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2 men convicted in ‘Xbox killings’ back in court for resentencing

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

VOLUSIA COUNT, Florida (WESH) — Two of the four men convicted in the 2004 Deltona mass murders are back in a Volusia County courtroom for resentencing.A jury sentenced Troy Victorino and Jerone Hunter to death but a judge overturned those sentences because the jury recommendations were not unanimous.That’s what the prosecution wanted.The new law allows juries to recommend death with an 8-4 vote but Judge Randall Rowe, presiding, ruled this hearing started before the new law was passed so the jury will have to be unanimous to recommend death.“They thought about it, intended to do it, killed 6 innocent victims,” prosecutor Andrew Urbanek said.The killers took metal bats and knives into the house on Telford Lane in August of 2004, murdered Erin Belanger, Michelle Nathan, Francisco Ayo-Roman, Anthony Vega, Roberto Gonzalez and Jonathan Gleason.Their dog was stomped to death. It’s a massacre so horrific, there was blood evidence in every room.Prosecutors say...

Local leaders, students join thousands in celebration of Israel’s 75th Independence Day at loanDepot Park

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

Thousands of South Floridians came together at loanDepot Park in Miami to celebrate Israel’s 75th Independence Day.Wednesday’s celebration was a joyous occasion that brought together people of all ages, filled with performances, special guests and a whole lot of energy.“We’re celebrating Israel’s birthday,” said a young attendee.“The idea is, really, to celebrate our own community and connect in celebration and solidarity with Israel,” said event organizer Tila Falic-Levi.Among those in attendance was Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who said she is proud of her connection.“I celebrate intercultural, multi-denominational, multi-religious connections every day. I’m here for everyone, but I’m also proud to be [Miami-Dade County’s] first Jewish mayor,” she said.The event also drew students from 22 different schools across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.Each local school represented a differ...

A man has been arrested in decades-old rapes in Michigan and Pennsylvania after DNA from a coffee cup linked him to the crimes, officials say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

(CNN) — A Michigan man is facing felony charges after DNA from a coffee cup linked him to two rapes in different states from more than 20 years ago, a prosecutor said.Alan Kurt Rillema, 51, was arrested last week and arraigned in Michigan on charges of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He also faces felony charges in Pennsylvania, according to court documents.The charges are the latest stemming from advances in investigative genetic genealogy leading authorities to a suspect in a decades-old cold case.The first rape Rillema is accused of was reported at a golf course in Michigan in 1999. Someone came in through an employee-only door and sexually assaulted a young woman who was working at the course’s food stand, said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard at a news conference last week.Investigators at the time obtained DNA but didn’t have a suspect, the sheriff said.Then, another rape was reported in 2000 at a golf course at Penn State University,...

Court ruling raises questions about breathalyzer tests in tens of thousands of Mass. OUI cases 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

Tens of thousands of drivers who plead guilty or who were convicted of being drunk behind the wheel are getting a second chance thanks to a decision from Massachusetts’ highest court that has thrown breathalyzer tests into question. The ruling comes after one woman decided to keep fighting her case after she was stopped at a sobriety checkpoint in Beverly roughly 10 years ago. The woman’s attorney, Murat Erkan spoke with 7NEWS, saying his client took a breathalyzer test. “Not only did the machine say she failed, it said that she failed quite spectacularly,” Erkan said. “That caused her to doubt herself — ‘I mean the machine says I did it.’”Erkan said he advised the woman to plead guilty, which she did. Years later, though, they learned the breath machines were not routinely calibrated, raising questions about their accuracy. Erkan and his client decided to appeal the 2013 drunk driving case.“She understood how the public was harmed and the public trust...

Few showers Thursday

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

7Weather- It’s been another day of sunshine blended with clouds and highs in the 50s. We’ll continue to have a lot of clouds around this evening. Tomorrow brings a few showers. Friday is our pick of the next few! Then we’ll have more shower chances this weekend.Heading to the city to cheer on the Bruins? You’ll want a thicker jacket as the wind coming off the cool ocean water will make it feel chilly. While we’re on the topic of sports, you’ll likely want to do the same for the Celtics game tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, we’ll wake up to a lot of clouds and morning low temperatures near 40°/low 40s. We’ll continue to see mainly clouds throughout the day with scattered showers. It won’t be a steady shield of rain that moves in, but at times you might have to dodge some rain drops. Afternoon temperatures rebound to the mid 50s again. Highs along the coast stay near 50°.By this time of the week, you might be thinking “is it Frida...

Everett students get visit, ‘ultimate recess’ experience with New England Patriots players

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

Some students in Everett had a recess they likely won’t forget after the New England Patriots stopped by Lafayette School on Wednesday morning.Several Patriots players were on hand as the team continued to give back to the community this week, stopping by the school to help kids stay fueled.The team, along with the New England Dairy Council, awarded the school $10,000 to buy new sports equipment and meal carts to increase access to school breakfast.The message throughout the day: eat well and stay active.“When your a kid, if you can make your mind up about things that are good for you and are correct, then it’s not as big of a struggle as you get older and you’re like ‘Man, I need to lose a bunch of weight’ or ‘Man I need to do this,’ – you’ve been doing this your whole life,” said Patriots guard Cole Strange.The excitement started with a school-wide assembly, featuring speakers that included Josh Kraft, President of ...

Crews respond to truck fire in Southboro

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

Crews responded to a truck fire in Southboro Wednesday that sent smoke billowing into the sky near the Southborough/Ashland line. SKY7-HD was over the scene shortly before 4 p.m. in the area of Oak Hill Road and Walnut Drive, where firefighters could be seen dousing the damaged truck. Police said no one was hurt in this incident.Southboro police said Oak Hill Road was closed as of around 3:30 p.m. as a result of this fire.

Column: History is repeating itself for the Chicago White Sox — as usual — with a 7-18 start

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

The Chicago White Sox were off to a pathetic start, so bad the general manager began searching for a new manager as the current one squirmed in the dugout.‘’We`re 7-17, I can’t worry about feelings,” the general manager said, adding that if the manager got fired “the players will fire him.”“They have not responded to him,” he said. “It’s the same old story. It’s not always the manager’s fault. But I don’t know of any other way to go. You don’t get rid of the players. The club is 7-17. That’s the bottom line.”The general manager was Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, who had played pool at a suite at the Palmer House Hotel until 3 a.m. the previous morning. His pool partner was former New York Yankees broadcaster Billy Martin, whom Harrelson wanted to hire to replace manager Tony La Russa. It was as unseemly as it sounds. Even La Russa detractors couldn’t believe White Sox Chairman Je...

Pat Leonard: Aaron Rodgers’ Jets arrival felt big because it was, now he has to handle New York

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

Aaron Rodgers received two standing ovations from Jets employees on Wednesday:Once when he stepped onstage as a soundtracked video montage welcomed the longtime Packers great to Florham Park. A second time when Jets owner Woody Johnson said he was “delighted” to have the “future Hall of Famer,” then asked for a second one.“I’d just like to have a round of applause right there,” Johnson said.The red carpet was rolled out. Rodgers received his flowers. Wednesday felt big, and that’s because it was.“When he walks in the building,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said of Rodgers, “everything changes.”Head coach Robert Saleh said seeing the four-time MVP hold up his No. 8 Jets jersey was different.“If you would have told me two years ago Aaron Rodgers would be your quarterback, I would have laughed in your face,” Saleh said. “We’re relevant in the NFL now, but what we do with that is o...

Yankees’ bats break out to salvage series finale vs. Twins in 12-6 win

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:41:38 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS — The Yankees only scored two runs in Tuesday’s loss to the Twins, yet Aaron Boone viewed the evening as a step forward amid his team’s offensive drought.A Minnesota error made one of those runs possible, but Boone came away pleased with the Yankees’ approach and aggression. On Wednesday morning, the manager hoped the previous night would serve as a stepping stone as the Yankees sought to hang the “crooked numbers” that Boone desperately craved.“When you’re going through a stretch where we haven’t swung the bats great, we gotta build on things like that,” Boone said before the Yanks’ series finale against the Twins. Hours later, the Yankees beat Minnesota, 12-6, after scoring five runs in the second inning and six in the fourth.The Yankees had some help to begin the second inning, as a Gleyber Torres hustle double turned into a man on third after a Twins throwing error. Torres then scored when ex-Yankee Jo...