Murder suspects arrested
Turkey arrests three suspects in Jerf’s murder. The trio have been remanded into custody by a judge in the city of Gaziantep and await trial there.
Judge: Tipster not credible
A Fall River judge declares an anonymous tipster “not credible” in her claims that a juror discussed the Hernandez murder case at a party, dismissing defense motions to examine her claims.
Charged with perjury
Encinia is charged with perjury. The prosecutor says the grand jury didn’t believe Encinia’s statement that he took Bland from the car she was driving so he could conduct a safer traffic investigation.
The indictment was issued in reference to the reasoning that (Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia) removed her from her vehicle.
The penalty for perjury, a Class A misdemeanor, is up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
Must testify
A federal magistrate judge in Massachusetts rejects arguments by Camille Cosby that her deposition in the Constand case deposition would represent an “undue burden” and that she lacked any first-hand knowledge of the events at issue. Bill Cosby’s lawyer’s will appeal the ruling. The deposition is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Three sex-assault charges, bail set at $1m
Cosby is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault on Constand in 2oo4, including that Cosby assaulted his victim while she was unconscious and without consent. DA Steele:
Upon examination of all of the evidence, today we are able to seek justice on behalf of Mr. Cosby’s victim.
From the complaint:
[Cosby rendered Constand] frozen, paralyzed, unable to move” by plying her with pills and wine, then penetrating her with his fingers when she was unconscious or unaware of what was happening.
Bail is set at $1 million. Cosby immediately posted $100,000. As a condition of his bail to surrender his passport. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. That hearing will likely be held at Montgomery County Court in Norristown, according to the court documents. Cosby’s lawyer:
Make no mistake, we intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law.
Pardoned
Governor Brown gives Downey a full and unconditional pardon for his drugs conviction in 1996. Downey was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle with a prior conviction, driving under the influence and use of a controlled substance. He served one year and three months in prison, two years on parole and nearly three years on probation. Brown:
Pardons are not granted unless they are earned…[Downey has] paid his debt to society…He has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen.
Released
Pu is released early from Beijing’s number One Detention Centre after serving 19 months for “inciting ethnic hatred” and “picking quarrels” on social media post. He was originally going to be detained for three years. He is released under “residential surveillance”, and has 10 days to decide whether to appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Arraigned
Bergdahl, wearing a dark blue Army dress uniform and closely cropped hair, is arraigned in military court. He defers entering a plea and does not decide whether he wants to face a court-martial with a jury or one with just a judge.
SIC questions Cruz use of data
Burr asks his staff to look into whether or not Senator Cruz released confidential information. Cruz made a claim during an exchange with Marco Rubio about the USA Freedom Act, which Cruz supported and Rubio opposed. Cruz said that “nearly 100 percent” of phone numbers can be checked for terror ties under the new program, compared to “20 percent to 30 percent” under earlier Patriot Act provisions. Burr says that any time specific numbers are discussed a question emerges as to whether it’s classified or open source.
Sues seven accusers for defamation
In response to a defamation suit brought by his accusers, Cosby sues Green, Serignese, Traitz, Louisa Moritz, Bowman, Tarshis and Leslie for defamation, saying:
[The defendants] have made malicious, opportunistic and false and defamatory accusations of sexual misconduct against him. [They have] knowingly published false statements and accusations.
My statement re today's lawsuit filed by @BillCosby against all 7 accusers in Massachusetts lawsuit. pic.twitter.com/XRYoV4gXpC
— Monique Pressley (@MoniquePressley) December 14, 2015
To face court martial
The Army says Bergdahl will face court-martial with a potential life sentence. In ordering the court martial Army General Robert Abrams did not follow the recommendation of a preliminary hearing which, according to Bergdahl’s lawyer, called for Bergdahl to face a proceeding that could impose a potential maximum penalty of a year in confinement.
Bergdahl’s lawyer says they had “had hoped the case would not go in this direction.” He also asks Donald Trump to “cease his prejudicial months-long campaign of defamation against our client.”
Murder conviction
Pistorius is found guilty of murder after a South African appeals court overturns his earlier manslaughter verdict. The appeal court says last year’s verdict was “confusing and flawed” and that the lower court did not correctly apply the rule of dolus eventualis – whether Pistorius knew that a death would be a likely result of his actions. The athlete will now be re-sentenced by the original court and will almost certainly go back to jail. The minimum sentence for murder in South Africa is 15 years, but judges can apply some discretion.
Two men charged
A Thai military court indicts two foreign men, Bilal Mohammed and Yousaf Mir, for the Erawan shrine bombing. The charges include attempted and premeditated murder, possession of illegal weapons and illegal entry. Authorities say that the accused have been in custody for nearly three months, and have both confessed to their roles in the blast which killed 20 people and injured scores more.
Sentenced to 40 years
Naseer is sentenced to 40 years in jail by a federal judge Dearie, in New York, for providing material support to al-Qaeda and conspiracy to use a destructive device. Naseer appeals to the judge that he was not – nor had he ever been – a “career criminal”. Dearie:
I know you’re not, You’re a terrorist.
Imprisoned
Rezaian is sentenced to prison on charges of espionage, the country’s judiciary spokesman said Sunday, without specifying the length of his jail term.
The verdict has been issued but has not been officially handed down to the accused or his lawyer. Given the fact that the verdict has not been officially handed down, I cannot reveal the details, but what I can say is that the accused has been sentenced to prison.
The Washington Post‘s foreign editor:
We’re aware of the reports in the Iranian media but have no further information at this time. Every day that Jason is in prison is an injustice. He has done nothing wrong. Even after keeping Jason in prison 488 days so far, Iran has produced no evidence of wrongdoing. His trial and sentence are a sham, and he should be released immediately.
Brussels police detain 21
Hundreds of Belgian police launch more raids in a bid to find Abdeslamin, in the Brussels districts of Molenbeek, home to many of the Paris attackers, and other boroughs. Three raids were carried out in Charleroi. 21 people are detained. Police fire two shots at a car that approached them as they searched a snack bar in Molenbeek. The vehicle escapes but is stopped later in Brussels, and a wounded person inside is arrested. It is not known if the person is linked to the investigation into the Paris attacks.
Diners sues for Hepatitis A risk
A customer files suit against Jascor Inc, a McDonald’s operator in Waterloo, NY, after diners are exposed to food and drinks prepared by a worker with hepatitis A. The case seeks class-action status for as many as 1000 potentially affected customers, who plaintiffs said could number more than 1,000. Public health officials says diners had a low risk of contracting the illness, but urged those who had consumed food and/or drinks from the restaurant on Nov. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 to consider treatments if they were not previously vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Sued for assault and battery
Duggar is sued by Dillon for $500,000 in damages, saying she has suffered emotionally and physically since Duggar allegedly assaulted her during consensual sex in Philadelphia. She says she is being treated by a psychiatrist for severe anxiety. Dillon’s attorney:
While sex may be consensual, an assault and battery is clearly beyond the scope of any consent. [My client] is seeking justice for herself.
The Duggar family does not comment on the suit. Duggar remains in faith-based rehab.
Three arrests in Belgium
Belgian police arrest several suspects in the Molenbeek neighbourhood of Brussels on Saturday during raids connected to the Paris attacks, including one who was in the French capital at the time of the attacks. One of the vehicles used in Friday’s attacks in the French capital was registered in Belgium and hired by a French national living in Belgium. Prime Minister Michel:
A case has immediately been opened linked to suspect vehicles in Paris, to check people linked to those vehicles. There have been several arrests.
Orders doping investigation
President Putin has orders an investigation into claims by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), that the country’s athletes were using performance enhancing drugs during the 2012 London Olympics. WADA wants to ban Russian athletes from competing. Athletes who are found to be doping would have their Olympic Medals taken away from them and be banned from participating in future Olympic events. Putin said athletes should be punished individually, rather than collectively.
Sportsmen who don’t dope – and never have – must not answer for those who break the rules. If we find that someone must be held responsible for something of the sort that breaks the rules in place against doping, then the responsibility must be personalised – that’s the rule…The battle must be open. A sporting contest is only interesting when it is honest. It is essential that we conduct our own internal investigation and – I want to underline – provide the most open professional co-operation with international anti-doping structures