Crime

From the National Catholic Reporter: The plenary meeting of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops opened with a bombshell. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the conference, announced that the Holy See had insisted the U.S. bishops not vote on any concrete action items regarding the clergy sex abuse crisis, pending the February meeting of the presidents of all episcopal …

CNN reports: Authorities have identified a Facebook post believed to have been made by the shooter around the time of the attack, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the ongoing investigation. In it, the writer says: “I hope people call me insane… (laughing emojis).. wouldn’t that just be a big ball of irony? Yeah.. I’m insane, but the …

The Associated Press reports: Thirty-three priests or religious brothers in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, have been “credibly accused” and/or removed from the ministry over sexual abuse of minors, the bishop of the central Missouri diocese said Thursday. Bishop W. Shawn McKnight released a complete list of the names that followed an internal investigation begun in February. …

USA Today reports: A 39-year-old Arkansas man was arrested on election day after he allegedly made more than 40 calls to CNN headquarters, some of which included death threats against CNN anchor Don Lemon. Benjamin Craig Matthews of Mountain Home faces five felony counts of terroristic threatening, nine misdemeanor counts of harassing communications and four misdemeanor counts of second-degree terroristic …

The Houston Chronicle reports: Former Congressman Steve Stockman, a Tea Party stalwart who represented East Texas during two non-consecutive terms, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Wednesday for his role in a wide-ranging scheme that included a spy operation aimed a fellow Republican challenger and $1.25 million in campaign funds pilfered from conservative megadonors. Stockman, who was …

The Huffington Post reports: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) on Tuesday edged out Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar in the race for his California House seat despite charges against Hunter involving the misuse of campaign funds. The race in the Golden State’s 50th Congressional District — traditionally a Republican stronghold — was put into play after Hunter and his wife being were …

Pittsburgh’s NBC affiliate reports: Police arrested a man for allegedly threatening to shoot up a Washington County polling place on Tuesday. Christopher Queen allegedly arrived at the South Franklin Fire Hall just before 9 a.m. and told workers he was promised a gun and money if he voted “straight party.” Poll workers say he became angry when they told him …

ABC News reports: A woman who was caught on camera berating two African-American women in a parking lot lost her job and has turned herself in to police in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, according to authorities. Susan Jane Westwood, 51, turned herself in on Saturday. She was served with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for the misuse of the 911 system …

The Miami Herald reports: A gunman killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Florida’s capital before killing himself Friday evening, officials said. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters Friday night that the man shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the studio, which is part of a small Tallahassee shopping center. The …

Reuters reports: The man charged with opening fire in a Pittsburgh synagogue and killing 11 worshipers pleaded not guilty on Thursday in federal court to all 44 counts against him, including hate crimes and firearms offenses. Robert Bowers, 46, an avowed anti-Semite, appeared defiant and determined in court. Dressed in a red jumpsuit and with a bandaged left arm, he …

ABC News reports: An Ohio priest is facing charges after his diocese said he admitted to having a relationship with a now-pregnant 17-year-old girl. Father Henry Christopher Foxhoven, 45, was the pastor at Holy Cross and St. Mary of the Hill parishes in the Diocese of Steubenville. According to the Athens County prosecutor, the teen was an altar girl at …

CBS News Chicago reports: A Northwest Indiana priest failed to adhere to (at least) one of the Catholic Church’s ’10 Commandments’–‘Thou Shalt Not Lie’–after accusations surfaced that he made up a story about being attacked at the altar in August. Father Basil Hutsko of Saint Michael Byzantine, a Catholic church in Merrillville, has been placed on administrative leave following allegations …

The Associated Press reports: The man accused in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre appeared briefly in federal court in a wheelchair and handcuffs Monday to face charges he killed 11 people in what is believed to be the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Robert Gregory Bowers, who was wounded in a gun battle with police during the shooting rampage, …

The Los Angeles Times reports: Less than a month after he battles for re-election Nov. 6, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., is expected in a courtroom to face felony charges that he misused campaign contributions. If Hunter wins re-election and is subsequently convicted, there is no constitutional provision or House rule that explicitly requires him to lose his seat, even if …

The New York Times reports: Federal authorities investigating a spate of pipe bombs sent this week to several prominent critics of President Trump have turned their attention toward southern Florida, believing that a number of the explosive devices were mailed from the area, two people briefed on the matter said Thursday. The focus on Florida came as law-enforcement officials around …

Via press release from the FBI: Between October 22 and 24, 2018, suspicious packages were received at multiple locations in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas and Florida. The packages are being sent for analysis at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. “This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI. We have committed the full strength of …

ABC News reports: A man arrested for allegedly touching a woman’s breast on an airplane, according to court documents, told authorities “the president of the United States says it’s OK to grab women by their private parts.” Bruce Alexander was on a Houston-to-Albuquerque flight on Sunday when he twice leaned forward and touched the breast of a woman sitting in …

Florida’s Lakeland Ledger reports: Lakeland City Commissioner Michael Dunn will remain in jail without the chance to post bail following his indictment Friday on a charge of second-degree murder. Dunn, 47, had his first court appearance Saturday morning before Judge Bob Grode at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow. Grode ordered Dunn to be held without bond. Dunn was arrested …

Talking Points Memo reports: U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis on Friday sought to tie up the remaining loose-ends in Paul Manafort’s case in Virginia, in a hearing where Manafort showed up in a wheelchair, with his right foot appearing to be in some sort of white sock or wrapping. Kevin Downing, Manafort’s attorney said that the former Trump campaign chair …

CBS News reports: A man believed to be a member of the far-right group the Proud Boys was arrested Thursday in connection to a brawl last week in New York City after a speech by the group’s founder. Geoffrey Young, 38, has been charged with riot and attempted assault, the New York Police Department said. The NYPD said Monday that …