washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Parents, 5 other relatives plead guilty after sick girl dies

Seven relatives of a 12-year-old girl , including her parents and adult sisters , have pleaded guilty to child endangerment for failing to properly care for her before she died of kidney failure and pneumonia .
Steven Bennett , 58 , and Heidi Tranberg-Bennett , 47 , were initially charged with second-degree manslaughter , a felony , in November , 11 months after their daughter Evanna died at Albany Medical Center .
Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka said the Austerlitz couple and five relatives who lived with them pleaded guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charge Wednesday .
The relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s symptoms but didn ’ t take her to a doctor or hospital soon enough .
The criminal complaint said the girl had suffered increasingly severe symptoms of pneumonia and end-stage renal failure for at least a week before her death .
Her parents called 911 after she collapsed in December 2019 at their home in Austerlitz , 28 miles ( 45 kilometers ) south of Albany .
In Facebook posts , they said they believed that Evanna had a virus from which other family members had recovered and that she would recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ages 2 to 11 , were removed from the home by child protective services and placed in foster homes .
They included the Tranberg-Bennetts ’ three youngest children and four children of one of their daughters who also lived in their large Victorian house .
“ My clients remain focused on the return of their seven children/grandchildren who have been held apart from them for more than one year , ” their attorney , Michael Sussman , said by email .
“ The guilty plea was necessary to advance that objective , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal justice system.
” The couple said they home-schooled all the children and had a religious exemption from vaccination , but social workers vaccinated them anyway while they were in foster homes .
“ My clients have raised beautiful children and love each dearly .
They deeply grieve Evanna ’ s death and her presence will grace their lives forever , ” Sussman said .
Evanna ‘ s sisters Venuska , Svenia , Petrevena and Tevania Tranberg-Bennett , and Ryan Torres , father of two of Venuska ’ s children , pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parents .

Seven relatives of a 12-year-old girl, including her parents and adult sisters, have pleaded guilty to child endangerment for failing to properly care for her before she died of kidney failure and pneumonia.
Steven Bennett, 58, and Heidi Tranberg-Bennett, 47, were initially charged with second-degree manslaughter, a felony, in November, 11 months after their daughter Evanna died at Albany Medical Center.
Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka said the Austerlitz couple and five relatives who lived with them pleaded guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charge Wednesday.
The relatives admitted they were aware of Evanna’s symptoms but didn’t take her to a doctor or hospital soon enough. The criminal complaint said the girl had suffered increasingly severe symptoms of pneumonia and end-stage renal failure for at least a week before her death.
Her parents called 911 after she collapsed in December 2019 at their home in Austerlitz, 28 miles (45 kilometers) south of Albany. In Facebook posts, they said they believed that Evanna had a virus from which other family members had recovered and that she would recover, as well.
Seven other children, ages 2 to 11, were removed from the home by child protective services and placed in foster homes. They included the Tranberg-Bennetts’ three youngest children and four children of one of their daughters who also lived in their large Victorian house.
“My clients remain focused on the return of their seven children/grandchildren who have been held apart from them for more than one year,” their attorney, Michael Sussman, said by email. “The guilty plea was necessary to advance that objective, and represented a compromise common to our criminal justice system.”
The couple said they home-schooled all the children and had a religious exemption from vaccination, but social workers vaccinated them anyway while they were in foster homes.
“My clients have raised beautiful children and love each dearly. They deeply grieve Evanna’s death and her presence will grace their lives forever,” Sussman said.
Evanna’s sisters Venuska, Svenia, Petrevena and Tevania Tranberg-Bennett, and Ryan Torres, father of two of Venuska’s children, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge, along with the parents.
Sentencing is scheduled in February.
.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Police ask for patience in probe of Michigan student's death

ALLENDALE , Mich. ( AP ) - Police investigating the death of a Grand Valley State University student whose body was found last week on campus are asking for the community ’ s patience as they await toxicology results .
Campus police said Thursday that a toxicology report on Taylor DeRosa , 18 , may not be available until “ well into the new year , ” the Grand Rapids Press reported .
Such reports usually involve examining a person ’ s blood and organs for toxins , alcohol , controlled substances and other factors that might cause or contribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university ’ s police chief , Brandon DeHaan , asked the campus community Thursday for patience as the investigation into DeRosa ’ s death continues .
DeRosa , a first-year student from the Detroit area , was found dead by a runner Dec. 12 near sports fields on the Allendale campus .
A vigil was held Wednesday honoring DeRosa ’ s life at the campus ’ Cook Carillon Tower .
Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella said Tuesday in a statement that there is “ much we do not know about the @ @ @ @ @ @

ALLENDALE, Mich. (AP) - Police investigating the death of a Grand Valley State University student whose body was found last week on campus are asking for the community’s patience as they await toxicology results.
Campus police said Thursday that a toxicology report on Taylor DeRosa, 18, may not be available until “well into the new year,” the Grand Rapids Press reported.
Such reports usually involve examining a person’s blood and organs for toxins, alcohol, controlled substances and other factors that might cause or contribute to someone’s death.
The university’s police chief, Brandon DeHaan, asked the campus community Thursday for patience as the investigation into DeRosa’s death continues.
DeRosa, a first-year student from the Detroit area, was found dead by a runner Dec. 12 near sports fields on the Allendale campus. A vigil was held Wednesday honoring DeRosa’s life at the campus’ Cook Carillon Tower.
Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella said Tuesday in a statement that there is “much we do not know about the cause of her death.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--State’s relief fund for Black Oregonians suspends operations

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - The state ’ s new $ 62 million relief fund for Black Oregonians will stop allocating grants and deposit the remaining $ 8.8 million with a federal court while legal challenges against it continue .
The Oregon Cares Fund agreed to deposit its money with the court Thursday after plaintiffs challenging the fund ’ s constitutionality , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Plaintiffs also asked U.S. Judge Karin Immergut to issue a preliminary injunction or restraining order to stop the fund from distributing money on the basis of race .
Immergut had previously denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those instances , the Oregon Cares Fund set aside money for the plaintiffs in case they prevailed in their legal challenges , leading Immergut to find that they couldn ’ t show the irreparable harm needed to warrant an injunction .
But the original plaintiff in the case , John Day logging company , Great Northern Resources , joined with Salem electrical contractor Dynamic Service Fire and Security and its owner , Walter Van Leja , to seek class-action status for the suit earlier in December .
They then filed a new motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cares Fund on behalf of themselves and others in their situation .
Oregon Cares Fund offered to deposit its remaining $ 8.8 million with the court , effectively shutting it down , at least for now .
Lawyers for The Contingent , a nonprofit administering the Oregon Cares Fund , said Thursday that about 7,000 applications for grants from the fund remained pending .
Those applications will remain on hold .
Observers have said it is unlikely that legal challenges would force Black Oregonians who received assistance to repay the money , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose in court .
There were questions about the fund ’ s legality when the Oregon Legislature ’ s Emergency Board voted in July to allocate federal dollars to seed it .
The legislative counsel ’ s office warned that setting aside funds for one race could be considered unconstitutional without strong data and evidence showing “ past discrimination in the economic sphere.
” Gov .
Kate Brown and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum have issued a joint statement backing the fund and promising to defend it .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The state’s new $62 million relief fund for Black Oregonians will stop allocating grants and deposit the remaining $8.8 million with a federal court while legal challenges against it continue.
The Oregon Cares Fund agreed to deposit its money with the court Thursday after plaintiffs challenging the fund’s constitutionality, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Plaintiffs also asked U.S. Judge Karin Immergut to issue a preliminary injunction or restraining order to stop the fund from distributing money on the basis of race.
Immergut had previously denied two requests for an injunction. In those instances, the Oregon Cares Fund set aside money for the plaintiffs in case they prevailed in their legal challenges, leading Immergut to find that they couldn’t show the irreparable harm needed to warrant an injunction.
But the original plaintiff in the case, John Day logging company, Great Northern Resources, joined with Salem electrical contractor Dynamic Service Fire and Security and its owner, Walter Van Leja, to seek class-action status for the suit earlier in December. They then filed a new motion for a preliminary injunction against the Oregon Cares Fund on behalf of themselves and others in their situation.
Oregon Cares Fund offered to deposit its remaining $8.8 million with the court, effectively shutting it down, at least for now.
Lawyers for The Contingent, a nonprofit administering the Oregon Cares Fund, said Thursday that about 7,000 applications for grants from the fund remained pending. Those applications will remain on hold.
Observers have said it is unlikely that legal challenges would force Black Oregonians who received assistance to repay the money, even if the fund and its supporters ultimately lose in court.
There were questions about the fund’s legality when the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board voted in July to allocate federal dollars to seed it. The legislative counsel’s office warned that setting aside funds for one race could be considered unconstitutional without strong data and evidence showing “past discrimination in the economic sphere.”
Gov. Kate Brown and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum have issued a joint statement backing the fund and promising to defend it.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--FBI provides innocent explanation for Trump email domain disappearance

The FBI provided a friendly notification to a Trump Organization computer client during the Russia probe that the firm failed to update Trump ’ s marketing email domain from an old server host to a new one , according to a newly released text message by then-FBI lead investigator Peter Strzok .
The Strzok message provides an innocent explanation for why the domain name system ( DNS ) address was canceled and puts to rest a liberal conspiracy theory of a Donald Trump coverup .
Mr. Strzok ’ s subject matter on the Sept. 23 , 2016 , internal message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest commercial lender run by billionaire oligarchs .
The liberal press and social media blogs alleged during the election , and still today , that Alfa and the Trump Organization maintained a dedicated secret communication link via a computer server .
Thus : evidence of election collusion .
Part of the liberal narrative is that once this allegation reached Alfa Bank , the Trump domain mysteriously vanished .
Agent Strzok tells a different story : the FBI had contacted Central Dynamics which includes subsidiary Cendyn , whose servers in Pennsylvania are used for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2009 .
Over a year ago , Mr. Strzok says , Cendyn shifted the Trump domain to GoDaddy , the firm ’ s new server host .
But the DNS address book , or tables , was not updated .
The Trump-email.com domain still resided at Cendyn .
By the day of his message , Sept. 23 , the connection had ended , Mr. Strzok said , “ indicating they likely updated their DNS tables after the FBI informed them of the oversight.
” What is noteworthy about Mr. Strzok ’ s message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI was looking at anything criminal .
“ Looks to me like they were poking around at it but from the beginning had indications there was nothing nefarious , ” a congressional Republican staffer told The Washington Times .
Mr. Strzok ’ s text messages were released on Thursday by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley , Iowa Republican , and Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson , Wisconsin Republican .
Mr. Strzok talked of more investigative steps needed before coming to a finding .
By February , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no such Alfa-Trump server connection existed , according to a December 2019 report by the Justice Department inspector general .
Computer scientists , one going by the name “ Tea Leaves , ” had posted their Alfa-Trump conspiracies online .
But it was a Slate.com story on Oct. 31 , 2016 , that propelled the story into the ongoing presidential election .
Hillary Clinton tweeted the Slate.Com assertion , as did her chief adviser , Jake Sullivan , the incoming national security adviser for president-elect Joseph R. Biden .
The Slate.com story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter contacted Alfa in September , the “ Trump domain name in question seemed to suddenly stop working.
” That coincides with Mr. Strzok ’ s innocent explanation that same month : the FBI had informed Central Dynamics ( Cendyn ) that it still maintained the obsolete “ Trump-email.com ” domain name and after the notification , the firm terminated it .
On the broader question of whether Alfa-Trump secretly communicated––a theory dismissed by the FBI––Alfa Bank has filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County , Pa. , Court of Commons Pleas against “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit says a hacker , or group of hackers , duped computer scientists and the news media .
The purpose is to try to find out who created phony DNS pings of supposed communication that never actually happened , the lawsuit says .
Alfa lawyers have contacted computer scientists who endorsed and wrote about the conspiracy to see if they can lead them to the hackers .
Alfa ’ s assertions are based on the findings of three cybersecurity firms it hired .
“ Alfa bank in fact engaged in no communications with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the falsely generated and inauthentic DNS queries , ” the court action says .
“ Indeed , Alfa bank has never had any business dealings with the Trump Organization.
” “ Tea Leaves ” findings were promoted during and after the election by Fusion GPS and its co-founder Glenn Simpson , who handled anti-dossier writer Christopher Steele .
The dossier , financed by Democrats , stands today as discredited in its dozen or so felony allegations against President Trump and aides .

The FBI provided a friendly notification to a Trump Organization computer client during the Russia probe that the firm failed to update Trump’s marketing email domain from an old server host to a new one, according to a newly released text message by then-FBI lead investigator Peter Strzok.
The Strzok message provides an innocent explanation for why the domain name system (DNS) address was canceled and puts to rest a liberal conspiracy theory of a Donald Trump coverup.
Mr. Strzok’s subject matter on the Sept. 23, 2016, internal message was Alfa Bank, Russia’s largest commercial lender run by billionaire oligarchs. The liberal press and social media blogs alleged during the election, and still today, that Alfa and the Trump Organization maintained a dedicated secret communication link via a computer server. Thus: evidence of election collusion.
Part of the liberal narrative is that once this allegation reached Alfa Bank, the Trump domain mysteriously vanished.
Agent Strzok tells a different story: the FBI had contacted Central Dynamics which includes subsidiary Cendyn, whose servers in Pennsylvania are used for hotel marketing including the Trump Organization since 2009.
Over a year ago, Mr. Strzok says, Cendyn shifted the Trump domain to GoDaddy, the firm’s new server host.
DOCUMENT: Strzok’s Alfa Bank text message
But the DNS address book, or tables, was not updated. The Trump-email.com domain still resided at Cendyn.
By the day of his message, Sept. 23, the connection had ended, Mr. Strzok said, “indicating they likely updated their DNS tables after the FBI informed them of the oversight.”
What is noteworthy about Mr. Strzok’s message is the lack of expressed concern that the FBI was looking at anything criminal.
“Looks to me like they were poking around at it but from the beginning had indications there was nothing nefarious,” a congressional Republican staffer told The Washington Times.
Mr. Strzok’s text messages were released on Thursday by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, and Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican.
Mr. Strzok talked of more investigative steps needed before coming to a finding. By February, the FBI finished its Alfa probe and concluded that no such Alfa-Trump server connection existed, according to a December 2019 report by the Justice Department inspector general.
Computer scientists, one going by the name “Tea Leaves,” had posted their Alfa-Trump conspiracies online. But it was a Slate.com story on Oct. 31, 2016, that propelled the story into the ongoing presidential election.
Hillary Clinton tweeted the Slate.Com assertion, as did her chief adviser, Jake Sullivan, the incoming national security adviser for president-elect Joseph R. Biden.
The Slate.com story reported that after a New York Times reporter contacted Alfa in September, the “Trump domain name in question seemed to suddenly stop working.”
That coincides with Mr. Strzok’s innocent explanation that same month: the FBI had informed Central Dynamics (Cendyn) that it still maintained the obsolete “Trump-email.com” domain name and after the notification, the firm terminated it.
On the broader question of whether Alfa-Trump secretly communicated––a theory dismissed by the FBI––Alfa Bank has filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County, Pa., Court of Commons Pleas against “John Doe.”
In essence, the lawsuit says a hacker, or group of hackers, duped computer scientists and the news media.
The purpose is to try to find out who created phony DNS pings of supposed communication that never actually happened, the lawsuit says. Alfa lawyers have contacted computer scientists who endorsed and wrote about the conspiracy to see if they can lead them to the hackers.
Alfa’s assertions are based on the findings of three cybersecurity firms it hired.
“Alfa bank in fact engaged in no communications with the Trump Organization in 2016 or 2017 beyond the falsely generated and inauthentic DNS queries,” the court action says. “Indeed, Alfa bank has never had any business dealings with the Trump Organization.”
“Tea Leaves” findings were promoted during and after the election by Fusion GPS and its co-founder Glenn Simpson, who handled anti-dossier writer Christopher Steele. The dossier, financed by Democrats, stands today as discredited in its dozen or so felony allegations against President Trump and aides.
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Rhode Island unemployment ticks up to 7.3%

CRANSTON , R.I. ( AP ) - Rhode Island ’ s unemployment rate ticked up to 7.3 % and the state lost 500 jobs in November , state labor officials announced Thursday .
Last month ’ s rate was up by two-tenths of a percent from October ’ s revised 7.1 % jobless rate , and remains much higher than the state ’ s 3.5 % rate in November 2019 .
The number of unemployed Rhode Island residents classified as available for and seeking work was 39,200 , an increase of 600 from October , according to the data released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Training .
Job losses were greatest in arts , entertainment and recreation , as well as in the educational service industry .
Each of those two sectors reported losing about 700 jobs .
Modest gains were reported in the health care and social assistance sectors as well as in retail trade .
Through November , Rhode Island has now recovered about 58 % of the more than 98,000 lost in March and April when the economy slowed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The national unemployment rate for November was 6.7 % .

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island’s unemployment rate ticked up to 7.3% and the state lost 500 jobs in November, state labor officials announced Thursday.
Last month’s rate was up by two-tenths of a percent from October’s revised 7.1% jobless rate, and remains much higher than the state’s 3.5% rate in November 2019.
The number of unemployed Rhode Island residents classified as available for and seeking work was 39,200, an increase of 600 from October, according to the data released by the state Department of Labor and Training.
Job losses were greatest in two sectors: arts, entertainment and recreation, as well as in educational services. Both sectors reported losing about 700 jobs each. Modest gains were reported in the health care and social assistance sectors as well as in retail trade.
Through November, Rhode Island has now recovered about 58% of the more than 98,000 lost in March and April when the economy slowed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The national unemployment rate for November was 6.7%.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Berlin film festival postponed to later in 2021 due to virus

BERLIN ( AP ) - The annual Berlin International Film Festival is being put off this year due to the @ @ @ @ @ two parts later in 2021 , organizers said Friday .
The “ Berlinale ” had @ @ @ @ @ the German capital but can not go ahead due to the likelihood that coronavirus restrictions @ @ @ @ @ , organizers said .
To give the film industry a venue to market their products @ @ @ @ @ however , a virtual Berlinale will be held online in March .
Then in June @ @ @ @ @ summer event with numerous film screenings for the public in theaters and the open air @ @ @ @ @ it possible to maintain the two supporting pillars : film market and festival , ” @ @ @

BERLIN (AP) - The annual Berlin International Film Festival is being put off this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and split into two parts later in 2021, organizers said Friday.
The “Berlinale” had been scheduled for February in the German capital but cannot go ahead due to the likelihood that coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings will continue, organizers said.
To give the film industry a venue to market their products in the first quarter, however, a virtual Berlinale will be held online in March. Then in June, organizers are scheduling a summer event with numerous film screenings for the public in theaters and the open air.
“The division makes it possible to maintain the two supporting pillars: film market and festival,” organizers said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Connecticut nursing homes to begin COVID-19 vaccinations

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Coronavirus vaccinations at Connecticut nursing homes were scheduled to begin for the first time Friday , three days earlier than first planned .
Residents and staff at The Reservoir in West Hartford and four unnamed long-term care facilities were to receive the Pfizer vaccine , as part of a state-federal effort to begin vaccinations sooner .
Nursing home vaccinations in Connecticut were initially planned to begin Monday .
Gov .
Ned Lamont is scheduled to be at the West Hartford facility Friday morning to launch the state ’ s nursing home vaccination program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Geballe , called “ an historic first step ” for Connecticut .
Nursing home residents in West Virginia and Florida began receiving shots earlier this week , with other states expected to begin vaccinations soon .
It ’ s not clear how many vaccine doses will initially be provided to the five nursing homes where vaccinations were to begin Friday .
Officials say it ’ s expected to take three clinics per facility to get all staff and residents vaccinated .
The pharmacy CVS will handle the vaccinations at the five nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s long-term care facilities have already chosen CVS to administer their COVID-19 vaccinations , according to the governor ’ s office .
The state had been planning for the first vaccine shipments for nursing homes - about 16,575 doses - to be transported to CVS and Walgreens distribution centers by Monday and then sent to long-term care facilities throughout the state .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Health care workers began vaccinations in Connecticut nursing homes Friday, calling the containers “vials of hope,” with the aim of ending the devastation the coronavirus is causing to elderly residents and their families.
Residents and staff at The Reservoir care facility in West Hartford were among the first in the state to receive the Pfizer shots. Four other nursing homes in Connecticut also were expected to begin vaccinations, which were given three days earlier than planned.
“Over the last nine months-plus, we’ve connected together in a shared struggle and shared grief as we’ve faced tragedy on a scale that we could never have imagined,” said Dr. Rich Feifer, chief medical officer at Genesis HealthCare, which operates The Reservoir. “But these vials of hope have arrived. Today is a historic day and this vaccine is critical to our ability to end this pandemic.”
Feifer was first to receive the vaccine.
Nurse Sophia Walker was the third person to receive a dose, saying she hoped to inspire confidence in the vaccine among the Black community.
African Americans have a distrust in the government and the medical community that often is linked to the Tuskegee experiment, in which Black men in Alabama were left untreated for syphilis as part of a study that ran from the 1930s into the ’70s.
“In terms of me being a minority, we don’t want to take it because of … the Tuskegee incident,” said Walker, who is Black. “So I know I’m setting a great example for the Black community. I’m happy to be an example for that.”
The first resident to receive the vaccine was 95-year-old Jeanne Peters, who said she was delighted and hoped others would get vaccinated.
It was not clear exactly how many vaccine doses were initially provided to the five nursing homes where vaccinations began Friday. The state initially planned for the first vaccine shipments for nursing homes - about 16,575 doses - to be transported to CVS and Walgreens distribution centers by Monday and then sent to long-term care facilities throughout the state.
Nursing home vaccinations in the U.S. began this week in West Virginia and Florida.
COVID-19 has heavily afflicted nursing home populations around the country. In Connecticut, 3,315 nursing home residents have died from the virus since the pandemic began, representing about 60% of the 5,552 total virus-related deaths in the state. Within the past week, 84 nursing home residents have died and 476 tested positive for the virus.
“This virus has taken a toll on families who’ve been unable to visit their loved ones, on workers whose jobs were difficult and challenging even before the pandemic began,” said Dr. Deidre S. Gifford, the state’s acting public health commissioner. “And it has robbed our seniors in nursing homes of the vital social contacts and the visits from friends and loved ones that keep them connected to the broader world.”
That’s why Friday was “a remarkable and joyful day in Connecticut,” Gifford said.
Gov. Ned Lamont also praised the arrival of the vaccine, which requires two doses three weeks apart. But he urged families to continue to stay home as much as possible as Christmas approaches to try to prevent more outbreaks.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Michael Flynn proposes Donald Trump seize voting machines, 'basically rerun' presidential election

Michael T. Flynn , President Trump ’ s former national security adviser , again denied the outcome of the recent White House race Thursday and suggested deploying the military to “ basically rerun ” the election .
Mr. Flynn , a retired Army lieutenant general , reiterated during a TV interview that he believes Mr. Trump won his failed race for reelection despite having decisively lost to President-elect Joseph R. Biden .
Appearing on Newsmax , Mr. Flynn , 61 , argued Mr. Trump still has options to remain in office , including seizing voting machines used to cast ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversee a new one .
“ I mean , he could immediately , on his order , seize every single one of these machines around the country , on his order , ” said Mr. Flynn .
“ He could also order — he could order , within the swing states , if he wanted to — he could take military capabilities , and he could place them in those states and basically rerun an election in each of those states , ” Mr. Flynn added .
Mr. Flynn acknowledged earlier in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president would consider either course of action but argued he should act on them immediately .
“ I don ’ t know if he ’ s going to take any of these options , ” Mr. Flynn said .
“ I mean , the president has to plan for every eventuality , because we can not allow this election and the integrity of our election to go the way it is.
” Mr. Flynn left the Trump administration shortly after it started in 2017 while under federal investigation .
He later pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump granted him a full pardon last month .
The Electoral College effectively cemented Mr. Biden ’ s victory Monday , but Mr. Trump insists he won the race and has not conceded .
Numerous supporters of Mr. Trump have suggested he take the despotic step of deploying the military to deal with being defeated by his Democratic rival , Mr. Flynn among the most prominent to propose it .
While he said on Newsmax that Mr. Trump could deploy the military to conduct a redo of the presidential election , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was recommending the president declare martial law .
“ I mean , it ’ s not unprecedented , ” he said .
“ I mean , these people out there talking about martial law , it ’ s like it ’ s something that we ’ ve never done .
We ’ ve done — martial law has been instituted 64 times .
So I ’ m not calling for that.
” Martial law typically refers to putting the military in control of traditionally civilian functions , including but not limited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Flynn shared a press release on social media earlier this month that urged Mr. Trump to invoke “ limited martial law ” and have the military conduct a national “ revote ” of the election .
Others who have similarly recommended as much include the Newsmax hosts known as Diamond and Silk , actor Ricky Schroder and lawyer Sidney Powell , a former member of the Trump campaign ’ s legal team .
Allegations involving the presidential election being “ rigged ” or rife with fraud as claimed by Mr. Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , discredited or uncorroborated .
Federal officials in charge of ensuring the election took place securely insist they succeeded .

Michael T. Flynn, President Trump’s former national security adviser, again denied the outcome of the recent White House race Thursday and suggested deploying the military to “basically rerun” the election.
Mr. Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, reiterated during a TV interview that he believes Mr. Trump won his failed race for reelection despite having decisively lost to President-elect Joseph R. Biden.
Appearing on Newsmax, Mr. Flynn, 61, argued Mr. Trump still has options to remain in office, including seizing voting machines used to cast ballots in the election and having the military oversee a new one.
“I mean, he could immediately, on his order, seize every single one of these machines around the country, on his order,” said Mr. Flynn.
“He could also order — he could order, within the swing states, if he wanted to — he could take military capabilities, and he could place them in those states and basically rerun an election in each of those states,” Mr. Flynn added.
Mr. Flynn acknowledged earlier in the interview that he was unsure if the president would consider either course of action but argued he should act on them immediately.
“I don’t know if he’s going to take any of these options,” Mr. Flynn said. “I mean, the president has to plan for every eventuality, because we cannot allow this election and the integrity of our election to go the way it is.”
Mr. Flynn left the Trump administration shortly after it started in 2017 while under federal investigation. He later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, but Mr. Trump granted him a full pardon last month.
The Electoral College effectively cemented Mr. Biden’s victory Monday, but Mr. Trump insists he won the race and has not conceded.
Numerous supporters of Mr. Trump have suggested he take the despotic step of deploying the military to deal with being defeated by his Democratic rival, Mr. Flynn among the most prominent to propose it.
While he said on Newsmax that Mr. Trump could deploy the military to conduct a redo of the presidential election, Mr. Flynn, a combat veteran, denied he was recommending the president declare martial law.
“I mean, it’s not unprecedented,” he said. “I mean, these people out there talking about martial law, it’s like it’s something that we’ve never done. We’ve done — martial law has been instituted 64 times. So I’m not calling for that.”
Martial law typically refers to putting the military in control of traditionally civilian functions, including but not limited to conducting and overseeing elections.
Previously, Mr. Flynn shared a press release on social media earlier this month that urged Mr. Trump to invoke “limited martial law” and have the military conduct a national “revote” of the election.
Others who have similarly recommended as much include the Newsmax hosts known as Diamond and Silk, actor Ricky Schroder and lawyer Sidney Powell, a former member of the Trump campaign’s legal team.
Allegations involving the presidential election being “rigged” or rife with fraud as claimed by Mr. Trump and some of his supporters have been debunked, discredited or uncorroborated.
Federal officials in charge of ensuring the election took place securely insist they succeeded.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Auburn police fatally shoot armed fugitive

AUBURN , Wash. ( AP ) - An armed fugitive was shot and killed by Auburn police officers while trying @ @ @ @ @ arrest Thursday night .
Auburn officers responded to the report of a disabled car just @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Officers discovered one of the men in the car had a warrant for @ @ @ @ @ take him into custody , but he ran off .
Officers ran after him but @ @ @ @ @ pulled a gun and aimed it at the officers , a police spokesperson said .
@ @ @ @ @ the man .
Medics rushed to the scene to treat the wounded man , but @ @ @ @ @ Investigators say they recovered a gun near the man ’ s body .
The man @ @ @ @ @ released .
Officers didn ’ t reveal the subject of the man ’ s warrant @

AUBURN, Wash. (AP) - An armed fugitive was shot and killed by Auburn police officers while trying to get away during his arrest Thursday night.
Auburn officers responded to the report of a disabled car just after 8 p.m., KOMO-TV reported. Officers discovered one of the men in the car had a warrant for his arrest and attempted to take him into custody, but he ran off.
Officers ran after him but moments later, the suspect pulled a gun and aimed it at the officers, a police spokesperson said. One of the officers shot the man.
Medics rushed to the scene to treat the wounded man, but he was pronounced dead. Investigators say they recovered a gun near the man’s body.
The man’s name was not released. Officers didn’t reveal the subject of the man’s warrant.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Suspected foreign fighter extradited to Denmark from Turkey

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - A court in Denmark on Friday ordered a Danish national facing terror charges on suspicion of having fought alongside the Islamic State group in Syria held in pre-trial custody until Jan. 6 .
The 32-year-old man was arrested Thursday when he arrived in Copenhagen having been extradited from Turkey .
The Copenhagen police said he had been in custody since he was arrested on an international warrant in January by Turkish authorities .
Police did not give the man ’ s name , but Danish media widely identified him as Jacob El-Ali , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect has been sought since December 2014 for supporting terrorism after he posted photos of himself standing with severed heads and praised the Islamic State group .
In October of the following year , he was also suspected of promoting terrorism for allegedly having fought for the Islamic State group and for having planned a trip to Syria for at least one other person .
On Friday , he was charged with having been recruited himself and attempting to recruit several other people to join the Muslim extremists .
Danish media said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Syria .
He also has claimed that he was a spy there for the Syrians .
If found guilty , he faces up to six years in prison .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - A court in Denmark on Friday ordered a Danish national facing terror charges on suspicion of having fought alongside the Islamic State group in Syria held in pre-trial custody until Jan. 6.
The 32-year-old man was arrested Thursday when he arrived in Copenhagen having been extradited from Turkey. The Copenhagen police said he had been in custody since he was arrested on an international warrant in January by Turkish authorities.
Police did not give the man’s name, but Danish media widely identified him as Jacob El-Ali, who has a Lebanese-Palestinian background.
The suspect has been sought since December 2014 for supporting terrorism after he posted photos of himself standing with severed heads and praised the Islamic State group. In October of the following year, he was also suspected of promoting terrorism for allegedly having fought for the Islamic State group and for having planned a trip to Syria for at least one other person.
On Friday, he was charged with having been recruited himself and attempting to recruit several other people to join the Muslim extremists. Danish media said he pleaded not guilty but admitted having been in Syria. He also has claimed that he was a spy there for the Syrians.
If found guilty, he faces up to six years in prison.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Investigators: Emails to Dodge City mayor weren't threats

DODGE CITY , Kan. ( AP ) - Several investigators have concluded that angry emails about mask requirements that prompted a Kansas mayor to resign did not directly threaten her safety .
Dodge City Mayor Joyce Warshaw resigned Tuesday .
She said she did not feel safe continuing in the role because of threatening communications she received after she was quoted in a USA Today article supporting the city ’ s mask mandate in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Dodge City investigators , the city prosecutor and the Ford County prosecutor reviewed three emails sent to Warshaw before concluding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The emails had only summary lines with the messages , “ You and your city council should be tried for murder ; ” “ History will scorn you ; ” and “ There is a good chance you and your commissioners will burn in hell , ” according to a summary of the investigation released Wednesday .
“ No specific , direct , or implied threat was directed at Mayor Warshaw .
The text contained in the subject lines were more in line with an individual ’ s opinion rather than a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in the summary .
City prosecutor Mark Cowell and Ford County Attorney Kevin Salzman agreed with that opinion .
Salzman said there were no threats directly implying an act to commit violence , such as “ You ’ ll get yours ” or “ watch your back.
” Investigators determined the emails were sent by a John Brawner from Kentucky , The Dodge City Daily Globe reported .
Thompson said Brawner acknowledged sending the emails after he “ had a few beers ” and read the article about Dodge City ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying health conditions and was frustrated people were not wearing masks .
Brawner also said he felt the city commission should have acted sooner - it passed the mask mandate on Nov. 16 - and that his emails were not intended to be threats .
Kentucky law enforcement officers found no records to raise concern about possible violence from Brawner , Thompson said .
“ I am very happy these three emails were found to be non-threatening although I still received verbal and other forms of communication that I found troubling and concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initially , when I received these emails with all others , I felt like they were from someone in Dodge City that created a false email account to send them.
” The city ’ s counsel , Brad Ralph , said it is never appropriate to send abusive communications to elected officials who are trying to do their best in difficult situations .
“ But the city is also relieved to determine that the communications in question did not originate from any citizens of Dodge City or even Kansas residents , and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ express displeasure with the fact that the city did not adopt a mask protocol sooner , ” Ralph said .

DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) - Several investigators have concluded that angry emails about mask requirements that prompted a Kansas mayor to resign did not directly threaten her safety.
Dodge City Mayor Joyce Warshaw resigned Tuesday. She said she did not feel safe continuing in the role because of threatening communications she received after she was quoted in a USA Today article supporting the city’s mask mandate in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dodge City investigators, the city prosecutor and the Ford County prosecutor reviewed three emails sent to Warshaw before concluding they were not threats against her. They said the man who sent the emails supports mask mandates and was frustrated that the city hadn’t acted faster to fight the virus.
The emails had only summary lines with the messages, “You and your city council should be tried for murder;” “History will scorn you;” and “There is a good chance you and your commissioners will burn in hell,” according to a summary of the investigation released Wednesday.
“No specific, direct, or implied threat was directed at Mayor Warshaw. The text contained in the subject lines were more in line with an individual’s opinion rather than a threat,” detective Sgt. James Thompson wrote in the summary.
City prosecutor Mark Cowell and Ford County Attorney Kevin Salzman agreed with that opinion.
Salzman said there were no threats directly implying an act to commit violence, such as “You’ll get yours” or “watch your back.”
Investigators determined the emails were sent by a John Brawner from Kentucky, The Dodge City Daily Globe reported.
Thompson said Brawner acknowledged sending the emails after he “had a few beers” and read the article about Dodge City’s COVID-19 infections. He said he had underlying health conditions and was frustrated people were not wearing masks.
Brawner also said he felt the city commission should have acted sooner - it passed the mask mandate on Nov. 16 - and that his emails were not intended to be threats.
Kentucky law enforcement officers found no records to raise concern about possible violence from Brawner, Thompson said.
“I am very happy these three emails were found to be non-threatening although I still received verbal and other forms of communication that I found troubling and concerning,” Warshaw said Thursday. “Initially, when I received these emails with all others, I felt like they were from someone in Dodge City that created a false email account to send them.”
The city’s counsel, Brad Ralph, said it is never appropriate to send abusive communications to elected officials who are trying to do their best in difficult situations.
“But the city is also relieved to determine that the communications in question did not originate from any citizens of Dodge City or even Kansas residents, and were, in essence, an attempt to express displeasure with the fact that the city did not adopt a mask protocol sooner,” Ralph said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--United: CDC looks into death of man on flight from Florida

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - United Airlines has given information about other passengers to federal health officials after a man who possibly had coronavirus-like symptoms died shortly after being on a flight , the airline said Friday .
The coast-to-coast flight took off Monday from Orlando , Florida and was diverted to New Orleans because the man experienced a medical emergency on board .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked United for the passenger manifest so other passengers can be told that they might have been exposed to a disease , spokesman Charles Hobart said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flight saying he had not tested positive for COVID-19 and had no symptoms of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , according to the airline .
“ It is apparent the passenger wrongly acknowledged this requirement , ” United said .
United said the CDC did not specify the man ’ s cause of death , and United does not know whether it was COVID-19 .
But , the airline said , the man ’ s wife was overheard telling an emergency medical technician that he had shown symptoms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smell .
The CDC is collecting information to decide whether further public health action is appropriate , an agency spokesman said in a text message .
“ To protect the privacy of the individual , we aren ’ t providing this information to the public.
” All four flight attendants were quarantined for two weeks once they arrived at Los Angeles , “ per written guidelines , ” said Taylor Garland , spokeswoman for Association of Flight Attendants .
“ Our union continues to provide support to the crew , ” Garland said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with airline COVID policies and stay home if you ’ re sick.
” A woman who tweeted Monday night that she had overheard the man ’ s wife saying he had COVID-19 did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press .
The plane was bound from Orlando , Florida , to Los Angeles , but made an emergency landing in New Orleans .
The man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead , according to the airline .
Hobart said United originally was told that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers were allowed to stay on the plane and complete the flight to Los Angeles or take a later flight .
The airline said all passengers stayed on the plane .
David Koenig in Dallas and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this report .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - United Airlines has given information about other passengers to federal health officials after a man who possibly had coronavirus-like symptoms died shortly after being on a flight, the airline said Friday.
The coast-to-coast flight took off Monday from Orlando, Florida and was diverted to New Orleans because the man experienced a medical emergency on board.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked United for the passenger manifest so other passengers can be told that they might have been exposed to a disease, spokesman Charles Hobart said.
The passenger had filled out a form before the flight saying he had not tested positive for COVID-19 and had no symptoms of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the airline.
“It is apparent the passenger wrongly acknowledged this requirement,” United said.
United said the CDC did not specify the man’s cause of death, and United does not know whether it was COVID-19. But, the airline said, the man’s wife was overheard telling an emergency medical technician that he had shown symptoms of the disease, including loss of taste and smell.
The CDC is collecting information to decide whether further public health action is appropriate, an agency spokesman said in a text message. “To protect the privacy of the individual, we aren’t providing this information to the public.”
All four flight attendants were quarantined for two weeks once they arrived at Los Angeles, “per written guidelines,” said Taylor Garland, spokeswoman for Association of Flight Attendants.
“Our union continues to provide support to the crew,” Garland said. “We urge passengers to comply with airline COVID policies and stay home if you’re sick.”
A woman who tweeted Monday night that she had overheard the man’s wife saying he had COVID-19 did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
The plane was bound from Orlando, Florida, to Los Angeles, but made an emergency landing in New Orleans. The man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the airline.
Hobart said United originally was told that he died from heart trouble, so passengers were allowed to stay on the plane and complete the flight to Los Angeles or take a later flight. The airline said all passengers stayed on the plane.
___
David Koenig in Dallas and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Italy imposes partial lockdown for Christmas holiday

MILAN ( AP ) - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte on Friday announced there will be a partial lockdown nationwide for most of the Christmas holiday season , citing concerns that gatherings of families and friends could re-ignite the virus ’ s spread .
The new decree puts strict limits on movements on holidays and weekends from Dec. 21 through the Jan. 6 Epiphany holiday , with a slight easing on four weekdays .
To allow a glimmer of Christmas cheer , personal visits to friends or family members of no more than two people are allowed on any given day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Veneto and Lazio registered a rate of transmission of over 1 , meaning the virus is again spreading in three key regions after weeks of decrease in the contagion curve .
The national rate is 0.86 , meaning on average the curve is flattening .
“ The virus continues to circulate everywhere .
We can bend it , but we can not defeat it , ’ ’ Conte said .
“ This is why even among our experts there is a strong concern that the contagion curve could surge during the Christmas period.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit by the pandemic , and also has recorded the highest death toll in Europe , reaching nearly 67,900 on Friday .
Conte said the launch of the vaccination program Dec. 27 will mark the beginning of “ the end of this nightmare.
” The new restrictions will mean no Christmas lunches in restaurants , as had been foreseen in a previous decree , although take-out and deliveries are allowed .
To soften the blow to a sector already devastated , the decree includes 645 million euros in aid .
In anticipation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which already had been announced , many people moved up holiday travel to this weekend .
The new decree further limits movements to the towns and cities of residence , and during the partial lockdown period permits outings only for work , health reasons and necessities like grocery shopping or going to the pharmacy .
On four non-holiday weekdays , other stores will be open for business until 9 p.m .
In addition , a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew will remain in place throughout the duration .
Conte said the strengthened measures were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a way to better protect ourselves , and also in view of the general resumption of activities that will come in January .
”

MILAN (AP) - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte on Friday announced there will be a partial lockdown nationwide for most of the Christmas holiday season, citing concerns that gatherings of families and friends could re-ignite the virus’s spread.
The new decree puts strict limits on movements on holidays and weekends from Dec. 21 through the Jan. 6 Epiphany holiday, with a slight easing on four weekdays. To allow a glimmer of Christmas cheer, personal visits to friends or family members of no more than two people are allowed on any given day.
Conte called the limits “a painful decision.”
The move comes as Lombardy, Veneto and Lazio registered a rate of transmission of over 1, meaning the virus is again spreading in three key regions after weeks of decrease in the contagion curve. The national rate is 0.86, meaning on average the curve is flattening.
“The virus continues to circulate everywhere. We can bend it, but we cannot defeat it,’’ Conte said. “This is why even among our experts there is a strong concern that the contagion curve could surge during the Christmas period.”
Italy was the first Western country hit by the pandemic, and also has recorded the highest death toll in Europe, reaching nearly 67,900 on Friday. Conte said the launch of the vaccination program Dec. 27 will mark the beginning of “the end of this nightmare.”
The new restrictions will mean no Christmas lunches in restaurants, as had been foreseen in a previous decree, although take-out and deliveries are allowed. To soften the blow to a sector already devastated, the decree includes 645 million euros in aid.
In anticipation of the ban on movement between regions, which already had been announced, many people moved up holiday travel to this weekend.
The new decree further limits movements to the towns and cities of residence, and during the partial lockdown period permits outings only for work, health reasons and necessities like grocery shopping or going to the pharmacy. On four non-holiday weekdays, other stores will be open for business until 9 p.m.
In addition, a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew will remain in place throughout the duration.
Conte said the strengthened measures were necessary to “confront the upcoming holidays in a way to better protect ourselves, and also in view of the general resumption of activities that will come in January.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Prosecutor releases security video of Ohio judge being shot

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - Surveillance video showing an Ohio judge being shot and wounded at a courthouse before the assailant was himself shot and killed has been released by a county prosecutor .
The video was made public by Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin following a three-year open records fight for the footage brought by The Associated Press .
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last month the video is a public record that should be released .
The court rejected the prosecutor ’ s arguments that releasing the video could endanger court personnel by revealing details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. being shot outside a courthouse in Steubenville in eastern Ohio in August 2017 by Nathaniel Richmond and then Richmond being killed by a probation officer .
In the video , which does not have sound , Bruzzese walks toward the courthouse when Richmond approaches from a parking lot and appears to begin firing .
Bruzzese raises his hands in self-defense , stumbles but doesn ’ t fall , then struggles with Richmond who appears to drop his gun .
Bruzzese then falls into the street , wields his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to hit Richmond , who limps away .
Richmond runs to his car and the judge stands , still in a shooting stance .
Meanwhile , the officer runs from around the corner of a parking lot as Richmond pulls backward in a car .
The officer shoots Richmond and the car stops across the parking lot .
Remarkably , the judge - who was shot in the abdomen - stays standing and even walks across the street .
About 10 seconds later , two armed deputies emerge from the courthouse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ under seven minutes later , an ambulance pulls up .
Richmond , 51 , had a pending wrongful death lawsuit in front of Bruzzese at the time .
The judge recovered and later returned to the bench .
The day of the shooting , the AP asked for a copy of the surveillance video recorded by a camera positioned in front of the courthouse .
Hanlin denied that request , saying the video was a confidential law enforcement record and part of the courthouse ’ s infrastructure security system , among other arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear the case after the Ohio Court of Claims sided with the AP and appeals court later ruled against the AP .
The Jefferson County prosecutor never provided any evidence about how the county was using the video footage of the shooting for security purposes , said Justice Michael Donnelly , who wrote the court ’ s unanimous opinion .
“ That this incident and response were readily observable to the public would seemingly undermine the concern that the video might disclose something that an eyewitness would not have seen , ” Donnelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respected the decision but was disappointed by it .
The decision was the first time the high court ruled on a public records challenge brought under a 2016 law allowing non-lawyers to make requests through the Ohio Court of Claims .
Media advocacy groups and media companies supporting the AP in a court filing include the Ohio Coalition for Open Government , Ohio Association of Broadcasters , the Society of Professional Journalists , E.W .
Scripps Co. and Gannett Co .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Surveillance video showing an Ohio judge being shot and wounded at a courthouse before the assailant was himself shot and killed has been released by a county prosecutor.
The video was made public by Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin following a three-year open records fight for the footage brought by The Associated Press. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last month the video is a public record that should be released.
The court rejected the prosecutor’s arguments that releasing the video could endanger court personnel by revealing details of security protocol.
The video shows Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. being shot outside a courthouse in Steubenville in eastern Ohio in August 2017 by Nathaniel Richmond and then Richmond being killed by a probation officer.
In the video, which does not have sound, Bruzzese walks toward the courthouse when Richmond approaches from a parking lot and appears to begin firing. Bruzzese raises his hands in self-defense, stumbles but doesn’t fall, then struggles with Richmond who appears to drop his gun.
Bruzzese then falls into the street, wields his own gun, appears to begin firing and to hit Richmond, who limps away.
Richmond runs to his car and the judge stands, still in a shooting stance. Meanwhile, the officer runs from around the corner of a parking lot as Richmond pulls backward in a car. The officer shoots Richmond and the car stops across the parking lot. Remarkably, the judge - who was shot in the abdomen - stays standing and even walks across the street.
About 10 seconds later, two armed deputies emerge from the courthouse. More officers arrive, and then just under seven minutes later, an ambulance pulls up.
Richmond, 51, had a pending wrongful death lawsuit in front of Bruzzese at the time. The judge recovered and later returned to the bench.
The day of the shooting, the AP asked for a copy of the surveillance video recorded by a camera positioned in front of the courthouse. Hanlin denied that request, saying the video was a confidential law enforcement record and part of the courthouse’s infrastructure security system, among other arguments.
The state Supreme Court agreed to hear the case after the Ohio Court of Claims sided with the AP and appeals court later ruled against the AP.
The Jefferson County prosecutor never provided any evidence about how the county was using the video footage of the shooting for security purposes, said Justice Michael Donnelly, who wrote the court’s unanimous opinion.
“That this incident and response were readily observable to the public would seemingly undermine the concern that the video might disclose something that an eyewitness would not have seen,” Donnelly wrote.
Hanlin has said her office respected the decision but was disappointed by it.
The decision was the first time the high court ruled on a public records challenge brought under a 2016 law allowing non-lawyers to make requests through the Ohio Court of Claims.
Media advocacy groups and media companies supporting the AP in a court filing include the Ohio Coalition for Open Government, Ohio Association of Broadcasters, the Society of Professional Journalists, E.W. Scripps Co. and Gannett Co.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Ohio State tallies hundreds more instances of abuse by doc

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - Ohio State University has tallied hundreds more instances of alleged decades-old sexual misconduct by now-deceased team doctor Richard Strauss , bringing the total to more than 2,000 , according to its latest campus crime data disclosed under the federal Clery Act .
Hundreds of men allege Strauss abused them during his two-decade tenure at the school .
It reported that about 2,200 total instances of fondling and 127 instances of rape attributed to Strauss came to light in 2018 and 2019 through lawsuits , direct reports to the university and a law firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in 2005 .
No one has publicly defended him .
The investigation conducted after an ex-wrestler raised allegations in 2018 concluded Strauss ‘ misconduct occurred in his work with various athletic teams , a student health center and an off-campus clinic .
About 400 men sued the university over its failure to stop him despite students raising concerns with school employees as early as 1979 .
Many of the men say they were groped during exams .
The university apologized and pledged a “ monetary resolution ” for those Strauss harmed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in settlements for 185 of the plaintiffs .
More lawsuits are pending .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio State University has tallied hundreds more instances of alleged decades-old sexual misconduct by now-deceased team doctor Richard Strauss, bringing the total to more than 2,000, according to its latest campus crime data disclosed under the federal Clery Act.
Hundreds of men allege Strauss abused them during his two-decade tenure at the school.
It reported that about 2,200 total instances of fondling and 127 instances of rape attributed to Strauss came to light in 2018 and 2019 through lawsuits, direct reports to the university and a law firm investigation conducted for Ohio State.
Strauss died in 2005. No one has publicly defended him.
The investigation conducted after an ex-wrestler raised allegations in 2018 concluded Strauss’ misconduct occurred in his work with various athletic teams, a student health center and an off-campus clinic.
About 400 men sued the university over its failure to stop him despite students raising concerns with school employees as early as 1979. Many of the men say they were groped during exams.
The university apologized and pledged a “monetary resolution” for those Strauss harmed. It has reached nearly $47 million in settlements for 185 of the plaintiffs. More lawsuits are pending.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Albuquerque to consider smaller emergency homeless shelters

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - City officials in New Mexico have scrapped a plan to build one large 300-bed homeless shelter and are now considering a series of smaller facilities with at least 100 beds each throughout the community .
Mayor Tim Keller did not identify on Thursday how many emergency shelter beds would be included in one of the locations it is attempting to buy , The Albuquerque Journal reported .
Keller said the plan was “ fluid ” since the city has not yet purchased the former Lovelace hospital in Albuquerque .
“ We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the game plan , but until we can actually purchase it , we ’ re going one step at a time , ” he said .
Family and Community Services Director Carol Pierce said city officials estimate smaller shelters could house between 100 and 150 beds .
The size and scope of the shelter component of the facility is likely to be a source of contention , officials said .
City Councilor Pat Davis said he believes current zoning would redistrict the property to 30 non-medical shelter beds and limit its community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department has said the current zoning for the Gibson site does not have a bed capacity .
Davis said he wants Keller ’ s administration to conduct an “ honest evaluation ” of resources to determine how many people could be helped at the facility before seeking conditional use approval .
The zoning allows for conditional use as an overnight shelter .
“ The capacity of a gateway center should depend on ability to serve people , not a desire to warehouse people out of sight , ” Davis told the Journal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a population count for people living on the street in early 2021 , but believes they are currently providing emergency shelter to more people than ever before with more than 700 across multiple properties .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - City officials in New Mexico have scrapped a plan to build one large 300-bed homeless shelter and are now considering a series of smaller facilities with at least 100 beds each throughout the community.
Mayor Tim Keller did not identify on Thursday how many emergency shelter beds would be included in one of the locations it is attempting to buy, The Albuquerque Journal reported.
Keller said the plan was “fluid” since the city has not yet purchased the former Lovelace hospital in Albuquerque. “We’ll get very definitive about beds, redesign and the game plan, but until we can actually purchase it, we’re going one step at a time,” he said.
Family and Community Services Director Carol Pierce said city officials estimate smaller shelters could house between 100 and 150 beds.
The size and scope of the shelter component of the facility is likely to be a source of contention, officials said.
City Councilor Pat Davis said he believes current zoning would redistrict the property to 30 non-medical shelter beds and limit its community impact. However, the city planning department has said the current zoning for the Gibson site does not have a bed capacity.
Davis said he wants Keller’s administration to conduct an “honest evaluation” of resources to determine how many people could be helped at the facility before seeking conditional use approval. The zoning allows for conditional use as an overnight shelter.
“The capacity of a gateway center should depend on ability to serve people, not a desire to warehouse people out of sight,” Davis told the Journal.
Officials have said the city is expecting a population count for people living on the street in early 2021, but believes they are currently providing emergency shelter to more people than ever before with more than 700 across multiple properties.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Mormons add call to eradicate prejudice, racism to handbook

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints added new language to the faith ’ s handbook Friday imploring members to root out prejudice and racism , adding significance and permanence to recent comments by top leaders on one of the most sensitive topics in the church ’ s history .
The faith ’ s past ban on Black men in the lay priesthood , which stood until 1978 , remains a delicate issue for members and non-members alike .
The church disavowed the ban in a 2013 essay , saying it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divide that influenced the church ’ s early teachings , but it never issued a formal apology - a sore spot for some members .
Racial injustice has since surged to the forefront of global consciousness following the police killing of George Floyd , a Black man , in Minnesota that led to widespread protests this summer .
In the handbook from the faith widely known as the Mormon church , the new section on prejudice echoes advice in a string of speeches by top leaders this year , reminding 16 million members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s standing with God depends on devotion to the commandments , not the color of their skin .
“ The church calls on all people to abandon attitudes and actions of prejudice toward any group or individuals , ” it said .
“ Members of the church should lead out in promoting respect for all of God ’ s children.
” It notes that prejudice can be based on “ race , ethnicity , nationality , tribe , gender , age , disability , socioeconomic status , religious belief or nonbelief , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of a more strident tone church leaders have been trying to take against racism in the last five years , said W. Paul Reeve , the Simmons professor of Mormon studies at the University of Utah .
The handbook entry gives the message more “ cachet and power , ” he said .
“ It signals an ongoing commitment to eradicate or even be at the forefront of eradicating racial prejudice , ” Reeve said .
“ It is now part of the official handbook that local leaders have and can refer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also in giving guidance and direction from the pulpit.
” Preaching for the elimination of racism in speeches and handbook entries is a step in the right direction , but the faith must back that with action to combat systemic racism that remains in the church , said Phylicia Norris-Jimenez , a Black church member from Dallas .
She is part of the grassroots Black LDS Legacy Committee , a group of women who organize annual conferences to discuss race issues in the faith .
Members who exhibit racist behaviors should be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before disciplinary councils , she said .
“ We can say all these really nice things , but our members are still ignorant as to what it ( racism ) even means , ” Norris-Jimenez said .
“ They are unwilling to learn what that looks in order to be better.
” Rooting out racism is becoming a hallmark of church President Russell M. Nelson ’ s tenure , said Patrick Mason , a religious scholar who is the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University .
Since assuming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has preached for racial harmony and mutual respect and launched a formal partnership with the NAACP .
Nelson , a 96-year-old former heart surgeon , delivered a speech about racism at a church conference in October and echoed those sentiments in a speech to students at church-owned Brigham Young University .
Including a strongly worded edict in the handbook gives the message more gravity because the document is considered the law within the church , Mason said .
Younger members especially will be thrilled because they want the church to be proactive about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s history , he said .
“ On the one hand , you should say , ‘ Do you really need something in a handbook to tell you to not be prejudiced ?
’ ” Mason said .
“ On the other hand , given not only human history but Mormon history , we do know that these kind of official statements do matter .
We do know that racial prejudice and other forms of prejudice are still a problem within the church.
” The church grew more diverse in 2018 when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Asian ancestry to an all-male top governing panel .
But there are still no Black men on the panel .
Black members make up a tiny percentage of church membership .
The handbook changes also include a new warning to rely on credible information and avoid sources that promote “ baseless conspiracy theories.
” The new section instructs members to seek out and share only “ credible , reliable , and factual sources of information.
” It warns against unreliable sources that try to promote “ promote anger , contention , fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section appears to be driven by some church members promoting baseless claims about fraud in the presidential election or scoffing at the notion that masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19 , Reeve said .
“ It certainly speaks to the current moment we are in , ” Reeve said .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints added new language to the faith’s handbook Friday imploring members to root out prejudice and racism, adding significance and permanence to recent comments by top leaders on one of the most sensitive topics in the church’s history.
The faith’s past ban on Black men in the lay priesthood, which stood until 1978, remains a delicate issue for members and non-members alike. The church disavowed the ban in a 2013 essay, saying it was enacted during an era of great racial divide that influenced the church’s early teachings, but it never issued a formal apology - a sore spot for some members.
Racial injustice has since surged to the forefront of global consciousness following the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minnesota that led to widespread protests this summer.
In the handbook from the faith widely known as the Mormon church, the new section on prejudice echoes advice in a string of speeches by top leaders this year, reminding 16 million members around the globe that a person’s standing with God depends on devotion to the commandments, not the color of their skin.
“The church calls on all people to abandon attitudes and actions of prejudice toward any group or individuals,” it said. “Members of the church should lead out in promoting respect for all of God’s children.”
It notes that prejudice can be based on “race, ethnicity, nationality, tribe, gender, age, disability, socioeconomic status, religious belief or nonbelief, and sexual orientation.”
The guidance is latest sign of a more strident tone church leaders have been trying to take against racism in the last five years, said W. Paul Reeve, the Simmons professor of Mormon studies at the University of Utah. The handbook entry gives the message more “cachet and power,” he said.
“It signals an ongoing commitment to eradicate or even be at the forefront of eradicating racial prejudice,” Reeve said. “It is now part of the official handbook that local leaders have and can refer to in counseling with their members and also in giving guidance and direction from the pulpit.”
Preaching for the elimination of racism in speeches and handbook entries is a step in the right direction, but the faith must back that with action to combat systemic racism that remains in the church, said Phylicia Norris-Jimenez, a Black church member from Dallas. She is part of the grassroots Black LDS Legacy Committee, a group of women who organize annual conferences to discuss race issues in the faith.
Members who exhibit racist behaviors should be held accountable, maybe even forced to go before disciplinary councils, she said.
“We can say all these really nice things, but our members are still ignorant as to what it (racism) even means,” Norris-Jimenez said. “They are unwilling to learn what that looks in order to be better.”
Rooting out racism is becoming a hallmark of church President Russell M. Nelson’s tenure, said Patrick Mason, a religious scholar who is the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University. Since assuming the top post in 2018, he has preached for racial harmony and mutual respect and launched a formal partnership with the NAACP.
Nelson, a 96-year-old former heart surgeon, delivered a speech about racism at a church conference in October and echoed those sentiments in a speech to students at church-owned Brigham Young University.
Including a strongly worded edict in the handbook gives the message more gravity because the document is considered the law within the church, Mason said. Younger members especially will be thrilled because they want the church to be proactive about addressing racism due to the faith’s history, he said.
“On the one hand, you should say, ‘Do you really need something in a handbook to tell you to not be prejudiced?’” Mason said. “On the other hand, given not only human history but Mormon history, we do know that these kind of official statements do matter. We do know that racial prejudice and other forms of prejudice are still a problem within the church.”
The church grew more diverse in 2018 when it selected the first-ever Latin American and person of Asian ancestry to an all-male top governing panel. But there are still no Black men on the panel. Black members make up a tiny percentage of church membership.
The handbook changes also include a new warning to rely on credible information and avoid sources that promote “baseless conspiracy theories.”
The new section instructs members to seek out and share only “credible, reliable, and factual sources of information.” It warns against unreliable sources that try to promote “promote anger, contention, fear, or baseless conspiracy theories.”
That section appears to be driven by some church members promoting baseless claims about fraud in the presidential election or scoffing at the notion that masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Reeve said.
“It certainly speaks to the current moment we are in,” Reeve said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Mexico expects more migrants tor return from US in 2021

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexican officials said Friday they expect even more migrants to come back to Mexico from the United States , both as a result of deportations and voluntary returns .
While there are no numbers on how many Mexicans have returned because of the coronavirus pandemic , anecdotal evidence suggest that may be happening as job opportunities decrease in the United States .
“ Recent history has shown us that in moments of economic crisis , there is an increase in the number of our countrymen who return to our country , ” Interior Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation where the coronavirus pandemic is continuing , we have to be prepared for this.
” One factor officials did cite was the change of U.S. leadership .
They compared figures showing that during the administration of President Barack Obama - when President-elect Joe Biden was vice president - almost twice as many Mexicans were deported annually than under President Donald Trump .
“ The impending change in the presidency of the United States of America will , without doubt , bring new challenges for our country , ” Sánchez Cordero said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad , said that “ the panorama in the future is complicated ” and that “ we expect more migrants to return in 2021.
” Gutierrez Reyes expressed the greatest concern for the estimated 3 million Mexicans living without residency documents in the United States .
They have been living there on average for about 15 years .
Gutierrez Reyes said Mexico does not have adequate border offices to give the returning migrants the services they deserve .
For example , many have been living in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer have valid Mexican identification documents .
He suggested that the biometric data of returning migrants be gathered and that basic identification documents be issued to them quickly .
So far this year , 178,276 Mexicans have returned , either voluntary or through deportation .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican officials said Friday they expect even more migrants to come back to Mexico from the United States, both as a result of deportations and voluntary returns.
While there are no numbers on how many Mexicans have returned because of the coronavirus pandemic, anecdotal evidence suggest that may be happening as job opportunities decrease in the United States.
“Recent history has shown us that in moments of economic crisis, there is an increase in the number of our countrymen who return to our country,” Interior Secretary Olga Sánchez Cordero said. “In this situation where the coronavirus pandemic is continuing, we have to be prepared for this.”
One factor officials did cite was the change of U.S. leadership. They compared figures showing that during the administration of President Barack Obama - when President-elect Joe Biden was vice president - almost twice as many Mexicans were deported annually than under President Donald Trump.
“The impending change in the presidency of the United States of America will, without doubt, bring new challenges for our country,” Sánchez Cordero said.
Luis Gutierrez Reyes, the head of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, said that “the panorama in the future is complicated” and that “we expect more migrants to return in 2021.”
Gutierrez Reyes expressed the greatest concern for the estimated 3 million Mexicans living without residency documents in the United States. They have been living there on average for about 15 years.
Gutierrez Reyes said Mexico does not have adequate border offices to give the returning migrants the services they deserve. For example, many have been living in the United States for so long they may no longer have valid Mexican identification documents.
He suggested that the biometric data of returning migrants be gathered and that basic identification documents be issued to them quickly.
So far this year, 178,276 Mexicans have returned, either voluntary or through deportation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--North Carolina prepares to vaccinate nursing home workers

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - North Carolina is preparing to vaccinate workers in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities next week .
The state Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that it plans to receive 61,425 doses of Pfizer ’ s newly approved vaccine from the federal government next week .
If the Food and Drug Administration follows a key panel ’ s recommendation to approve Moderna ’ s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use , North Carolina will get 175,900 doses of it .
The state health department said about 96,000 of its allotment from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We expect shipments to occur over several days as they did in week 1 , ” the department said , referencing its first batch of about 85,000 Pfizer doses it was scheduled to receive this week .
Under the state ’ s vaccine distribution plan , hospital workers who are vital to the COVID-19 response or at high risk of exposure to the virus are the first to get inoculated , followed by workers in long-term health care settings , such as nursing homes .
Residents in those facilities are next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s vaccine comes with extra logistical hurdles , such as ultracold storing at -94 degrees Fahrenheit ( -70 Celsius ) .
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine require people to receive two shots , with Pfizer spacing out doses by three weeks and Moderna adopting a four-week waiting period between shots .
Complicating matters is the coordination between governors , public health officials and the federal government to establish where vials should be shipped .
North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper this week urged Vice President Mike Pence to offer more advance notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been assured they ’ ll have more time to plan going forward .
Some states have reported they ’ ll receive fewer doses than expected for the second week of distribution .
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams said earlier this week that the state ’ s next batch of the Pfizer vaccine would be around 25 % to 30 % less than expected .
Meanwhile , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis has warned of delays because of production issues .
North Carolina ’ s public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave of doses of the Pfizer vaccine is lighter than expected .
Regardless , the distribution of vaccines comes at a time when it is gravely needed .
North Carolina on Friday reported its highest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases , with more than 8,400 positive diagnoses .
For the first time since the start of the pandemic , the state reported its 10th consecutive day of a double-digit positivity rate .
North Carolina had aimed to get that proportion of tests coming back positive down to 5 % before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 17 days , the state has reported its highest number of people hospitalized because of COVID-19 .
More than 2,800 people are currently hospitalized , nearly twice as many as a month ago .
Deaths have also climbed , with nearly 100 new daily deaths reported Wednesday .
More than 466,000 people have tested positive for the virus in North Carolina since the start of the pandemic , which amounts to about 1 in 23 residents .
Over 6,100 people have died of COVID-19 .
Anderson is a corps member for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina is preparing to vaccinate workers in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities next week.
The state Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that it plans to receive 61,425 doses of Pfizer’s newly approved vaccine from the federal government next week.
If the Food and Drug Administration follows a key panel’s recommendation to approve Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use, North Carolina will get 175,900 doses of it. The state health department said about 96,000 of its allotment from Moderna will go to long-term care facilities.
“We expect shipments to occur over several days as they did in week 1,” the department said, referencing its first batch of about 85,000 Pfizer doses it was scheduled to receive this week.
Under the state’s vaccine distribution plan, hospital workers who are vital to the COVID-19 response or at high risk of exposure to the virus are the first to get inoculated, followed by workers in long-term health care settings, such as nursing homes. Residents in those facilities are next on the priority list.
Pfizer’s vaccine comes with extra logistical hurdles, such as ultracold storing at -94 degrees Fahrenheit (-70 Celsius). Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine require people to receive two shots, with Pfizer spacing out doses by three weeks and Moderna adopting a four-week waiting period between shots.
Complicating matters is the coordination between governors, public health officials and the federal government to establish where vials should be shipped. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper this week urged Vice President Mike Pence to offer more advance notice about its weekly vaccine allotment. States have been assured they’ll have more time to plan going forward.
Some states have reported they’ll receive fewer doses than expected for the second week of distribution.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams said earlier this week that the state’s next batch of the Pfizer vaccine would be around 25% to 30% less than expected. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has warned of delays because of production issues.
North Carolina’s public health department did not comment on whether its second wave of doses of the Pfizer vaccine is lighter than expected.
Regardless, the distribution of vaccines comes at a time when it is gravely needed.
North Carolina on Friday reported its highest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases, with more than 8,400 positive diagnoses. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the state reported its 10th consecutive day of a double-digit positivity rate. North Carolina had aimed to get that proportion of tests coming back positive down to 5% before the Thanksgiving holiday.
In 16 of the past 17 days, the state has reported its highest number of people hospitalized because of COVID-19. More than 2,800 people are currently hospitalized, nearly twice as many as a month ago. Deaths have also climbed, with nearly 100 new daily deaths reported Wednesday.
More than 466,000 people have tested positive for the virus in North Carolina since the start of the pandemic, which amounts to about 1 in 23 residents. Over 6,100 people have died of COVID-19.
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Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson.
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Anderson 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.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Man exonerated in 1980 murder sues Kentucky State Police

BOWLING GREEN , Ky. ( AP ) - A man exonerated in a 1980 murder has filed a lawsuit against Kentucky State Police investigators and local law enforcement , alleging he was framed in the slaying .
Norman Graham filed suit in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green , the Courier Journal reported .
Graham , 74 , alleged that police suppressed evidence that pointed to at least three other suspects , including a next-door neighbor who was eventually convicted as a serial killer .
The victim , 21-year-old Janice Kaye Williams , was found dead in a trailer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She had been raped and stabbed .
“ Graham had absolutely nothing to do with Williams ’ rape or murder and yet faced the penalty of death for crimes he did not commit , ” the suit said .
The filing names Todd County , the estate of a former Todd County sheriff , and several Kentucky state troopers and supervisors .
Graham was tried in Williams ’ death in 1981 but not convicted .
Two decades later , he was tried again , found guilty of murder and rape and served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted a new trial in 2017 .
New evidence implicated another man , Roy Wayne Dean Jr. , who has since been convicted of killing two women in a similar manner to Williams .
A spokesman for the Kentucky State Police said the agency does not comment on pending litigation .
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for malicious prosecution , violations of due process and negligent supervision .

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) - A man exonerated in a 1980 murder has filed a lawsuit against Kentucky State Police investigators and local law enforcement, alleging he was framed in the slaying.
Norman Graham filed suit in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green, the Courier Journal reported. Graham, 74, alleged that police suppressed evidence that pointed to at least three other suspects, including a next-door neighbor who was eventually convicted as a serial killer.
The victim, 21-year-old Janice Kaye Williams, was found dead in a trailer in Todd County that was rented by Graham. She had been raped and stabbed.
“Graham had absolutely nothing to do with Williams’ rape or murder and yet faced the penalty of death for crimes he did not commit,” the suit said.
The filing names Todd County, the estate of a former Todd County sheriff, and several Kentucky state troopers and supervisors.
Graham was tried in Williams’ death in 1981 but not convicted. Two decades later, he was tried again, found guilty of murder and rape and served more than nine years before he was granted a new trial in 2017. New evidence implicated another man, Roy Wayne Dean Jr., who has since been convicted of killing two women in a similar manner to Williams.
A spokesman for the Kentucky State Police said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for malicious prosecution, violations of due process and negligent supervision.


washingtontimes--2020-12-18--Maricopa County to fight Legislature's election records ask

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted Friday to fight a sweeping subpoena issued by the state Senate seeking a raft of data and copies of all mail-in ballots cast in the Nov. 3 election that saw Democrat Joe Biden win the majority of votes in the county .
The five-member board dominated by Republicans voted 4-1 to file a court complaint seeking clarification about whether the county must comply with the subpoena .
Republican Board Chairman Clint Hickman said the subpoena issued Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee sought records that the Legislature itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe these subpoenas are unrealistic in their timeframes , an intrusion into the privacy of our voters and want us to disregard the very statutes they created , ” Hickman said .
“ There are real constitutional issues with these subpoenas .
I look forward to when we can get some clarification from the courts.
” Republican board member Bill Gates went further , saying the breadth of information sought by the GOP-controlled Legislature was “ truly extraordinary.
” “ And let ’ s be clear what they ’ re looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about individual private information … of voters , and that information has been requested in these subpoenas , ” Gates said .
“ I ’ m going to fight to protect that information before we turn it over.
” Only GOP board member Steve Chucri voted against fighting the subpoena , but only because he simultaneously wanted to initiate a forensic audit of the county election systems , another measure the subpoena demanded .
The county has said it can ’ t do that while there is still litigation being pursued by backers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts , but board members have repeatedly promised the audit once litigation ends .
The subpoena was issued after the Judiciary Committee held a six-hour hearing into how Maricopa County , the state ’ s most populous , ran its election .
Hickman , the county ’ s top election attorney and one of its lead elections officials testified .
At the end of the hearing , Republican Sen. Eddie Farnsworth said he would issue subpoenas demanding a full forensic audit of ballot tabulation machines and software and to collect images of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their addresses , how and where they voted and much more .
Messages seeking comment from Farnsworth or GOP Senate President Karen Fann weren ’ t immediately returned .
But Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita , who sits on the committee , tweeted that not complying with the subpoena fuels speculation that the county “ has something to hide.
” No evidence of widespread voter or election fraud has emerged in Arizona , which has seen eight lawsuits challenging the results of the state ’ s presidential vote fail .
Claims of sweeping voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several other battleground states have mainly been rejected .
Appeals are ongoing in one case in state court .
On Friday , a woman whose lawsuit seeking to decertify President-elect Joe Biden ’ s win in Arizona was dismissed by a judge filed an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court Friday .
Supreme Court spokesman Aaron Nash said the court did not immediately schedule a hearing on the appeal filed by Staci Burk , a non-lawyer representing herself .
Pinal County Judge Kevin White ruled Tuesday that Burk lacked standing to contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a registered voter when she filed her lawsuit and that she filed it after the five-day filing period had passed .
Burk ’ s lawsuit was nearly identical to a lawsuit dismissed last week in federal court in Phoenix .
Burk ’ s lawsuit alleged Arizona ’ s election systems have security flaws that let election workers and foreign countries manipulate results .
Opposing attorneys said the lawsuit used conspiracy theories to make allegations against a voting equipment vendor without any proof to back up claims of widespread election fraud in Arizona .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this report .

PHOENIX (AP) - The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted Friday to fight a sweeping subpoena issued by the state Senate seeking a raft of data and copies of all mail-in ballots cast in the Nov. 3 election that saw Democrat Joe Biden win the majority of votes in the county.
The five-member board dominated by Republicans voted 4-1 to file a court complaint seeking clarification about whether the county must comply with the subpoena. Republican Board Chairman Clint Hickman said the subpoena issued Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee sought records that the Legislature itself has deemed to be private.
“I believe these subpoenas are unrealistic in their timeframes, an intrusion into the privacy of our voters and want us to disregard the very statutes they created,” Hickman said. “There are real constitutional issues with these subpoenas. I look forward to when we can get some clarification from the courts.”
Republican board member Bill Gates went further, saying the breadth of information sought by the GOP-controlled Legislature was “truly extraordinary.”
“And let’s be clear what they’re looking for – as a conservative I feel strongly about individual private information … of voters, and that information has been requested in these subpoenas,” Gates said. “I’m going to fight to protect that information before we turn it over.”
Only GOP board member Steve Chucri voted against fighting the subpoena, but only because he simultaneously wanted to initiate a forensic audit of the county election systems, another measure the subpoena demanded.
The county has said it can’t do that while there is still litigation being pursued by backers of President Donald Trump active in the courts, but board members have repeatedly promised the audit once litigation ends.
The subpoena was issued after the Judiciary Committee held a six-hour hearing into how Maricopa County, the state’s most populous, ran its election. Hickman, the county’s top election attorney and one of its lead elections officials testified. At the end of the hearing, Republican Sen. Eddie Farnsworth said he would issue subpoenas demanding a full forensic audit of ballot tabulation machines and software and to collect images of all mail ballots, including lists of voters, their addresses, how and where they voted and much more.
Messages seeking comment from Farnsworth or GOP Senate President Karen Fann weren’t immediately returned. But Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who sits on the committee, tweeted that not complying with the subpoena fuels speculation that the county “has something to hide.”
No evidence of widespread voter or election fraud has emerged in Arizona, which has seen eight lawsuits challenging the results of the state’s presidential vote fail. Claims of sweeping voting irregularities made by Trump backers in Arizona and several other battleground states have mainly been rejected.
Appeals are ongoing in one case in state court. On Friday, a woman whose lawsuit seeking to decertify President-elect Joe Biden’s win in Arizona was dismissed by a judge filed an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court Friday.
Supreme Court spokesman Aaron Nash said the court did not immediately schedule a hearing on the appeal filed by Staci Burk, a non-lawyer representing herself.
Pinal County Judge Kevin White ruled Tuesday that Burk lacked standing to contest the election because she wasn’t a registered voter when she filed her lawsuit and that she filed it after the five-day filing period had passed.
Burk’s lawsuit was nearly identical to a lawsuit dismissed last week in federal court in Phoenix.
Burk’s lawsuit alleged Arizona’s election systems have security flaws that let election workers and foreign countries manipulate results. Opposing attorneys said the lawsuit used conspiracy theories to make allegations against a voting equipment vendor without any proof to back up claims of widespread election fraud in Arizona.
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Associated Press reporter Paul Davenport contributed to this report.