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#RapeCulture Fights Stigma of Sexual Assault

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#rapeculture. It's one of the Twitter names that is being used to counteract the way social media is sometimes being used as a weapon by those looking to bully and humiliate.

Here in the United States, studies show one in every four girls will be sexually assaulted by the time she turns 19.

Some of those victims come to the YWCA Rape Crisis Center for support.

Director Sue Barnes said more and more victims are also turning to the Internet for help. They feel empowered by connecting with other rape survivors.

Others are finding comfort in an increasingly popular Twitter hashtags #rapeculture and #endrapeculture which are working to end the stigma often associated with rape.

"I do believe social media can lead to constructive change because when people understand sexual assault is clearly happening often, then they work harder to fight this type of crime," Barnes said.

Barnes says the Internet offers people an easier way to tackle the tough topic of rape and gives victims a louder voice.

At Santa Clara University, social media expert Terri Griffith agrees rapeculture hashtags can be a powerful tool.

"I think any time you have that public visibility on a national and global scale you ahve so much more power than you did in the past," Griffith said.

She adds that Twitter, Facebook and Internet sites alone are not enough to make sweeping changes, but they can certainly motivate communities to do more to prevent rapes.


Teens Held in Saratoga Case First Charged Back in September

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NBC Bay Area has learned that three 16-year-old boys charged in the Audrie Pott case were cited on misdemeanor charges relating to the alleged assault and released, days after the attack allegedly happened last September.

Pott is the 15-year-old Los Gatos girl who committed suicide just days after photos of her sexual assault circulated by text message among students at Saratoga High School.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the three boys were cited and released in September on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery relating to the case.

Sheriff Laurie Smith also defended her department’s investigation - explaining why it took seven months for the boys to be arrested on felony charges.

“Anytime you do search warrants it’s time consuming,” Smith said. “We have to send computers to forensic labs and we were trying to locate photographs, which we were able to do.”

On a Facebook page for a group called “The Audrie Pott Foundation,” ostensibly managed by her family, someone posted new a message that included new allegations against the three 16 year old suspects, saying, “We suspect that the boys who we believe are responsible for Audrie’s death took deliberate steps to destroy evidence and interfere with the police investigation.”

NBC Bay Area’s Investigative Unit has learned the Sheriff’s Department did not get all the evidence it was hoping for, specifically the sheriff says they’re still looking for an electronic device – likely a cell phone. 

NBC Bay Area doesn’t usually reveal the names of victims of sexual assault, but the girl’s parents wanted their daughter’s story made public to prevent another tragedy. They’re also calling for new legislation in their daughter’s name – that would increase penalties on those who carry out such attacks.

“The family’s goal is that what happened to Audrie never happens again,” said Lauren Cerri, an attorney for the girl’s parents. “So her face being out there and her story being told will increase social awareness.”

The girl’s parents are planning to speak with the media publicly for the first time next Tuesday.

Day Leads at Masters, 14-Year-Old Makes Cut

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The 14-year-old from China isn't going anywhere in a hurry. And this Masters is still a long way from taking shape.

Despite being the first player at Augusta National to get hit with a one-shot penalty for slow play, teen sensation Guan Tianlang still made history Friday as the youngest player to make the cut in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.

And it came down to the last shot of a wild and windy day.

Jason Day could have sent the kid home early with a birdie from just off the front of the green on the 18th hole. But the Australian was wide left and tapped in for par, giving him a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead over fellow Aussie Marc Leishman and the ageless Fred Couples.

The par meant that Guan, who had one shot added to his score on the 17th hole for his second bad time of the round — made the cut under the 10-shot rule.

"If I can make it, I would be really happy for it," Guan said some five hours earlier. "But if I didn't make it, it's still a great week."

He's now part of a weekend at Augusta that should be as dynamic as ever.

Day was at 6-under 138, and 18 players were within four shots of the lead, including Tiger Woods.

Woods moved into a share of the lead with a two-putt birdie on the eighth hole, and his game looked to be as sharp as ever — perhaps too sharp. Right when it looked like he might take the outright lead, Woods hit a lob wedge that was so perfect it hit the flag on the par-5 15th and caromed backward off the green and into the water. Instead of having a short birdie putt, he had to scramble to save bogey.

Woods posed over another shot on the 18th and was stunned to see it hop onto the upper shelf, leading to his second three-putt bogey of the week. He had to settle for a 71, though he was still only three shots out of the lead.

"My score doesn't quite indicate how well I played today," Woods said.

Day, a runner-up at the Masters two years ago, can be one of the most exciting players in golf when his game is on, and he was firing at flags from everywhere Friday. Even from the pine straw under the trees on the dangerous 11th, the Aussie took dead aim at the pin and set up a rare birdie to join the leaders.

His only blunder was hitting into the water short of the 12th, though he still managed to escape with bogey, and then he fired a 4-wood low enough to stay below the trees and avoid the wind on the 13th, setting up a two-putt birdie.

He was cognizant of the guys behind him — Woods included — though just as much pressure comes from trying to be the first Australian in a green jacket.

"The moment I start worrying about other players is the moment I start losing focus on what I need to do, and when I do that, I'll start making bogeys," Day said. "It's obviously great to have the lead. I'm very exciting for the challenge over the next two days. It really is exciting to have the opportunity to win the Masters. I'm very, very happy where I am right now."

The 53-year-old Couples, who shared the 36-hole lead last year at the Masters, birdied the 18th hole for a 71 and will play in the final group.

"I did tee off Thursday with the idea of playing well, and now it's Friday afternoon late. I'm surprised, but I'm not going to freak out over it," Couples said.

Former Masters champion Angel Cabrera birdied five of his last six holes for a 69 and was in the group two shots behind, along with former U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk (71) and Brandt Snedeker (70). Woods was at 3-under 141 with six others, including Adam Scott (72), Lee Westwood (71) and Justin Rose (71).

And still in the mix was Rory McIlroy, who turned his fortunes around with a 5-wood from about 275 yards that set up a short eagle putt. He added three more birdies on the back nine and had a 70, leaving him only four shots out of the lead going into the weekend.

"Anything under par today was going to be a good score," McIlroy said.

The hole locations were severe in spots, with one pin tucked on top of a mound toward the front of the fifth green. The par 5s played into an opposite wind on the back nine, and they were not easy to reach. Furyk got home in two on the 15th hole Thursday with a hybrid. He used that same club to lay up on Friday.

Such tough conditions made the performance of Guan that much more impressive. He had a respectable 75, which included the one-shot penalty.

And for the longest time, it looked as though it might be costly.

Guan, playing with Matteo Manassero and Ben Crenshaw, was informed his group was out of position as it left the 10th green. They were on the clock on the 12th hole, meaning players would be timed to make sure they hit their shots within the 40-second limit. The teen got his first bad time with his second shot on the 13th hole, and it was clear he was in trouble after his shot into the 17th when John Paramor, chief referee in Europe, walked out to speak to him.

"You give him the news, the best you can," Paramor said.

Fred Ridley, the head of competition at the Masters, did not say how long Guan took to hit his second shot on the 17th, only that it was a "considerable margin" over his time. Guan still managed to make par on the 17th, and if he was shaken by the news so late in the round, it didn't show. He made one last par and was at 4-over 148.

His game is well beyond his years, and so was his attitude over the first slow-play penalty in a major since Gregory Bourdy in the 2010 PGA Championship.

"I respect the decision they make," said Guan, who spent nearly 90 minutes talking with officials after the round. "They should do it because it's fair to everybody."

The penalty looked ominous because Dustin Johnson was running off birdies every way imaginable, the only player to reach 7-under par in nasty conditions. His round imploded, however, when he played the final five holes in 6-over par. That included a double bogey on the 15th when he hit his third shot into the water. He had a 76 and plunged down the leaderboard, though he was still only five shots behind.

Furyk also hit into the water on the 15th with a wedge he chunked so badly that it didn't make it halfway across the pond. Scott made his third straight bogey at No. 5, but that was the last mistake he made. He answered with three birdies the rest of the way.

Day's 68 was the lowest score of the round, with conditions so tricky that only five players broke 70.

"It just feels like every shot is the biggest shot you've ever hit in your life out there," Day said. "It's really, really difficult. I'm just glad to be in the clubhouse right now."

One player who didn't recover was Sergio Garcia, who opened with a 66. One day after six birdies and no bogeys, he had four bogeys and no birdies. One day after he saw so many shots go where he was aiming, he couldn't cope with the wind.

"I hit the ball better today and was I was 10 shots worse," Garcia said after a 76 that put him in the group at 2-under with McIlroy, former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and 55-year-old Bernhard Langer. "But even with everything that happened today, we still are in a decent position to hopefully do something on the weekend."

That weekend will include defending champion Bubba Watson, who will play with a marker in the first group Saturday morning, and Phil Mickelson, who shot 40 on the back nine and had a 76 that left him nine shots out of the lead.

And it will include an eighth-grader who is assured of winning the sterling silver cup as the low amateur. He was the only amateur to make the cut, penalty shot and all.



Photo Credit: AP

Obama Tax Return: President's Income Down 23 Percent

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama released their federal income tax returns for 2012 (.pdf) on Friday, and the First Wallet took a bit of a hit: the Obama's adjusted gross income was about 23 percent less than what it was in 2011.

The Obamas donated about a quarter of their income to 33 different charities, with the Fisher House Foundation — which provides housing to veterans being treated at military hospitals — receiving the bulk of that money. They received $103,871 in donations from the Obamas.

Vice President Joe Biden and wife Dr. Jill Biden also released their federal income tax returns (.pdf), as well as their income tax returns for Delaware and Virginia.

Here is how they stacked up:

The Obamas 2012 2011
Adjusted Gross Income $608,611 $789,674
Total Federal Tax Paid $112,214 $162,074
Donations $150,034 $172,130
Donations as a Percentage of AGI 24.6% 22%
Federal Income Tax Rate  18.4% 20.5%

 

The Bidens 2012 2011
Adjusted Gross Income $385,072 $379,035
Total Federal Tax Paid $87,851 $87,900
Delaware $13,531 $13,843
Virginia $3,593 $3,614
Donations $7,190 $5,540
Federal Income Tax Rate 22.8% 23.2%

Source: U.S. Gov.

 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Audrie Pott's Family Makes Plea to Saratoga Students

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A day after it was revealed that a Saratoga 15-year-old girl committed suicide after she was allegedly raped by fellow high school boys, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith explained that detectives had long known about the allegations.

NBC Bay Area has learned that three 16-year-old boys were cited in September on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery and then released.

"We initially knew the people involved," Smith said, but there were "dozens" of interviews that had to be conducted and search warrants served. "We wanted a solid case before moving forward."

Smith told NBC Bay on Friday that rape investigations typically take a very long time, especially when investigators have to look at a lot of "electronic evidence," such as cell phone texts and computer forensics.

Her comments came after NBC Bay Area was the first to report on Thursday that Audrie Pott of Saratoga committed suicide Sept. 10, 2012, eight days after three 16-year-old boys had allegedly sexually assaulted her and posted the photos of her online. Her attorney, Robert Allard, said that "based on what we know," Audrie was intoxicated, unconsious and "there were multiple boys in the room with her. They did unimaginable things to her..."

The boys were arrested on Thursday - seven months after the alleged incident. They are now in juvenile hall, though no charges have been formally filed. They are expected to appear in court next week.

Their lawyers released the following statement late Friday claiming the suicide had nothing to do with their clients:

Much of what has been reported over the last several days is inaccurate. Most disturbing is the attempt to link Audrey’s [sic] suicide to the specific actions of these three boys.
We are hopeful that everyone understands that these boys, none of whom have ever been in trouble with the law, are to be regarded as innocent.
Due to the juvenile nature of the proceedings, we believe it inappropriate to comment further at this time.

The release was signed, Eric. S. Geffon, Alan M. Lagod, Benajmin W. Williams.

NBC Bay Area doesn't normally identify victims of sexual assault or suicide, but have used the girl’s name in this report with her parents’ permission. They are hoping the story will help prevent something like this from every happening to anyone else.

Allard said the girl took her life after learning that her attackers took photos during the assault, and then published them online and showed them around school.

Family members of Audrie accused the suspects of attempting to destroy evidence in the case.

On Friday, they posted a message on a  Facebook page honoring the girl, saying that the male teens who allegedly  attacked her tried to cover up their actions. 

We suspect that the boys who we believe are responsible for Audrie’s death took deliberate steps to destroy evidence and interfere with the police investigation. If students have information about this crime, if they saw pictures or know anything that will assist in bringing these young men to justice, please come forward. Audrie's family is asking for any students with information to please contact our attorney, Robert Allard at rallard@cmalaw.net or 408-289-1417

Sheriff Smith told the NBC Bay Area investigative unit that her department does in fact believe it is missing a key piece of evidence.  She described it as a "critical elecronic device" that has not been turned over. It appeared the sheriff may have been hoping to get pictures relating to the case from that device.

Also on Friday, the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School Union District Supt. Bob Mistele issued a statement:

"Our sympathies go out to all of the families affected by this tragic situation. We are cooperating with law enforcement as they continue to look into the details of this case. Collaborating with our parents, students, staff and community we will continue to work diligently to maintain a positive climate at our high schools based on respect, responsibility, and open communication that discourages cyber bullying and inappropriate conduct."

This is not the first high-profile rape case of a young woman investigated by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.

In March 2007, members of the De Anza College baseball team were accused of raping a drunk 17-year-old girl. In that case, the district attorney at the time, Dolores Carr, ended up not filing charges against the young men because she didn't feel there were sufficient charges to convince a jury. In 2008, the Attorney General's Office agreed, even though her decision not to prosecute was questioned widely.

And in a case eerily similar to Audrie's, 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons of Halifax, Novia Scotia in Canada, was taken off life support on Sunday, three days after she tried to hang herself. She had been allegedly sexually assaulted by four boys in November 2011 when she was 15 and then relentlessly cyberbullied.

The Canadian authorities had conducted a yearlong investigation into the rape, but no charges were ever filed.



Photo Credit: Pott Family

"42" Debut Shines Light on African Americans in MLB

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As a new movie chronicling the life of Jackie Robinson hits the big screen, there are questions about the declining numbers of African Americans in baseball.

“Jackie was such an exception. A four sport all American. But if he came along in this day in age, he’d probably be much more involved in football or basketball than America’s first sport and that’s a sad commentary on where we seem to be headed,” said Dr. Steven Millner, an African American Studies professor at San Jose State University.

On this season’s Opening Day rosters, the percentage of African American players was 8.5-percent.

That is down from 19-percent in 1995 and 27-percent in 1975.

The World Champion San Francisco Giants are among several clubs without a single African American player.

“And that’s going to become more and more a sad, but predictable norm if things don’t change in the decades ahead,” said Millner. Millner says there are a myriad of reasons for it, including that baseball has become very costly to play.

He also says youth are drawn to sports that will give them more notoriety and a big salary straight out of college.

“Then when they look at Major League Baseball it’s like I don’t want to play major league baseball because I don’t even see anyone who looks like me out there so why should I want to go in that direction?” said Damian Broadnax with the African American Baseball League in Oakland.

He says it’s important to keep the sport Jackie Robinson loved so much, alive for black youth.

He is also hoping that playing in the local league will inspire them to take more interest in the history and the future of the game.

View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.



Photo Credit: AP

West Hollywood Meningitis Patient Brain Dead; Health Officials Sound Warning

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Officials in West Hollywood are warning members of the public to protect themselves against  meningococcal infection, an illness caused by a bacteria or virus that can be fatal.

City Councilman John Duran held a news conference Friday afternoon alongside Chris Brown, director of health and mental health for the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, to sound an alarm.

Duran told NBC4 one of his long-time supporters -- a 33-year-old gay man -- had been diagnosed with meningitis two days ago, was hospitalized and is now in a coma. The man has been declared brain dead, Duran said, identifying the victim as Brett Shaad.

The man had attended an annual Palm Springs event known as the White Party, which took place over Easter weekend and draws thousands of gay men from across the country to the desert city, Duran said.

"If this resident was in fact in attendance at the White Party, it raises the issue, so we want to get the word out to any gay men that were at the White Party, that if they have any of these symptoms, go see their physician immediatly," Duran said at the news conference.

Duran said he didn't want to be alarmist, but wanted gay men and others to be on alert for signs of the disease, which can initially resemble the flu.

Dr. Maxine Liggins, area medical director for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said people who think they may have been exposed should watch for a stiff neck, fever, headache, sometimes a rash, and generally not feeling well.

Duran suggested the West Hollywood case may be from a similar bacterial meningitis strain that circulated among gay men in New York City -- an outbreak that infected 22 people and has killed seven people since 2010.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials said they have not confirmed a direct connection between the Los Angeles-area case and the New York City strain.

Officials don't want to cause panic, Duran said, but are taking an active stance to avoid the delays in response to AIDS 30 years ago.

On Friday, the Equinox fitness club on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood sent a notice to members that a person who used the facility April 6 had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Officials at the press conference confirmed the individual was the same man being treated at Cedars Sinai.

"The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has assured us that there is virtually no risk of exposure in a health club setting," the email stated. "We are notifying you to let you know that Equinox members and staff are safe, we have taken all necessary safety precautions and we will continue to do everything we can to guarantee our members have the best fitness experience possible."

The email included a link to a letter sent by the Department of Public Health to the club.

Meningococcal disease can have severe health impacts and can progress quickly from flu-like symptoms, rashes and a stiff neck, so health officials say early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. If treated quickly, the disease can often be cured with antibiotics.

Last month, Orange County health officials warned public schools about an outbreak of meningococcal infections in Tijuana that began in January.

A teen was being treated at UC Irvine Medical Center for Meningocococcemia and had had all of her limbs amputed, prompting her parents to advocate for awareness about a vaccine that protects against the disease.

The bacteria -- Neisseria meningitidis -- that causes the bloodstream infection afflicting 18-year-old Kaitlyn Dobrow also causes meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of tissue around the brain and spinal cord, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Infections from the bacteria can be spread from person to person through respiratory and throat secretions and are common in close quarters -- such as military barracks and college dormitories -- according to the CDC website. Person-to-person contact must be close – such as kissing, sex or sharing food – for the bacteria to spread.

Those who have been in close contact with a patient with meningococcal disease should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the illness from progressing, according to the CDC.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Stanford Brainiacs' Answer for Email Overload

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It’s estimated that every day, worldwide, there are 145 billion emails sent.

So many of them now reach us no matter where we are: in bed, standing in line, even work emails hitting the inbox relentlessly – as you sit in a meeting!

Well one group at Stanford University’s Computer Science Department have come up with what it calls the perfect solution: EmailValet.

It’s a form of crowdsourcing, the practice of tapping into a large group of people to get services and content, much like Wikipedia.

Nicolas Kokkalis, a PhD student, Michael Bernstein, an assistant professor, and Scott Klemmer, an associate professor, decided to use crowdsourcing to solve the problem of email overload through EmailValet.

It’s a program that allows a remote assistant, an actual human, to go through someone’s emails and extract the tasks.

On the left hand side after signing in, the user is able to see all of the original emails on the left hand side.

To the right is a “to-do” list of the tasks clearly spelled out for the user to check off. But first, you’ll have to hand over your password.

The group decided to test the idea: would people give strangers access to their emails in order to save their own time, and maybe get things done more quickly?

“We actually validated that it was indeed a crazy idea,” said Kokkalis, laughing. In fact, after a randomized survey of 600 people, less than four percent said they’d be willing to give up their passwords. One of the people who shared that sentiment was Anish Patel, a graduate student at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

“I think privacy is an issue,” said Patel. “I think particularly as I think about applications to the workplace.”

But Patel changed his mind after a ten-day EmailValet study. He learned that the program has some privacy safeguards built into place, including a feature where you can restrict what the remote assistant is able to see, as well as a way to track what the assistant does while logged into someone’s email.

“You can blacklist anything that contains any keywords like ‘bank’ or ‘password’ or ‘credit card. Or, even white list any particular element, only things marked as ‘important,’ that kind of thing,” Bernstein explained. “We actually keep track of what the crowd worker has done. Have they read this email? Have they created a task out of it? Or not?”

The group’s study used three conditions: the use of EmailValet, the user actively trying to work faster extracting his or her own tasks out of emails, and the control condition. Kokkalis said the study showed EmailValet actually doubled the user’s productivity.

Patel agreed it was successful, especially after he said other computer-driven email-help programs fell flat for him. “I toyed around with some of these email technological solutions and none of them have really worked for me,” said Patel. “This hybrid of having someone as an assistant but sort of remote – with a limited set of features – I was kind of intrigued by it.”

Klemmer agreed that using humans at this point is better than computers. “People are extremely good at this difficult task of taking free-form stuff and converting it into a more structured format. That’s just beyond the level of what a computer can do today,” Klemmer said.

He added extracting tasks from emails may seem like a trivial step, but in fact, holds many people back from maximizing productivity.

“By converting every time you scan your inbox, something that has a title you need to figure out and re-read that three-page-long message for the seventeenth time, instead it gets you a crisp, actionable item," Klemmer said.

So how much would you have to pay for this service? Kokkalis said it would come in at less than two bucks a day. “That compared to a $3,000 salary of a real executive assistant!”

So far, it’s just a research program that was funded by the National Science Foundation – not yet picked up by any companies – but the group of believes it’s well-worth the time, energy and money. In the meantime, the three men are working on creating more technological solutions, many of them caused by technology, itself.

“We’ll leap ahead of where the world is by one, three, give, ten years, and we’ll live in that world for awhile,” Berstein said.


Ex-Judge Arrested After Killing of Texas DA, Wife

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After a second search of his Kaufman home on Friday, former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams was arrested overnight Friday and booked into the Kaufman County Jail.

According to booking information, Williams was arrested for one count of making a terroristic threat and two counts of insufficient bond. 
 
He is being held on three million dollars bond. 
 
Local, state and federal agents searched Williams' home in the 1600 block of Overlook Drive late Friday afternoon.
 
The FBI, Texas Rangers and Kaufman County investigators are gathering evidence related to the McLelland and Hasse murders according to Kaufman County public information officer Lt. Justin Lewis.
 
A listed phone number for Williams went unanswered Friday afternoon. But his attorney, David Sergi, released a statement Friday saying his client "has cooperated with law enforcement and vigorously denies any and all allegations."
 
Williams has never been named as a suspect in the murders of Mark McLelland, his wife Cynthia and ADA Mark Hasse. 
 
In an interview April 3, Williams told NBC 5 he had nothing to do with the McLellands' murder and doesn't even own a gun.
 
"If I was in their shoes, I would want to talk to me," Eric Williams said in an interview at his house. "In the investigators' minds, they want to check with me to do their process of elimination."
 
Williams, a former Kaufman County justice of the peace, was charged with theft and later convicted in a high-profile trial. He was kicked out of office, and his law license was suspended. He was 
 
sentenced to two years' probation and is appealing his conviction.
 
But he said he is not bitter and wouldn't want to harm anyone.
 
"I've cooperated with law enforcement," Williams said. "I certainly wish them the best in bringing justice to this incredibly egregious act."
 
Williams' name has swirled around the courthouse because his trial was sensational news in this small community, and it included testimony of death threats.
 
William said he was contacted Saturday night by investigators -- only about three hours after Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, were found dead inside their Forney home.
 
He said he met the agents at a nearby restaurant, where he allowed them to swab his hands for gunpowder residue. He also gave them his and his wife's cellphones, which they returned the next day.
 
"I know I didn't do anything," he said. "I know where I was."
 
Williams said he was at home with his wife or up the street at his in-laws late Friday and Saturday.
 
He expressed shock at the crime and sympathy for the victims' families.
 
"I want to say my deepest condolences go out to the McLelland family and all the people at the courthouse," he said.
 
Asked if he is angry at prosecutors, he said, "No, I'm not. Obviously that was also a part of them doing their jobs."
 
Copyright Associated Press / NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
 

Homeless Man Allegedly Sets Man, SUV on Fire

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A 63-year-old man is in critical condition Friday night after he and his car were doused with a liquid and set on fire outside a Long Beach convenience store hours earlier.

"This is an unsettling crime, a horrific act," said Sgt. Aaron Eaton, with Long Beach Police Department.

The attacker approached the victim, tossed a flammable liquid into a green sport utility vehicle and sparked the blaze, Eaton said. Investigators do not believe the victim and attacker know each other.

After running from the 7-11 near Pacific Coast Highway, a 39-year-old man known by many in the area to be homeless was arrested in connection with the attack.

Witnesses used fire extinguishers and water bottles to help extinguish the flames, which consumed the victim as he stumbled from the SUV.

A white sedan was parked next to the SUV. The driver of that car was inside the 7-11 getting a cup of coffee when his car also caught fire.

Steve Cox said he gave spare change to the alleged attacker minutes before the fire.

"He didn’t seem like he was going to harm anybody. He wasn’t very aggressive or anything. I mean, asking for change, he seemed like a nice guy," Cox said. "I’m really surprised about what happened. It’s outrageous."

Neither the victim nor the alleged attacker were identified as of late Friday.

Couple Vandalized Miami Vet Office After Dog's Death: Police

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A couple from San Francisco was arrested Thursday for vandalizing a Miami veterinary office after they found out their dog died during minor knee surgery.

Reyez, an America Bulldog, was at Banfield Pet Hospital, inside a PetSmart for the procedure. When they found out he died, Alejandra Zavaleta, 31, and Edman Vargas, 34, were outraged.

Pictures show medical supplies littering the floor and window blinds torn apart.

According to Vargas' sister, Cindy Vargas, what sparked the incident was the doctor's lack of information about the dog's death.

"The doctor was standing up against the counter with his arms crossed and saying 'I don't know what happened,'" Cindy Vargas said. "When we had specific questions he left the building."

Zoo Miami Holding Nonnative Pets Amnesty Day

According to one PetSmart employee, the doctor left the building because he feared for his safety.

The hospital released a statement Friday explaining the dog's condition.

"Reyes [sic] appeared to be recovering normally after anesthesia when he unexpectedly went into respiratory and cardiac arrest—the hospital administered CPR but was unsuccessful in reviving Reyes," said the statement. "Anytime a pet undergoes anesthesia there is a rare risk of an unforeseen adverse event."

The statement goes on to say: "We understand how hard it is to lose a pet—our hearts go to the Vargas family for the loss of Reyes.”

Edman Vargas and Zavaleta are being held on a $13,000 bond each.

 

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Photo Credit: NBC 6 South Florida

Post Office Named After Bay Area Soldier Killed in Iraq

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Army First Lieutenant Kenneth Ballard, who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq, will receive the distinguished honor of having a post office in Mountain View named after him.

A formal dedication ceremony was held Saturday.

 Since his death in 2004, his mother Karen Meredith has been pushing for the dedication.

“If you ask a family, 'What do you want most?' We don’t want our children to be forgotten,” Meredith said.

Ballard, who was Meredith’s only child died after an accidental discharge of a weapon that was mounted on his tank.

The 26 year old was awarded three bronze stars and a purple heart during his nine years of military service.

“He was so devoted to his country,” said Rep. Anna Eschoo, who introduced the bill that Pres. Barack Obama signed in January.

“This is I think the kind of tribute that is lasting to him and that future generations that walk in and out of this post office in Mountain View, while they might not know all of his story, they will know that there is someone very brave and very courageous that gave his life for his country.”

Meredith says her son died doing what he loved, serving his country. She says she knows there are countless other families whose loved ones have made the same sacrifice and the dedication of the post office is not just for her son, but for everyone in the military.

“He loved life and I have to keep going because he didn’t get that life and I just want to honor him and all the other soldiers,”  Merideth said.

3-Alarm NYC Fire Leaves 37 Injured, 5 Critical

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A three-alarm fire in New York City Saturday morning left 37 people injured, including one child and four adults who were in critical condition, fire department officials said.

The fire broke out in an apartment on the fifth floor of a building in Melrose section of the Bronx at around 7:45 a.m. ET. Authorities said smoke from the fire quickly spread throughout the 27-story high-rise.

"When we opened the door to put the fire out, it just fills the building up -- the hallways, the stairs -- up with smoke," said FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Jack Mooney.

Residents said the heavy smoke darkened their hallways and made breathing extremely difficult. At least 12 people had to be carried down by firefighters, authorities said.

"Smoke was so thick on 22 and the fire started on five," said building resident, Dolores Carter, an asthma sufferer who had to be helped down by firefighters and needed to use a ventilator afterwards. "It was a trying time."

Officials said most of the injuries were minor, but four adults and a child were being treated for smoke inhalation in hyperbaric chambers at Jacobi Medical Center.

Red Cross workers were on the scene assisting evacuated residents.

There is no word yet on what caused the fire.

The fire broke out on the fifth floor of a building in the Melrose section of the Bronx at around 7:45 a.m.

Residents said heavy smoke filled up hallways causing widespread panic throughout the 27-story building. At least 12 people had to be carried down by firefighters, authorities said.

"Smoke was so thick on 22 and the fire started on five," said building resident, Dolores Carter, who had to be helped down by firefighters and needed to use a ventilator. "The smoke was coming out of my window."

Red Cross workers were on the scene assisting evacuated residents.

There is no word yet on what caused the fire.

Arrest Made in SJ Amber Alert Kidnapping Case

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A San Jose woman is under arrest in connection with the kidnapping of an 11-month old girl who was sitting in a car when it was stolen.

Karla Hernandez, 30, was arrested in San Jose in connection with the March 25th incident on suspicion of kidnapping, child endangerment, vehicle theft, possession of drugs and being under the influence of drugs, according to police spokesman Officer Albert Morales.

Hernandez was identified as a suspect after police released a sketch the day after the alleged kidnapping, but Morales said witnesses and physical evidence also tied her to the crime. 

You can see the similarities between the mug shot and the suspect sketch in the two photos at the top of this article. 

The child, Gabriella Quintero, was taken at about 6:30 a.m. after her mother briefly left her unattended in a 2006 Jeep Liberty outside their home in the 2300 block of Amador Court in East San Jose, police said.

The mother, Graciella Quintero, had been warming up the vehicle with the baby inside. She left momentarily to close her garage door, leaving the key in the ignition, and when she came back she saw her car being driven away with the infant inside, police said.

It is not clear whether the person who took the car knew there was a baby in the backseat.

The girl was found by police unharmed inside the abandoned Jeep at 11:22 a.m. about 4 miles to the south, in the 400 block of Amargosa Court in San Jose. The suspect sketch showed a woman the mother had seen standing near her car just before it was taken.

 

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Enrique Garcia or Detective Alex Nguyen of the San Jose Police Department's Robbery Unit at (408) 277-4166. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP (7867), or may visit: http://svcrimestoppers.org/, and may be eligible for a reward.

Bay City News

Wrongly Convicted Man Gives Back to Law Enforcement

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Terrill Swift says he's dedicated to making changes in communities.

"I don't want to hate. I want to get the story out and make changes," Swift said.

 He's doing it through telling his story about spending almost half his life behind bars for a crime he did not do.

"I was 17 years old, I spent 15 and a half years in prison for first degree murder sexual assault for which I did not commit," Swift said.

Swift is from Chicago.

His story made national news. Now, almost three years after being exonerated for the crime thanks to DNA evidence, he was invited to come to Hayward to be the keynote speaker for a law enforcement community summit.

"Law enforcement was responsible for the wrong conviction that happened to them. I think it's very important for law enforcement to take a hard look at themselves and say are we doing business the right way, " Hayward Police Chief Diane Urban said.

Urban met Swift at a conference in San Diego and thought his story would be a great fit to help her officers connect with the people they serve. Swift says walking into Hayward's interrogation room brings back memories he would rather forget. But now Swift would like to focus on the positive.

"I think most people would say I have every right to be angry and hateful. What's that going to get me?" Swift said. "I can't get 15 years back so I just want to make a difference for the next generation."

 The police summit is at Cal State East Bay Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Swift will be keynote speaker


Infant Onesies Recalled for Possible Choking Hazard

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Infant onesies sold by major retailers nationwide is being recalled because zippers on the clothing can detach, posing a choking hazard to the young children who wear them and their siblings.

About 218,000 Sleep N’ Play one-piece footed garments in eight styles are affected by the recall, according to manufactuer The William Carter Company.

Popular child clothing store OshKosh B’gosh, and major retailers Walmart and Target sold the onesies from December 2012 to January 2013. They ranged in price from $7 to $20 and were sold in sizes newborn, 3, 6 and 9 months.

Baby B’gosh, Child of Mine made by Carter’s or Just One You made by Carter’s is printed on the fabric inside the neck area.

No injuries have been reported. Consumers are being urged to stop using the outfits immediately and return them to The William Carter Company for a full refund.

For refunds, click here or call 888-282-4674 weekdays between 6 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. PT.

For details on style numbers and clothing descriptions, click here.



Photo Credit: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Audrie Pott's Foundation Schedules Candlelight Vigil

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The Audrie Pott Foundation announced Saturday it is planning to hold a candlelight vigil at Saratago High School next Friday at 8 p.m.  It is the first public event surrounding the death of the 15-year-old since three teenagers were arrested following the girl's suicide in September and an alleged sexual assault in the days ahead of her death. 

NBC Bay Area was the first to report on Thursday that Audrie Pott of Saratoga committed suicide Sept. 10, 2012, eight days after three 16-year-old boys had allegedly sexually assaulted her and posted the photos of her online. Her attorney, Robert Allard, said that "based on what we know," Audrie was intoxicated, unconsious and "there were multiple boys in the room with her. They did unimaginable things to her..."

NBC Bay Area doesn't normally identify victims of sexual assault or suicide, but have used the girl’s name in this report with her parents’ permission. They are hoping the story will help prevent something like this from every happening to anyone else.

The parents, who have been in seclusion since this story broke have scheduled a news conference Monday morning at a San Jose hotel. 

The boys were arrested on Thursday - seven months after the alleged incident. They are now in juvenile hall, though no charges have been formally filed. They are expected to appear in court next Tuesday. NBC Bay Area has learned that three 16-year-old boys were cited in September on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery and then released.

The boy's lawyers released the following statement late Friday claiming the suicide had nothing to do with their clients:

Much of what has been reported over the last several days is inaccurate. Most disturbing is the attempt to link Audrey’s [sic] suicide to the specific actions of these three boys.
We are hopeful that everyone understands that these boys, none of whom have ever been in trouble with the law, are to be regarded as innocent.
Due to the juvenile nature of the proceedings, we believe it inappropriate to comment further at this time.

The release was signed, Eric. S. Geffon, Alan M. Lagod, Benajmin W. Williams.

The Pott's family lawyer said she took her life after learning that her attackers took photos during the assault, and then published them online and showed them around school. They did not know about the assault until after her death. 

Through a Facebook post, family members  accused the suspects of attempting to destroy evidence in the case.

On Friday, they posted a message claiming that the male teens who allegedly  attacked her tried to cover up their actions. 

We suspect that the boys who we believe are responsible for Audrie’s death took deliberate steps to destroy evidence and interfere with the police investigation. If students have information about this crime, if they saw pictures or know anything that will assist in bringing these young men to justice, please come forward. Audrie's family is asking for any students with information to please contact our attorney, Robert Allard at rallard@cmalaw.net or 408-289-1417

Sheriff Smith told the NBC Bay Area investigative unit that her department does in fact believe it is missing a key piece of evidence.  She described it as a "critical elecronic device" that has not been turned over. It appeared the sheriff may have been hoping to get pictures relating to the case from that device.

This is not the first high-profile rape case of a young woman investigated by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.

In March 2007, members of the De Anza College baseball team were accused of raping a drunk 17-year-old girl. In that case, the district attorney at the time, Dolores Carr, ended up not filing charges against the young men because she didn't feel there were sufficient charges to convince a jury. In 2008, the Attorney General's Office agreed, even though her decision not to prosecute was questioned widely.

And in a case eerily similar to Audrie's, 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons of Halifax, Novia Scotia in Canada, was taken off life support on Sunday, three days after she tried to hang herself. She had been allegedly sexually assaulted by four boys in November 2011 when she was 15 and then relentlessly cyberbullied.

The Canadian authorities had conducted a yearlong investigation into the rape, but no charges were ever filed.

The Saratoga case is now getting national attention. The foundation website set up in Audrie's honor has crashed many times due to the volume of people trying to see it.

 



Photo Credit: Pott Family

Newborn Tiger Cub Makes Outdoor Debut at SF Zoo

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The San Francisco Zoo is going to be a bit more crowded this weekend now that the zoo's newest and cutest attraction is out and about.

The zoo's 8-week-old Sumatran tiger cub went on exhibit Friday. You can see raw video at the top of this article.

The still unnamed 14-pound  tiger is growing fast.

Zoo doctors said the cub is now big and strong enough to venture into the outdoor enclosure.

They gave the plan a trial run Wednesday. The zoo debut was Friday, with more outdoor jaunts planned every weekend. The zoo said tiger cub will be on view outside Saturday (April 13) from 2-4 p.m., and Sunday (April 14) from 1-4 p.m.

"Leanne was so happy to be outside with her baby, she frolicked just like a cub too," a zoo statement said.

“Providing the cub the opportunity to explore the outside world is a significant step in her development,” zoo curator Corinne MacDonald said. “The cub will build up her strength and confidence watching her mother, Leanne, and she’ll learn from her while navigating her new environment. We are thrilled to finally be able to show our tiger cub off outside to all of her fans.”

The Sumatran tiger is critically endangered, with a wild population estimated at less than 400. There are 74 Sumatran tigers in captivity in North America at accredited zoos and aquariums.

She was born Feb. 10 and is expected to grow to be between 170 and 240 pounds.

Visitors have been able to catch a glimpse of the cub the past couple weeks in the lion house, but this weekend will be the first time the mom and cub will be able to be in the outdoor exhibit.

The cub's naming rights will be part of the zoo's annual fundraiser, ZooFest, which takes place on May 11.

 



Photo Credit: Marianne Hale

Mom Finds Gun in Son's Bag, Calls Police

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A Delaware teen was arrested after his own mother turned him in for owning an illegal gun.

Police say 18-year-old Michael Colon was arguing with his mother Saturday morning at their home in Wilmington. Police say the mother was upset that Colon was coming home late and had been hanging out in dangerous areas in town.

As they were arguing, police say the woman searched her son’s backpack and found a .22 caliber revolver inside. Investigators say Colon is a convicted felon and not allowed to carry a firearm.

The woman called police who responded to the home around 11:15 a.m. When they arrived, they say they found the gun and arrested Colon.

Colon was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. He was arraigned and released after posting a $10,000 secured bond.

Police also arrested another Wilmington teen on gun charges earlier on Saturday. Investigators say two officers were on patrol on the 500 block of N. Clayton Street shortly before 3 a.m. when they spotted the teen trying to hide a loaded 9mm handgun inside some bushes.

The officers took the teen into custody and recovered the weapon. The teen was arraigned and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center in lieu of $10,001 cash bail.
 



Photo Credit: Wilmington Police

Amtrak Coast Starlight Derails in Fremont

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An Amtrak train heading from Southern California to Vancouver, B.C., derailed just north of Fremont Saturday night, an Amtrak spokeswoman said.

No one aboard was harmed.

Amtrak Train No. 14, the Coast Starlight, left Los Angeles at 10:10 a.m. Saturday and was scheduled to arrive in Vancouver at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

At about 9 p.m., two miles north of Fremont, however, the two wheels of the front truck on the lead locomotive derailed from the track,  spokeswoman Christina Leeds said.

None of the other cars derailed. 

Fourteen crew members and 154 passengers were aboard the train at the time of the derailment.

Leeds said the train left Fremont at about 12:30 a.m., and is scheduled to arrive in Vancouver about four hours later than its original destination.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

Bay City News



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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