THREAD: not guilty daniel pennys acquittal sparks

DANGEROUS ‘SLAPPING Therapy’ Healer Gets 10-Year Prison Sentence

07 December 2024 — An alternative healer, Hongchi Xiao, received a 10-year prison sentence for the death of a diabetic woman during his “slapping therapy” workshop. The victim, 71-year-old Danielle Carr-Gomm, stopped taking insulin and died after Xiao failed to get medical help as she suffered in pain.

Xiao promoted paida lajin therapy, where patients slap themselves to expel “poisonous waste.” Critics say this method lacks scientific support and can be harmful. Carr-Gomm’s death is not the only case — another patient also died under similar conditions.

Xiao was extradited from Australia after being convicted of manslaughter in a similar case involving a 6-year-old boy. Justice Robert Bright called Xiao dangerous despite him lacking typical traits of other offenders during sentencing at Winchester Crown Court.

TEEN FACES Shocking BIO-Weapon Charges: Ricin and Terror Links Exposed

29 October 2024 — Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 18, now faces serious terrorism and bio-weapon charges on top of murder and attempted murder accusations. He was arrested after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed party in Southport that left three young girls dead. The new charges involve making ricin and having an Al-Qaeda training manual.

Merseyside Police found evidence in Rudakubana’s home leading to these additional charges. Ricin is a deadly poison that could be used as a weapon if refined. Despite this, UK Health Security Agency officials assured the public there’s no risk from the ricin discovered at his property.

Authorities stressed these terrorism-related charges do not mean the Southport attack was an act of terror. Counter Terrorism Policing hasn’t labeled it as such since motive must be proven for it to be considered terrorism.

Merseyside Police addressed public worries about transparency and rumors regarding withheld information, promising they aim to avoid affecting any trial while staying open with communities. They confirmed no information is being purposely kept from the public.

GREENPEACE Activists CLEARED: Judge Slams Charges in Sunak Protest

22 September 2024 — Four Greenpeace activists were arrested for scaling former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s estate and draping it in black fabric. They protested his plan to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Judge Adrian Lower dismissed the charges, citing insufficient evidence of criminal damage to Sunak’s slate roof.

One defendant, Michael Grant, praised the court’s decision but criticized the broader trend of jailing peaceful protesters. He stated, “We have become a country that regularly sends peaceful protesters to jail.” This sentiment echoes concerns about harsh penalties faced by other environmental activists in the U.K.

In contrast, five activists who blocked traffic on a major London highway received sentences of up to five years in prison for their actions last November. The disparity highlights ongoing debates over how to handle environmental protests legally and ethically.

TEENS’ SHOCKING Plea Deal in Las Vegas Beating Death

04 September 2024 — Four Las Vegas teenagers pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal beating of their high school classmate. The plea deal keeps them from being tried as adults. The attack on 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis Jr. was captured on video and widely shared on social media.

The teens were initially charged with second-degree murder and conspiracy but will now face time in a juvenile detention center for an undetermined period. In Clark County, minors are released after completing rehabilitation programs rather than serving traditional jail sentences, according to Brigid Duffy of the district attorney’s office.

Defense lawyer Robert Draskovich called the plea deal “a very fair resolution.” However, Lewis’ mother, Mellisa Ready, disagreed strongly with the outcome, stating that there is no true punishment for her son’s murder and calling it “disgusting.”

NO CHARGES for Pulse Nightclub Owners: Families Outraged

29 August 2024 — The Orlando Police Department has closed its investigation into the former owners of Pulse nightclub without filing any charges. Victims’ families and survivors had requested the probe, alleging criminal culpability. Police found no probable cause for involuntary manslaughter by culpable negligence.

About two dozen people, mostly survivors and family members of those who died in the 2016 shooting, gave statements to investigators. They cited issues like unavailable building plans, unpermitted renovations, and possible overcapacity at the club. Despite these claims, investigators concluded that these factors did not impede rescuers or contribute to the tragedy.

Investigators were unable to interview former owners Barbara and Rosario Poma but determined their actions didn’t show reckless disregard for human life. The report stated they couldn’t have reasonably anticipated a terrorist attack at Pulse nightclub.

A spokesperson for the Pomas declined to comment on Wednesday. On Facebook, Pulse Families and Survivors for Justice called the investigation a “sham.” The police report emphasized too many unknowns about how gunman Omar Mateen entered the club that night.

JUSTICE DENIED: No Charges for British Soldiers in Bloody Sunday Case

20 April 2024 — Fifteen British soldiers linked to the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland will not face perjury charges. The Public Prosecution Service cited insufficient evidence for convictions related to their testimony about the events in Derry. Previously, an inquiry had labeled the soldiers’ actions as self-defense against IRA threats.

A more detailed inquiry concluded in 2010 that the soldiers had fired unjustifiably on unarmed civilians and misled investigators for decades. Despite these findings, only one soldier, known as Soldier F, is currently facing prosecution for his actions during the incident.

The decision has sparked outrage among victims’ families, who see it as a denial of justice. John Kelly, whose brother was killed on Bloody Sunday, criticized the lack of accountability and accused the British Army of deceit throughout the Northern Ireland conflict.

The legacy of “the Troubles,” which claimed over 3,600 lives and ended with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, continues to impact Northern Ireland deeply. The recent prosecutorial decisions underscore ongoing tensions and unresolved grievances from this violent period in history.

OJ Simpson’s TWISTED Fate: From Freedom to Prison

13 April 2024 — More than two decades after O.J. Simpson walked free in a murder case that grabbed headlines worldwide, a Nevada jury found him guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping. The conviction was for trying to take back personal items in Las Vegas. Some say the tough 33-year sentence at 61 years old was because of his earlier trial and his fame.

The trial in Los Angeles, coming after the Rodney King incident, ended with Simpson not guilty. But many think this result made his punishment for the Las Vegas crimes harsher later on. “Celebrity justice swings both ways,” said media lawyer Royal Oakes, pointing out how Simpson’s star status affected his legal troubles.

Released on parole in 2017 after nine years behind bars, Simpson’s journey is much different from his first trial’s verdict. His cases have started talks about how fame can tilt the scales of justice and possible jury bias due to race. These events show the tricky mix of fame, societal issues, and law in America.

Simpson’s story continues to be a powerful example of how celebrity can impact legal outcomes differently over time, raising questions about fairness and justice in high-profile cases.

BRITISH TRADER’S Appeal Crushed: Libor Conviction Stands Strong

28 March 2024 — Tom Hayes, a former financial trader for Citigroup and UBS, has been unsuccessful in his attempt to overturn his conviction. This 44-year-old Brit was convicted in 2015 for manipulating the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) from 2006 to 2010. His case marked the first-ever conviction of this kind.

Hayes served half of an 11-year sentence and was released in 2021. Despite asserting his innocence throughout, he faced another conviction by a U.S court in 2016.

Carlo Palombo, another trader implicated in similar manipulations with Euribor, also sought appeal through the U.K.'s Court of Appeal via the Criminal Cases Review Commission. However, after a three-day hearing earlier this month, both appeals were dismissed without success.

The Serious Fraud Office remained resolute against these appeals stating: “No one is above the law and the court has recognized that these convictions stand firm.” This decision comes on the heels of a contrasting verdict from a U.S court last year which reversed similar convictions of two former Deutsche Bank traders.

CRUMBLEY VERDICT: Parents Face Historic Accountability for Child’s Deadly Actions

15 March 2024 — In a landmark decision, a Michigan jury found James Crumbley guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter. This verdict stems from the fatal shooting carried out by his son, Ethan Crumbley, at Oxford High School in November 2021. The case marks an unprecedented moment in which parents are held liable for their child’s violent behavior.

James and Jennifer Crumbley faced charges after their 15-year-old son tragically ended the lives of four students and wounded seven others. Keith Johnson, a criminal defense attorney, suggests that this case could establish a new standard for parental accountability when weapons brought into homes result in mass shootings.

The Crumbleys have made history as the first parents to be tried in relation to a mass school shooting incident in the U.S. James was indicted for failing to properly secure his firearm at home and neglecting his son’s mental health concerns.

In line with his wife’s earlier decision during her separate trial in February, James elected not to testify during his trial. Jennifer was also found guilty on all charges and is set to receive her sentence next month.

IDAHO Supreme Court REJECTS Appeal in Shocking Student Murder Case

13 March 2024 — The Idaho Supreme Court dismissed the pretrial appeal of Bryan Kohberger on Tuesday. Kohberger’s public defenders had argued that his indictment on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary was improperly handled by prosecutors.

The grand jury was guided to indict if they found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a more stringent criterion than probable cause. The reasoning behind the Idaho Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal was not disclosed.

Kohberger, a 29-year-old Ph.D. student hailing from Pennsylvania, stands accused of committing an unspeakable crime in Moscow, Idaho. He allegedly infiltrated an off-campus residence and brutally murdered four University of Idaho students in November 2022. His bid to stall proceedings by challenging the judge’s refusal to discard the indictment proved futile

As Kohberger awaits trial for his purported heinous acts, this case continues to evolve. This latest ruling signifies another stride towards justice for the victims.

UK Government STRIKES BACK Against Post Office Injustice: Here’s What You Need to Know

13 March 2024 — The UK government has taken a significant stride towards rectifying one of the country’s most egregious miscarriages of justice. A new law introduced on Wednesday aims to overturn the wrongful convictions of hundreds of Post Office branch managers across England and Wales.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized that this legislation is vital for “finally clearing” the names of those unjustly convicted due to a flawed computer accounting system, known as Horizon. The victims, whose lives were drastically affected by this scandal, have experienced prolonged delays in receiving compensation.

Under the anticipated law, expected to be enacted by summer, convictions will be automatically overturned if they meet certain criteria. These include cases initiated by the state-owned Post Office or Crown Prosecution Service and offenses committed between 1996 and 2018 using the faulty Horizon software.

More than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted and criminally convicted between 1999 and 2015 due to this software glitch. Those with overturned convictions will receive an interim payment with an option for a final offer of £600,000 ($760,000). Enhanced financial compensation will be provided to those who suffered financially but weren’t convicted.

AUSTRALIAN Activist’s SHOCKING Sentence in China Sparks Global Outrage

05 February 2024 — Yang Hengjun, an Australian pro-democracy activist and former Chinese government worker, faces a surprising sentence in China. Born as Yang Jun in 1965, he served the Chinese government before moving to Australia in 2002. He also spent time as a visiting scholar at Columbia University.

Yang was arrested during a family trip to China in 2019. His arrest happened during the height of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement and amidst tense relations between Australia and China. The Australian government and human rights groups have consistently condemned his detention, calling him a political prisoner.

The trial has been slammed for its secrecy, with claims of torture and forced confessions emerging. Yang reportedly faced a secret trial on vague espionage charges three years ago. In August 2023, he voiced fears of dying from an untreated kidney cyst while waiting for his verdict

The sentencing has ignited international outrage with Australia condemning it as an “appalling” obstacle to better relations with China. Human Rights Watch Asia Director Elaine Pearson labelled Yang’s treatment as making a mockery of legal proceedings.

CHIEFS FAN Shattered: Friends’ Mysterious Deaths Ignite Wild Speculation

28 January 2024 — Jordan Willis, a loyal Kansas City Chiefs supporter, is said to be “shattered” and in a state of deep despair after three friends were found lifeless in his backyard. Despite the absence of charges or solid evidence against him, Willis finds himself under the public’s harsh gaze.

Ricky Johnson (38), Clayton McGeeney (36), and David Harrington (37) were discovered outside Willis’ residence on January 9. The last sighting of the trio was at a Chiefs game watch party just two days earlier. This grim news stunned Willis’ family who initially feared he might be among the victims.

Critics argue that many are too quick to point fingers without waiting for official reports or facts from an ongoing police probe. As they await answers about what led to these sudden deaths in frigid temperatures, the families and friends of the deceased are filled with anxiety.

While experts have suggested potential causes ranging from drug use to lethal weather conditions, all theories remain speculative until authorities investigating this case release official results.

IMAM’S SHOCKING Outburst Post Fatal Hit-and-Run: The Truth Uncovered at Old Bailey Trial

10 January 2024 — A shocking hit-and-run event involving Imam Qari Abassi has led to a high-profile trial at the Old Bailey, England and Wales’ Central Criminal Court. On May 4th, 2021, Abassi is accused of fatally striking Harvinder Singh, who was lying unconscious on a London street while two men tried to shield him. The incident occurred as Abassi raced towards a mosque for early morning prayers.

Court evidence included dashcam footage capturing the moment of impact. After the collision, Abassi was recorded shouting derogatory phrases in Urdu. He defended his outburst by claiming it was aimed at the two men who narrowly escaped his car’s path, not Singh.

The two men testified that they had to leap aside “to save their lives” from Abassi’s speeding vehicle. Singh suffered fatal head and chest injuries after being run over. Despite admitting he was driving above the speed limit, Abassi denies causing death by careless driving.

Through an interpreter in court, Abassi claimed he thought Singh was an object like a “bin or briefcase.” He expressed frustration towards the two men signaling him to stop because he didn’t know them and saw no need to interrupt his journey.

VATICAN SHOCKER: Cardinal Becciu Guilty in Historic Corruption Trial

18 December 2023 — In a groundbreaking trial, the first of its kind since 1929’s Lateran Treaty, Cardinal Becciu and nine others have been declared guilty. The charges ranged from embezzlement to bribery. This verdict is the culmination of an extensive trial revolving around a luxury London property deal that led to over 100 million euros loss for the Vatican.

The guilt wasn’t confined to Cardinal Becciu alone. Nine other defendants were also convicted on diverse charges tied to fund mismanagement and embezzlement. Furthermore, the company Logsic Humitarne Dejavnosti was slapped with a fine of 40,000 euros and forbidden from contracting with public authorities for two years.

Becciu’s sentence fell just short of the seven years three months that prosecution sought after. The trial uncovered that he had funneled over half a million euros in Vatican funds to Cecilia Marogna’s company for a project deemed fraudulent by the court. Marogna too was found guilty and handed down prison time.

Alongside his prison term, Cardinal Becciu has been permanently barred from holding any public office and fined 8,000 euros. His offenses included conspiracy and witness tampering in an attempt to muzzle key prosecution witness Msgr Alberto Perlasca.

PRINCE HARRY’S Libel Case Crumbles: Judge Dismisses Royal’s Claims

08 December 2023 — A London-based judge, Justice Matthew Nicklin, recently dealt a blow to Prince Harry in his libel case against Associated Newspaper Ltd. The Duke of Sussex was unsuccessful in tearing down the defense’s claim that their article was merely an honest opinion.

This ruling follows another legal skirmish involving Harry. The crux of this battle is whether the government unjustly removed his security detail after he moved to the U.S in 2020. The prince contends that social media hostility and relentless media attention pose threats to him and his wife.

The Mail on Sunday and Mail Online ran an article about Harry’s legal tussle with the government over police bodyguards. Harry claims this piece was fundamentally flawed and slanderous, insinuating he fabricated details about his case against the government. Nevertheless, Associated Newspapers argued that their article was simply voicing an honest opinion without inflicting significant damage to Harry’s reputation.

DEATH PENALTY On Trial: Americans Voice Unfairness, Report Unveils Shocking Shift

01 December 2023 — The U.S. death penalty is under fire as more Americans express concerns about its fairness. This change in public sentiment is leading to the increasing marginalization of capital punishment in the country, according to a recent annual report.

However, it remains unclear whether this waning support will result in the end of capital punishment. While some experts anticipate its complete abolition soon, others predict a slow decline rather than an immediate vanishing.

In 2023, only 24 individuals were executed and 21 were sentenced to death. This marks the ninth year in a row with fewer than 30 executions and less than 50 death sentences. Only five states — Texas, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama — carried out executions this year; the smallest number in two decades.

A Gallup poll from October disclosed that half of Americans believe capital punishment is unjustly applied. This level of doubt represents the highest since Gallup started surveying this topic back in 2000.

Alex Murdaugh’s SHOCKING 27-Year Sentence: The TRUTH Behind His Financial Crimes Unveiled

29 November 2023 — Alex Murdaugh, a convicted murderer and fallen lawyer, has been slapped with a 27-year sentence for his financial wrongdoings. This punishment is in addition to the two life terms he’s already serving for the brutal murders of his wife and son back in 2021. He confessed to an alarming total of 22 charges including breach of trust, money laundering, forgery, and dodging taxes.

South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman delivered the sentence this Tuesday. The accusations against Murdaugh rack up to a staggering $10 million from roughly around 100 counts. In a courtroom in Beaufort County, Murdaugh openly admitted to his horrendous actions.

Prosecutor Creighton Waters shed light on how Murdaugh’s perceived reliability played into his decade-long fraudulent scheme. Waters explained that numerous individuals were duped by him due to their trust in him and were victims of his cunning manipulations. His standing among community members, fellow lawyers and banking institutions aided these financial misdeeds.

After listening to several victims along with their legal representatives in court, Murdaugh directly

Ricky Vaughn’s TWISTED TALE: The Shocking Misinformation Campaign in the 2016 Election

19 October 2023 — Douglass Mackey, widely recognized as “Ricky Vaughn,” was handed a seven-month prison sentence this Wednesday. His crime? Deliberately misleading Hillary Clinton’s supporters into believing they could cast their votes in the 2016 presidential election via text messages or social media posts.

Mackey faced prosecution under the Ku Klux Klan Act, a law enacted during the Reconstruction era to combat KKK efforts aimed at hindering newly freed Blacks from voting. Despite his attempts to overturn the verdict or secure a new trial, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly dismissed Mackey’s bid prior to his sentencing.

In 2015, Mackey assumed the alias “Ricky Vaughn” and started posting on Twitter. He quickly amassed a following of 51,000 and became one of the most influential voices discussing the 2016 presidential election according to an M.I.T list. Federal prosecutors in New York argued that Mackey aimed to create hashtags that would stir up as much chaos as possible by generating controversy targeted at Hillary Clinton.

On November 1, 2016, at precisely 5:30 p.m., Mackey unleashed his first tweet falsely asserting that people could register their vote by texting from their phones. This marked the start of a series of additional misleading tweets

ISRAEL-HAMAS Conflict Sparks Heated Debate at Harvard: Students Caught in the Crossfire

17 October 2023 — Harvard University, a renowned center for political and philosophical debate, finds itself in the throes of a heated discussion over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The recent outbreak of war has led to a polarized campus atmosphere filled with apprehension.

Pro-Palestine student organizations have released a statement attributing the escalating violence solely to Israel. This declaration ignited immediate backlash from Jewish student groups accusing them of endorsing Hamas attacks.

Pro-Palestinian students refute these accusations, stating their message has been misinterpreted. The discord on campus reflects the nationwide debate over this sensitive issue.

Students associated with these groups are experiencing intense criticism both within university grounds and on social media platforms. Amidst this fiery controversy, both pro-Palestinian and Jewish students report feelings of fear and alienation.