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Kennedy cousin whose murder conviction was overturned sues police investigator, Connecticut town

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel, whose murder conviction in the 1970s killing of a teenager in Connecticut was overturned, is suing the lead police investigator in the case and the town of Greenwich for alleged malicious prosecution, civil rights violations and other claimed wrongdoing.Skakel, 63, a nephew of Robert F. Kennedy’s widow, Ethel Kennedy, was found guilty in 2002 of the 1975 bludgeoning death of Martha Moxley, who lived across the street from the Skakel family in wealthy Greenwich and whose body was found in her family’s backyard. Both Skakel and Moxley were 15 at the time of her death.The Connecticut Supreme Court overturned Skakel’s conviction in 2018, after he had served more than 11 years in prison, saying his defense lawyer failed to present evidence of an alibi. A state prosecutor announced in 2020 that Skakel would not be put on trial again and the murder charge was dropped.The new lawsuit alleges the investigato...

MBTA says operator error to blame after woman says her leg got caught in train door

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

A scary situation recently played out for a mother and son in Medford as the mother said her leg got caught in  an MBTA train door.Rebecca Mason said the incident happened at the Medford/Tufts station on the Green Line on New Year’s Day. Mason later spoke to 7NEWS, describing her experience. “I put one foot on the platform and had my hand and leg to help him down and the door suddenly closed on my leg,” she said. Mason, 36, was holding her son’s hand when her leg got caught in the door, leaving her on one side of the door and her son on the other. She said she let go of her son so he wouldn’t get hurt and desperately looked around for help. “The people who were on the train behind us were trying to pull the doors open, but they couldn’t do it,” Mason said. Eventually, Mason said an MBTA employee ran over and began pulling on the train doors while telling train passengers to hit an emergency release button near the door. Finally, the doors spru...

Chicago Cubs announce Craig Counsell’s staff, featuring bench coach Ryan Flaherty: ‘I’ve always had great respect for him’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn’t know Ryan Flaherty well when he began the search for his bench coach.Counsell actually liked that aspect of the process, though Flaherty had a connection to general manager Carter Hawkins, his teammate at Vanderbilt. However, Counsell was more interested in how well Flaherty had done his job the last four years, explaining last month that he was looking forward “to a new and a fresh set of eyes there to help me see different things” with Flaherty.He officially became one of four additions to the Cubs’ 2024 coaching staff Tuesday as Counsell’s right-hand man in the dugout. Flaherty’s eight-year big-league career ended after 2019, and the 37-year-old’s transition to the coaching ranks led him to the Padres, with whom he most recently served as bench coach last season.“I’ve always had great respect for him,” Counsell said at the winter meetings. “He’s done really good thin...

van Riemsdyk, Bruins best Blue Jackets on the road, 4-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

The Bruins may not have been at their best at all times on Tuesday night in Columbus, but they didn’t have to be to take care of an undermanned Blue Jackets team.The B’s received goals from four different players – and one each from all three third line players – to put away the Jackets, 4-1, at Nationwide Arena. James van Riemsdyk had a three-point night – a goal and two assists – to lead the B’s offensively and Linus Ullmark made 25 saves.After sputtering into the Christmas break, the B’s have won the four games since the three-day haitus.The first period was a low-event 20 minutes in which the B’s were outshot 12-5 despite having the only two power plays.The only decent scoring chance they had was on an in-tight spin move by David Pastrnak but he was too close to Spencer Martin to lift it over the goalie.The B’s did nothing with the man advantages – gifted to them by a Columbus delay of game and an after-the-whistle punch – and the Blue Jackets...

San Diego Vietnamese restaurant lands on Yelp's top soup spots in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Plenty of soup for you!Yelp recently named the top soup spots in each U.S. state based on a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning "soup."San Diego's-own Thanh Tinh Chay represents California with its Roasted Duck Wonton Soup. The $21.60 dish features eggless noodles, shredded mock duck, wonton, mushroom, bok choy and carrot.Located at 4591 El Cajon Blvd in the Teralta East neighborhood, the Vietnamese vegan restaurant offers a plethora of soup dishes from Vegan Phở and Curry Soup to Beef Stew Soup and Vietnamese Sausage Poridge. Top 50 places to eat in San Diego: Yelp "I came here again and brought my friend to try. She loved it!!! This time we had the veggie fried rolls, crispy dumplings, Helen's steamed buns, house banh mi, and roasted duck soup!!! My faves this time (were) Helen's steamed buns and the roasted duck soup. Wow the "duck" was crispy and I loved the sauce on top," Yelper Valerie S. commented."I had the Roasted ...

Australia launches inquiry into why Cabinet documents relating to Iraq war remain secret

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ordered an inquiry into why 20-year-old Cabinet documents relating to Australia joining the United States-led Iraq invasion remain secret, saying Wednesday that Australians have a right to know why their country went to war in 2003.On Monday, the National Archives of Australia released 2003 Cabinet records in keeping with an annual Jan. 1 practice following the expiration of a 20-year secrecy provision. But 78 documents relating to the Iraq war were withheld because they were prepared for the National Security Committee, a subset of Cabinet ministers who make decisions relating to national security and foreign policy.Committing Australia to war was the committee’s decision.Albanese blamed the former conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison for failing to follow the usual practice of handing over all documents to the archive three years before their due release date.Retired public servant Dennis Richards...

Ex-celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi found competent to stand trial for alleged $15 million client thefts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disgraced Los Angeles celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi has been found competent to stand trial on charges that he stole more than $15 million from his clients.A federal judge filed a notice of the brief order Tuesday under seal. Lawyers for both sides were given five days to identify any information in it that they would like the judge to keep confidential. Girardi, 84, is the estranged husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne. Girardi pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles last year to wire fraud on charges that he embezzled from clients, including an Arizona widow whose husband was killed in a boat accident; a Los Angeles couple injured in a car wreck that paralyzed their son; and a man who was severely burned in the 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion. If convicted, he could be sentenced to decades in federal prison.The Associated Press sent messages to his public defenders seeking comment.At issue in the competency hearing was whether Girard...

Opinion: Marvin Harrison Jr. should be the Bears No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

CHICAGO — After the Carolina Panthers' shutout loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars on New Year's Eve, the Chicago Bears now hold the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL Draft, and it should be Marvin Harrison Jr.Harrison Jr's unique level of talent, paired with how Chicago's season has unfolded and the lack of an obvious top defensive line prospect in this year's draft, is creating a perfect storm for the Ohio State product to become the first wide receiver to go first overall since the University of Southern California's Keyshawn Johnson in 1996. Last week: Why Jim Harbaugh isn’t going to be a Chicago Bear Let's break down how this situation can play out.From a historical perspective, a wideout being taken with the first choice in any given NFL draft is a rarity, but not totally unheard of. A wide receiver has been the No. 1 overall choice in the NFL draft three times, with the last such time being Johnson some 27 years ago when he was the first overall choice of the New York...

Chicago firefighter charged in connection with apparent road rage shooting in Andersonville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Charges have been filed against a Chicago firefighter accused in a shooting that stemmed from an apparent road rage incident on the North Side on New Year's Eve.According to Chicago police, 34-year-old Omotayo Kassim is facing several felony charges including aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm from an occupied vehicle.Police say the charges stem from a shooting that unfolded just before 8 p.m. in the 1600 block of West Foster Avenue in Andersonville on Sunday night.The Chicago Fire Department confirmed to WGN-TV that Kassim is a firefighter, but did not provide further details on his role. 2 adults, toddler pulled to safety after crashing car into pond in Naperville Police say a 35-year-old man who was driving a jeep in the area attempted to make a U-turn when Kassim allegedly exited a Chevy Tahoe and opened fire.Police say the victim suffered a gunshot wound to his face and was taken to the h...

Body of Florida mom who vanished in 2012 found in pond near Disney World, divers say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:00 GMT

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — A group of volunteer divers believe they have found the remains of a woman in a vehicle submerged in a retention pond near Walt Disney World, apparently solving a 12-year-old mystery about what happened to her.Divers from Sunshine State Sonar said they believe they found the remains of Sandra Lemire on Saturday while diving in a small retention pond at the Disney World exit on Interstate 4 in Kissimmee, Florida. ‘Black Panther’ actor seriously injured in NYC crash on New Year’s Day Lemire disappeared in May 2012. She was last seen leaving a restaurant in Kissimmee, driving the minivan that was found.The group of divers had been searching for Lemire in 63 bodies of water over the last year and a half. Last week, a tip from an Orlando Police Department detective about the location of a cellphone tower that last received a call from Lemire's phone helped them narrow the search to the retention pond, the group said in a statement on social media.A gro...