Crime

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 …

The Washington Post reports: The Justice Department has launched an investigation into alleged sexual abuse by clergy in the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania, according to a person familiar with the matter. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Philadelphia began issuing subpoenas recently, the person said. The investigation was sparked after a state grand jury issued a scathing report in August …

The York Daily Record reports: A former Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing two boys and having one confess afterward, pleaded guilty to corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children. Rev. David Lee Poulson pleaded guilty to the third-degree felonies during his court hearing on Wednesday. Poulson, 65, of Oil City, was arrested in May. Prosecutors have alleged …

Fort Lauderdale’s ABC affiliate reports: Lakeland police have released surveillance video showing a city commissioner shoot a man who was trying to steal a hatchet from his military surplus store. Michael Dunn is a Lakeland City Commissioner who took office in January of 2018. The shooting happened Oct. 3 at the Vets Army Navy Surplus which is owned by Dunn. …

The New York Daily News reports: GOP gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro on Tuesday said he is “a bit ashamed” that a Manhattan Republican Club invited the head of the ultra-national right wing group The Proud Boys to speak over the weekend. “I’m embarrassed these individuals were invited to speak,” Molinaro said during a 90-minute appearance before the Daily News Editorial …

CBS Los Angeles reports: Authorities formally charged a 47-year-old Lancaster man with attempting to threaten the life of California Senator Dianne Feinstein. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Craig Steven Shaver faces one felony count each of attempted criminal threats and possession of a firearm — a revolver — by a felon. The case also alleges Shaver was …

CNN reports: A federal judge on Thursday set a trial date of Feb. 3, 2020, for the insider trading case in which Rep. Chris Collins, his son and another man are charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and false statements stemming from an alleged scheme centered on an Australian pharmaceutical company. Collins, a Republican from Western New York state who …

The Associated Press reports: Washington state’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the death penalty, as applied, violates its Constitution. The ruling Thursday makes Washington the latest state to do away with capital punishment. The court was unanimous in its order that the eight people currently on death row have their sentences converted to life in prison. Five justices said the …

The Buffalo News reports: Rep. Chris Collins’ next court date is set for Thursday, but the Republican from Clarence won’t be there. There’s nothing unusual about a criminal defendant seeking approval to miss a procedural court appearance, and nothing unusual about a judge granting that approval. But in this case, those moves have political implications. Collins is running for re-election …

The Associated Press reports: The oldest son of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will spend a year in custody after a judge ruled Wednesday that allegations of hitting a woman on the head disqualified him from a therapeutic program for veterans stemming from a separate assault case. Track Palin, 29, has been accused of three attacks on people close to …

Courthouse News reports: The former CEO of the Freedom Fighters Foundation pleaded guilty Monday to felony gun trafficking and forfeited 16 guns he’d acquired illegally. Chad Clay Kipper, 34, of Carlsbad and/or San Diego, faces up to five years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and will be prohibited from ever legally owning a gun, the U.S. …

The Military Times reports: Mailed packages suspected to contain the poison ricin that were sent to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson may be linked to a former Navy sailor, Fox News reported Wednesday, citing unnamed U.S. officials. The report cited U.S. officials saying a return address was the potential link to the former …

The New York Times reports: President Trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s, including instances of outright fraud, that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents, an investigation by The New York Times has found. Mr. Trump won the presidency proclaiming himself a self-made billionaire, and he has long insisted that his father, the legendary New …