Free Republic

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A 52-year-old man jumped to his death from a Southern California courthouse balcony hours after being convicted of child molestation, authorities said. Carlos Edward Tello was facing more than 20 years in prison when he jumped from a ninth-floor balcony of the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana Tuesday afternoon. A suicide note was tucked into his clothing, authorities said. A jury in a Fullerton courtroom earlier Tuesday convicted Tello of repeatedly molesting a young girl between 1989 and 1994. Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown tried to have Tello's bail revoked and have him taken...

A Brighton man shot and killed a 44-year-old registered sex offender who attacked two women in their home early this morning, officials said. According to Dist. Atty. Gen. Mike Dunavant, David Fleming charged into the home of two women at about 3 a.m. Fleming bound the women but one escaped and ran to a nearby home. Dunavant said Fleming, who lived in Munford, intended to rape the women. The woman who escaped went to the nearby home of Keith Ingram for help, Dunavant said. Ingram, carrying a .40-caliber handgun, ran to the house and found Fleming attacking the other woman,...

JAFFA, Israel – The deputy commander of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, responsible for infamous deadly attacks against the U.S. and Israel, including involvement in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon, was killed in a car bomb blast in Syria today. Imad Mughniyah was Israel's No. 1 most-wanted terrorist, even ahead of Hezbollah chieftain Hassan Nasrallah. Mughniyah was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world by Western intelligence agencies. He led Hezbollah's "international terror branch," directly orchestrating attacks against foreign targets, according to Israeli security officials. He was widely considered Nasrallah's successor. Mughniyah was...

A "guardian angel" has paid off a disputed claim stemming from an unpaid $1.63 property tax bill, allowing a Louisiana couple to regain ownership of their home. Kermit and Dolores Atwood Kermit and Dolores Atwood of Slidell, La., have been given their home back, after a "guardian angel" paid off a disputed claim over an unpaid $1.63 property tax bill (Courtesy New Orleans Times-Picayune) "I don't even know who to thank," Dolores Atwood told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "But I'm relieved and happy that this is finally over." The couple's attorney, Gary Duplechain, told the newspaper Dolores and her husband,...

Little Rock police are investigating a home invasion in which 1 of the suspects was shot dead by 1 of the victims. Police say the incident began early this morning when someone banged on the apartment door of 27-year-old Julian Armstrong and demanded to see someone named "Steve." Armstrong told the person he had the wrong apartment. A while later, the man returned with a second person. Armstrong told police the men kicked in his door and that he exchanged gunfire with the second suspect. Police say Armstrong sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and that the suspect was...

The Prowers County Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of a man who was shot by a homeowner during an alleged home invasion early Thursday. At approximately 1:15 a.m. Thursday, authorities were notified of an alleged burglary west of town where Raul Munoz, 27, of Lamar had been shot. Authorities would not release the name of the shooter nor the address where the shooting took place. "I will not be releasing his name because there have been some threats made against him by some of the family members of the victim," said Sheriff Jim Faull. Faull would only say that...

SAN ANTONIO -- A homeowner opened fire on three individuals who attempted to break into his home Sunday morning, police said. One of the individuals was injured in the chest by the gunfire, police said. The other two people escaped and are still at large, police said. The injured suspect was taken to a hospital. Police said a surveillance camera mounted on the homeowner's garage door recorded the incident. Police said they were able to get a good description of their van. Police said they're looking for a Ford minivan -- light-colored on top and two-toned on the bottom. The...

MANILA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A key leader of the Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf wanted by the United States government had been killed by elite government forces following a fierce clash in the jungles of Talipao town in the southern island province of Sulu on Tuesday, said Philippine military Wednesday. Philipine Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the military now expects the terrorist activities of the Abu Sayyaf to "go down considerably" because of the death of Jaenal Antel Sali, popularly known as Abu Solaiman. An engineer by profession, Solaiman had a 5 million U.S....

3 home intruders shot dead in Albuquerque 'Hopefully this is going to send a message,' says police spokeswoman Posted: December 28, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern Three men who broke into homes in the Albuquerque, N.M., area in the last month were shot dead by homeowners, and police say they hope would-be robbers take the hint. The latest incident involved Raymond Gabaldon, 40, a repeat offender, who, police say, stole a car and then tried to break into a home in southwest Albuquerque. "Hopefully this is going to send a message to people who are breaking into homes," Albuquerque police spokeswoman...

NATCHEZ — An attempted armed robbery left one of the alleged robbers dead from a gunshot wound to the head Monday morning. Clifton Lashon Jackson, 19, 1427 Watkins St., died at Natchez Regional at 12:10 p.m., about two hours after the incident. Jackson and two other men allegedly entered Old South Pawn Shop on St. Catherine St., just before 10:30 a.m. Two of the men had their faces covered. Jackson approached the store with a handgun in each hand, Police Chief Mike Mullins said. “They told them to get down and give them money,” Mullins said. “Witnesses advise (Jackson) fired...

ROSELLE, Ill. -- A shooting inside a DuPage County comic book store has left the owner of the store injured and an alleged intruder dead. In a news conference Friday, police said the intruder may have been looking for collectable coins. Police described the incident as a real shoot out, as the two men emptied their weapons into each other. Both men are in their 40s. The owner of the store was taken to Alexian Brothers Hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm. The alleged robber, who is reportedly from Hanover Park, was pronouned dead. More details from WBBM:...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Rev. Ted Haggard admitted Friday he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from a gay prostitute who claims he was paid for drug-fueled trysts by the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals. "I bought it for myself but never used it," Haggard told reporters gathered outside his home. "I was tempted, but I never used it." Haggard, 50, said he never had sex with Mike Jones, a 49-year-old Denver man who raised the allegations this week. Haggard said he received a massage from Jones after being referred to him by a Denver hotel.

Evangelist admits meth, massage, no sex By CATHERINE TSAI, Associated Press Writer 9 minutes ago COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Evangelist Ted Haggard admitted Friday that he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from a gay prostitute who claims he was paid for drug-fueled trysts by the outspoken gay marriage opponent. Haggard resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and step down as leader of his Colorado megachurch while the two groups investigate the allegations. He denied the sex allegations but told reporters outside his home that he did buy the meth because he was curious, but he said...

Pakistani helicopter gunships have destroyed an Islamic school allegedly used as an Al-Qaeda-linked training camp near the Afghan border, killing up to 80 suspected militants. Local leaders however insisted that most of the dead were teenage students, many of whom were "reduced to bits and pieces", and protests erupted against the Pakistani government and its ally the United States.The airstrike that targeted a madrassa in the troubled Bajaur tribal agency was one of the biggest ever in Pakistan's frontier region, where many Al-Qaeda and Taliban insurgents have sought sanctuary since 2001."Information we have received from certain local sources and intelligence...

A Frayser woman shot and killed an intruder who kicked in her apartment door and tried to rob her around midnight Sunday. Tameca Drummer, a resident at Carriage House apartments at 1115 Frayser Blvd., told police the man, along with two others, forced their way into her home demanding money. The people in her apartment, including her two children, were forced into the living room, while one of the intruders forced her into the bedroom looking for money, police spokesman Sgt. Vince Higgins said. When that man struck her on the head with his handgun, she wrestled the gun away...

A 14-year-old boy shot and killed a man who broke into his family's home Monday and threatened to kill him and his mother, Police Chief Bryan Smith said. Smith said the man, whose name was not immediately known, confronted a woman as she was carrying groceries into her home shortly before 1 p.m. The man forced her inside and tied her and her son up. Smith said the woman was able to loosen the binding and free her son, who got his father's revolver from a security box beneath a bed. As the man tried to break into the room...

An investigation into the death of a shooting victim, 22, who staggered into a gas station determined the man was mortally wounded by a store clerk during an armed robbery attempt, police reported Thursday. Around 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, Lonnell Davison went to the U Save Variety Store in the 5100 block of South Western Avenue and posed as a customer. Davison picked up merchandise and took it to the counter, then allegedly pulled out a handgun and demanded money. After taking the cash from the clerk, he allegedly fired at the employee as...

Police say a gun-toting member of a Little Rock church choir shot and killed a man as he attempted to rob a woman. Police spokesman Lieutenant Terry Hastings said a man and woman were walking about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday when they were confronted by a would-be robber carrying a pistol. The man fled in one direction and the woman in another. The woman ran into the parking lot of the Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist Church and jumped into a pickup truck belonging to a choir member. Hastings says the robber tried to steal the truck, but its owner was sitting inside...

BEAUMONT, TEXAS – Beaumont Police officers responded to the 6000 block of Major Dr. Sept. 15 at approximately 8:37 p.m. on reports of a home invasion. Once officers arrived at the scene, the alleged perpetrators had already been apprehended … by the victim. According to the victim, he was in his residence when he heard a knock at the door. When the door was opened, two Hispanic men allegedly forced their way into the home, brandishing knives. The victim stated that, at that time, the two suspects demanded money. The victim went to the bedroom, followed by one of the...

MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee convenience store owner shot and killed a man who broke into his store early Monday morning. The shooting happened at the S&D food mart at 31st and Glendale. Four suspects broke into the store, setting off the alarm. The store owner lives upstairs and heard the noise. He armed himself before heading downstairs and confronting the robbers. According to police, when he saw the intruders, he started shooting. One man was killed and another was wounded. Neither burglar had a gun. The district attorney's office is reviewing the case to determine whether the store owner should...

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - A man has shot to death a would-be robber, police in Myrtle Beach say. Officers responding to a call early Monday morning said the victim told them two men robbed him, shooting him in the thigh and toe. The victim told police he then pulled out his own handgun and shot at the men, striking one of the robbers. John Graham Jr., 19, of Myrtle Beach, died at the scene, Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said. The victim was taken to the hospital, but his injuries did not appear life-threatening, authorities said. Police continue to...

SEGUIN — As most families were sleeping soundly early Labor Day morning, a local homeowner shot and killed a man who smashed through the back door of his home. “The homeowners, who were asleep, awoke to a living nightmare,” said Seguin Police Department public information officer Aaron Seidenberger. “A person had broken into their home, and now they were violently struggling to get the suspect to leave.” After breaking into the home at 798 Renee St. at 5:20 a.m., the man made his way down the hallway to the homeowners’ bedroom, where the husband and wife awoke. The male homeowner...

Link Only: Would-be robber killed outside Lawrence bar

LYMAN — A Lyman man who shot and killed two brothers he said were breaking into his house early Wednesday morning will not be charged, Police Chief Scott Suttles said Wednesday. The shooting happened about 2:40 a.m., according to police reports. Travis Earle Anderson, 22, and his brother, Marshall Lashaun Anderson, 28, both of Spartanburg, died after William Rodney Thomas shot them after they broke into the house and attacked his roommate, Lee Timothy Freeman. Travis Anderson died at the scene of a shotgun blast to the chest, while his brother died later at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, Spartanburg County...

SAN ANTONIO -- A bar owner fatally wounded a would-be robber who was armed with a BB gun early Friday. Bexar County sheriff's deputies said that a 21-year-old man walked into the Old Soldiers Club in the 6200 block of Binz-Englemen Road told at 1 a.m. armed with what appeared to look like a .45 caliber handgun. The weapon, though, actually turned out to be a BB gun. When the man tried to rob the bar, the bar owner fired a single gunshot wound to the man's chest, killing him at the scene, deputies said. The man has not been...

Tulsa investigators are trying to determine how a man shot and killed himself during a home invasion attempt Thursday afternoon. It happened at a home in the 33-hundred block of King near Harvard. A couple were inside the home during the dinner hour when a man tried to force his way in. But, before he got into the home, he fell and was killed by his own gun. Officers are canvassing the area looking for more information. They say it will take a lot of work to figure out how the suspect made such a big mistake.

(Columbia) August 16, 2006 - A break-in at a Richland County home ended with one of the suspected robbers being shot to death. The homeowner says a friend came through to help stop the crime, suffering a bullet wound. The homeowner tells WIS, "I'm sorry he had to get shot in the process but I'm really grateful 'cause my kids were in the house and everything." The man, who we'll call "Mark" showed us where he says two armed robbers hid, waiting for him to come home. Mark says the crooks snuck in through the fence and broke into his...

Paratroopers have killed more than 700 Taliban fighters during fierce battles in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence confirmed yesterday. For 10 weeks troops have been in engaged in daily gunfights for control of towns and villages under the sway of insurgent commanders. Men from the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan Men from the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan Although military chiefs estimated the Taliban strength to be around 1,000 when they arrived in May, they were yesterday reticent about claiming victory as battles are continuing and terrorist reinforcements arrived from Pakistan. However, it is the first time a figure of insurgent...

<p>An Elite IDF force killed a Hizbullah senior commander near the villages of Maroun al-Ras and Bint Jbeil.</p> <p>An army source told Ynet that the terrorist was killed by soldiers when the force invaded a structure used by Hizbullah as a war room.</p>

KABUL, Afghanistan — More than 600 suspected Taliban militants have been killed since a U.S.-led offensive began last month in southern Afghanistan, a coalition spokesman said Tuesday. Col. Tom Collins said the 600 militants have died in combat since Operation Mountain Thrust started June 10. The offensive is aimed at crushing the deadliest spate of Taliban violence since the hard-line regime's 2001 ouster.More than 10,000 U.S.-led troops have been operating in former Taliban strongholds across southern Afghanistan. The region has witnessed the brunt of the deadliest upsurge in Taliban-led violence since the hard-line regime's 2001 ouster. The bloodshed also threatens...

A burglar breaking into a home in the 1700 block of Fulton Street this morning was shot to death by the occupant of the home, Aurora police said. the prowler pulled an air conditioner from its slot in a window and climbed into the modest, one-story bungalow about 8:25 a.m. Friel said the occupant of the home shot the burglar with a 12-guage shotgun and then called 911 to report it... Friel said there had been other break-ins at the home, which has boarded-up windows in back. He said it will be up to the Adams County district attorney to...

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 19, 2006 – A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter, providing nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to coalition ground forces, killed a member of an improvised explosive device cell and identified an IED emplacement yesterday near Baqubah, Iraq, U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials reported today. The F-16 identified three possible IED emplacers and passed the information to ground forces. Ground unit personnel positively identified the terrorists and requested the F-16 engage the hostile forces. The F-16 strafed the terrorists, killing one and ending the engagement. Coalition aircraft, operationally controlled by U.S. Central Command Air Forces from...

NEWPORT NEWS -- A Williamsburg man being robbed by three people shot and killed one of his attackers and injured another, police said Friday. Morris L. Brown, 22, had just dropped off a friend at Heritage Trace apartments about 1:30 a.m. Friday when two people approached him and asked for drugs, said Lou Thurston, a spokesman for the Newport News Police Department. When Brown responded that he didn't have any drugs, the two said they were robbing him. A third person then approached him from behind, Thurston said. The two men in front of Brown started beating him, while the...

This Story Has a Happy Ending Hollywood is doing just fine. BY DAN GLICKMAN To read some reporting on the film industry over the past six months, you'd think the sky was falling--and the "H" on the "HOLLYWOOD" sign was about to fall off and crash down onto Mulholland Drive. It is true that this year has presented challenges for movie makers, but to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of our industry have been greatly exaggerated. Over the past several weeks, millions of people have lined up at theaters around the world to see a boy wizard, a...

On the day after Christmas, a desperate Joseph Kalani Hatchie walked into a cigarette store near the Idaho state line with an unloaded pellet gun. He never walked out. The 47-year-old former military policeman and father, who had no criminal record, faced a December eviction from his family’s rental duplex in Greenacres and a pile of medical bills. But he told his wife not worry about the money problems. On Monday, the day before he was to meet with an attorney about the eviction, Hatchie kissed his wife goodbye and drove his brother home. Just before 8 p.m., he pulled...

A restaurant deliveryman who immigrated from China and speaks virtually no English spent three days unnoticed in a stalled high-rise elevator in the Bronx as an intensive search swirled around him, the police said today. He emerged this morning thirsty but appearing otherwise all right after someone finally heard - or he finally figured how to trigger - the elevator car's alarm. But there was no immediate answer to the question that officials, co-workers, reporters and the hundreds of people who live in the apartment complex were asking: So what took so long? The deliveryman, Ming Kuang Chen, 35, was...

PULLEYS MILL -- Friends will begin combing the Johnson County countryside again this morning, hoping to find a champion Rottweiler who ran away from the scene of an accident on Interstate 24 that killed her owner on Monday. The dog's owner, Diane Martin of Chicago, died from injuries she received when her RV crashed into a rock wall near mile marker 2, just east of that interstate's split with Interstate 57.

A Hamas suicide bomber blew up two armed Palestinians who tried to rob him at gun point in the Gaza Strip. Hamas claimed the “stickup men” worked for Israeli intelligence, while Palestinian security forces said the two were ordinary thieves. Rather than give up his explosives, the bomber detonated them, killing himself and the two robbers near the border fence between Gaza and Israel. Palestinian security officials said the the gunmen were criminals who were involved in a car theft ring that brought stolen vehicles from Israel to Gaza. Hamas said the bomber was on his way to try to...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An Iraqi lawyer who helped the U.S. military find and rescue Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was held prisoner in a hospital in Iraq (news - web sites), has been granted asylum in the United States, officials said on Tuesday. They said the lawyer, his wife and their daughter were granted asylum in Arlington, Virginia on Monday. Further details were expected to be announced by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge during a speech later on Tuesday. The lawyer, known after the rescue only as "Muhammad," saw 19-year-old Lynch, who had been wounded and captured in an ambush...