Latest news with #self-defense
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Associated Press
Alabama attorney general pushes for trial of an ex-officer accused of fatally shooting an armed man
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama police officer charged with murder for shooting an armed Black man in the man's front yard during a dispute with a tow-truck driver shouldn't be granted immunity before going to trial, the state's attorney general says. In a court brief filed late Tuesday, Attorney General Steve Marshall said a lower court was correct in ruling that former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette, 25, failed to show 'a clear legal right to prosecutorial immunity' when he fatally shot Stephen Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023. Shortly before 2 a.m., Marquette and two other officers accompanied the tow truck driver to repossess Perkins' pickup truck at his home in Decatur. When Perkins emerged from his house pointing a gun at the truck driver, Marquette fired 18 bullets less than two seconds after the officers emerged from a concealed position and identified themselves as law enforcement, according to body camera footage. The appeals court decision, and the fate of the trial, hinges on Alabama's ' stand your ground ' law, which grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who uses deadly force as long as they reasonably believe they're in danger and are somewhere they're rightfully allowed to be. Alabama allows judges to determine if someone acted in self-defense before a case goes to trial. After a Morgan County judge denied Marquette immunity in April, the ex-officer's lawyers asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the decision. The appeals court said the circuit judge's decision was a 'gross abuse of discretion' because the judge didn't give enough weight to Marquette's assertion that he feared for his life after Perkins pointed his gun at the officer before he was shot. If the appeals court rules against Marquette, he will go to trial in September. The shooting drew regular protests in the north Alabama city, and the three officers were fired after personnel hearings. Marquette is white. While the attorney general's brief didn't contest that Marquette feared for his life, he argued that witnesses in a pre-trial hearing failed to establish that Marquette was at Perkins' house on legitimate police duty, and therefore 'there remain open questions regarding whether he had a legal right' to be there. The brief, written by the Assistant Attorney General Kristi Wilkerson, pointed to conflicting testimony from the two officers who were with Marquette when he shot Perkins. One officer testified that the three officers were at Perkins' house to investigate a misdemeanor menacing charge since Perkins had previously pulled a gun on the tow truck driver in an attempt to repossess Perkins' truck earlier that night. The other officer testified that he was unaware of a menacing investigation, saying that he believed they were there to assist in 'keeping the peace.' Alabama law requires a court order for law enforcement to be involved in a vehicle repossession — which the officers didn't have. Testimony from a state agent who investigated the shooting, Jamie King, also conflicted with both officers' accounts of the moments leading up to the shooting. King said that while Marquette may have feared for his life, the three officers were not positioned in an effective way to keep the peace or to investigate menacing since they were intentionally out of Perkins' view until seconds before the shooting. Marquette's attorneys have argued that there is more than one way to conduct police operations. In light of the ambiguity, Marshall's office said deference should be given to the trial court's position, and that a jury 'alone is in the best position to determine the trustworthiness of testimony presented to it.' All parties in the case are prohibited from speaking to the media. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
Daughter of Irish man beaten to death by American wife, her ex-FBI agent father rejects self-defense claims
A new documentary raises questions about the 2015 murder of an Irish-born man in his North Carolina home. Jason Corbett's American wife, Molly Martens, and her father, former FBI agent Thomas Martens, confessed to beating Corbett to death on Aug. 2, 2015, but they have maintained that they were acting in self-defense after Corbett apparently tried to choke his wife. "There were times when I thought, 'I'm gonna die,'" Molly Martens says in the documentary. The Martens were convicted in Corbett's death in 2017, but their convictions were overturned on appeal. In 2023, Thomas Martens pleaded guilty to beating Corbett to death with a bat and Molly Martens pleaded no contest, prompting their respective releases from prison in 2024. Model, Ex-fbi Agent Who Claimed Self-defense Plead In Her Irish Businessman Husband's Killing A Netflix documentary titled "A Deadly American Marriage," which premiered on May 9, follows the case and its many lingering questions, featuring interviews with both sides of the family, including Molly and Thomas Martens, as well as Corbett's two children, Jack and Sarah. Read On The Fox News App The filmmakers also spoke with Corbett's sister, who lives in Ireland and was eventually granted custody of her brother's two children with his first wife because she was listed as their legal guardian if anything ever happened to him. Model, 33, And Her Ex-fbi Agent Father Get 20 Years In Prison For Killing Husband Sarah told Fox News Digital she does not think her father got justice. "I definitely don't think justice has been served. I don't think it could ever be served, but definitely not what the Martens were given," she said. Now the author of a memoir titled, "A Time for Truth," Sarah says she felt the documentary accurately portrayed both her family and the Martens. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X While the film leaves viewers with lingering questions, Sarah remains firm in her belief about what happened to her father. "Everyone knows that I believe that Molly and Tom murdered my dad. That's my belief," she said. "But that's not what they were convicted of. There's a lot of evidence [in 'A Time for Truth'] that points to that that doesn't get shown anywhere else. So, I think the book has a lot more detail in it." Ex-fbi Agent, Daughter Charged With Murdering Woman's Husband She added that her book is "not just sad" and has happy anecdotes about her father, as well. Fox News Digital reached out to Molly and Thomas Martens' respective attorneys. Molly Martens alleged that her husband was choking her when her father walked into the room and the deadly confrontation began, per local outlet WXII. A medical examiner determined that Corbett had injuries to his arms, legs and torso, as well as a fractured skull. The medical examiner said the man died of blunt force trauma and sustained at least 10 hits to the head. Sign Up To Get The True Crime Newsletter Corbett and Molly Martens met in 2008 following the death of Corbett's late wife, who suffered an asthma attack. Corbett then advertised for an au pair to help him care for his two children with his late wife and gave Molly the job. They were engaged in 2010 and married in 2011. Idaho Murders Timeline: Bryan Kohberger Plea Caps Yearslong Quest For Justice A former North Carolina FBI agent and prosecutor who knew of Thomas Martens said he was a talented agent who supervised a team of employees in Greensboro. "He had a good reputation – a very good reputation," Chris Swecker, now an attorney, told Fox News Digital. "He was in the Greensboro office of the FBI for a good while. I believe he was the supervisory resident agent up in Greensboro, which meant he was in charge of maybe 15 or 20 agents in a pretty active office in the Bureau." Swecker added that Thomas Martens would have had plenty of experience conducting interrogations, and that would have helped him as police interrogated him in Corbett's killing. "Without a doubt," Swecker said when asked if Thomas Martens' professional experience would help him in an interrogation. "He knows where the interrogator is going when he asks a question and… the piece of evidence or point he's trying to extract from him. It's a chess game, if you're trying to protect yourself and your daughter, for example." GET REAL-TIME UPDATES AT THE FOX NEWS True Crime Hub The former FBI agent described Corbett's killing as "one of those cases where you wonder if you ever really get the answers, and there's only two people that will ever know, and it's Tom and his daughter."Original article source: Daughter of Irish man beaten to death by American wife, her ex-FBI agent father rejects self-defense claims
Arab News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Israel's aggression against Iran and the end of its impunity
While the Islamic Republic of Iran had chosen the path of indirect negotiations with the US, on the eve of the sixth round, on June 13, 2025, it faced an illegal armed attack by the Israeli regime. Iran had been prepared to reach an agreement within the framework of its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and the legitimate right to a peaceful nuclear program. In response to Israel's unlawful act of aggression, Iran exercised its inherent and lawful right to self-defense as stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Let us not forget that even amidst the 'imposed war' by the Israeli regime, Iran remained steadfastly committed to the path of diplomacy. Also, at the very moment when Iran's foreign minister was engaged in negotiations in Geneva with the European Troika and the EU high representative for foreign affairs, and consulting with regional states in Istanbul, the nation fell victim to military strike by the US. This was a blatant betrayal of diplomacy and a grave threat to regional and global security. 'The Israeli regime's attack was not just against Iran, it was a calculated and deliberate strike against regional stability, integrity, progress and development.' The targeting of Iran's fully transparent and safeguarded nuclear facilities, subject to the UN's monitoring and verification — by a rogue regime that flouts international law, evades Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations, and hides its nuclear arsenal — reveals the hypocrisy of the so-called rules-based order. The Israeli regime, as an illegal occupying entity, has consistently violated international law through prolonged occupation, genocide, and illegitimate aggression against Iran. These acts aim to destabilize the region, halt its progress and prosperity, and impose its bullying agenda. But the era of impunity has come to an end. Iran has always made its position clear that it has never ignited war in the region, nor will it ever do so. We have long warned that Israel threatens regional security, with dire implications for the entire region. The Israeli regime's aggression was not just against Iran, it was a calculated and deliberate strike against regional stability, integrity, progress, and development. It is aimed at forcibly reshaping the region according to its destructive agenda. In the face of the Israeli attack, Iran deeply appreciates the principled positions and valuable solidarity of neighboring countries, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. They have, in these critical times, stood in unity and solidarity alongside Iran, firmly condemning the hostile act against Iran. The great nation of Iran will never forget the full support of the Kingdom, under the special directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to provide Iranian pilgrims with comprehensive services, and to help facilitate their safe return home. The wise positions of regional countries during Israel's aggression against Iran demonstrate their collective wisdom. They have shown their responsibility to safeguard the region against the Israeli threat, which is the primary disruptor of its peace, stability, and security. At this critical juncture, the region is in greater need than ever to foster cooperation and ensure shared stability. Iran continues to extend its hand of friendship to neighboring states. A fundamental pillar of Iran's foreign policy is the principle of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation. • Ali Reza Enayati is the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al Arabiya
24-06-2025
- Al Arabiya
Teen Indicted in Fatal Stabbing of Another Student at a High School Track Meet in Texas
A teen accused of fatally stabbing another student at a high school track meet in suburban Dallas was indicted Tuesday on a murder charge, a prosecutor said. A grand jury indicted Karmelo Anthony in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said. Willis said the April 2 stabbing at the school stadium in Frisco 'struck a deep nerve – here in Collin County and beyond.' Anthony was 17 at the time of the stabbing and has since turned 18. 'When something like this happens at a school event, it shakes people to the core,' Willis said. Students from several high schools in the Frisco Independent School District were competing when the stabbing occurred. According to an arrest report, a witness said that when Anthony sat under the tent belonging to Metcalf's team, Metcalf told Anthony to move, and Anthony replied, 'Touch me and see what happens.' Metcalf then touched Anthony, and Anthony said, 'Punch me and see what happens,' the arrest report said. A short time later, Metcalf grabbed Anthony, and Anthony stabbed him with a knife, the report said. Afterward, Anthony told an officer that he was protecting himself and that Metcalf had 'put his hands on me,' according to the report. Anthony's attorney, Mike Howard, said Anthony was looking forward to his day in court. 'We expect that when the full story is heard, the prosecution will not be able to rule out the reasonable doubt that Karmelo Anthony may have acted in self-defense,' Howard said. If convicted, Anthony faces up to life in prison. He was released from jail and placed on house arrest after his bond was reduced.
The Independent
24-06-2025
- The Independent
North Carolina shooting victim was hit accidentally when partygoer returned fire, officials say
A man killed in a shooting at a western North Carolina house party earlier this month that left 11 other people injured was inadvertently shot by a partygoer returning fire at shooters on a nearby hillside, authorities said Tuesday. Officials won't pursue criminal charges against the person responsible for the death of Shawn Hood, 58, of Lenoir, said spokesperson Maj. Aaron Turk with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. 'In North Carolina laws concerning self-defense are clear. Our investigation has shown that the person responsible for Mr. Hood's death was not intending to target Mr. Hood, but again, was targeting the hillside shooters,' Turk said at a news conference. 'As such and at this time there's not going to be any charges pursued criminally against the person responsible for Mr. Hood's death.' Authorities have said more than 80 shots were fired shortly after midnight on June 1 in a crime scene that spanned several properties. It began with a 'premeditated and seemingly unprovoked attack' by the shooters on the hillside and then partygoers who were scattered around the property returning fire, according to Turk. Eleven people, including Hood, were shot, and a 12th person was injured while trying to flee, Turk said. Investigators have said both adults and young people were among the scores of attendees at the house party in a residential neighborhood roughly 55 miles (88 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte. Hood was the oldest of the victims, who ranged in age from as young as 16, the sheriff's office has said. Using facial recognition technology, investigators determined that more than 100 people were at the party at different points, but there were 63 people in the line of fire from the shooters on the hillside, Turk said. Authorities also announced indictments Tuesday charging six men with one count each of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and 63 counts each of attempted first-degree murder. A seventh person, a woman, is charged with four counts of accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder. Investigators have information that indicates that the men have gang affiliations and while there were gang motivations behind the attack, Turk said those weren't the only motivations. He said there was some 'individualized animosity' against one or more of the people attending the party, but he said investigators learned there was a plan to shoot up the party 'in its entirety.'
