joenels21

Canadian Serial Killer finally Found Guilty

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:54:16 +0000

According to the USA Today, “A pig farmer accused of being Canada's worst serial killer was found guilty Sunday of six counts of second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The verdict ended the trial of Robert 'Willie' Pickton on the first six of 26 murder charges in the deaths of women, most of them prostitutes and drug addicts from a seedy Vancouver neighborhood. Pickton listened to the verdict with his head bowed. He will receive a mandatory sentence of life in prison and will not be eligible for parole for at least 10 years. The jury was deliberating Sunday whether to extend that 10-year period.�? Prosecutors have said Pickton will be tried for the 20 other murder charges but no date has been set. Last week, Judge James Williams reviewed the transcript of a videotape in which Pickton is heard telling an undercover police officer that he had planned to kill one more woman before stopping at 50, taking a break and then killing another 25 women.�?

According to the Vancouver Sun, Convicted serial killer Robert (Willie) Pickton will learn Tuesday how long he will serve in jail for the murder of six women who disappeared from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside between 1997 and 2001. Pickton, 58, was found guilty earlier today of six counts of second-degree murder, not first-degree murder as he was charged.�? He is facing another 20 counts of first-degree murder at a second trial, although no date has been set. First-degree murder means it was a planned and deliberate murder or a murder in the course of a sexual assault or the killing of a police officer. Second-degree murder includes all other murders that are not first-degree, but usually involves murders that do not involve forethought and planning.

The USA Today article had the essential information but did not have near the detail that the Vancouver Sun did. The Sun described more about what it was like inside the courtroom and had more about the women he killed. This was kind of a disturbing story, but really interesting. This is the kind of killer they would make horror movies about.

Man is Sentenced after Drug-Deal Murder

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:15:23 +0000

According to the Pioneer Press, “Lionell Thompson, 26, of St. Paul, was sentenced Friday to 17 years in prison in the shooting death of Robert Renville in a drug deal gone sour.�? During the court proceedings no one was present to witness the verdict from either side of the case. “Prosecutor John Freeman said Thompson, also known as Loniel Thomas, was "born into a culture of violence." His father was stabbed to death when Thompson was a boy, and Thompson had been shot in the head before he was a teenager as a result of his gang activity.�? Thompson pleaded guilty Oct. 10 to two counts of second-degree attempted murder, for shooting two men who had been with Renville, and one count of second-degree murder. “Renville's group paid the other men $100 but got what they thought was significantly less than the 3.5 ounces of cocaine they'd been promised. The two groups agreed to meet later near Ohio and Stevens streets on St. Paul's West Side. Renville, who would have turned 21 on Sunday, was shot with an AK-47 assault rifle that one of the other men aimed out the car window.�?

According to the Star Tribune, “There were neither heartfelt victim-impact statements nor pleas for leniency when Lionell Thomas, 26, was sentenced Friday morning in a St. Paul courtroom for the March 7 murder of Robert Renville and the attempted murder of two other men.�? Thomas, also known as Lionell Thompson, was sentenced to 17 years in prison, the sentence agreed upon when Thomas pleaded guilty on Oct. 10. He will be eligible for release in 11 years and four months. “Thomas admitted at his plea hearing that he and two other men sold drugs to Renville, 20, and two other men March 7 in St. Paul. The sellers later arranged to meet the buyers on Stevens between Ohio and Orleans streets to settle a disagreement over the amount of drugs delivered. It was there that Thomas shot them. Prosecutor John Freeman told the court Friday that Thomas was "born into a culture of violence." His father was stabbed to death when Thomas was a child; he himself was shot in the head before he became a teenager. Defense attorney Peter Dahlberg told the judge that Thomas is remorseful and also thankful that he'll be able to have a life after he is released from prison.�?

These two articles are pretty much the same except that the Pioneer Press was a little more descriptive about the actual shooting itself.

Teen Shot outside Roosevelt High School

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:52:53 +0000

According to the Pioneer Press, “A 19-year-old man was shot outside the Roosevelt High School gym in Minneapolis on Thursday night while a basketball game was under way inside. The search for the shooter continued Friday.�? The man shot was taken to HCMC, but his injuries didn’t appear to be life-threatening. The bullet struck the man in the cheek. “It wasn't clear whether the shooting was related to an incident that occurred during the game. Ross Bennett, a spokesman for Minneapolis Public Schools, said a "group of people were asked to leave" the gym for security reasons. Sgt. Fred McCormick of the Minneapolis Park Police said investigators think a group of young men was standing outside when someone came from around a corner and fired into the group from about 500 feet away.�?

According to the Star Tribune, “Minneapolis police are trying to find out who shot a 19-year-old man Thursday night outside of Roosevelt High School and why. Shots rang out abut 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the school at 4029 28th Av. S. as a girls' basketball game was being played inside the gym.�? The man shot, was hit in the cheek and taken to HCMC. There’s no indication that anyone involved is affiliated with Roosevelt or an incident during the game in which a group of people were asked to leave for security reasons, but the victim had attended the game.

The Star Tribune article was more specific about the event itself, while the Pioneer Press had more quotes from police and school officials.

Gunman Kills Two at Colo. Missionary School

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:55:25 +0000

According to the Star Tribune, “A gunman opened fire in a training center dormitory for young Christian missionaries in Colorado early Sunday after being told he couldn't spend the night, killing two of the center's staff members and wounding two others.�? One of the victims was identified as Tiffany Johnson, 26, who grew up in Chisholm, Minn. No arrests had been made by Sunday afternoon. The shooting occurred at about 12:30 a.m. at the Youth With a Mission center in the Denver suburb. “A man and a woman were killed and two men were wounded, Medina said. All four were staff members, said Paul Filidis, a Colorado Springs-based spokesman with Youth With a Mission.�? The gunman came to the door of the dormitory seeking shelter, asking if he could spend the night, but when told he couldn't stay, the man walked inside, opened fire, then left on foot. The other victim was identified as Phillip Crouse, 23.

According to the Pioneer Press, “Two people, including a 26-year-old Minnesota woman, were killed when a lone gunman opened fire at a training center for Christian missionaries in the Denver suburb of Arvada early today.�? Two other people were injured. Police say the gunman is still at large. The shooting occurred at about 12:30 a.m. at the Youth With a Mission Center. The two victims were identified as 26-year-old Tiffany Johnson of Minnesota and 24-year-old Philip Crouse of Alaska as well as two men ages 22 and 23 who were wounded, one that is in critical condition.

The Pioneer Press article was more of a brief while the Star Tribune article had multiple quotes from different sources and was much more descriptive. A significant difference is that the Star Tribune said the victim Crouse was 23, while the Pioneer Press said he was 24.

Two Planes Collide over Florida Everglades

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:57:38 +0000

According to the Miami Herald, “Two small airplanes collided in midair over the Everglades near the Broward-Palm Beach County line Saturday afternoon.�? Early reports indicated no sign of survivors from the 3:40 p.m. crash. The crash occurred in a remote area about 1 ½ miles south of Lox Road, west of U.S. 441 where rescue workers could only enter by boat. They searched for survivors, but hadn’t found any by 4:30 p.m.

According to the USA Today, “Two small planes collided over the Everglades Saturday, crashing into the swamp, and authorities said there were no survivors. A Piper aircraft carrying only one person and another unknown aircraft crashed at about 3 p.m.�? Rescue/ recovery efforts continued through Saturday night. “The planes collided about 14 miles northwest of Pompano Beach in southeast Florida.�?

The Miami Herald article went into a little more detail about the crash itself, while the USA Today speculated more on its cause and provided more about its after effects.

Records/CAR

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:58:36 +0000

In this article from 11 News Defenders, they went to various Houston banks to analyze robbery patterns. They wanted to know "exactly where are consumers most likely to be robbed at ATMs: in bank parking lots or drive-thru lanes?" THey looked at four years worth of crime data and narrowed down the hot spots. They noticed trends such as poor lighting with banks that were robbed more frequently and talked to victims. They also compared police reports to other robbery records and found discrepancies. The computer skills they used related to gathering crime reports, police records, finding related laws that pertain to the story.

2 Minneapolis Murder Victims Identified

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:55:21 +0000

According to the Pioneer Press, “The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has released the identities of two men shot to death in Minneapolis as 25-year-old Najib A. Omar of Minneapolis, and 27-year-old Arie Musse Jama of St. Paul. The medical examiner says Omar died of a gunshot wound to the head. His body was found in the hallway of an apartment building in south Minneapolis. Jama died of a gunshot wound to the chest and neck. His body was found in an alley.�?

According to the Star Tribune, “The Hennepin County medical examiner's office on Sunday tentatively identified the two men who were fatally shot Saturday in Minneapolis as Najib A. Omar and Arie M. Jama. The men were shot in
a south Minneapolis apartment following an argument, police said. Omar, 25, of Minneapolis died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to the medical examiner. Jama, 27, of St. Paul died of a gunshot wound to the chest and neck, the medical examiner's report said.�?

The only real difference between these articles was that the Star Tribune was more specific as to when and where the bodies were found.

Second Man Identified in Beating Death of Bicyclist

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:41:23 +0000

According to the Star Tribune, “A second suspect in this summer's beating death of bicyclist Mark Loesch has been identified as an inmate at the Hennepin County jail. The 21-year-old suspect is in custody on an unrelated burglary charge, according to Minneapolis police. His involvement in Loesch's death will be reviewed by the county attorney's office for possible charges, police said.�? Loesch, 41, left his home for a late-night bike ride Sept. 12, and was found beaten up and barely breathing the next morning in the 3700 block of Elliott Avenue in south Minneapolis. He died before paramedics arrived. Donald E. Jackson was charged last month with second-degree murder in the death. The criminal complaint said Jackson and another man lured Loesch around a corner before beating him with a metal bat. Jackson pegged the beating on a jail inmate, who denied the accusations, police have said. Authorities have said it appeared Loesch was trying to buy marijuana when he was attacked. His family has said that's not the case.�?

According to the Pioneer Press, “Minneapolis police have identified a second suspect in the beating death of a bicyclist in September. They say the 21-year-old man already is in jail on an unrelated burglary charge.�? Earlier, a 23-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 41-year-old Mark Loesch in south Minneapolis. “Police say Donald Jackson told investigators that he and another man were selling drugs when they saw Loesch on his bicycle and decided to rob him.�?

The Star Tribune provided the news with additional background information for anyone who might not have heard about the story. The Pioneer Press story was more of a brief and left the reader with more questions.

Man Dies of Bird Flu in China

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:51:43 +0000

According to the USA Today, A man in the southern Chinese province of Jiangsu has died of bird flu, becoming the country's 17th officially reported fatality from the disease, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Monday.�? The 24-year-old, whose surname was given as Lu, died at a hospital Sunday with test confirming the difficult-to-treat H5N1 virus. “According to the Jiangsu Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Center, the man had no known contact with dead poultry, and there were no reported outbreaks of bird flu in the province. He developed chills, fever and other symptoms on Nov. 24 and was hospitalized three days later, it said. H5N1, which has sickened at least 328 people worldwide, killing 200 of them, according to the World Health Organization. Experts have warned that if poultry outbreaks are not controlled, the virus may mutate into a form more easily passed between people, potentially resulting in millions of deaths.�?

According to the China Daily News, “A man in east China's Jiangsu province died of bird flu on Sunday, the provincial health department reported. The 24-year-old man, surnamed Lu, developed fever, chills and other symptoms on November 24 and was hospitalized on November 27 after being diagnosed "lower left pneumonia". Lu's illness deteriorated in the hospital and died on Sunday.�? An examination showed he was positive for the H5N1 virus. Jiangsu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau said no bird flu epidemic has been found in the province so far.

These two had the same information, but the USA Today included more statistics.

Guns Traded for Gifts in San Francisco

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:04:04 +0000

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Armed citizens came to dump their weapons at San Francisco’s City Hall Saturday so these firearms could be “forever kept from falling into the hands of criminals�? or any accidental killings. In exchange, the owners got $50 or more in holiday shopping gift certificates - and the city got safer, police said. “The 106 weapons turned in could mean one less murder in a city that so far this year has seen 94 homicides, not to mention one less injury or death from a child finding the family gun and fiddling with it, said San Francisco police Sgt. Mikail Ali.�? Advocates of the gun exchange say it will decrease the chance of burglaries and domestic fights. “The deal was $200 for semiautomatic assault rifles, $150 for handguns and $100 for standard rifles. The money came in the form of gift cards - not redeemable at your local gun store.�?

According to the USA Today, “For a few hours on Saturday, San Francisco police officers accepted 100 guns from about 80 people in the city's second "Gifts for Guns" event. The first event in July brought in 117 handguns and 2 shotguns.�? The events was started to make the streets seem safer as the city’s murder rate has risen in recent years. “Among the 100 guns collected Saturday were 4 assault rifles and two sawed-off shotguns, said Mikail Ali, director of the mayor's office of criminal justice. Once in police custody the guns are checked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to see if they were stolen. Ali said 99% of the guns recovered are destroyed and, if the guns were stolen, they are returned to their owners, if possible.�?

These two articles share much of the same information. There is some discrepancy of numbers, however. The USA Today said that they collected 100 guns, while the Chronicle said it was 106. The Chronicle article went more in depth about gun problems in the city while the USA Today talked more about the event itself.

The Twin Cities Declare Snow Emergency

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:58:06 +0000

According to the Pioneer Press, “If the first snow emergency of the year is declared today, hundreds of St. Paul residents will be going to impound lots to retrieve their cars in the next few days.�? Tows often occur in neighborhoods with lots of apartments, limited off-street parking and nearby impound lots. There have been pattern areas that tow truck drivers have targeted such as the Hamline-Midway neighborhood, east of Grotto Street, between Interstates 94 and 35E, “The majority of the cars towed because of snow emergency violations tend to belong to people who are new to the community, such as college students or immigrants. In St. Paul, snow emergencies are called by 2 p.m. for each snowfall of 3 inches or more. By 8 p.m., tagging crews hired by the city arrive at the public works office on Dale Street. A target list of problem areas is assigned to a couple of crews, but beginning at 9 p.m., the rest fan out across the city along the night-plow routes. Getting a ticket for violating snow emergency parking rules will set you back $45. But getting towed sets you back $190.53 if you retrieve your car before midnight on the day it's towed. A $15 storage fee is tacked on for each additional day the vehicle is left there.�?

According to the Star Tribune, “The snowstorm that dumped as much as 8 inches of snow on parts of the state on Saturday has triggered snow emergencies in Minneapolis and St. Paul beginning tonight. Parking is banned until streets are plowed full width to the curb. There will be tagging and towing ahead of the plows starting immediately at 9 p.m. and continuing throughout the snow emergency. Today, parts of Minnesota can expect to see flurries and light snow, but it won’t add much to the snow already on the ground, the National Weather Service said this morning.�?

These articles are reporting on the same topic, but the Pioneer Press article makes a greater attempt to help readers by telling them where the problem areas are and what they should do about it. Someone concerned about getting towed would find more valuable information from the Pioneer Press article, although it is mostly focused on St. Paul.

Magic end Celtics' Perfect Start

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:53:44 +0000

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “The Boston Celtics are beatable after all as Dwight Howard scored 24 points, Rashard Lewis added 22 and the Orlando Magic dealt the Celtics their first loss of the season, 104-102 on Sunday night. Paul Pierce missed an off-balance jumper with time running out that could have forced overtime. Pierce finished with 28 points. Orlando was up as much as 20, but Boston chipped away in the third and fourth quarters.�? Going on several small runs, the Celtics finally got their first lead at 88-87, halfway through the fourth quarter on consecutive 3's by Eddie House and James Posey. “Ray Allen, who struggled from the field all night, drained a 3 with 7.7 seconds left to draw Boston to 103-102. Lewis made a free throw, Pierce's shot bounced off the rim and Howard grabbed the rebound to seal the win.�?

This same AP story was posted on the Boston Globe’s sports section. I assumed that each would have their own recaps, however perhaps due to time constraints those won’t be posted until later. From the sports news I usually read, each city favors its team to tell its local readers what they want to know, but in this case both cities’ papers printed a somewhat neutral story.

Maryland Parents Required to get Kids Shots

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:02:48 +0000

According to the New York Times, “In Maryland, Hundreds of parents, who had been warned that they might face fines and jail time unless they had their children immunized, brought their children to a courthouse to Upper Marlboro, Saturday for the vaccinations.�? This was a request by Judge C. Philip Nichols Jr. of Prince George’s County Circuit Court, who is in charge of juvenile issues. The judge sent over 800 letters to families, strongly recommending that their children should be immunized at the courthouse or to prove that the children had been immunized in accordance with state law. “This year, the State of Maryland added the requirement that children have shots for hepatitis B and chickenpox in addition to other vaccinations including polio, mumps and measles.�? Some were outraged with the letters while others knew it was best for everyone involved.

According to the Star Tribune, Parents in Prince George's County in Maryland have been ordered to appear at a special court hearing today where they will be given a choice: Get their children vaccinated on the spot or risk up to 10 days in jail and fines.�? School officials say parents have been warned about the need for vaccinations over the past year. They also said the goal isn’t to throw parents in jail but to protect public health and get kids who have been barred from school back to class.

The New York Times article focuses more on what the result of the law has been and not as much on the law itself. The Times also has a better story because it uses more sources and includes quotes from both sides.

Whale Stranded Again in Amazon

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:00:18 +0000

According to the USA Today, “An 18-foot whale that entered the Amazon River and swam about 1,000 miles upstream has been trapped for a second time on a sandbar, Brazilian news media reported Sunday.�? Residents spotted the minke whale just a few miles from where it was freed Friday. Dozens of people have gathered along the river, splashing water on its exposed back and dorsal fin. “The minke whale is the second smallest of the baleen whales after the pygmy right whale. There are an estimated 184,000 minke whales in the central and northeast Atlantic Ocean.�?

According to BBC News, “A 5.5m long minke whale has been spotted more than 1600km (994 miles) from the Atlantic Ocean, deep inside the Amazon rain forest. It is the second time this week in Brazil that a lost animal has been spotted in an unexpected location. Local people had been splashing water on the whale's back and fin while it was exposed to the hot Amazon sun. While it is not unprecedented, it is unusual for whales to venture so far into fresh water.�?

The USA Today article was easier to read because it told the story rather than just listing facts. Also, I think the USA Today reported on more recent happenings because it said it was the second time this whale was stranded.

Two Killed in North Mankato Explosion

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:32:28 +0000

According to the Pioneer Press, “Two people died early Saturday after an explosion and fire at a mobile home park.�? Police said they received several 911 calls at 1:25 Saturday. “When firefighters arrived at the Camelot Mobile Home Park, they found the rear of the residence fully engulfed in flames. Two bodies were recovered from the charred mobile home. There names were not immediately released, as autopsies were being conducted. Authorities said the fire was under investigation.�?
According to the Star Tribune, Two people have died after an explosion when their mobile home burned to the ground in North Mankato. “Neighbors rushed out at 1:25 a.m. Saturday to see Shawn and Beth Marxen's mobile home engulfed in flames.�? Positive identifications haven’t yet been made, but Beth’s mother has confirmed that her daughter lived at the home, and neither of the Marxens reported to work Saturday. The Marxens have two daughters – 12, and 6 – who often stay with their grandparents on Friday nights.
The Pioneer Press article is mostly just a brief, while the Star Tribune reported on the story, finding out who lived there, some personal information, and did interviews with neighbors.