news
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Rikers Island Inmate, 18, Hangs Himself in Cell
An 18-year-old inmate at New York City’s notorious penitentiary Rikers Island ended his life on Wednesday, the same day he was supposed to see a psychiatrist, internal jail documents note, according to the Associated Press. The young man, identified as Kenan Davis, was found lying on the floor, AP notes. He had been taken into…
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Family of Ga. Man Who Died in Police Custody Wants an Independent Prosecutor
The family of Matthew Ajibade is frustrated with getting few answers about his death in police custody at a Chatham County, Ga., jail. It’s now asking a judge to remove the county’s district attorney, Meg Heap, and appoint an independent prosecutor, Fox 6 WBRC reports. In the conflict-of-interest complaint, the family alleges that Heap’s relationships…
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Woman Involved in McKinney Pool Fight Put on Administrative Leave by Employer
A Texas woman accused of being part of an initial fight that prompted a harshly criticized police response at a McKinney, Texas, pool party last Friday has been placed on administrative leave by her employer, with the company stating that it does not condone “violence, discrimination or harassment.” “CoreLogic does not condone violence, discrimination or…
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Jesse Matthew Takes Plea in 2005 Va. Sexual Assault
In a Fairfax, Va., court, Jesse Matthew took a plea Wednesday in a decade-old sexual assault, the Washington Post reports. The charges included attempted capital murder, abduction with intent to defile and sexual assault. Matthew, 33, entered an Alford plea, which means that he does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the commonwealth has enough…
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Fla. High School Principal Loses Position After Defending Texas Pool-Party Cop
A North Miami, Fla., high school principal was removed from his position after he expressed support online for the Texas officer who was shown on video dragging a teenage girl to the ground by her hair and pulling his gun on other teenagers, Reuters reports. Alberto Iber, the principal of North Miami Senior High School,…
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Murder Charge Dropped Against Ga. Woman Who Took Abortion Pill
The Dougherty County, Ga., district attorney announced Wednesday that the murder charge against a 23-year-old woman who gave birth prematurely after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy has been dropped, the Washington Post reports. Kenlissia Jones was slapped with charges of malice murder and possession of a dangerous drug over the weekend after giving…
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Michelle Obama Remembers Slain Teen Hadiya Pendleton at Chicago Graduation
It has been two years since Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago honor student who marched in President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade, succumbed to gunshot wounds after being caught in the crossfire during a gang shooting. However, according to the New York Times, friends, family and even her school have not forgotten the majorette. An empty…
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Police Commission: Ezell Ford’s Shooting Death Violated LAPD Policy
Although Los Angeles Police Officer Sharlton Wampler claims that he was in a life-and-death scuffle for his service weapon with Ezell Ford, the Los Angeles Police Commission rejected Police Chief Charlie Beck’s conclusions that the ultimately fatal shooting of the young man was justified. The commission also suggested that Wampler’s actions caused the deadly encounter,…
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Texas Teen Arrested at Infamous Pool Party Was Trying to Calm Manhandled Girl
Adrian Martin found himself on the other end of McKinney, Texas, Police Cpl. David Eric Casebolt’s service firearm when he attempted to approach a distressed teenage girl who had just been forced to the ground by the same officer. The 18-year-old, who was later arrested, told WFAA-TV that he was scared when he saw the…
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Federal Judge Orders Notorious Angola Prison in La. to Release Black Panther, but State Declines
There’s a legal tug-of-war going on between a federal judge and Louisiana. On Monday U.S. District Judge James Brady ordered the immediate release of Albert Woodfox from a Louisiana prison, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. But the state is appealing Brady’s ruling. The 68-year-old Black Panther has been in solitary confinement at the infamous…