Monday, December 31, 2012

Wilmington 10 Granted Pardons of Innocence By North Carolina Governor Perdue

Governor Beverly Perdue

A 1976 file Wilmington Journal photo of the Wilmington 10. From left, front row, Rev. Ben Chavis, Joe Wright, Connie Tindall, Jerry Jacobs; from left, back row, Wayne Moore, Anne Sheppard, James McKoy, Willie Vereen, Marvin Patrick and Reginald Epps.

The nine black men and a white woman convicted for arson in North Carolina known as the Wilmington 10 were granted full pardons of Innocence.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 31, 2012

Raleigh, North Carolina - On Monday, the Office of Governor Beverly Perdue of North Carolina announced that outgoing Governor Perdue issued and granted full pardons of innocence for the Wilmington 10. Governor Perdue cited that last week, she reviewed hand written notes from the prosecutor of the case that indicated that he allowed known members of the Ku Klux Klan deemed as good citizens to serve as jurors, including an Afro-American considered an "Uncle Tom" in order to get a conviction after a mistrial was declared. Pardoned were James McKoy; Jerry Jacobs; Connie Tindall; Anne Sheppard; Benjamin Chavis; Wayne Moore; Willie Earl Vereen; Reginald Epps; Joe (Williams Dallas) Wright and Marvin Patrick. Sheppard was the only white woman among the nine black men who were convicted on October 1972 for arson and conspiracy for allegedly firebombing Mike's Grocery, a white-owned grocery store in a black neighborhood on February 6, 1971 and then shooting at firefighters trying to put out the blaze. 
Jacobs, Sheppard, Tindall and Wright of the Wilmington 10 have already died.
The notes written by Jay Stroud, the Pender County District Attorney on the case were discovered by Tim Tyson, a historian and writer who then made them public and were turned over to Governor Perdue. The notes indicated Stroud selected a jury on race to get a conviction. Most of the second trial jury were 10 whites and only included two blacks.
Governor Perdue stated, 
"I have spent a great deal of time over the past seven months reviewing the pardon of innocence requests of the persons collectively known as the Wilmington Ten. This topic evokes strong opinions from many North Carolinians as it hearkens back to a very difficult time in our state's past, a period of racial tensions and violence that represents a dark chapter in North Carolina's history. These cases generate a great deal of emotion from people who lived through these traumatic events.
In evaluating these petitions for clemency, it is important to separate fact from rumor and innuendo. I have decided to grant these pardons because the more facts I have learned about the Wilmington Ten, the more appalled I have become about the manner in which their convictions were obtained.
In 1980, a federal appeals court overturned the convictions in a written decision that highlighted the gross improprieties that occurred during the trial. The federal court determined as a matter of law that numerous instances of prosecutorial misconduct and other constitutional violations took place. Among other things, the court ruled that with regard to the testimony of the prosecution's key witness – upon whose credibility the case depended entirely -- "the conclusion is inescapable that [he] perjured himself" and that "this fact was bound to be known to the prosecutor . . ." The court also declared that it was undisputed that key documents had repeatedly been withheld from defense lawyers. It also found numerous errors by the trial judge that had the effect of unconstitutionally prejudicing the defendants' ability to receive a fair trial.
Since the trial ended, the prosecution's key witness and two supporting witnesses all independently recanted their testimony incriminating the defendants. Furthermore, last month, new evidence was made available to me in the form of handwritten notes from the prosecutor who picked the jury at trial. These notes show with disturbing clarity the dominant role that racism played in jury selection. The notes reveal that certain white jurors believed to be Ku Klux Klan members were described by the prosecutor as "good" and that at least one African American juror was noted to be an "Uncle Tom type."
This conduct is disgraceful. It is utterly incompatible with basic notions of fairness and with every ideal that North Carolina holds dear. The legitimacy of our criminal justice system hinges on it operating in a fair and equitable manner with justice being dispensed based on innocence or guilt – not based on race or other forms of prejudice. That did not happen here. Instead, these convictions were tainted by naked racism and represent an ugly stain on North Carolina's criminal justice system that cannot be allowed to stand any longer.
Justice demands that this stain finally be removed. The process in which this case was tried was fundamentally flawed. Therefore, as Governor, I am issuing these pardons of innocence to right this longstanding wrong."

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Menendez Charged With Fatally Shoving Sen Into NY Subway Train

Sunando Sen and Police wanted sketch of Erika Menendez

31-year-old woman held without bail and ordered to take a mental evaluation examination for last Thursday's death of a man shoved into an oncoming train in Sunnyside.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 30, 2012

New York City, New York - On Saturday, Judge Gia Morris during an arraignment hearing order Erika Menendez, 31, of Queens held without bail and ordered that she take a mental evaluation examination for the death of Sunando Sen, 46, of Queens, a Hindu immigrant from India.
Sen was killed around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday by an oncoming train at the elevated 40th Street-Lowery Street train station in Sunnyside after Menendez pushed him from behind and off the platform into the train as witnesses watched in horror.
She then fled and ran down the station and disappeared. A grainy surveillance camera video was then released by police to the media in an attempt to locate Menendez who was shown running from the crime scene. Someone in Brooklyn recognized Menendez walking down the street and called police who then arrested her.
Menendez confessed to police that she pushed a Muslim of the train tracks because "...I hate Hindus and Muslims ever since 2001 (Sept. 11) when they put down the Twin Towers, I've been beating them up," according to the criminal complaint.
Menendez was charged with one count of murder as a hate crime and if convicted, she is facing life in prison with an additional enhancer of 20 years in prison for the hate crime.

Gunmen Execute Godfather At 15-year-old Party In Monterrey

One of the Godfathers killed and 11 injured at 15-year-old party (Quinceñera) by gunmen in Monterrey.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 30, 2012

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico - On Sunday, the Nuevo León state attorney general's office launched a homicide investigation into the murder of Julio César Cruz Sánchez, 32, at a 15-year-old party. Sánchez was one of the Godfathers (sponsors of the event) during the party. 
Multiple gunmen entered the party at the Cerro de Silla Social Center located in the southern neighborhood of Altamira in Monterrey before 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night and found Sánchez inside. Sánchez, the intended target was then fatally shot. Some of the guests had tried to protect Sánchez, but were also shot including several children.
Sánchez' wife Soriadia Berenice Renovato Hernández who is 36 weeks pregnant suffered contractions and a nervous break down, according to Nuevo León authorities. 
It took about ten minutes for police to arrive at the scene. Witnesses say, the suspects fled in a white pick-up.
The injured victims were identified as María Guadalupe Saldaña Rodríguez, 42; Yahaira Guadalupe Hernández, 19; Jordan Fernando Vásquez Garibay; Soraida Berenice Renovato Hernández; Tatiana Aidé Arias Ramírez, 23; Teisi Villarreal Rodríguez; Sandra Elizabeth Escalona Pérez and
Estrella Ariana Renovato Escalona. 
Three others including a 1-year-old and a nine-month-old child were also injured in the shooting. All of the reported injured people at the party are expected to survive and eight people have been released from the Monterrey University Hospital. Three of the victims still remained hospitalized.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Wauwatosa Officer Sebena Fatally Shot Multiple Times In The Head By Husband

Jennifer Lynn Sebena and Benjamin Sebena

Husband had threaten his wife, a Wauwatosa Police Officer weeks earlier with a weapon during a domestic incident before killing her on Christmas Eve.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 27, 2012

Village of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin - On Thursday, authorities involved in the homicide case of Wauwatosa Police Officer Jennifer Lynn Sebena, 30, confirmed that her husband, Benjamin Sebena, 30, had confessed to killing his wife on Christmas Eve. He was charged on Thursday with first-degree intentional homicide.
 A criminal complaint was released stating that Benjamin had waited for almost two hours between 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Wauwatosa Fire Station One for his wife on December 24. He spotted her squad nearby the station and when Officer Sebena emerged from her break at the fire station, Benjamin got close and pulled out a 9MM Cal. handgun and shot her twice in the back of her head from a distance. Sebena tried to reach for her service weapon, but Benjamin disarmed her and then shot her another three times in the face (head) with her .40 Cal. service handgun. Police confirmed, Sebena was shot five times.
Her body was found outside the fire house at Underwood Avenue around 4:28 a.m. by another officer. 
Benjamin told police, he shot Sebena in the head because he wanted to make sure that she was dead and wouldn't suffer. He then took her service weapon, including his gun and hid them in the attic of their residence where authorities recovered them on Wednesday.
Benjamin actually went to the police station asking about his wife because he was worried. On Christmas Day while being questioned by police, he broke down and was detained after thinking out loud and stating, "How could I do that to her?" while he was alone and being video taped in a room. He then confessed to police that he killed her.
Officer Sebena who was seeking a divorce from her husband, on December 6, apparently told another officer that she was a victim of domestic violence when her husband took out a handgun during an argument and then put it to her head, according to the criminal complaint. There is no indication that the officer alerted other officers or the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) command about Sebena's abuse by her husband and that she might be in danger. Chief Weber indicated, the domestic abuse was never reported by the officer or Officer Sebena.
Benjamin's outburst resulted from a jealousy rage brought upon his believe that his wife was seeing other men. He admitted of stalking Officer Sebena for days leading to her murder.
The investigation has yet to determine that Officer Sebena was actually cheating on her husband.
Benjamin Sebena remains in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail with a $1 million dollar bond. If convicted, Benjamin is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Benjamin is a Marine Iraq War Veteran who received a Purple Heart for his injuries during his tour of military service. He served two tours in Iraq and was severely injured.
He met Sebena on MySpace and later married her. Officer Sebena is the first to be killed in the line of duty in the 96 year history of the WPD.
She had served in the WPD for several years and had no children. Her funeral services will be held on Saturday in Brookfield.

Criminal complaint at following link: http://bit.ly/12KNea3

Wauwatosa Officer Sebena's Husband Facing Charges For Christmas Eve Homicide

Jennifer Lynn Sebena and Benjamin Sebena

Husband of murdered Wauwatosa Police Officer Sebena is facing homicide charges for her death.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 27, 2012

Village of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Police Chief Barry Weber of the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) confirmed that Benjamin Sebena, the husband of slain Police Officer Jennifer Lynn Sebena, 30, remains in custody and was booked on Wednesday for first-degree intentional homicide at the Milwaukee County Jail for allegedly killing his wife on Christmas Eve. Benjamin is now facing a homicide charge for Sebena's murder, according to Chief Weber. 
Sebena's husband hasn't been formerly charged, but charges will be file on early Thursday afternoon when he is expected to appear in a Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Benjamin had been detained since Christmas Day. 
On Wednesday, police also executed a search warrant at the Sebena's residence in Menomonee Falls to look for evidence linking Benjamin to his wife's murder.
Officer Sebena went missing between 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. for two hours on early Christmas Eve while on routine patrol in the downtown area of the Village of Wauwatosa. A police officer discovered Sebena's body just after 5:00 a.m. with multiple gunshots wounds near the Wauwatosa Firehouse One on Underwood Ave. The homicide investigation immediately focused on her husband who became the prime suspect. Investigators were reviewing video surveillance footage near the crime scene where Officer Sebena's body was discovered. 
Officer Sebena is the first to be killed in the line of duty in the 96 year history of the WPD.
Benjamin Sebena, is a Purple Heart War Veteran who suffered an injurying while serving in the Military (Marines). He met Officer Sebena on the Internet (MySpace) and were later married.
She had served in the WPD for several years and had no children. Her funeral services will be held on Saturday in Brookfield.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Largest Three Kings Las Reynas Bakery Coffee Cake Upcoming Celebration Event

Click on image to enlarge

The public is being invited to attend the unveiling of the largest traditional Morales-Villegas family Three Kings Mexican Coffee cake at Las Reynas Bakery & Ice Cream.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 26, 2012

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Alfonso Morales, the owner of Las Reynas Bakery & Ice Cream, 1242 S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr. announced the unveiling of the largest Three King's Mexican Coffee cake in the State of Wisconsin. The unveiling of the traditional La Rosca de Reyes will take place at Las Reynas Bakery on January 6, beginning at noon with the expected cutting of La Rosca at 2:00 p.m.
Morales currently holds the record of creating the longest Three Kings Coffee cake in the state. This years lenght will reach up to 300 feet round, which will be displayed and ready to consume at Las Reynas Bakery at no cost to the public attending the event, according to Morales. The event marks the traditional baking of La Rosca around the World and Mexico, especially in Milwaukee. People can begin ordering their delicious Las Reynas' Rosca for the holidays.
More than 500 people are expected to attend the event and each one will get a free piece of La Rosca as first come, first serve until the last piece of the Rosca is given away.
Morales says, the Rosca event on January 6, is provided free of charge to the public for their dedicated consumer loyalty in making Las Reynas Bakery their preferred service for their baking needs for banquets, quinceñeras, weddings and special occasions. The first 10 people who put an order for a large Rosca will get a free Holiday cake absolutely free.
La Rosca is a ring shaped bread with small dolls baked inside which represents baby Jesus. Who ever gets a doll, the person then gets to sponsor a Rosca party. La Rosca is baked to celebrate the holidays. As a tradition numerous families wait until January 6, the day of the Three Magicians Kings "El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos" to open their holiday and Christmas gifts.

Wauwatosa Police Officer's Husband In Custody As Homicide Probe Continues

Jennifer Lynn Sebena and Benjamin Sebena

The husband of murdered Wauwatosa Police Officer Sebena has been taken into custody for questioning concerning her homicide.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 26, 2012

Village of Wauwatosa, WI - On Wednesday, Today's TMJ News 4 citing sources reported that Benjamin Sebena the hushand of slained Wauwatosa Police Officer Jennifer Lynn Sebena, 30, had been taken into custody on Christmas day for questioning in connection with the officer's murder. Several days ago, police spent the day at Sebena's residence in Menomonee Falls investigating the homicide.
Benjamin Sebena remains detained at the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) as of Wednesday, but has not been charged, according to the TMJ News report. A search warrant was executed at the Sebena's residence on Wednesday.
Officer Sebena was found fatally shot near the Wauwatosa Fire House One by officers who were looking for the missing officer. She went missing between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Officer Sebena is the first officer to be killed in the line of duty in 96 years of the WPD history.
She was one of two officers killed on Christmas Eve, the other officer, was Corporal Jimmie Norman 53, from the Bellaire Police Department in Texas. The suspect, Harlem Harold Lewis, 21, was taken into custody for capital murder.

NBC's Meet the Press Anchor Gregory Displays 30-round Mag Allegedly Violating D.C.'s Strict Gun Law

Washington, D.C. Police investigating whether Meet the Press anchor violated District statue banning high-capacity round magazines within city limits.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 26, 2012

Washington, D.C. - A police investigation has been initiated to see if NBC's Meet the Press anchor David Gregory displayed an authentic 30-round magazine for an assault rifle on last Sunday's show while interviewing National Rifle Association Vice President Wayne LaPierre. The show was dicussing the recent mass shootings with high-capacity magazines used in assault rifles.
NBC had requested permission from the District police to bring and show a high-capacity magazine for an assault rifle to the show, but was denied. It's not clear, if NBC complied and used a fake magazine.
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier confirmed, that an investigation was initiated to whether Gregory and the NBC network violated the District's ban on high-capacity round magazines for assault rifles.
Having a high-capacity, whether on an assault rifle or merely in possession of one within the District is a vioaltion of D.C.'s official violation code 7-2606.01, titled "D.C. High Capacity Ammunition Magazines" which cites; 

"(b) No person in the District shall possess, sell, or transfer any large capacity ammunition feeding device regardless of whether the device is attached to a firearm. For the purposes of this subsection, the term large capacity ammunition feeding device means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The term large capacity ammunition feeding device shall not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition."

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Two Police Officers Killed On Christmas Eve 2012

Jennifer Lynn Sebena and Jimmie Norman

Police Officer Sebena was killed in the Village of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and the second officer, Cpl. Jimmie Norman was reported killed in Bellaire, Texas on Christmas Eve.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 25, 2012

Village of Wauwatosa, WI - On Monday, the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) and multiple law enforcement investigative agencies, including the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office launch a massive investigation into Wauwatosa Police Officer Jennifer Lynn Sebena, 30. Officer Sebena went missing between 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. on Monday when a dispatcher attempted to locate the officer. 
Officers around 5:00 a.m. located the body Officer Sebena, who suffered multiple shots near the Wauwatosa Fire Station One in the Village of Wauwatosa downtown. The investigation focused on Underwood Ave. and Harmonee Ave. in the Village.
During a press conference, Lt. Gerald Witkowski of the WPD confirmed, Officer Sebena had joined the department several years ago and had began solo patrolling in July. The investigation into the death of the Officer Sebena is ongoing. 
Sebena is survived by her husband.
The second police officer, Corporal Jimmie Norman, 53, died after 9:10 a.m. in Bellaire, Texas when Harlem Harold Lewis, 21, fired his weapon and shot the officer. Cpl. Norman had made a traffic stop after Lewis crashed into a truck and then fled the scene. Lewis was pursued by Norman and a man who Lewis had crashed into. Lewis then pulled over at Maaco in the 5600 block of Bellaire Blvd. Cpl. Norman attempted to remove Lewis from the vehicle, when Lewis pulled out a .380 Cal. handgun and shot Cpl. Norman at point blank. Norman later died on Monday of his injuries at the Ben Taub General Hospital.
Lewis also allegedly shot and killed Terry Taylor, the owner of the Maaco body shop who came out to render aid to Cpl. Norman. Other officers arriving at the scene then shot and wounded Lewis twice. Lewis tried to flee from officers, but a blood trail left by Lewis led police to a truck where he was hiding underneath. Lewis was arrested and taken to the Memorial Hermann Hospital for treatment.
Lewis is being charged with two capital murders.
Cpl. Norman served 23 years with the Bellaire Police Department (BPD). He is survived by his wife and two adult children, according to the BPD.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Village of Wauwatosa Police Officer Found Deceased While On Duty

Jennifer Lynn Sebena

The Village of Wauwatosa Police Department is investigating the homicide of an officer that went missing between 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 24, 2012

Village of Wauwatosa, WI - On Monday, the Wauwatosa Police Department (WPD) and multiple law enforcement investigative agencies, including the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office launch a massive investigation into the homicide of Wauwatosa Police Officer Jennifer Lynn Sebena, 30. Officer Sebena went missing between 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. on Monday when a dispatcher attempted to locate Officer Sebena. 
Officers around 5:00 a.m. located the body of Officer Sebena, who was shot multiple times near the Wauwatosa Fire Station One in the Village of Wauwatosa downtown. The investigation focused on Underwood Ave. and Harmonee in the Village.
During a press conference, Lt. Gerald Witkowski of the WPD confirmed, Officer Sebena joined the department several years ago and the investigation is ongoing. Family members of the deceased officer were notified of her murder. She is survived by her husband.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Dentist Acted Properly When He Terminated Attractive Female Assistant

James M. Knight and Melissa Nelson

Images: ABC News

Assistant ran out of appeals after the all male Iowa Supreme Court ruled dentist acted properly when he fired his attractive assistant to preserve his marriage.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 23, 2012

Des Moines, Iowa - ABC News reported that on Friday, the all male Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Dentist James M. Knight acted properly when he terminated Melissa Nelson, 32, for finding her "irresistibly attractive." Friday's appeal ruling exhausts further appeals after three years of legal challenges against Nelson's unjust termination.
Nelson filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against Knight after he was pressured by his wife to fire her for just being an attractive woman. Knight's wife felt threaten that her marriage would be dissolved after she discovered that her husband had sent text massages to Nelson. Knight confessed to his wife that he indeed found Nelson irresistibly attractive.
Nelson is married and has two children. Neither Knight or Nelson had ever engaged in any extramarital activity between them. He intimately just found her attractive.
The Iowa supreme court ruling set precedent that any woman can get terminated in the state for just being attractive to preserve the best interests of a marriage. Especially, the marriage of a male boss who finds his employee attractive even, if they never engaged in any type of advances resulting in an affair, according to the Iowa Supreme Court ruling.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Badge Of Slain Milwaukee Police Sergeant Nencki Resurfaced At Flea Market


Photos except badge by Milwaukee Finest dot net

The alleged badge assigned to the late Milwaukee Police Sergeant Nencki resurfaced at a flea market.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 22, 2012

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, a badge collector found and purchased a rare and unique police badge (number 399) believed to have belonged to the late Milwaukee Police Sergeant Raymond A. Nencki, 38, who was shot while on duty on September 22, 1959 and died of his injuries on October 5, 1959. A police report about the day Sergeant Nencki was shot stated, that Sergeant Nencki responded to a call of a suspicious salesman at 3953 N. 63rd Street.
When Nencki arrived at the scene to speak with the family that made the initial call, the suspect pulled a gun and held Sergeant Nencki at gunpoint. A second officer arrived at the scene, Sergeant Nencki adviced Dectective Joseph "Joe" Friday to maintain his position (stay back) and when both Nencki and Friday tried to reason with the suspect. The suspect fired two shots at Sergeant Nencki striking him in the abdomen and throat. While Nencki fell, he discharged and emptied his weapon at the suspect. Det. Friday at the scene then discharged his weapon and killed the suspect. The suspect died at the scene and it was later determined that he was wanted for a homicide of a woman a day before Nencki was shot.
Sergeant Nencki died fifteen days later of his injuries. Nencki made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the citizens of Milwaukee.
Sergeant Nencki joined the Milwaukee Police Department on January 2, 1948 and was assigned to the Seventh Police District Station located at 3136 N. 36th St. (1928-1980), in 1980 the station was relocated to 3626 W. Fond du Lac Ave. where it continues to operate.
Retired Detective Friday died of lung cancer at the age of 75 in 2001 at a Brookfield Hospice.


Friday, December 21, 2012

President Obama Officially Nominated John Kerry As Secretary of State

President Obama and U.S. Senator John F. Kerry

U.S. Senator John F. Kerry was nominated by President Obama to be the next Secretary of State.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 21, 2012

Washington, D.C. - On Friday, President Barack H. Obama officially nominated U.S. Senator John F. Kerry (D-Massachusetts) as the next Scretary of State. Kerry has over 30 years experience in foreign affairs and is expected to be approved quickly, according to Obama.
Kerry will replace Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as soon as he gets approved by Congress.
Kerry, if approved will become the 68th Secretary of State and a powerful Cabinate member in Obama's administration. 
Kerry tried to be nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004.

Ferrer-Arenas, Venezuelan Model Discovered Fatally Shot In The Head In Jalisco Canal

Daysi Yenireé Ferrer Arenas

Model went missing on December 14 and Jalisco authorities found her body on Tuesday in a remote ditch in Guadalajara.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 21, 2012

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - The State of Jalisco Attorney General, Tomás Coronado Olmos has confirmed that police in Guadalajara found the body of Daysi Yenireé Ferrer Arenas, 24, from Venezuela in a remote Guadalajara canal. Arenas apparently was shot in the head and then discarded in a remote ditch. She went missing on December 14, after visiting a bar in Guadalajara.
Arenas' body was discovered around 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday and near her body an immigration document (FM3) with information that she worked for the Kiu Models Agency was also found confirming her identity, according to Olmos.
On Thursday afternoon, the Kiu Models Agency removed Arenas modeling profile and all her photos from their website.
The family of Arenas is expected to arrive in Guadalajara on December 29, to recover her body, according to Olmos.

Banks, A Convicted Bank Robber Escapee Arrested By Chicago's FBI

Joseph "Jose" Banks and Kenneth Conley

Banks was taken into custody on Thursday night in Chicago without incident, the FBI reported.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 21, 2012

Chicago, Illinois - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Chicago confirmed that Joseph "Jose" Banks, 37, had been taken into custody by the FBI's Violent Crime Task Force composed of agents and Chicago Police on Thursday around 11:30 p.m. without incident. Banks who escaped with Kenneth Conley, 38, from the Chicago federal Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) on Tuesday was not armed when he was arrested. No further details of Banks arrest were provided by the FBI. Conley remains at large, according to the FBI.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI in a combined effort had offered a reward of $60K for information leading to the arrest of Banks and Conley, two convicted bank robbers who escaped from the MCC in Chicago. The U.S. Marshals Service offered $10K and the FBI offered $50K for both Conley and Banks who were convicted for separate bank robberies and were considered armed and dangerous. 
Banks was convicted for stealing $589,000 and was awaiting sentencing scheduled for March 26. Only $56,000 was ever recovered from Banks robbery and authorities believe he had access to half a million dollars. Conley stole $4,000 and was supposed to be sentence on January 10.
Banks and Conley managed to fool the correction facility guards by placing dummies made up of a sheet filled with clothing and created a make shift rope with sheets to climbed down a 15 story high-rise. They were able to sawed off bars from a window, broke it and then squeezed through a 6 foot high by 6 inches wide window to escape on early Tuesday.
It's the second time in twenty years, a federal inmate has escaped from the MCC facility.
The fugitives later ended up at Conley's mother home, but were turned away. The mother managed to retrieved a gun from Conley, according to feds.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Feds Offer $60K For Info Leading To Chicago's Escape Bank Robbers Arrest

Kenneth Conley and Joseph "Jose" Banks

A reward of $60K is being offered for info leading to the capture of two bank robbers that escaped from the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 20, 2012

Chicago, Illinois - On Wednesday, the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI in a combined efford are offering a reward of $60K for information leading to the arrest of two convicted bank robbers who escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago. The U.S. Marshals Service offered $10K and the FBI offered $50K for both Kenneth Conley, 38, and Joseph "Jose" Banks, 37, who were convicted for separate bank robberies and are considered armed and dangerous. 
Banks was convicted for stealing $589,000 and was awaiting sentencing scheduled for March 26. Only $56,000 was ever recovered from Banks robbery and authorities believe he has access to half a million dollars. Conley stole $4,000 and was supposed to be sentence on January 10.
Banks and Conley managed to fool the correction facility guards by placing dummies made up of a sheet filled with clothing and created a make shift rope with sheets to climb down a 15 story high rise. They were able to sawed off bars from a window, broke it and then squeezed through a 6 foot high by 6 inches wide window to escape on early Tuesday.
It's the second time in twenty years, a federal inmate has escaped from the MCC facility.
The fugitives later ended up at Conley's mother home, but were turned away. The mother managed to retrieved a gun from Conley, according to feds.
Both fugitives remained at large, the U.S. Marshals Service reported.

Centre NAD Video Of Golden Eagle Snatching Child A Fake

Canadian students made YouTube video for class project, got more than 18M views plus a grade A. Video link: http://bit.ly/12orqAN

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 20, 2012

Montreal, Canada - On Wednesday, a Canadian digital-media school released a statement that the Centre NAD video of a golden eagle snatching a child at a park and then dropping it was a hoax. Four students created the video for a class project and uploaded it on YouTube.
The "Golden Eagle Snatches Kid" video, uploaded to YouTube on the evening of December 18, was made by Normand Archambault, Loïc Mireault and Félix Marquis-Poulin, students at Centre NAD, in the production simulation workshop class of the Bachelors degree in 3D Animation and Digital Design...Hoaxes produced in this class have already garnered attention, amongst others, a video of a penguin having escaped the Montreal Biodôme," Centre NAD stated in its website.
The video received more than 18M views and the students received an A for the project. The video had few flaws, the wings of the eagle breakup as it is flying and then no shadow appears as it descended on the park and then a shadow appears.
Also, another flaw was the timing of actually taping the incident when it occurred, coincidence? It would have been very remote to catch a real incident.
More and more fake videos are being posted on Youtube.

El Chapo's Daughter Deported To Mexico

Alejandrina Gisselle Guzman-Salazar

Guzman-Salazar under a plea agreement was deported to Mexico after time served.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 20, 2012

San Diego, CA - On Tuesday, Alejandrina Gisselle Guzman-Salazar, 31, was deported to Mexico under a plea agreement in federal court. She pleaded guilty on Monday to a felony charge for fraud after federal border customs discovered she presented a forged Visa from another person. A federal judge under the plea agreement sentenced Guzman-Salazar to time served dating back to October 12 when she was taken into custody at the San Ysidro border crossing. Guzman-Salazar was confirmed to be eight months pregnant when she was deported.
In October, Guzman-Salazar was stopped while attempting to walk across from Tijuana at the U.S. Border in San Ysidro with false documents. 
Federal authorities arrested Guzman-Salazar at the border crossing around when they discovered her fingerprints and real name did not match the documents (Visa and Mexican passport) in her possession.
Guzman-Salazar admitted to authorities that she wanted to go to Los Angeles and give birth to her child. She was seven months pregnant at the time, according to the feds. 
Guzman-Salazar also confirmed that she is the daughter of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, the Sinaloa drug cartel leader. Guzman-Salazar's mother Maria is one of three former wife's Loera had.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Perez Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Vazquez Fatal Hit-and-Run

Luis Omar Pérez

Pérez guilty plea brings lighter sentence in Vazquez Jr. fatal hit-and-run.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 19, 2012

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Wagner sentenced Luis Omar Pérez, 32, to five years in prison and four years supervision after pleading guilty for the death of Gilbert L. Vazquez Jr., 25, on May 31. Laura Manriquez, Gilbert's mother was requesting for Judge Wagner to give Pérez the maximum sentencr. But since Pérez pleaded guilty, Judge Wagner gave him five years. 
Pérez told the judge that he was sorry about Vazquez' death, but that he was scared at the time and left the scene. Pérez did not have a valid driver's license when the hit-and-run occurred.
Pérez was convicted for one felony count of hit-and-run involving death for the May 26 injuries sustained by Vazquez Jr., who later died on May 31 from the injuries. Pérez was facing up to 25 years in prison. 
Vazquez Jr. was walking near the 1600 block of W. Mitchell Street when Pérez crashed into him and then fled the scene.
The criminal complaint states, Pérez told his girlfriend that Vazquez Jr. had stepped in front of his moving vehicle and he couldn't avoid hitting him. Pérez got scared, didn't stop and fled.
He later heard on the news that Vazquez Jr. had died in a hospital. Police had wanted to talk with him and asked him to come in. Pérez then decided to confess about the hit-and-run incident to police. 

Thousands Attend Jenni Rivera's Funeral Services In Los Angeles

Lupillo Rivera sings " Yo Te Estrañare" (I Will Miss You) to Jenni's remembrance and last respects to his sister.

Images from Telemundo

Jenni Rivera's family, friends and fans paid their last respects to La Diva de la Banda Jenni Rivera.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 19, 2012

Los Angeles, CA - On Wednesday, more than 6,000 fans attended the funeral services for "La Diva de la Banda" Jenni Rivera, 43, at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles. Tickets to attend the funeral were available by Ticketmaster. Hundreds more fans remained outside the Gibson and watched the funeral service on a large screen.
Rivera's family member will have a private funeral service at the All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach after the public service ends at the Gibson in L.A.
The Telemundo network aired the Rivera funeral service. Some of the attendees were Olga Tañon, Joan Sebastian, Ana Gabriel, Marco Antionio Ortiz, Edward James Olmos and other Latino music artists. 
Rivera's father, Pedro Rivera dedicated a song to Jenni and Lupillo Rivera also sang "Yo Te Estrañare" to his sister.
Rivera lost her life on October 10th shortly after departing from Monterrey on a private Learjet 25. Ten minutes into the Learjet flight around 3:15 a.m., the jet lost control at 28,000 feet and plunged at a speed of 600 miles per hour crashing into the side of a mountain in a ranch in Iturbe, Nuevo León.
Rivera, four of her companions and two pilots lost their lives when the Learjet exploded and their bodies disintegrated on impact. Rivera had performed on Saturday night at the Monterrey Arena in front of 16,000 fans and was headed to Toluca when the plane that she and her attorney, representative and several make-up/manicure aides were traveling in disappeared 10 minutes after taking off from Monterrey and crashed.
Rivera (Jenny Dolores Rivera Saavedra) including both pilots, Miguel Pérez and Alejandro Torres and four other passengers Alberto Rivera Saavedra, Mario Macias, Jacob Llenares and Gerardo N. were killed in the crash.
Rivera is a three time Latin Grammy Award nominee who is known for her banda and norteña music genres. Rivera had just signed a deal with ABC to star in a comedy sitcom called "Jenni". She also became the first Latina artist to host her own reality show and had launched a clothing and cosmetics line.
Rivera is survived by her five children, (three fathered by Marín), Jacqueline Marín Rivera, 23, Janney "Chiquis" Marín Rivera, 27, and Michael Marín Rivera, 21, (two fathered by López) Jenicka López Rivera, 15, and Johnny López Rivera, 11, including both her parents (Pedro Rivera and Rosa Saavedra) and siblings, Pedro, Gustavo, Lupillo, Juan and Rosie.
Lupillo is a popular banda singer and Juan is also a singer.

Bank Robbers Escape From A Chicago Federal Holding Facility

Kenneth Conley and Joseph "Jose" Banks

Two bank robbers being held at the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago managed to elude U.S. Marshals by escaping through a 6 feet high by 6 inches wide high rise facility window.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 19, 2012

Chicago, Illinois - On Tuesday, the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and Chicago Police initiated citywide dragnet to search for two federal inmates that escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), 71 W. Van Buran in Chicago. Both Kenneth Conley, 38, and Joseph "Jose" Banks, 37, were convicted for separate bank robberies and are considered armed and dangerous. 
Banks was convicted for stealing $589,000 and was awaiting sentencing scheduled for March 26. Only $56,000 was ever recovered from Banks robbery and authorities believe he has access to half a million dollars. Conley stole $4,000 and was supposed to be sentence on January 10.
Banks and Conley managed to fool the correction facility guards by placing dummies made up of a sheet filled with clothing and created a make shift rope with sheets to climb down a 15 story high rise. They were able to sawed off bars from a window, broke it and then squeezed through a 6 foot high by 6 inches wide window to escape on early Tuesday.
It's the second time, a federal inmate has escaped from the MCC facility.
The fugitives later ended up at Conley's mother home, but were turned away. The mother managed to retrieved a gun from Conley, according to feds.
Both fugitives remained at large, the U.S. Marshals Service reported.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Obama Could Become The First U.S. President To Face A Recall Over Gun Control

Gun control measure by the Obama administration could spark a national movement or campaign to recall Obama and federal legislators.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 12, 2012

Washington D.C. - On Tuesday, the White House confirmed that President elect Barack H. Obama has instructed his Cabinet to begin the process to reinstate a ban on the sale of assault rifles in the country. The president's push to reinstate a ban on assault weapons in wake of the Newtown Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre where 20 children and 6 adults were killed by Adam Lanza, 20, who suffered from autism could lead to a recall campaign to oust Obama. President Obama could become the first executive to be recall in the country over the gun control issue, since millions of Americans own one or more weapons who might feel the treat that the government is infringing on their 2nd Amendment right to own weapons.
No doubt, the Republican party would jump on the opportunity to oust Obama from office after a failed attempt in the last November election.
Gun control only serves to further restrict law abiding U.S. Citizens from purchasing weapons of their choice and this type of gun control restrictions are less likely to deter criminals or mentally ill persons from acquiring any weapons on the street to commit a heinous crime as Lanza committed.
The weapons used by Lanza were purchased legally by his mother, Nancy Lanza, 52, who became the first person Adam killed before heading to Sandy Hook to kill unsuspecting victims.
The Pittsburgh school district just became the first district to arm their security people at schools, which Sandy Hook Elementry lacked and made it easy for Lanza to storm into the school, despite an established security system. The system failed because it lacked armed security or an assigned police officer to help prevent a massacre upon defenseless children and school personnel.
Unfortunately months from now, the Sandy Hook massacre will become history and a distant memory as the other 38 previously reported 
massacres in the country have become.
Violence and mass killings have become part of the American way of life and children from early childhood are exposed daily to some type of entertainment depicting violence such as video games, TV movie violence and other avenues easily made available to them. The issue for children is determining and distinguishing reality from fiction.
Today, President Obama is pushing for gun control, but he leaned back when hundreds of assault rifles purchased by straw buyers (buying a weapon for someone else) were allowed by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to cross into Mexico to supply weapons to drug cartels. The ATF monitored multiple gun sales that would end up in the hands of criminal organizations.
Several of those assault rifles monitored by the ATF were tied to two homicides that claimed the lives of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata on Feb. 15, 2011 in Mexico and in Dec. 14, 2010, the reported homicide of U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry in Arizona. Other multiple homicides committed in Mexico occurred on Jan. 30, 2010 where gunmen from La Linea gang killed 14 students (boys and girls) and wounded 20 others at a birthday party in Villas de Salvacar in Ciudad Juarez were traced to the ATF weapons that were allowed to be imported to Mexico in an attempt to identify cartel leaders engaged in weapons smuggling in 2010.
None of the feds including officials from the ATF involved in the debacle "Operation Fast and Furious" weapons scandal case have ever been prosecuted. Fourteen ATF and U.S. Department of Justice officials received sanctions. 
A lack of accountability concerning the Fast and Furious case continues to prevail in the Obama administration and now they are pursuing a gun control measure.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Palermo Striking Workers Appeal Wisconsin Regional NLRB Ruling

Top photo: Raul de la Torre and Christine Neumann-Ortiz addressed the media.
Lower photo: Representative John Richards (D-19 Dist.) talked about WEDC's lack of accountability to taxpayers.

Photos: HNG

Dozens of striking workers and supporters gathered at the Canal Street Palermo Villa Inc. facility to announce their appeal of the NLRB ruling.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 17, 2012

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, dozens of Palermo Pizza striking workers, supporters, union representatives, State Representative John Richards (D-19 Dist.) and Voces de la Frontera (VDLF) staff gathered at the Palerma Villa Inc. manufacturing facility to announce an appeal has been submitted to the National Labor Relations Broad in Washington D.C. concerning a labor dispute triggered by Palermo's attempt to bust union organizing efforts by Hispanics. Most of the Palermo striking workers have been terminated by the pizza manufacturing company. 
An estimated 84 workers went on strike in June after Palermo sent notices to the workers that an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) audit determined their legal status was in question. The ICE audit arose shortly after Palermo found that more than a hundred workers were conspiring to form a uion at the company. 
The workers were terminated and nine other workers who crossed the picket line were also fired for supporting the strikers. The employees filed a complaint with the Wisconsin regional National Labor Relations Broad (NLRB) claiming that most were fired because Palermo used an ICE audit as a tool of retaliation for organizing collectively.
The workers on Monday called Palermo's CEO Giacomo Fallucca the Grinch and sang Christmas songs, "We wish you a Merry Christmas and Justice next Year..."
Last month, the regional NLRB found that indeed Palermo violated federal labor laws by intentionally intimidating and threatening to fire, which eventually terminated nine employees as retaliation for their efforts to organize a union at the pizza facility. NLRB regional director, Irving Gottschalk determined that Palermo Villa engaged in "retaliation" by threatening to terminate multiple employees who crossed the picket line to join the strike.
Gottschalk ordered Palermo to reinstate the nine employees and must pay back wages dating to when they were unlawfully terminated. He also could not determine, if Palermo used the ICE audit as a tool to bust any efforts to form a union.
Recently, after Palermo owners publicized that they were vindicated, thay asked for workers to vote whether they wanted a union. Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele are backing Palermo and are asking for a vote as well. But, no employees union vote can take place until the NLRB complaint is resolved through an appeal.
The ICE audit at Palermos remains in limbo until the labor dispute is resolved with the NLRB as well.
Raul de la Torre, a spokesman for the striking Palermo workers acknowledged three strives they have accomplished, since they went on strike. De la Torre said during a press conference on Monday, that Palermo has given a $1.00 raise to company workers, workers are now working five days instead of manatory overtime that included most of the work week and that some of the striking employees will return to work with back wages paid.
Palermo's CEO, Fallucca claimed, they were vindicated of the allegation that they had used an ICE audit to terminate conspiring union organizing workers. ICE suspended the audit when they discovered that Palermo had a labor dispute with employees who went on strike concerning wages, safety work related concerns and trying to form a union at Palermo Pizza.
Palermo despite the ICE audit, took it upon themselves to fired the striking workers without certifying they were undocumented at the time. Palermo has said, the employees would be rehired, if they can prove their legal status to work in the U.S. Only Hispanics at the company were targeted and were requested to prove their legal status, according to some striking workers.
De la Torre criticized temperary staffing agencies that Palermo has contracted to replace striking workers, which pay minimum wages of $7.25 an hour or slightly higher for the labor and sweat of the workers. The staffing agencies are profiting from the work and sweat of temperary workers, "they should be getting paid a living wage" Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of VDLF said.
Maria Somma from the USW also said, the union and striking workers are working to expand their national boycott campaign against Palermo by working to make sure Costco, Roundy's and Family Dollar who provide Palermo products to their customers do pressure Palermo to resolve the labor dispute. Somma acknowledged that these corporations are making sure a supplier code of conduct is adhere by those product suppliers who do business with them.
State Representative Richards alleged that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has awarded millions in loans to Palermo who promised to create living wage jobs. An estimated $12M in loans have been awarded to Palermo and haven't been paid back or any certification by the company has been made public that they have actually met their promised goals including creating higher wage jobs in the Menomonee Valley industrial section and $50M in public funding has been lost without any accountability from the WEDC, according to Richards. Richards did not mention, if he or other legislators will propose a bill requiring the WEDC to hold recipients of public funding loans to payback those loans and to require companies receiving public funding loans to account how they spend them.
In October, a report authored by the AFL-CIO's Center for Strategic Research (CSR) indicated it can not determine, if Palermo Villa Inc. has met the required minimum wage for employees as specified by the WEDC since 2005, due to a lack of administration of accountability and transparency by the WEDC. The CSR report says, that many jobs at Palermo pay about $10.55 per hour and "have paid less than the WEDC's minimum wage ($10.88 per hour) requirement for tax-credit-eligible jobs as well as less than the Menomonee Valley Partners living wage ($12.00 per hour)."
The CSR report also found that taxpayers would find it impossible to determine, if the public funding was wisely used by Palermo Villa Inc. or if Palermo has met the WEDC minimum wage requirement to receive public subsidies. So far taxpayers will most likely continue to question, if Palermo has come short in fulfilling their commitment for economic development and job creation after receiving $26 million dollars in public subsidies and loans from city, state, and federal sources.
The CSR recommended that WEDC should improve disclosure of company reporting on accountability, tax credit programs should adopt minimum wage requirements that match reputable living wage index for the region it serves, should enforce "clawback" measures for companies failing to meet the minimum wage requirement to pay back any job creation tax credits received and should deny subsidy eligibility and enforce "clawback" provisions when companies violate labor laws.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Children Shot Multiple Times At Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre

20-year-old cold blooded mass killer in Newtown suffered from autism.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 16, 2012

Newtown, CT - The Sandy Hook gunman suffered from autism, according to Ryan Lanza, his older brother. The state chief Medical Examiner, Dr. H. Wayne Carver ll confirmed on Saturday, that all of last Friday's victims were each fatally shot between three to eleven times to the heads, torsos and extremities inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School by Adam Lanza, 20.
On Friday, Lanza of Newton, New Jersey forced his way into the Sandy Hook Elementary School before 9:30 a.m. with four weapons including a Bushmaster semi-automatic .223 Caliber rifle. He then shot at least 26 people including 20 children (12 girls and 8 boys) from a first grade class between the ages of 6 to 7 years-old.  Principal Dawn Hochsprung, school psychologist Mary Sherlack and teachers were also killed in the melee. Two of the 20 children shot at the scene briefly survived, but later succumbed to their fatal wounds and died at a local hospital.
Lanza also suffered a self-inflicted wound inside a classroom and died at the school. Police found Adam's mother (Nancy Lanza, 52) body at her Newtown home near the school. She was fatally shot in the face while sleeping in her bedroom earlier in the day. Then, Lanza went to the elementary school and shot the children including those trying to protect and shield them.
A total of 27 people were murdered and with Lanza's suicide totaled 28 who died in the Sandy Hook massacre.
Initially, Adam's brother, Ryan was believed to have been the gunman, but he was taken into custody by police for questioning. Adam was mistakenly identified as Ryan, 24, which later it was determined that Adam who suffers from autism had been the actual shooter.
The mass murder at Sandy Hook became the worst and deadliest elementary school massacre in U.S. history.
Lanza's mother had previously worked at Sandy Hook as teacher's aide, but recently had no connection to the school. Most of the students were first graders who were targeted and killed by Lanza.
Newtown Police, Connecticut State investigators and the FBI continue to investigate the crime incident.
President Barack H. Obama will visit Sandy Hook and is expected to speak to the victim's parents on Sunday evening.

The Connecticut State Police released the names of the deceased victims.

Charlotte Bacon, 6; Daniel Barden, 7; Rachel Davino, 29; Olivia Engel, 6; Josephine Gay, 7; Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 6; Dylan Hockley, 6; Dawn Hocksprung, 47; Madeline F. Hsu, 6; Catherine V. Hubbard, 6; Chase Kowalski, 7; Jesse Lewis, 6; James Mattioli, 6; Grace McDonnell, 7; Anne Marie Murphy, 52; Emile Parker, 6; Jack Pinto, 6; Noah Pozner, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Jessica Rekos, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Lauren Russeau, 30; Mary Sherlach, 56; Victoria Soto, 27; Benjamin Wheeler, 6; and Allison N. Wyatt, 6.

Some of the Sandy Hook victims.

Photos: Facebook

Friday, December 14, 2012

Lanza Reportedly Killed 27 People Including 20 Sandy Hook Elementary School Children

Gunman deceased after killing at least 27 people including 20 elementary students.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 14, 2012

Newtown, CT - On Friday, Adam Lanza, 20, of Newton, New Jersey walked into the Sandy Hook Elementary School before 9:30 a.m. with four weapons including a semi-automatic .223 Caliber rifle and shot at least 26 people including 20 children (12 girls and 8 boys) from a first grade class between the ages of 6 to 7 years-old, the principal and teachers. Two of the 20 children shot at the scene died later from their fatal wounds at a local hospital.
Lanza is also deceased of a self-inflicted wound. Police found Adam's mother (Nancy) body at her Newtown home near the school. She was fatally shot in the face earlier in the day. Then, Lanza went to the elementary school and shot the children.
A total of 27 people were murdered and with Lanza makes it 28 people who died on Friday.
Initially, Adam's brother, Ryan was believed to have been the gunman, but he was taken into custody by police for questioning. Adam was mistakenly identified as Ryan, 24, which later it was determined that Adam who suffers from a mental illness had been the actual shooter.
The mass murder at Sandy Hook is the worst and deadliest elementary school massacre in U.S. history.
Lanza's mother had worked at Sandy Hook and recently had no connection with the school.
Newtown Police, Connecticut State investigators and the FBI continue to investigate the crime scene.
The Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy is at the scene and President Barack H. Obama addressed the nation from the White House.

The Connecticut State Police released the names of the victims.

Charlotte Bacon, 6; Daniel Barden, 7; Rachel Davino, 29; Olivia Engel, 6; Josephine Gay, 7; Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 6; Dylan Hockley, 6; Dawn Hocksprung, 47; Madeline F. Hsu, 6; Catherine V. Hubbard, 6; Chase Kowalski, 7; Jesse Lewis, 6; James Mattioli, 6; Grace McDonnell, 7; Anne Marie Murphy, 52; Emile Parker, 6; Jack Pinto, 6; Noah Pozner, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Jessica Rekos, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Lauren Russeau, 30; Mary Sherlach, 56; Victoria Soto, 27; Benjamin Wheeler, 6; and Allison N. Wyatt, 6.

Some of the Sandy Hook victims.

Photos: Facebook

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Several Nuevo Leon State Police Officers Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Property From Learjet 25 Crash Victims

Two state police officers from Nuevo León allegedly took items from the deceased and images from the Learjet 25 crash site where seven people died including superstar Mexican-American banda and norteña singer Jenni Rivera.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 13, 2012

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico - On Tuesday, two Nuevo León state police officers (Frueza Civil) were taken into custody by the same organization (agency) for allegedly stealing items from the Learjet 25 crash victims including Jenni Rivera and taking unauthorized images of the crash site. Both Nuevo León State Police Officers Luis Antonio Ávila Moreno, 23, of Monterrey, Nuevo León León and Mario Alberto García Pacheco, 24, of Puza Rica, Veracruz are facing charges from the state Ministry department for taking items and images from the crash site.
Moreno had a Blackberry cellphone with images of the crash site and items belonging to the crash victims were found on their possession. The stolen items were found at their living quarters with the state police. 
Authorities found Rivera's wallet, driver licenses, documents, personal photos and other items  belonging to the victims. A suitcase with a large amount of money from the crash site is allegedly missing. Authorities are trying to confirm, if the suitcase is actually missing or taken by the officers detained or someone else working at the site.
Jorge Domene, Spokesman for the state government confirmed, co-workers provided the tip on Monday that led to an investigation into stolen items from the victims. Some members of the state police saw crash images on Moreno's cellphone, which prompted an investigation and a search for the stolen items at the facility where Moreno and Pacheco were staying. The officers detained joined the state police about eight months ago, according to Domene.
Domene also indicated that his agency is also looking whether images and video of the crash site including images of Jenni Rivera's partial remains were sold to the media, which have spread and went viral on the Internet.

Morales-Rodriguez Gets Two Life Terms In Prison For The Ramirez-Cruz Homicides

Annette Morales-Rodriguez

Morales-Rodriguez will spend the rest of her life in prison for killing a pregnant mother to keep her unborn child.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 13, 2012

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Annette Morales-Rodriguez, 34, was sentenced to two life terms in prison without parole for a double brutal homicide that involved a pregnant woman and her own unborn child. Morales-Rodriguez was found guilty in September for two felony counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the deaths of Maritza Ramirez-Cruz, 23, and her unborn child in 2011. 
On Oct. 6, 2011, Morales-Rodriguez met Ramirez-Cruz while she was walking and offered her a ride. She lured Ramirez-Cruz to her house in Milwaukee's southside. Once inside her residence, Morales-Rodriguez beat Ramirez-Cruz with a baseball bat until she died and then used an exacto knife to extract Cruz' unborn child. The child also died when extracted from Ramirez-Cruz.
Morales-Rodriguez then called police that her child was born dead. She was taken to the hospital, but refused treatment and was released. Police then returned Morales-Rodriguez to the hospital for a checkup to make sure she was alright. At the hospital, medical staff discovered she wasn't pregnant and didn't give birth at the time. 
Police returned to Morales-Rodriguez home where they discovered Ramirez-Cruz' body in the basement.
Morales-Rodriguez wanted a baby boy to keep her boyfriend, but she couldn't have one. Her boyfriend has since moved to Chicago and broke all ties with Morales-Rodriguez.
Morales-Rodriguez and Ramirez-Cruz each have three other children of their own. Ramirez-Cruz did not know Morales-Rodriguez, according to the criminal complaint.
Ramirez-Cruz and her baby were buried in Puerto Rico.

Rollover Accident Delays I-94 Westbound Traffic In West Allis

Traffic was delayed and than moved steadily after Milwaukee deputy sheriff's, rescue and emergency personnel arrived.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 13, 2012

West Allis, WI - On Wednesday night just after 11:00 p.m. a vehicle rollover on the Westbound I-94 near the 84th Street exit. Traffic was delayed and one lane remained open.
Emergency crews were at the scene to help those motorists who might have been injured in the three vehicle pileup. No serious injuries were reported.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Terrazas Sister's From Los Horoscopos de Durango Plead Not Guilty To Inciting A Riot

Virginia and Marisol Terrazas

The Terrazas sisters entered a not guilty plea in absence to multiple felony charges stemming from an incident at a dance in Florida resulting in their arrest.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 12, 2012

Okeechobee, FL - Both Virginia "Vicky" Terrazas, 32, of Palos Park, IL and Marisol Terrazas, 36, of Lemont, IL,  the lead singers for Los Horóscopos de Durango entered a not guilty plea in absence to multiple felony counts. They submitted their pleas and statements of not guilty to the court several days ago through their lawyer. They also requested a jury trial, according to court records.
Okeechobee County Circuit Judge Robert E. Belanger will determine, if the Terrazas sisters will be bound over for trial. They remain free on bonf.
On November 11, they were arrested and then freed the next day from the Okeechobee County jail after spending the night in jail and posting bail. The Terrazas' sisters were taken into custody for inciting a riot during a Mexican rodeo dance and event, according to the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office (OCSO). Virginia was charged with three felonies counts for battery to a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and inciting a riot. Marisol was charged with two felony counts for inciting a riot and resisting arrest without violence. Marisol's bail was set at $31,000 and Virginia's bail was set at $90,000 and both were expected appear in court on December 12.
Virginia's boyfriend, Antonio Medina, 20, of Chicago, IL was also arrested and charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer.
The Terrazas sisters were taken into custody after a scuffle broke out between a private security officer and a fan at the Agi-Civic Center when they were performing their first song. 
Marisol was arrested for shouting vulgarities to Deputies during a dance scuffle and Virginia for kicking a Deputy in the groin after he grabbed her while she attempted to keep Marisol from being detained. Medina was arrested for grabbing a Deputy, "at which the officer was sruck in the head with a can full of beer," Michele Bell, the Okeechobee County Sheriff Office Public Information Officer wrote in press release in November.
There were 1,600 people in attendance when a fight between hired private security personnel and a patron erupted. Sheriff Deputies stepped in to help security to break up the scuffle, according to the criminal complaint.
Marisol stopped singing and began to curse the officers over a loud speakers, which showed an immediate effect of aggressive behavior from the crowd. She was ordered to stop or she would be arrested. She dared the officers to come up on stage and arrest her.
Marisol from the stage told the Deputies and security to stop pushing and roughing up people (Mexicans) at the dance floor. A fan was tased by a security officer, triggering Marisol to insult the officers in both Spanish and English language vulgarities prompting Deputies to go up on stage and attempt to arrest Marisol, including her sister. 
Fans then began to throw cans of beer and debris at Deputies on stage. The scuffle was video taped by fan.
Both Marisol and Virginia fled from the stage and were later apprehended in a vehicle while attempting to leave the area. The crowd exited the arena area and began to follow officers escorting the Terrazas' to a patrol car. The crowd also began to throw cans of beer, water bottles and drinks. At no time did either of the Terrazas sisters say or do anything to help stop or resolve the violent situation. A security officer was able to identify Luis Maldonado, as the suspect that hit an officer in the head with a can of beer, according to Bell. Maldonado, 25, of Port St. Lucie, FL was charged with aggravated battery to a law enforcement officer.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Milwaukee Police Officer Schoen Fired By FPC After Public Pressure Succeeds

Richard Schoen and Jeanine Tracy

Former Milwaukee Police Officer Schoen fired after being reinstated and suspended by the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 12, 2012

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) unanimously reversed its decision to suspend Police Officer Richard Schoen after reviewing its controversial decision to reinstate Schoen after being terminated by Police Chief Edward Flynn on May 2, for savagely beating Jeanine Tracy while handcuffed inside a squad car last year and dragging her by her hair. The FPC fired Schoen.
Last week, people protested the FPC when it met once again after deciding to reinstate Officer Schoen, but canceled the meeting until Tuesday to review its decision to reinstate Schoen and suspend him for 60 days for beating Tracy.
Police Chief Flynn and Mayor Tom Barrett were disappointed about the FPC's decision to reinstate Officer Schoen. Flynn has been under fire for his handling of incidents by Milwaukee Police officers and the department. Flynn was previously accused of allowing the department to downplay and report crimes statistics showing low crime when in fact some crimes were classified as minor or not reported as serious crimes. 
The FPC also held a review of Chief Flynn's performance on his second term as chief. Members of the community had been protesting for several months and calling for Chief Flynn to be fired and/or demanding his resignation. Flynn confirmed that he won't resign. He is also accused of failing to control officer actions (alleged abuses) while patrolling and detaining black or Hispanic residents in minority neighborhoods.
Recently four officers were charged for conducting illegal field strip searches that included cavity searches. Most of the victims were Afro-American suspected of possessing and concealing drugs.
The FPC has at least overturned four officer termination requests by Chief Flynn and a current public campaign has been launched by some residents calling for the FPC members to resign, which could have led to the current decision by the FPC to reverse its decision. Each commission member is appointed for five years (overlapping) by the mayor every year and earns $6,600 a year.
On Tuesday, Tracy during a press conference expressed that justice has been served by terminating Schoen, but is cautious of how other officers will react to his firing.
Schoen has an option to appeal the FPC's decision.

Jenni Rivera's Partial Remains Found At Crash Made Public

Top photo: Learjet 25 crash scene
Mid Photo: Partial Remains of Jenni Rivera released by Cuartoscuro dot com

Airplane crash a complete total making it difficult to recognize burnt and partial human remains of seven people killed on impact including banda and norteña singer Jenni Rivera.

By H. Nelson Goodson
December 11, 2012

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico - The partial remains depicting and believed to be of Mexican-American superstar banda and norteña singer Jenni Rivera, 43, were released to the public through a photograph by Cuartoscuro dot com. The photo shows what is believed to be a part of Rivera's hair line attached to skin and facial muscle. Cuartoscuro is claiming that it was taken at the crash scene where the Learjet, Rivera and her companions were traveling crashed. Mexican authorities have said, Rivera and her four companions including the two pilots died at the crash and their remains were difficult to recognize due to the impact of the crash causing an explosion and fire that disintegrated them on impact.
Authorities said that they believe, the Learjet 25 was flying at an altitude of 28,000 feet when it lost control and then plunged vertically (45 degree angle) in excess of 600 miles an hour before crashing into the side of a mountain in Iturbe. The crash was disastrous and the moments before the in initial impact, the passengers including Rivera must have been terrified to know they would be instantly killed.
On Sunday, both Alejandro Argudín, the General Director for the Civil Aeronautics and Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, the Secretary of Communications and Transportation (SCT) confirmed, that the early Sunday crash of Learjet 25 was a complete total making it difficult to recognize the plane or any of the burnt human remains of the four passengers, two pilots including Rivera of Encino, CA at the scene.
A forensic team returned to the crash site on early Tuesday to continue to gather and identify the remains of the victims by getting DNA evidence. The investigation was suspended yesterday due to weather conditions.
On early Sunday, a U.S. Learjet 25 (N345MC) owned by Starwood Management crashed in the Sierra de Galeana mountains near the capitol of Nuevo León around 3:15 a.m. with seven people including Rivera, according to SCT. 
Rivera had performed on Saturday night at the Monterrey Arena in front of 16,000 fans and was headed to Toluca when the plane that she and her attorney, representative and several make-up/manicure aides were traveling in disappeared 10 minutes after taking off from Monterrey and crashed.
Rivera (Jenny Dolores Rivera Saavedra) including both pilots, Miguel Pérez and Alejandro Torres and four other passengers Alberto Rivera Saavedra, Mario Macias, Jacob Llenares and Gerardo N. were killed in the crash.
Rivera is a three time Latin Grammy Award nominee who is known for her banda and norteña music genres. She also gained popularity when a Jenni Rivera sex video became public.
Rivera had just signed a deal with ABC to star in a comedy sitcom called "Jenni". She also became the first Latina artist to host her own reality show and had launched a clothing and cosmetics line.
Rivera became pregnant at the age of 15 and went through an abusive relationship ending in a divorce of her first marriage in 1992 with José Trinidad Marín and her second marriage with Juan López also ended in divorced. She then married Esteban Loaiza (a major league basball player) in 2010, but recently filed for divorce in 2012.
In 2006, Marín was convicted for molesting both Chiquis, his daughter and sister-in-law Rosie, then 16. Marín was a fugitive for two years until he was taken into custody. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. 
Recent allegations by a relative revealed that Rivera's daughter Chiquis had gotten involved with Rivera's third husband, which resulted in filing for a divorce. The mother-daughter relationship soon deteriorated between Chiquis and her over the allege sexual relationship with Rivera's third husband, Loaiza. Chiquis denied the allegations of a sexual relationship with Loaiza.
Mexican authorities continue their investigation into what caused the accident. The plane was found at the property of El Tejocote ranch in the municipality of Iturbe in the state of Nuevo León.
Rivera's funeral is expected to take place in Los Angeles.