Quantcast
Channel: NBC 7 San Diego - Top Stories
Viewing all 60603 articles
Browse latest View live

Prosecutor: Victim in Christian Mingle Case Feared for Life

0
0

The trial against a man accused of raping two women he met on Internet dating websites started Wednesday.

The jury first heard an opening statement from the prosecution against 38-year-old Sean Banks of Del Mar. The former U.S. Navy Lieutenant is accused of preying on women he met on Christian Mingle and Match.

During his opening statement, the prosecutor shared graphic details from an alleged incident involving a woman referred to as "K.K." K.K. claims Banks pulled her into her bedroom and raped her in November 2012 after meeting on ChristianMingle.com.

"K.K. is going to tell you that she was afraid, that if she screamed, fought, made a sound, he'd kill her and no one would know," prosecutor David Williams III said.

Williams said the suspect left immediately and sent text messages to K.K., saying he was lost and that they'd have to meet another time. The prosecution believes he was trying to cover up the crime, making it seem like he had never been to the victim's house in the first place.

During the press coverage, another woman came forward, alleging Banks raped her in May 2009 after connecting on Match.com. That woman -- referred to in court as "R.O." -- claims she did drink that night, but knows she did not give consent.

As of 11 a.m., the defense was presenting its opening statement inside the El Cajon courtroom.

Banks was arrested in February 2013. He is charged with forcible rape, rape of an unconscious person, sex with a foreign object and burglary. If convicted, he faces 44 years to life in prison.

Prosecutors said he used a number of aliases in the online dating world, including Rarity, Rylan, Rylan Butterwood and Rylan Harbough.

Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

6 Americans Jailed in Honduras

0
0

A suburban Philadelphia mother is fighting for her son’s safe return after she says he and five other Americans were unfairly imprisoned during a scuba diving expedition in Honduras.

The family of Devon Butler says the Doylestown native and his dive team traveled to Honduras back on May 1 for a business and humanitarian mission. Butler, 27, is the lead diver for Aqua Quest, an ocean salvaging company based in Florida.

“They were taking mahogany logs from the bottom of a river, which would help with flooding,” said Mike Carroll, Butler’s cousin.

Butler’s mother, Rosemary Carroll, told NBC10 the team also planned on teaching Honduran lobster divers how to dive properly.

In order to protect themselves from pirates, the family said Butler and his crewmates were carrying five guns on their 65-foot boat. It was those weapons that ultimately landed the team in trouble with Honduran law enforcement.

On May 5, as the crew arrived on their boat in Ahuas, Honduras, they were intercepted by Honduran officials. The men were then arrested and charged with smuggling weapons. They have been detained in a Honduran prison since then.

“It’s unjust, it’s not right, and it’s illegal,” Mike Carroll said.

Family members of the crew as well as officials with Aqua Quest insist that the men broke no laws and that Honduran authorities had been alerted of their plans to bring weapons well in advance.

Stephen Mayne, a brother of one of the jailed Americans, told the Philadelphia Daily News that the weapons never even left the boat. Rosemary Carroll also told the Daily News the guns were legally permitted in compliance with international maritime law.

Since their imprisonment, the family has called upon lawyers and lawmakers to find a way to bring the men back home. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, who represents Bucks County, has also joined the fight, saying he is working with U.S. officials and has reached out to the Honduran ambassador for help.

"It is my understanding that these Americans were invited by a local Honduran government as part of a humanitarian mission," Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "I will continue to work for their swift release and respectfully ask the Honduran government to act with urgency."

Family members are also asking the public to sign an online petition urging government officials to help with the release of the crewmembers. You can find that petition here.
 



Photo Credit: Michael McCabe

"Smart" Parking Meters to Hit Streets of San Diego

0
0

San Diego parking meters will be getting a facelift in the near future.

On Tuesday, Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced his support of the installation of 5,000 “smart” parking meters throughout the city.

The modern meters have innovative and user-friendly features to ease the process of paid parking, according to a statement from the mayor's office. Drivers will now be able to pay via credit card or mobile device. The meters will also implement real-time revenue statistics to improve the exact time parked in a given location.

“Not having to rely on change to pay for parking is a big improvement for San Diego, and using mobile payments and real-time data is a sign that we’re embracing technology to improve the lives of residents and visitors,” Faulconer said.

San Diegans won’t have to wait long for modern meters to hit the streets because the new design is built in San Diego. The installation of the meters will also be quick because the new hardware is compatible with what is already in place, according to the statement.

On Tuesday, the City Council approved a not-to-exceed contract of $8.2 million funded by IPS Group, Inc. for the new meters. The rest of the money will come from savings by the city and the Community Parking District to pay for the renovation.

When the new meters are in place, their revenue will also provide for the ongoing cost of the five-year contract approved by the Mayor. Following early setbacks in the developing stages of the new meters coming to San Diego, the fifty smart meters currently in the Hillcrest area have seen an eight percent increase over the first year.

The city supports the San Diego-built meters because they will be immediately notified of repair or maintenance issues. Currently, the city can only be notified of defective meters if someone calls in an issue or a city employee stumbles upon broken meter.

San Diego is following behind 161 other cities, such as Los Angeles and Sacramento, that have recently transitions to the use of smart meters.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Whale Had Virus in Dolphin Deaths

0
0

The recent discovery of a dead whale on a popular New Jersey beach has sparked fears that the illness behind last year’s mass dolphin die-off could be infecting other animals.

A dead minke whale was found washed up on an Atlantic City beach May. While the discovery of graffiti sprayed on its carcass sparked outrage, officials say they discovered something else about the animal that’s even more disturbing.

“It did test positive for morbilli,” said Bob Schoelkopf, the founding director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

The Morbillivirus is the same ailment behind the deaths of 135 dolphins at the Jersey Shore last year and around 1,300 along the entire east coast.

“It’s not really what you would find in large whales,” Schoelkopf said. “At least, we didn’t think you would.”

Despite this, at least three humpbacks and two pygmy whales that died last year along the east coast also tested positive for Morbillivirus.

“It’s making us concerned that there may be something going on,” Schoelkopf said.

Schoelkopf says officials are currently awaiting test results on two bottlenose dolphins that recently washed up dead.

After a large dolphin die-off in the late 80s, there was no re-occurrence of the measles-like virus responsible for their deaths the following year. Experts say that may not be the case this summer.

“Our concern is that if it comes in contact with a large number of either common dolphins or the off-shore bottlenose, this could be even worse than last year,” Schoelkopf said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen.”

If you notice a dead animal on the beach, call the Marine Mammal Stranding Center immediately.
 



Photo Credit: Marine Mammal Stranding Center

Convicted Rapist Moves Into Fallbrook Community

0
0

Residents of Fallbrook are angry because a convicted rapist, Barrett Littleton, has moved into their North County community. Littleton was charged in connection with multiple rapes across San Diego County in the 1980s. NBC 7’s Liberty Zabala reports.

Longtime Local Educator Retires

0
0

NBC 7's Steven Luke shares the story of Susan Skinner, a longtime educator and counselor who is retiring after more than 43 years with the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD).

Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

5 Memorable Quotes from OJ's Trial

0
0

Before the OJ Simpson murder trial could even reach a courtroom, the case was already being billed as the “trial of the century.”

Here's a look at some of the most memorable quotes from the controversial case.

1. “Absolutely, 100 percent not guilty.”
Simpson’s famous plea to two counts of murder with special circumstances in the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. (July 22, 1994)

2. If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.
Following a crucial moment in the trial in which Simpson had to squeeze his way into leather gloves linked to the killings, attorney Johnnie Cochran hammered home the theme of the defense with this infamous rhyme.  (Sept. 27, 1995) 

3. "I feel great."
Brian "Kato" Kaelin, houseguest and friend of Simpson and his slain wife, caused some laughter in the courtroom when he responded to prosecutor Marcia Clark asking if he was nervous. Later in his testimony, another round of laughs came when Kaelin said “I don’t think we were going for the same parts,” when asked by Clark about the acting roles he hoped would come his way because of his connection to Simpson. (March 21, 1995)

4. "I did not, could not and would not have committed this crime."
Though Simpson never testified, he was given the opportunity to address the court as he waived his right to take the witness stand. The jury was not in the courtroom when he talked about missing his children and wanting to put the case behind him. (Sept. 22, 1995)

5. "Not guilty."
The verdict was read, and Simpson was acquitted in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. (Oct. 3, 1995)

 



Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Map: Key Places in OJ Simpson Case

0
0

The interactive map above shows some of the key locations in connection with the "Trial of the Century" and other events in the life of OJ Simpson.

The map includes locations that became familiar to the millions of people who watch both the June 17, 1994 slow-speed pursuit on Southern California freeways and the ensuing murder trial. Locations also include those that played a role in Simpson's life after his criminal trial acquittal.

Click on the locations on the left of the map to learn more about the importance of each site.

 

 



Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Timeline: OJ Simpson Trials

0
0

June 2014 marks 20 years since the bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson, ex-wife of NFL Hall of Famer OJ Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman were found outside Brown Simpson's West LA condominium. OJ Simpson was arrested days after the stabbing deaths at the end of a pursuit that gripped millions of television viewers.

Months later, Simpson went on trial for the murders of his ex-wife and Goldman.

Below, some of the key events in the OJ Simpson murder trial and ensuing civil cases.

1994

June 13: OJ Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend Ronald Goldman are found slashed to death outside her Brentwood condominium shortly after midnight. Upon returning to Los Angeles from a trip to Chicago, the ex-football star is taken in for questioning.

June 16: Funerals are held for Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman.

June 17: After failing to surrender and then leading police on an infamous low-speed freeway chase in a white Ford Bronco, OJ Simpson is arrested and charged with two counts murder.

July 8: At the conclusion of a six-day preliminary hearing, a judge orders Simpson to stand trial.

July 20: Simpson offers a $500,000 reward for information leading to the "real killer or killers."

July 22: Simpson pleads “absolutely, 100 percent not guilty.” The case is assigned to Superior Court Judge Lance Ito.

July 27: Goldman’s family files a wrongful death suit against Simpson, alleging he "willfully, wantonly and maliciously" killed him.

Aug. 22: Some DNA test results suggest that Simpson's blood was found at the murder scene.

Sept. 9: Prosecutors announce that they will not seek the death penalty against Simpson. Instead they will ask that he be sentenced to life in prison without parole, if convicted.

Sept. 26: Jury selection begins in the criminal case.

Nov. 3: The jury, a predominantly black group of eight women and four men, are sworn in.

1995

Jan. 4: The defense team drops plans to challenge DNA evidence.

Jan. 11: Prosecutors release documents that detail dozens of allegations of physical, verbal and economic abuse. The jury is sequestered.

Jan. 18: Ito rules alleged evidence of domestic violence is admissible.

Jan. 24: Opening statements begin, with international news outlets and 24-hour video coverage being broadcast into the homes of millions.

Jan. 27: Simpson’s book, "I Want to Tell You," written in response to letters sent to him in jail, goes on sale.

Jan. 30: Attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. completes the defense’s opening statements.

Jan. 31: Sharyn Gilbert, the first of nearly a dozen domestic violence witnesses, is called. The 911 operator said she answered a call from Simpson's home in 1989 in which she heard a woman scream.

Feb. 3: Denise Brown testifies that Simpson abused and humiliated her sister. The defense calls the testimony unfair.

Feb. 12: Jurors tour Simpson's estate, the crime scene, Goldman's apartment building and other key locations.

Feb. 14: LAPD Officer Robert Riske, the first to arrive at the murder scene, describes the bodies and says some evidence may not have been photographed. Under cross-examination, Cochran resumes his effort to show that police mishandled the investigation from the start.

March 13: The defense argues that former Detective Mark Fuhrman is a racist who may have planted a leather glove to implicate Simpson. On the stand, Fuhrman denies the allegations.

March 21: Simpson houseguest Brian “Kato” Kaelin says he can't account for Simpson's whereabouts during the time of the crime.

May 8: Cellmark Diagnostics lab director Robin Cotton testifies that DNA tests show there are only a few people on Earth with the same genetic makeup of blood found at the murder scene, and one of them is O.J. Simpson.

June 12: On the anniversary of the killing, Nicole Brown Simpson's family files a wrongful-death lawsuit.

June 15: At the request of the prosecution, Simpson, wearing rubber gloves, tries on the leather gloves linked to the murders in what some experts view as the trial's key moment. He says, "They don’t fit."

July 6: The prosecution rests.

July 10: The defense begins their case, looking to raise questions about every piece of evidence offered by the prosecution.

July 25: Several defense expert witnesses begin testifying. They cast doubt on DNA evidence by describing contamination in the LAPD lab. The defense suggests the possibility that police planted evidence.

Aug. 29: Excerpts from Fuhrman's comments in taped interviews with a screenwriter are played. Defense says tapes reveal Fuhrman is racist.

Sept. 6: Fuhrman is called back to the witness stand but refused to answer questions about whether he planted evidence against Simpson or falsified police reports, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Sept. 22: The defense and prosecution rests. Simpson tells Ito, ''I did not, could not and would not have committed this crime.''

Sept. 27: Reminding the jury that the gloves did not fit Simpson, Cochran says, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Oct. 2: The jury reaches a verdict after four hours of deliberation. It is sealed.

Oct. 3: Verdict is announced. Simpson is acquitted on both counts of murder in the “trial of the century.”

1996

Sept. 18: Jury selection for civil trial begins.

Oct. 23: Opening statements begin.

Nov. 19: Secretly taped conversations of Simpson and ex-wife played for jurors. Simpson described as "animalistic."

Nov. 22: Simpson testifies before a jury for first time. Denies killing Brown Simpson and Goldman but can't explain physical evidence against him.

Dec. 4: Volunteer at battered women's shelter describes call from "Nicole" five days before Brown Simpson's slaying.

Dec. 20: Orange County judge awards Simpson custody of children Sydney and Justin.

1997

Jan. 16: Both sides rest after 101 witnesses and 41 days of testimony.

Feb. 4: The jury reaches its verdict: Simpson is liable in the two deaths.



Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Man Accused of Posing as "Twilight" Actor, Luring Girls

0
0

A San Diego man was arrested in Baxter, Iowa, Tuesday after he posed as an actor from the popular film franchise “Twilight” and allegedly tried to lure a 14-year-old girl into his car, officials confirmed.

Newton, Iowa, police said David Lavera, 33, is facing one count of enticement as well as weapons charges. Police found two swords and several daggers in his car, WHOtv, a Des Moines NBC affiliate reported.

According to WHOtv, Lavera pretended to be Hollywood actor Kiowa Gordon, known for his role as Embry Call in the “Twilight” movies and started communicating with a teenage girl on social media.

On Tuesday, Lavera went to Baxter in an attempt to lure the teen girl into his car, but a friend of the teen's mother stopped him, quickly getting the girl out of his vehicle. WHOtv reported that Lavera then sped off, but was caught by police minutes later and charged with the aforementioned counts.

According to WHOtv, police had contact with Lavera before Tuesday's incident after he allegedly tried to lure another teen in Newton, Iowa, 14-year-old Raven Adams.

In that case, the two became friends on social media and eventually met face-to-face. That teen also believed Lavera was a famous actor from "Twilight."

That teen said Lavera took her on a walk at a park and then asked her to sneak out of her home later that night, after her parents went to sleep, because he wanted to kiss her, WHOtv reported.

Adams reported the incident to police, who told Lavera to stay away from children.

Prior to his arrest, Lavera’s act as a Hollywood movie star was so convincing that two schools in Newton fell for his trick.

Lavera was introduced at Adams’ school as the “Twilight” actor and was even invited to perform in front of students at an assembly. He was also invited to a school-sponsored 8th grade pool party.

The ordeal left Raven’s mother, Tammy Adams, extremely frightened for her daughter’s safety. WHOtv spoke with Tammy who believes the school put children at risk by inviting Lavera onto their campus without a proper background check.

“I’m scared. Raven’s scared,” she told the Iowa station. “She’s scared he's gonna come find her. And you don’t know. I mean, this guy had weapons in his car. I mean, what was he gonna do?”

Newton police said they want to talk with anyone who’s had contact with Lavera over the past few weeks since he did have access to hundreds of kids who truly believed he was a movie star.

On Thursday the real Kiowa Gordon posted a couple of messages on his Twitter page about the incident involving Lavera. The tweets read:



Photo Credit: WHOtv

OJ Simpson Trial: Where Are They Now?

0
0

Two decades after O.J. Simpson was acquitted in the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman, catch up with the key players of the "Trial of the Century."

Johnnie Cochran Jr.

Famed defense attorney and lead of Simpson's "Dream Team," Johnnie Cochran Jr. was the man behind the phrase regarding the ill-fitting black glove that became a cultural phenomenon: "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." Cochran founded The Cochran Firm, a law firm with offices nationwide. 

He had a television show "Cochran & Grace," co-hosted by former lawyer and political commentator Nancy Grace. In 2005, Cochran died from an inoperable brain tumor at age 67. Simpson was among other celebrities who attended his funeral.

Robert Shapiro:

Robert Shapiro was a key member of Simpson's defense "Dream Team" and took a step back as Cochran led the case. After the trial, Shapiro tried to distance himself from the case and instead entered the world of Internet business. He co-founded LegalZoom.com and ShoeDazzle.com.

Robert Kardashian:

Defense attorney Robert Kardashian was a close friend of the Simpson family and had Simpson as a houseguest immediately after the stabbings. Simpson left Kardashian's home on June 17, 1994, in the back of the infamous white Ford Bronco and led police on a two-hour slow-speed chase. 

Kardashian died after battling esophageal cancer in 2003, but his name lives on through his wildly famous celebrity children, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and Robert, and ex-wife, Kris.

F. Lee Bailey:

F. Lee Bailey cross-examined LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman, the man who found the bloody glove, and refused to believe that Fuhrman had never used the N-word. Bailey was later disbarred from practicing law and now lives in Maine.

Marcia Clark

The lead prosecutor in O.J. Simpson's murder case, Marcia Clark became a bestselling author with a nonfiction book about the trial "Without A Doubt." 

She underwent a makeover in the middle of the trial, which some argue overshadowed her prosecution. She has appeared on TV shows including "Oprah," "Larry King Live" and "Today" to comment on legal issues. She also writes periodically for The Daily Beast.

Christopher Darden:

Prosecutor Christopher Darden's memorable moment in court came when he asked Simpson to try on the now-infamous black leather glove, which prompted Johnnie Cochran to demand, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." Many years after the trial, Darden accused Cochran of altering the glove before it was used in court. He currently practices law in Los Angeles.

Kato Kaelin:

One of the most memorable witnesses in the trial, Brian "Kato" Kaelin, now 55, was O.J.'s longtime houseguest . He was trying to get discovered in Hollywood when he moved into the home's guest bungalow and later testified about three loud thuds against his wall the night of the murders. 

Kaelin later appeared on reality TV shows including "Celebrity Boot Camp" and recently started a loungewear clothing line with actress and comedian Rhonda Shear called Kato Potato.

Mark Fuhrman:

LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman discovered the bloody glove outside of Nicole's home, specifically outside of Kaelin's guest house, the night of the murders. During the trial, O.J.'s defense team accused Fuhrman of planting evidence at the scene -- including the glove.

He was later convicted of perjury after recordings in which Fuhrman can be heard using the N-word surfaced -- something he denied doing during his testimony. After the trial, Fuhrman retired and moved to Idaho. He published a book about the case called "Murder in Brentwood" and is a writer and TV commentator.

Faye Resnick

Witness Faye Resnick was a close friend of Nicole who was targeted in court by the defense as a drug addict. Resnick had stayed in a property owned by Nicole until she went to rehab a few days before the murders. 

During the trial, she wrote the best-selling book, "Nicole Brown Simpson: The Private Diary of a Life Interrupted." She went on to pose on the cover of Playboy before starting an interior design business, Faye Resnick Design. She has appeared on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" as a friend of Kyle Richards, Kathy Hilton's sister.

Judge Lance Ito:

Lance Ito acted as judge during the murder trial and made the decision to allow cameras in the courtroom, a move that some argue swayed the jury's ruling because of the media frenzy it allowed. Ito currently works in Los Angeles criminal courts and has refused to give any interviews about the trial.

O.J. Simpson

Orenthal "OJ" Simpson, now 66, was acquitted when a jury found him not guilty in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but a civil jury in 1997 held him liable for the deaths. The Goldman family was awarded $33.5 million in the case.

In 2006, O.J. wrote a book called "If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer," in which he described the hypothetical version of the murders. After much controversy, rights to the book were transferred to the Goldman family.

Simpson was sentenced in 2008 to serve nine to 33 years in Nevada state prison for his part in a 2007 botched armed robbery and kidnapping attempt where a group of men, along with Simpson, tried to retrieve personal items from two sports memorabilia dealers. He testified in 2013 that he was not aware two of the men in the group were carrying handguns when they went to retrieve items he allegedly lost after his 1995 acquittal.

Simpson's lawyers filed an appeal in May 2014 in the Las Vegas armed robbery case. He could have to wait another three and a half years before he’s up for parole. In 2013, defense attorneys Patricia Palm and Ozzie Fume argued for Simpson's parole and said that Simpson’s previous lawyer, Yale Galanter, handled his case so badly he should have been allowed a new trial.

The White Bronco:

Simpson left Robert Kardashian's home in the back a white Ford Bronco -- owned by friend and former football teammate Al Cowlings -- and led police on a two-hour slow-speed chase watched on live TV by 95 million people. Cowlings was behind the wheel while Simpson sat in the back with a loaded handgun, which he used to threaten suicide when a deputy tried to pull over the car. 

The Bronco continued on Los Angeles-area freeways at the low speeds of 35 to 40 mph while patrol cars followed behind for nearly two hours. Hundreds of spectators lined overpasses and freeway shoulders, many waving and cheering Simpson as the Bronco passed.

Now, the famed white Bronco is reportedly available to rent for parties and events. Collector Michael Pulwer bought the Bronco for $75,000, nearly twice its original value.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

How to Follow the 2014 FIFA World Cup

0
0

You may not usually be that interested in soccer, but for the next month you should give it a shot. The FIFA World Cup, which is the world’s biggest single-event sporting competition, kicks off Thursday. Over the next month in 12 venues across Brazil, 32 teams will face off, each with the hope of becoming world champs.

The last team to win was Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. That means fans, from Germany to Argentina, have waited four years for this extravaganza, the pinnacle of a sport that is, for all intents and purposes, an international obsession. You can find up-to-date World Cup news, along with previews of all the teams playing at this year's tournament on NBCSports.com.

Although professional soccer has yet to grip the U.S. the way it has much of the world, the event has an enormous audience. An estimated 715.1 million people tuned in for the final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. FIFA, soccer's world body, estimates that the tournament will be watched by some 3.2 billion people around the world.

Host country Brazil has the best track record in World Cup history, claiming five championships since the games started in 1930. It hasn't hosted a World Cup since the 1950 games, which were the first after a 12-year absence caused by World War II. As a result of the war, Italy held the championship for 12 years.

Despite enthusiasm among soccer fans, Brazil has run into all sorts of problems preparing for the games, including massive protests, a 214-mile traffic jam and uncompleted transportation projects. The stadium that will host the opening match between Brazil and Croatia still isn't finished. According to a Pew Research Poll, six in 10 Brazilians believe hosting the World Cup will be bad for their country.

Nevertheless, the 2014 FIFA World Cup promises to be sweeping and historic, a global event watched by people from all walks of life.

Where to watch:

All of the games will be aired live on ESPN and Univision, and 10 matches will be on ABC, including the championship game. They'll also be streamed on WatchESPN and WatchABC. NBCSports.com has a schedule of when and where all 64 matches will air. You can also find a scoreboard, team standings and stats about each team at the NBCSports.com World Cup home page.

The first game is between Brazil and Croatia on Thursday at 4 PM ET. The tournament will run through July 13, when a world champion will be crowned.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Hundreds Expected at Funeral for Comedian Jimmy Mack

0
0

Hundreds gathered to mourn the Westchester comedian killed in the New Jersey Turnpike crash that critically injured "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan at his funeral Thursday, paying homage to him on the very stage where he made audiences laugh for years.

A service for James "Jimmy Mack" McNair was held at the Paramount Theater of the Hudson Valley in Peekskill, according to the E.O. Curry Funeral Home. The marquee outside the theater was lit Thursday morning in his honor as mourners lined up outside, recalling their favorite memories of the 63-year-old star.One woman said she'd miss his smile -- and the way he always joked with her and her husband.

McNair and Morgan were riding to New York City after a show in Delaware when a Wal-Mart truck smashed into the back of Morgan's limo, causing it to flip and slide into several other vehicles.

McNair was pronounced dead after the crash. Morgan suffered a broken leg, broken nose and several broken ribs. He's expected to remain hospitalized for "several weeks" according to his spokesman, but is continuing to show signs of improvement and his doctors "remain optimistic that his recovery is progressing."  

Two other passengers, assistant Jeffrey Millea and comedian Ardie Fuqua Jr., were seriously injured, and another, Harris Stanton, was treated and released from the hospital. Millea's wife said he has "shown much improvement over the past few days," according to Morgan's spokesman. 

McNair is remembered as a friend and mentor to Morgan and was active in Peekskill as a frequent volunteer. Friends and relatives say the two met 20 years ago and stayed close.

He also helped care for his sister, who has cancer, associates said, and served as a role model to his son and daughter. A relative said McNair's son was able to comfort mourners at the funeral Thursday, but his 18-year-old daughter was having more trouble coping with the loss of her father. 

"He'd drive her to school every day and take her to get her nails done," the relative said, calling McNair "the perfect dad." 

McNair's family set up a donation fund to help pay for his daughter Denita's college tuition. She is set to graduate from Peekskill High School this spring.

The truck driver, Kevin Roper, pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and assault by auto charges Wednesday in state Superior Court. A criminal complaint alleges that he hadn't slept for 24 hours before the accident.

-Tracie Strahan contributed to this report



Photo Credit: WireImage

A Look Back on OJ Manhunt

0
0

The crime that led to the "Trial of the Century" occurred 20 years ago this week, when the bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson, ex-wife of NFL Hall of Fame football player O.J. Simpson, and a friend were discovered outside a West LA condominium.

That discovery set in motion a fast-developing series of events that culminated with a slow-speed pursuit viewed by tens of millions.

An estimated 95 million people watched the pursuit, waiting to see what would happen next in a national drama that played out in the four days following the stabbing deaths of Ron Goldman, a 25-year-old waiter, and Nicole Brown Simpson. By comparison, about 90 million viewers watched the Super Bowl earlier that year.

O.J. Simpson -- the celebrated collegiate and NFL star running back who went on to a TV broadcast and acting career -- had become a fugitive in a Southern California pursuit that concluded a week of stunning developments.

The bodies were discovered just after midnight June 13, 1994, by passers-by who followed the mournful howls of Nicole Brown Simpson's dog. The victims had been stabbed multiple times the night before, according to a coroner's report.

Simpson boarded a plane for Chicago on the night of the killings, but was summoned back to Southern California by police the next morning as investigators began collecting evidence at the crime scene.

That evidence -- including a bloody glove that Simpson would later be asked to try on during a crucial point in his murder trial -- pointed toward Simpson's involvement in the slayings, investigators said.

Simpson maintained his innocence through a series of statements by his attorneys, claiming that he was waiting for a limousine to take him to the airport for the Chicago flight at the time of the stabbings. He attended his wife's funeral on June 16 with children Justin, 6, and Sydney, 9.

The next day, a Friday, LAPD Commander David Gascon announced during an afternoon news conference that two charges of murder had been filed against Simpson and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

"Mr. Simpson, in agreement with his attorney, was scheduled to surrender this morning," Gascon said during the news conference. "Initially, that was 11 o'clock. It then became 11:45. Mr. Simpson has not appeared."

NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw called it "one of the most stunning announcements you're ever going to hear on live television."

California Highway Patrol and LAPD officers, and members of other law enforcement agencies were notified to be on the lookout for Simpson, who earlier in the day had been at the San Fernando Valley home of friend Robert Kardashian. When officers arrived there to arrest him they found he had left with friend and former USC and Buffalo Bills teammate Al Cowlings.

At a Friday evening news conference, Simpson attorney Robert Shapiro described his client's state as "frail, fragile and emotional." He confirmed that Simpson had been at the Kardashian residence early Friday and that he informed Simpson of the murder charges.

"We are all shocked by this sudden turn of events," Shapiro said.

It seemed not even his attorney could answer the question on everyone's mind: Where was O.J. Simpson?

The man recognized as a supremely talented running back, Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Southern California and NFL Hall of Famer was now a fugitive from justice. The gifted and beloved athlete who became a sports commentator, pitchman for Hertz rental car company and a cast member in "The Naked Gun" film trilogy was a double-murder suspect sought by law enforcement.

If those developments were difficult to comprehend, the evening of June 17, 1994, would enter the surreal when authorities traced cell phone calls coming from the white Ford Bronco in which Simpson and Cowlings were traveling. The sport utility vehicle that became synonymous with the Simpson case was found near the interchange of the 5 and 405 freeway, about 40 miles south of downtown Los Angeles in Orange County.

Inside, Cowlings was behind the wheel with Simpson, at times holding a gun to his own head in the back seat.

Adding to the tension of the pursuit, Simpson friend Kardashian read a letter during a news conference in which Simpson proclaimed his innocence and asked people to "please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person." The letter did not include an explicit mention of suicide, but sounded a dire tone: "Don't feel sorry for me. I've had a great life."

Crowds gathered on freeway overpasses and draped banners over railings, some with messages of support for Simpson that read, "Go OJ" and "Go, Juice." Others exited their vehicles on freeway exit ramps to get a close-up view as the Bronco and rows of about 20 patrol vehicles passed with the pounding sound of helicopters overhead.

Officers did not try to stop the Bronco, instead allowing Cowlings to drive north out of Orange County on the 405, 55 and 5 freeways before heading west on the 91 Freeway and into southwestern Los Angeles County.  Cowlings eventually returned to the 405 Freeway and turned north through Los Angeles' Westside.

The pursuit ended at about 8 p.m. when Cowlings exited at Sunset Boulevard and drove to Simpson's Brentwood home. LAPD SWAT members and negotiators responded and, after he was allowed to go inside the home for about 45 minutes, Simpson was taken into custody.

He pleaded not guilty to the murder counts, and the "Trial of the Century" began in January 1995. After more than 130 days of televised trial coverage, jurors returned a not guilty verdict on Oct. 3, 1995.

A civil jury in 1997 held him liable for the deaths and the Goldman family was awarded $33.5 million in the case.

 



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV

No Fireworks Over La Jolla This Year

0
0

The Fourth of July fireworks show at La Jolla Cove will not go on this year.

Organizers with the La Jolla Community Fireworks Foundation said they’ve raised the needed $30,000 to stage the event, but claim that litigation by activists delayed the planning, so they didn’t secure a firework company in time.

Now there aren’t any fireworks companies available at such short notice, organizers said.

“The city of San Diego has been wonderfully supportive in continuing the La Jolla event and has incurred substantial expense in settling the four years of litigation by environmental activists,” said a news release from the foundation.

All donations will be refunded by request.

The 2015 Fourth of July fireworks show is still set to happen.


Residents Ask Mayor to Step Down After Poop-Tossing

0
0

Residents of a Southern California city that has been making national headlines after the mayor was seen leaving a bag of dog waste on his neighbor’s property say they are embarrassed and some have even asked the city leader to resign.

San Marino mayor Dennis Kneier was caught by security cameras tossing a bag of what appeared to be dog feces on neighbor Philip Lao’s private walkway on the 1400 block of Charlton Road Saturday.

"Maybe you would like to do the gentlemanly thing and step down? Because many in this town think you're a disgrace to this community," San Marino resident Charlotte Johnson said at a city council meeting Wednesday night.

Lao believes Kneier was seeking revenge for his activism against city tree maintenance and the mayor’s dog park proposal. Lao’s home has "no dog poop zone" signs in his yard in close proximity to where the bag of dog waste was left.

"I've decided to ask the chief of police to cite you for littering and vandalism," Philip Lao said at Wednesday night’s city council meeting. "I have spoken to a lawyer, and because you are acting as the mayor, okay, I will be suing the city and you personally, you know, for harassment."

Kneier had said that he found the bag near Lao’s home, but Lao claims that Kneier lied based on what he observed in surveillance footage.

Kneier issued a written apology earlier in the week and addressed the overflow crowd that was in attendance at the city council meeting.

"I have apologized to the property owner on which the bag ended up. It was with great regret that I did that and I apologize for that, and I have made it clear that it would never happen again," Kneier said.

San Marino is an affluent community of approximately 13,000 people. Some feel the media attention has tarnished the town’s image.

"I feel that we've had dog poop thrown over this whole community by (Philip Lao) by taking this all over this whole country," a resident said.

Though many residents voiced their opinion, no action was taken Wednesday night as the issue did not appear on the official city council meeting agenda.

Mayor Kneier confirms that he received a littering citation from the city and said he plans to pay the fine.

A recall election would cost $50,000, according to the city attorney.

 

Records Shed New Light on Isla Vista Shooter

0
0

New records obtained by the NBC4 I-team shed new light on the troubled life of Elliot Rodger, the man behind last month’s shooting rampage in Isla Vista.

One of the records shows Rodger had one of his roommates arrested, four months before stabbing him to death at the beginning of his rampage.

Rodger called 911 after he said roommate Cheng Yuan Hong had stolen candles from his bedroom.

Officers showed up, and after talking to the two men arrested Hong for the petty theft of $22 worth of candles. Hong was taken to jail and warned not to further harass Rodger or face additional charges.

The records describe an ongoing dispute between the two men over what they say were the disappearances of small household items.

The records also describe a violent altercation Rodger had with a group of four other men in July of 2013. Authorities at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital informed police that a patient there had suffered a number of injuries he claimed was the result of a beating.

When officers interviewed Rodger, records show he told police he was at a party at a home on Del Playa Drive in Goleta, when he was involved in an argument with four other men. Rodger then said the argument turned physical and he was pushed off a 10-foot high ledge onto the sidewalk below.

According to the report, Rodger then said a group of 10 men followed him and began kicking and punching him. During the assault, Rodger alleged, his attackers used a gay slur.

Officers began investigating what they believed was a hate crime.

The investigating officer then appears skeptical of Rodger’s account, saying “Rodger .. appeared to not be forthcoming with me. He … would not go into great detail about what had occurred.”

The records show additional investigation led officers to a witness, who told police it was Rodger who was the aggressor, attempting to push women off a ledge. The witness told police after attempting to push the women, Rodger jumped off the ledge and ran away until others from the party caught up with him.

The witness told the officer “(Rodger’s) demeanor was strange and he did not appear to be socializing with people at the party.”

The report says Rodger sustained injuries to both forearms and elbows. His face was also swollen with other injuries to his face, back, and left ankle.

According to the documents, Rodger’s father Peter Rodger, a film director and photographer, spoke to tenants who lived upstairs from the home where the party took place, who told him they were not home at the time of the alleged assault.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Witnesses: Shots Fired Into Apartment Killed Man

0
0

A gunman opened the door to a Chula Vista apartment where a child was sleeping and fired a gun into the unit, killing a man, witnesses told police.

Chula Vista police officers found a 27-year-old man dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside the apartment.

They say they also found a 5-year-old girl sleeping inside the apartment. The child was not injured in the shooting.

Around midnight, officers received multiple calls that up to six shots had been fired in the complex off East H. Street.

When officers arrived, they found two men who told them that they were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting.

The men told officers that they were inside the apartment with a friend when the door moved and shots started coming into the unit.

The men ran to a back bedroom, jumped out a window and went to knock on another apartment for help, police said.

Right now, investigators are awaiting a search warrant.

There is no description on a possible suspect at this time.

Lt. William Reber, Investigations Division, Chula Vista PD said it’s not known if victim or two others were intended targets.

Investigators are working to contact the child's parents. She has been taking to the Polinsky's Children Center.

Officers say they don't know the relationship between the child and the three men who were in the apartment at the time of the shooting.

Check back for updates on this developing story.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Alleged Peeper Looked Up Shopper's Dress

0
0

San Diego police are searching for an alleged peeper accused of holding a device, possibly cell phone, to look underneath a woman’s dress as she did her grocery shopping at a local supermarket.

According to investigators, the incident happened on June 6 around 4 p.m. at a Vons store located at 665 Saturn Blvd. An unknown man walked up behind a victim while she was distracted and crouched down next to her holding a device underneath her dress.

Police believe that device may have been a cell phone used to look underneath the victim’s clothes.

A store employee witnessed the incident and told the victim what happened. It was then reported to police who shared details for the first time Thursday.

The suspect walked out of the store and was never caught. He was captured on surveillance tape and police have now released images of the alleged peeper in hopes of tracking down more information. He’s described as a white male, 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-3, 180 to 200 pounds with a thin build. He was bald with a goatee and wore a black shirt, blue jeans shorts and sandals.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the SDPD’s Southern Division at (619) 424-0400 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
 



Photo Credit: San Diego Police Department

Police Searching For Suspect in San Carlos Killing

0
0

San Diego police are searching for a woman believed to be the suspect in the death of her partner whose body was found inside a San Carlos apartment last week.

Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Tiffany Nowden-Vale, who also goes by Tiffany Latoya Nowden,  39.

Nowden-Vale may have the dogs of Russina Vale, the deceased woman, with her, police said.

Vale’s body was discovered at the Villa De Flores Apartments in the 7700 block of Mission Gorge Road around 6 p.m. last Thursday after officers were asked to conduct a welfare check on Vale.

Inside the unit, they discovered Vale with blunt force trauma to her upper body, according to investigators. The San Diego County Medical Examiner has not released the results of an autosy to determine the official cause of death.

Nowden-Vale identifies herself as Vale’s wife.

Nowden-Vale is described as 5 feet 9 inches, 190 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call the San Diego Police Department at 619-531-2000 or the San Diego Crimestoppers Anonymous Tip Lines at 888-580-8477.

Viewing all 60603 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images