Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that he will not appeal a lower court ruling that Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten should be released from prison after serving 53 years for two infamous murders. The victims' families still feel the impact of the Manson cult's brutal killings more than 50 years later, but Van Houten is expected to be released in the coming months due to her age at the time of the crime, her remorse, and her exemplary behavior in prison.
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Rashad Maleek Trice has been charged with federal counts of kidnapping a minor and kidnapping resulting in death in connection with the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith. Wynter's body was found in an alley in Detroit on Wednesday evening, and it is believed that the ex-boyfriend of Wynter's mother is responsible. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Wynter's death.
Speculation has been rife about former President Donald Trump's potential 2024 presidential campaign, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has weighed in, saying he plans to participate in the first GOP presidential debate in August regardless of Trump's attendance. DeSantis has blamed the media and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador for his low poll numbers, and the Republican National Committee has imposed requirements for potential candidates. DeSantis is preparing for a potential campaign, suggesting that Trump's decision is still up in the air.
The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. is investigating the shooting death of Nasrat Ahmad Yar, a 31-year-old Afghan father of four who had been working as a Lyft driver in the city. Police released video footage of the incident showing four suspects fleeing the scene shortly after the shooting, and the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Yar had served as an interpreter for U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan before fleeing to the U.S. in 2021 and is survived by his four children.
This Friday, the Biden administration is expected to announce a weapons package for Ukraine, which includes cluster bombs. These bombs, which disperse multiple small bombs over a wide area, have been criticized for their potential to cause civilian casualties, and the UN has called for a ban on their use. The package is intended to bolster Ukraine's military in its fight against Russian forces.
Patrick Crusius, the perpetrator of the El Paso Walmart shooting which left 23 people dead and more than two dozen injured, was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences on Friday. The plea agreement took the death penalty off the table, although he could still face it in a separate case. The attack was a stark reminder of the devastating impact of hate crimes and gun violence, and the need for greater efforts to prevent them.
Mrs. Carter is reported to have dementia, but the Carters have enjoyed time with each other and their family, along with occasional visits from close friends, in recent months. Their grandson, Jason Carter, recently commented on the outpouring of love and respect for the couple's legacy.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Texas Sheriff Javier Salazar have written a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting a federal investigation into the actions of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been accused of luring and transporting migrants from Massachusetts to California and other states. The letter states that DeSantis has been using people as "political props" and that a federal investigation is necessary to ensure that the migrants' rights are being respected. Newsom, Bonta, and Salazar are urging Garland to take action and are hopeful that their request will be taken seriously.