion, saying the women were 'manipulated' into 'brazen' acts of sex trafficking. Ventura and Jane both said they experienced emotional manipulation and threats which made them feel obliged to meet Combs's sexual demands. Throughout the trial, jurors were shown voluminous phone records, including messages from both women that Agnifilo argued implied consent. But prosecutors said those messages do not paint the whole picture, and referenced testimony from a forensic psychologist who explained to jurors how victims become ensnared by abusers. Central to their case is the claim that Combs led a criminal enterprise of senior employees who 'existed to serve his needs' and enforced his power with offenses including forced labor, kidnapping, bribery, witness tampering and arson. But Agnifilo underscored that none of those individuals testified against Combs, nor were they named as co-conspirators. Many witnesses were given immunity orders so they could speak without fear of incriminating themselves. To convict Combs on racketeering, jurors must find that prosecutors showed beyond reasonable doubt that he agreed with people within his organization to commit at least two of the eight crimes forming the racketeering charge. On Monday, Judge Arun Subramanian will explain to them how apply the law to the evidence. Then, the eight men and four women will begin deliberating. They must reach a unanimous decision, reaching either a guilty or not guilty verdict on each count. — AFP
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ontario County GOP voters to decide DA primary June 24: What to know
Voting in the Republican primary for Ontario County District Attorney will take place on Tuesday, June 24, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all 44 county polling sites. According to the Ontario County Board of Elections, more than 29,000 registered Republicans are eligible to vote in the race between incumbent District Attorney James Ritts and challenger Jason MacBride, a career prosecutor. This high-profile contest has drawn attention since MacBride launched his campaign in February, citing concerns over an internal investigation into a controversial courthouse election night party that involved costumes, alcohol, decorations, and karaoke. MacBride, formerly Ritts' First Assistant DA, said the incident raised ethical concerns and motivated his candidacy. In a statement, he wrote: 'It is not silly for the public to expect their District Attorney to be truthful during an official investigation.' Ritts has defended the event, stating it was a long-standing tradition started by his predecessor and only became controversial during his re-election bid. This is the only countywide primary in Ontario County. Republican primaries are also being held in the towns of Farmington, Gorham, Naples, Phelps, and Richmond. James Ritts (Incumbent) First elected in 2017 as a Republican and Conservative. Previously served as First Assistant DA under R. Michael Tantillo. Ran unopposed in 2021, now seeking a third term. In a statement, Ritts said: 'Our 96% conviction rate and lowest dismissal rate in Western NY (4% compared to the statewide 14%) is a point of pride. I've recruited an amazing team to fight for victims, public safety, and justice for all.'' He pledged to continue expanding support for victims and maintaining Ontario County's reputation as a safe place to live and raise a family. Jason MacBride (Challenger) Currently serves as an Assistant County Attorney, prosecuting juvenile cases and advising child protection investigations. Has 21 years of prosecutorial experience, including felony cases such as homicides and child abuse. Formerly worked in both the Monroe and Ontario County DA's Offices. In his statement, MacBride emphasized restoring "ethical and effective leadership" and wrote: 'I lead by example through hard work, ingenuity, and partnering with others to best serve victims.' To verify your registration, party enrollment, or polling location, visit: Ontario County Voter Info Center NY State Voter Lookup Or call the Ontario County Board of Elections at 585-396-4005. Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ontario County GOP voters to decide DA primary June 24: What to know
