Lawyers want no prison time
Keys’ defense lawyers file a 69-page sentencing memorandum, asking the court to impose no prison time at all or go with a “non-custodial sentence.” The filing goes to great lengths to illustrate Keys lengthy history in journalism, going way back to his elementary school days when he edited the school bulletin.
In recent years, Matthew’s sacrifices have paid off in the form of impactful journalism that has received national attention. His stories have encouraged discourse, influenced policy and won the attention and accolades from his peers in the industry, public interest groups and even law enforcement officials…[Keys] faces a far more severe sentence than any member of Lulzsec served. 60 months, which the Government seeks, would be more than any person engaged in hacking crimes during this period—by about double!
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Prosecutors seek five years
In a 12-page sentencing briefing, Federal prosecutors ask a judge to impose a sentence of five years against Keys. Prosecutors say:
[Keys’ attack was ] an online version of urging a mob to smash the presses for publishing an unpopular story. [He employed] means that challenge core values of American democracy.
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Loses appeal
Cosby’s appeal is dismissed by Montgomery County Judge O’Neill. After O’Neill said in previous hearing evidence was lacking that Cosby had a promise from a previous district attorney he would never be charged over the encounter with Constand, his lawyers had asked for an appeal to Superior Court. O’Neill:
An immediate appeal from these orders would not materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter.
There is no comment from Cosby’s lawyers.
Trump, Univision reach Miss USA settlement
Trump and Univision reach a settlement litigation that was initiated after the network decided not to air Trump’s Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants. Terms are not disclosed. Trump:
I have known Univision’s President and CEO, Randy Falco, for more than 20 years and I’m glad we are able to put these differences behind us.
Falco:
I have known Donald Trump for many years in both a personal and professional capacity and we are pleased to settle this matter and move forward.
Arrested
Chyna is arrested before her flight takes off at a Texas airport, bound for London. Police respond to a call of a woman whom appeared to be heavily intoxicated. Charges include: possession of a controlled substance and public intoxication.
SF Mayor requests federal probe
San Francisco Mayor Lee requests a federal investigation into the police shooting of Woods. Lee says that the federal investigation will invite “transparency and accountability” in the San Francisco police department:
We seek answers, not just to the facts of Mr Woods’ case, but also answers about how as a Police Department and a City we can build deeper, stronger trust between law enforcement and the communities they’re sworn to protect.
PP cleared; Abbot, Merritt charged
A Texas grand jury clears Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast of wrongdoing in an investigation launched last year under Gov. Abbott. The grand jury instead indicted two anti-abortion activists involved with covert videos about fetal tissue procurement. The activists, Daleiden and Merritt, have been charged with tampering with a governmental record. Daleiden has also been charged with violating a prohibition on the sale of human organs.
Tax fraud investigation opens
Italian police anounce an investigation into allegations of tax fraud by the nation’s top soccer teams. The probe affects 35 teams over two divisions, and has already resulted in a decree to seize assets worth $13 million from 58 people involved with professional soccer in Italy.
Shoots woman in theater
Gallion is arrested after he shoots Mallari in the back during a showing of 13 Hours. His attorney claims that Gallion was so concerned about the threat of mass shootings in cinemas that he defied the theater’s ban on concealed weapons and carried a handgun into the theater, and that the weapon accidentally discharged during the movie.
Detained
North Korea arrests Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, on charges of “committing a hostile act“ against the state. Warmbier entered North Korea through China as part of a tourist group through Young Pioneer Tours, a tourism company. The U. S. is working through the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang to resolve the incident, as the U. S. and North Korea have no direct diplomatic relations. The U. S. State Department strongly advises U. S. citizens against travel to North Korea.
Teen charged
Saskatchewan authorities charge a 17-year-old boy with four counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder in the shootings. He cannot be named due to his age, and no motive has been given for the attacks. The RCMP says the suspect will appear in court next week:
The days and weeks are going to be difficult as we come to terms with the impact of what has happened in our community. It’s a sad and difficult time and no words will take away the pain and sorrow of what has happened.
Robbery suspects identified
Police in north Germany identify suspects in the botched armed robbery of an armored car near Bremen in June as former members of the Baader-Meinhof Gang, also known as the Red Army Faction. The ultra-left wing terrorist organization killed over 30 people in the 1970s and 80s. Garweg, Klette and Staub are identified through DNA testing and fingerprints. The same suspects in the June robbery attempt are blamed for a failed robbery in Wolfsburg.
Arrested
Police in Richmond, VA, arrest Farrokh as he attempts to leave the US for Syria. Police also arrest Elhassan who allegedly drove Farrokh to Richmond. Both men are from Woodbridge, VA. Farrokh is charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a terrorist organization. He is alleged to have been attempting to join ISIS upon arrival in Syria. He was caught through an FBI informant.
Wants charges dropped based on 2005 deposition immunity
Lawyers for Cosby attempt to have aggravated indecent assault charges against the actor thrown out on the grounds that his 2005 videotaped deposition, in which he admits to drugging Constand, was made under the promise from prosecutors that he would be granted immunity from prosecution. Prosecutors in the current criminal case contend that there is no evidence of a signed immunity agreement, and that the case against Cosby should continue.
Inmates drop below 100
Ten Yemeni detainees are transferred to Oman, dropping the prisoner population at Guantanamo Bay below 100 for the first time. The move is the single largest transfer of detainees from the facility. It is estimated that 780 detainees have passed through Guantanamo Bay since it opened in 2002.
Protests sentencing recommendations
Keys lawyers say that that the pre-sentencing guidelines presented to the court by a probation officer miscalculated the losses to the Times as a result of the Anonymous hack, resulting in an overly harsh potential sentence. Their argument notes that revenge porn pioneer Hunter Moore received only 2.5 years for “far worse and far more harmful behavior” than Keys’. The lawyers also say that the sentencing guidelines have little to do with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. He was not charged, nor was he convicted of, unauthorized access to a computer and obtaining information, but actually charged with ‘“know[ing].. transmission of a program, information, code, or command, [the result of which] intentionally causes damage without authorization to a protected computer.”
Imposing a sentence of over seven years and roughly $250,000 in speculative restitution is a draconian sentence for a minor occurrence that could have been more appropriately handled by a civil lawsuit instead of three federal felony criminal convictions.
Acquitted
Judge Haikala acquits Parker after two trials ended in hung juries. Parker, a policeman, seriously injured Indian national Patel during an arrest on suspicion of burglary. Patel spoke no English and appears not to have understood what was being asked of him. He has been left partially paralyzed by the incident. Haikala:
The court has no reason to expect a different result in a subsequent trial given the totality of the evidence that the parties have provided.
Teacher investigated
A French teacher is under investigation for manslaughter for taking children onto a closed ski run just prior to a fatal avalanche in the French Alps. Authorities say the trail closure was clearly marked and that the risk was known. The teacher was seriously injured in the disaster and remains in hospital. Minister for Youth and Sport:
How could you consider taking children, after a period of heavy snow, on to a piste that was closed?”
Jailed
Saudi Arabia detains Badawi along with her two year old daughter. Saudi authorities deny that Badawi has been arrested, but do say that she is being questioned at a police station. Amnesty International calls for her immediate release. The Raif Badawi Foundation, says that Badawi is charged with running the Twitter account of her ex-husband, another activist serving a 15 year sentence. Human Rights Watch:
The detention of Samar Badawi shows once again Saudi Arabia’s determination to silence those with the courage to speak out for human rights and reform.
Unfair labor practices suit
Workers sue McDonald’s over unfair labor practices, which include threatening, spying on, and in some cases terminating workers for organizing. The National Labor Relations Board is representing the workers and includes McDonald’s Corp. itself as joint employers along with their franchisees, holding the parent corporation jointly responsible for inappropriate labor practices.
Without joint employer accountability for the franchisors or the contracting company at the top, these types of corporate outsourcing can result in a lack of accountability for workplace conditions.