GRIFFIN, Ga. -- A white man charged with murder in what Georgia prosecutors describe as the racist slaying of a black man in 1983 went on trial Wednesday with both sides lambasting the original investigation. Prosecutor Marie Broder told jurors during opening statements that authorities botched their investigation after Timothy Coggins was stabbed, cut and dragged behind a pickup truck, but that didn't mean Frank Gebhardt, 60, was innocent of murder. Gebhardt's attorney, Scott Johnston, said multiple pieces of evidence were missing. "Where did it go?" Johnston said. "The state does not get a pass because the case was old." Gebhardt and another man are charged with malice murder and other crimes in the killing of Coggins near Griffin, Georgia, in 1983. The killing remained unsolved until last fall, when authorities announced the arrests of Gebhardt and brother-in-law Bill Moore, who awaits trial. A prosecutor has said the 23-year-old Coggins was killed because he … [Read more...] about Suspect accused in racially motivated 1983 murder of black man goes on trial
Ex-firefighter’s overdose in Edina lands suspected dealer in jail on murder charge
A Minneapolis man suspected of selling a fatal concoction of illicit drugs to an Edina woman was charged Wednesday with murder. Gregory A. Loupe, 38, of Minneapolis, was charged with third-degree murder in connection with the woman's death on April 7 at her home in the 6800 block of Creston Avenue. Loupe was arrested Tuesday and remains jailed ahead of a court appearance Thursday afternoon. Police officers came to the home that morning and found the woman dead in her bedroom. Her two juvenile daughters were there as well, according to the criminal complaint. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as 46-year-old Maria L. Dalton. Dalton served as a firefighter with the Minneapolis Fire Department from 2001 until 2008, a fire department spokesman said. According to the complaint:One daughter told police that her mother picked her up from a shopping mall about 9:30 the previous night and went to bed about 90 minutes later. The other daughter found the mother … [Read more...] about Ex-firefighter’s overdose in Edina lands suspected dealer in jail on murder charge
Trump ends policy separating immigrant children from families
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has signed an executive order ending the process of separating children from families after they are detained crossing the US border illegally. It was a dramatic turnaround for Mr Trump, who has been insisting, wrongly, that his administration had no choice but to separate families apprehended at the border because of federal law and a court decision. The news in recent days has been dominated by searing images of children held in cages at border facilities, as well as audio recordings of young children crying for their parents. The images sparked fury, questions of morality and concern from Republicans about a negative impact on their races in November's midterm elections. Until Wednesday, the president, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and other officials had repeatedly argued the only way to end the practice was for Congress to pass new legislation, while Democrats said he could do it with his signature alone. That was what he did on … [Read more...] about Trump ends policy separating immigrant children from families
NY Sues 6 Makers of Hazardous Firefighting Foams That Contaminated Drinking Water
New York state is suing six companies that made firefighting foam containing chemicals that have contaminated drinking water in two upstate communities and groundwater in a Long Island community. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said Wednesday the companies manufactured foam containing PFOS and/or PFOA, which can pose adverse health effects. The lawsuit contends the companies knew or should've known the chemicals could pose a threat to public health and the environment. PFOA has contaminated drinking water in Hoosick Falls in Rensselaer County, while PFOS has contaminated drinking water around an Air National Guard base in Newburgh and groundwater near another base in Southampton, Long Island. Hundreds of people on Long Island are receiving letters that they should get their blood tested because of uncertainty over drinking water. Greg Cergol reports. (Published Friday, May 4, 2018) More than $38 million in state funds have been spent to investigate … [Read more...] about NY Sues 6 Makers of Hazardous Firefighting Foams That Contaminated Drinking Water
Woman With 49 License Suspension Arrested on Long Island
A woman with almost 50 license suspensions was arrested on Long Island Wednesday, law enforcement officials say. Lashae Hammond, 28, was apprehended after being pulled over on Prarie Drive in North Babylon at about 12:30 p.m. for speeding, Suffolk County Police say. According to officials, officer Philip Buzzanca pulled her over and determined she had a license that had been suspended 49 times on 11 different dates. Hammond, of North Babylon, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree. Top News Photos: New Tents Hold Separated Immigrant Children Getty Images She was released on bail and scheduled for arraignment at a later date. It is not immediately clear if Hammond retained an attorney. This is not the first time Suffolk County police encountered drivers with a whopping number of license suspensions or revocations. Woman With 89 License Suspensions Arrested in Long Island On June 6, an officer arrested Dawn Taddeo, 49, … [Read more...] about Woman With 49 License Suspension Arrested on Long Island