A 24-year-old Marine veteran has been indicted in New York City for the fatal choking of 30-year-old Jordan Neely on a subway train. The medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide, and lawyers for Neely's family said the indictment was the "right result for the wrong he committed". Neely's death has sparked outrage in the community, and the indictment of Penny is a step towards justice.
News Mash
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has voted overwhelmingly to expel two churches from its ranks for having female pastors, and to amend its constitution to specify that only men can be employed as qualified pastors at member churches. The amendment will need a second vote by a two-thirds margin at next year's convention in Indianapolis before it can take effect. The vote was praised by “messengers” and seen as a victory for those who believe that only men should be employed as qualified pastors.
The House of Representatives voted to reject a resolution to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff for his role in congressional investigations of former President Donald Trump. The vote was largely along party lines, with 20 Republicans joining 205 Democrats in voting to reject the effort. Rep. Schiff said he would wear the vote as “a badge of honor” and that the resolution was an attempt to hold him accountable for his role in the impeachment process.
Four individuals have been charged in connection with a nationwide network of stolen human remains, including Cedric and Denise Lodge, Katrina MacLean, and Joshua Taylor. They are accused of conspiring with Jeremy Pauley to purchase and sell human remains for a profit. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, with the investigation still ongoing.
Two men, Chance Brannon and Tibet Ergul, have been arrested in connection to the firebombing of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa, California last year. The Department of Justice has provided images of the two suspects caught on video at the scene of the attack, and they are facing federal charges of arson and destruction of a reproductive health care facility with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada has stated that his office takes the attack “very seriously”.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 election. He is the only Hispanic candidate in the race and is running on a record of attracting tech businesses to Florida, reducing crime, and capturing the Hispanic vote. Suarez believes he can inspire people with his focus on climate change and his ability to appeal to moderates, and his candidacy is likely to add complexity to the already crowded field. His long-shot bid for the nomination could be a key player in the race.
Andrea Wedner, a survivor of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, testified Wednesday in the trial of Robert Bowers, the 50-year-old truck driver charged with 63 criminal counts. Wedner described the horrific scene she witnessed when Bowers opened fire, killing 11 worshippers and injuring seven other people, including five police officers. The prosecution rested its case Wednesday after Wedner's testimony, and the defense is expected to begin its case Thursday.
This week, a mother and daughter in Louisiana were arrested for allegedly using fraudulent paperwork to enroll the 28-year-old daughter in a high school near New Orleans. They face charges of injuring public records, which can carry a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.