Six of the seven individuals accused of killing 16-year-old Preston Lord at a Halloween party in Queen Creek pleaded not guilty to the charges they face, while the seventh is expected to appear in court. The attack, which resulted in Lord's death, has sparked community outrage and shed light on a series of violent incidents involving teens in the East Valley, leading to multiple arrests and ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies.
Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova, has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for protection against what it perceives as a threat from Moldova. The region, which is not internationally recognized, has a predominantly Russian-speaking population and has close ties to Russia. The plea for protection comes amid rising tensions between Transnistria and Moldova, with fears of a potential military conflict.
Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust," waiving his arraignment and facing a potential 18-month prison sentence if convicted. This is the second time he has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting. The trial for the "Rust" armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, who was also charged with involuntary manslaughter, is scheduled to begin on Feb. 21 in Santa Fe County.
A Florida man, Neal Brij Sidhwaney, pleaded guilty to transmitting an interstate threat to kill a Supreme Court justice, later identified as Chief Justice John Roberts. Sidhwaney had left a threatening voicemail message for the justice in July. The US Supreme Court Police Protective Intelligence Unit, along with the Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section, investigated the case. Sidhwaney faces up to five years in federal prison, and a sentencing date has yet to be determined.
A Florida man, Neal Sidhwaney, has pleaded guilty to making an interstate threat to injure a Supreme Court justice. Sidhwaney left a threatening voicemail message in which he stated, "I will fucking kill you." Although the targeted justice was not identified in court papers, Sidhwaney revealed during a psychological evaluation that he had threatened Chief Justice John Roberts. Sidhwaney, who suffers from delusional disorder with psychosis, could face up to five years in prison, but defendants typically receive less time under federal guidelines. The court filings do not indicate what prompted the threat, but security around the high court and the justices has been increased due to previous threats.
Former NFL player Sergio Brown has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his mother, Myrtle Brown. Sergio Brown was taken into custody after trying to re-enter the United States from Mexico. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Myrtle Brown's death a homicide. Sergio Brown had previously posted a video on Instagram calling his mother's death "fake news" and blaming the FBI. He is scheduled to appear in court in January.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un broke down in tears during a speech at the National Mothers' Meeting, pleading with women to have more babies to combat the country's declining birth rate. The average fertility rate in North Korea is 1.8, according to the United Nations Population Fund, with some areas experiencing even lower rates. South Korea and Japan are also facing declining birth rates, leading to concerns about labor shortages and economic development.
Joseph Czuba, a 71-year-old man, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and a hate crime in the stabbing attack that seriously injured a Palestinian American woman and killed her 6-year-old son. Czuba's public defender entered the pleas on his behalf, and he was ordered to remain detained. Prosecutors allege that Czuba targeted the victims because of their Muslim faith amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The mother, Hanaan Shahin, was released from the hospital and called for justice and peace. Czuba is scheduled to appear in court again on January 8th.
The driver involved in the fatal motorcycle crash that took the life of actor Treat Williams has pleaded not guilty to the charge of gross negligent operation resulting in death. If convicted, the driver could face up to 15 years in prison. The crash occurred in June when a vehicle pulled in front of Williams, who was riding a motorcycle and was unable to avoid a collision. Williams was thrown from his motorcycle and pronounced dead at a medical center. The driver, Ryan Koss, was charged after attempting to make a left turn and colliding with Williams. Williams' death was determined to be caused by severe trauma and blood loss.
Former President Donald Trump pleads not guilty in the Georgia election subversion case and seeks to sever his case from his co-defendants who want a speedy trial. Trump's plea comes as he faces charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Local businesses and state tourism officials in Maui are urging tourists to return to the unscathed parts of the island after deadly wildfires caused a drastic decline in tourism. Tourism accounts for nearly the entire Maui economy, with tourists spending over $5.5 billion on the island last year. While the exact number of returning tourists is unknown, locals estimate it to be a couple thousand at most. However, some tourists still feel conflicted about visiting, unsure if it is appropriate given the recent disaster. The island is heavily dependent on tourism, and the loss of visitors is causing significant financial strain, with West Maui estimated to be losing over a million dollars a day since the fires.
A Colorado dentist, James Craig, is set to enter a plea to a first-degree murder charge after being accused of killing his wife by lacing her protein shakes with poison. Police discovered that Craig had searched online for information on making murder look like a heart attack and whether arsenic is detectable in an autopsy. His wife, Angela Craig, died from poisoning by cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a substance found in over-the-counter eye drops. Craig's defense argued that there was no direct evidence of his involvement, while investigators alleged that he had attempted to poison his wife before.
The owners of Stoke Fruit Farm in England are pleading with visitors to stop taking nude photos in their sunflower fields after children witnessed lewd photo shoots. The farm, which is a family-friendly area, has put up signs and posted a plea on social media to address the issue. Since opening to the public last month, there have been six naked photo shoots, including three on the same day. The owners emphasize the importance of public decency and maintaining a family-friendly environment.
WWE legend Tammy Sytch has pleaded no contest to a felony charge of DUI causing death, facing a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years. The charges stem from a car crash in March 2022, where Sytch allegedly killed a 75-year-old man while driving under the influence. She also pleaded no contest to other related charges. This is not the first time Sytch has faced DUI charges, having been arrested multiple times in the past.
Donald Trump's valet, Walt Nauta, pleaded not guilty to conspiring with the former president to obstruct the investigation into his possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, while the property manager, Carlos De Oliveira, was unable to enter a plea due to not having a Florida-based attorney. Trump, Nauta, and De Oliveira face charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice. Trump is facing multiple criminal cases, including one related to alleged efforts to meddle in the 2020 election in Georgia. The updated indictment in the classified documents case alleges that Trump asked for surveillance footage to be deleted to hide records from investigators.
