USFWS investigation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces it is investigating Cecil’s killing.
We're investigating the killing of #CecilTheLion. Will go where facts lead. We ask Dr. Palmer or his rep to contact USFWS immediately.
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@USFWS) July 30, 2015
Turns himself in
Tensing turns himself in to the Hamilton County Courthouse. Tensing’s Lawyer criticized Joe Deters’ announcement, saying he believes his client “has been thrown under the bus,” and that “what Deters’ said was a disgrace” to Cincinnati law enforcement.
Tensing just arrived at courthouse with lawyer @wcpo pic.twitter.com/fiUtoNtWGe
— Tony Mirones (@TMirones) July 29, 2015
Murder charge
Tensing is charged by grand jury indicted with murder and voluntary manslaughter. If convicted, Tensing faces a sentence of at least 15 years and as much as life in prison on the murder charge and as much as 11 years on the manslaughter charge. Prosecutor Deters said he would seek life in prison for Tensing:
Can you imagine the outrage you would have if this was your kid, or this was your brother? This guy didn’t deserve to be tased, and he certainly didn’t deserve to be shot in the head. This is the most asinine act I’ve ever seen a police officer make. It was unwarranted. It’s an absolute tragedy that, in the year 2015, anyone would behave in this manner…He wasn’t dealing with someone who was wanted for murder. He was dealing for someone who was wanted for not having a front license plate.
Dinosaur eggs seized
Authorities raid a house and seize 231 fossilised dinosaur eggs and skeletal remains at Guangdong province. The skeletons are identified as a Psittacosaurus. The residents have been interrogated.
Guides appear in court
Bronkhorst and his co-defendant, farm owner Honest Trymore Ndlovu, who were arrested for illegally hunting Cecil, appear in court. The Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe, has revoked Bronkhurst’s license. Association President:
Ethics are certainly against baiting. Animals are supposed to be given a chance of a fair chase. In fact, it was not a hunt at all. The animal was baited and that is not how we do it. It is not allowed.
The proceedings are delayed because prosecutors are “making their assessments”. If convicted, the men face up to 15 years in prison in Zimbabwe. Later Bronkhurst is released on a $1000 bond.
Arrested on child porn charges
Alexander is arrested in New York for possession and file-sharing of child pornography. He is charged with one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child and one count of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child. He posts $10,000 bail.
Court issues restraining order
The Los Angeles Superior Court issues a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Center for Medical Progress from releasing any video of three high-ranking StemExpress officials. Planned Parenthood provides StemExpress with fetal tissue. Center for Medical Progress leader:
StemExpress was using meritless litigation to cover up an illegal baby parts trade. The Center for Medical Progress follows all applicable laws in the course of our investigative journalism work.
A spokesman for StemExpress is:
grateful its rights have been vindicated in a court of law.
Lion killer identified
Zimbabwean authorities say that Palmer, a Minnesota dentist, is responsible for slaying Cecil, a protected lion. Palmer paid at least $50,000 to track and kill the animal. Palmer faces charges of poaching. The conservation group alleges that Palmer worked with the guides to lure Cecil from the national park to an unprotected area by strapping a “dead animal to their vehicle.”
Pleads guilty to aiding escapees
Mitchell pleads guilty to helping two convicted murderers escape from a maximum security prison last month. She allegedly provided tools to Matt before the escape by concealing them in hamburger meat. She pleads guilty to first-degree promoting prison contraband and fourth-degree criminal facilitation. She faces a prison sentence ranging from 2 1/3 years to 7 years. She also agrees to cooperate with the investigation and give up her teaching certificate. The judge says Mitchell, who wiped away tears while making the plea, could be released on $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond. Mitchell will be sentenced on Sept. 28.
Sentenced
Gaddafi is sentenced to death by a court in Tripoli, with eight other figures from former dictatorship in a mass trial of former regime figures widely criticised by human rights groups and observers. Saif’s ICC-appointed lawyer, Jones, condemns the trial process:
It’s a complete show trial, a farce. This trial is effectively being run by Libya Dawn militias.
Saif is being held in Zintan since he was caught trying to flee Libya in the aftermath.
NY rejects custody case
New York court rules it has no jurisdiction in Rutherford’s custody case against Giersch. Rutherford’s lawyer:
New York said it had no jurisdiction because, it said, California had jurisdiction – which is silly – but it is what it is. The ugly story behind the story is that family courts do not always protect children because they only deal with children’s ‘best interests’ and interests are not enforceable as ‘rights. By contrast, higher-level courts enforce real rights, so we are hopeful because we can focus solely on the children’s absolute rights as citizens to reside in their own country.
Caught taking drugs with prostitutes
The Sun releases photos and videos of Sewel naked, snorting lines of cocaine with prostitutes.
Prostitute: You’re such a party animal!
Sewel: I know. Disgusting, isn’t it?
One of Sewel’s former responsibilities as deputy speaker was to enforce standards and ethics within the House of Lords.
Enforcement action
U.S. Department of Transportation says Fiat Chrysler must offer to buy back hundreds of thousands of recalled vehicles and faces fine of up to $105 million. Jeep owners of affected vehicles will be paid to repair their gas tanks or offered a trade-in. Secretary Foxx:
Today’s action holds Fiat Chrysler accountable for its past failures, pushes them to get unsafe vehicles repaired or off the roads and takes concrete steps to keep Americans safer going forward.
Arrested on drug suspicion
Snoop Dogg is arrested on suspicion of narcotic drug use after a concert in Sweden. He is taken to the police station for tests and is released a few hours later.
They made me pee in a cup — didn’t find shit.
https://instagram.com/p/5mf5PUv9Nr/
California Investigates videomakers
California Attorney General Harris announces a review of two undercover videos made by the Center for Medical Progress to discredit Planned Parenthood. The investigation is made at the request of four Democratic Congressmen. Harris’ office regulates charitable organizations and will use its authority to determine whether any violations were made by the Center in its creation of the videos.
We will carefully review the allegations raised in your letter to determine whether there were any violations of California law.
Under CBI investigation
Many top bureaucrats in the state of Madhya Pradesh are now under CBI investigation with regard to the transport constable recruitment examination conducted by Vyapam. This test was deemed unique as transport department officials allegedly adopted administrative measures to arbitrarily change rules and procedures to help those candidates who were not eligible. Sources claimed that the first notification for the exam was for recruiting 198 personnel, but 332 people were selected without due administrative sanction. When the Opposition raised the issue, transport minister Bhupendra Singh held a press conference claiming 316 people were selected. The Congress has alleged that incriminating documents related to the exam were made to go missing. The party added that the case was hushed by the STF, which is why the case was registered late. 38 persons have been named as accused in this case.
This is the most explosive of all Vyapam cases and the officers role was under scanner from the beginning, but the STF was never interested in pursuing the case.
Fixing charges dropped
Three players of Rajasthan Royals gets relief on spot fixing charges. Sreesanth breaks down and cries in relief.
My daughter will be so happy and I am very relieved my innocence is proven.
Leaves Philippines
Brown leaves the Philippines after a contract dispute initially prevented him from departing the country. His earlier Tweets have been deleted.
— Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) July 24, 2015
$2 million punitive damages
A New York City jury orders 50 Cent to pay an additional $2 million in punitive damages for posting a sex tape of Leviston online. This payment is in addition to the $5 million that the jury previously found he should pay. His attorney:
Although we appreciate the jury’s service, we are disappointed in the result. Our client intends to file post-verdict, pre-judgment motions which we believe should reduce the size of the award. Ultimately, the fate of any obligation to pay a final judgment will be determined by the bankruptcy court,
Evidence: Allowed to escape
New evidence reveals that Guzman was allowed to escape. His GPS bracelet had been deactivated, he was never moved to a different cell according to regulations of cell rotation, the camera in his cell was moved to provide a blind spot in the shower area, he was allowed to receive guests against regulations, and prison officials pretended not to notice noises that were heard under his cell. The Ministry of the Interior:
Prison officials also deactivated the motion sensor alarms throughout the maximum security jail in Almoloya de Juarez (about 60 miles north of Mexico City) enabling Joaquin Guzman’s people to excavate the complex, high-tech and highly precise tunnel into his cell.