The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a one-sentence notice with the federal court in El Paso, announcing that they will not seek the death penalty for Patrick Crusius, who is accused of fatally shooting nearly two dozen people in a racist attack at a West Texas Walmart in 2019. Crusius is charged with federal hate crimes and firearms violations, as well as capital murder in state court, and could still face the death penalty if convicted. The trial is expected to begin in October, and the sentence he could face is currently unclear.
Posts published in “Crime”
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has announced the discovery of a child's remains near Rush Springs, Oklahoma. The search for the missing 4-year-old Athena Brownfield began on January 10, after her 5-year-old sister was seen wandering unattended. An affidavit for the arrest of Ivon Adams, one of Athena's caretakers, alleges that his wife confessed to authorities that he killed Athena and buried her near their old house. The OSBI is yet to confirm the identity of the remains, but further details are expected in the coming days.
Brian Walshe, a 47-year-old Massachusetts man, is expected to be arraigned Wednesday on a charge of murder in the death of his missing wife, Ana Walshe, 39. Walshe has been in custody since January 7th on a charge of impeding authorities in their search for his wife, and additional evidence in support of the murder charge will be presented at arraignment. Ana Walshe has been missing since the new year, and the arraignment of Brian Walshe is scheduled for Wednesday.
Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to ex-President Donald Trump, met with investigators from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on Tuesday, signaling that the years-long investigation into the Trump Organization is picking up steam. Cohen was asked to meet with prosecutors by Alvin Bragg, the current District Attorney, and his attorney said he believes prosecutors are "serious" about the investigation. The meeting comes four days after two Trump Organization companies were sentenced to pay a combined $1.6 million penalty, and it is unclear if this is related to the investigation.
Massachusetts prosecutors have issued a murder warrant for Brian Walshe in the death of his wife, Ana Walshe, who has been missing since Jan. 1. Brian Walshe has been arrested on suspicion of misleading the investigation and is currently in police custody. He is expected to be arraigned Wednesday on the murder charge, with additional details of the investigation to be presented at arraignment.
Solomon Peña, a failed New Mexico GOP candidate, has been arrested and charged with shooting at the homes of Democratic politicians. He allegedly conspired with and paid four men to carry out four shootings at the residences of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two state legislators in Albuquerque. Local Democratic leaders have condemned the shootings and the New Mexico Democratic Party has released a statement expressing their outrage. The investigation into the shootings is ongoing.
Indiana police were called to an apartment building on Saturday after neighbors reported a toddler walking around the hallways with a loaded gun. Officers returned to the apartment after being presented with security footage of the incident, but no gun was found. The father, 45-year-old Shane Osborne, was arrested and taken into custody, highlighting the importance of gun safety and proper storage of firearms.
On Sunday morning, tragedy struck the University of Alabama campus when 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris was fatally shot. University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, 21, and Michael Lynn Davis, 20, were arrested and charged with capital murder in connection to the incident. Alabama men's basketball coach Nate Oats said the team is going through a "grieving process" and Miles has been removed from the team. The investigation is ongoing.