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Nurse: I Was Fired for Speaking Out

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A Fallbrook Hospital nurse says she was fired as retaliation for participating in union activities.

According to the California Nurses Association, Veronica Poss is one of two nurses fired this week by the hospital's owner, Community Health Systems (CHS.)

This comes two weeks after she says she spoke out against a merger between CHS and Health Management Associates at a shareholder meeting in Florida.

“I never thought they would do something like this because really, truthfully, this is illegal. I have the right to protest when I think they are doing something wrong,” said Poss during a candlelight vigil for her Thursday.

Nearly a dozen nurses attended the vigil in front of Fallbrook Hospital to support Poss.

“She hasn’t done anything wrong other than support the union,” said fellow nurse Rosanna Robbins.

Poss, the California Nurses Association and San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council say the termination is payback.

"I was fired from this hospital because I stood up publicly as an advocate for the patients in this community of Fallbrook,” Poss said.

“When nurses stand up, it seems like reaction from the corporate ownership is to retaliate and actually fire nurses, and that's just not acceptable,” said Richard Barrera, Secretary-Treasurer of San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council

They've filed unfair labor practice charges against the hospital for termination. Poss says she is now looking for another job but will not stop being an advocate for patients.

"It's all about profit over people. Profit over patients. I don't agree with that. I think the money should be spent more wisely and on patient care, making our hospital better,” Poss said.

NBC 7 reached out to Community Health Systems about the termination but did not hear back from them Thursday night.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 News

SDPD: Man Brought Hatchet, Taser to Escort's Home

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A San Diego man faces charges of rape, kidnapping and torture after answering online escort ads and attacking two women, bringing with him a taser and hatchet, police said.

On Wednesday, a 30-year-old woman jumped off the balcony of her apartment on Fenton Parkway in the Mission Valley area of San Diego to avoid an attacker.

At first, investigators believed it was a home invasion. Now, police say the woman was a paid escort, and the suspect, Brendan Mathis, was there for an appointment.

Lt. Chuck Kaye with the San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes Unit says this is the second escort attacked in this manner this month.

Mathis is the suspect in both incidents.

Investigators told NBC 7 that Mathis went to the apartment Wednesday in response to an online escort ad. When the victim opened her door, Mathis used the taser on her and tried to tie her up, officers said. That’s when the woman fought back.

“She was able to push away and run from him, and that's when she went to her balcony and jumped,” SDPD Lt. Steve Behrendt said.

Mathis was arrested outside the victim’s apartment. His hatchet and taser, held in a blue shoulder bag, were confiscated by police.

“Once officers contacted him, he was cooperative,” Behrendt said.

Investigators are also looking for Mathis’ computer.

Several weeks ago, investigators say Mathis made a date with a different escort in Mid-City.

She was attacked in a similar fashion, but did not manage to escape, officers said.

Mathis is being held without bail on charges of rape, kidnapping and torture. If convicted, he faces life in prison.

One Mission Valley resident, who wished only to be identified as Julz, says such a service is a stain on the whole community in a neighborhood that is considered safe

“That's just putting a lot of people at risk. Not only herself but just a dangerous place all around,” Julz said.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 News

Aztecs Coach Goes For Milestone Win

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As if San Diego State’s men’s basketball team didn’t have enough to play for in setting the best conference start in program history and tying the school’s longest win streak, their coach has a milestone to reach as well.

Coach Steve Fisher goes for his 300th win at the school as the Aztecs host Colorado State at 4 p.m. Saturday at Viejas Arena. He is looking to become just the 18th coach in college basketball history to accomplish the feat with one school.

"I think you reflect back on all the players you've had, and all the people who have been involved and allowed you to have a measure of success and win games,” said Fisher, who has twice been named national coach of the year. “We've had good players here. We've recruited good kids who have gone on to graduate and do different things with their lives, that have allowed us to win. That's what I reflect back on and think about.”

But before he can get all reflective, the Aztecs (18-1, 7-0  in the Mountain West Conference) need to get past the Rams, a team they beat by 10 in the conference opener on New Year’s Day – a game the Aztecs never trailed. Colorado State (12-9, 3-5 in the conference) has lost three of four, but kept games close. Every other conference loss has been by single digits.

“It’s conference (play), it doesn’t matter what your record is,” said sophomore forward Winston Shepard, who scored 17 points in the first meeting. “When you’re playing on teams’ home court and playing away, it’s tough.”

SDSU jumped to No. 5 in the nation this week, the team’s highest ranking in four years. It also has won 17 straight games, one shy of the program record set in 1967 and tied in 2006.

The Aztecs have never started a conference slate with eight straight wins. They hold a half-game lead atop the Mountain West over New Mexico, which hosts last-place San Jose State at 5 p.m. on Saturday. SDSU travels to Albuquerque on Feb. 22, then hosts the Lobos on March 8 in the regular season finale.

It will be the first game in a week for the Aztecs, who held off Utah State in overtime for a hard-fought road win on Saturday. Guard Xavier Thames led the team with a career-high 31 points, including 10 in overtime. He scored a game-high 23 in the win over Colorado State earlier this year.

“We just want to keep getting better,” he said. “Coach tells us it’s a good thing to be No. 5 in the country, but there’s always room to get better. So that’s what we try to do each and every day, and we just have to keep working at it.”



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Obama's Chicago Friends Leading Library Search

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Does Chicago have the inside track to land President Barack Obama's library?

Speculation will surely move in that direction with the announcement that Marty Nesbitt -- a close Chicago Obama friend and former campaign treasurer -- is heading up a new foundation to develop and build the post-presidential library.

"I think the vision is that it's a place that's going to reflect the arc of his career and what he spent his time working on throughout his career, promoting economic opportunity, justice and human rights and the pursuit of that ideal of American citizenship," Nesbitt told NBC 5.

Another Chicago businessman, Kevin Poorman, is also heading up the non-profit Barack H. Obama Foundation. Poorman runs a company founded by Obama's Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. Julianna Smoot, a former White House social secretary and a top official in Obama's re-election campaign, is also leading the foundation.

Chicago, Obama's native Hawaii, and his college home, New York, have also expressed interest in housing the library.

But despite the Chicago connections, Nesbitt says don't assume the library will land in Illinois.

"We've tried to develop a process that creates a level playing field for any party, community, institution, developer that's interested in submitting a proposal, so we're not ... there's no pre-determination about what's more or less desirable than any other place, Nesbitt said. It'll all be a function of the proposals that folks submit, and the quality of those proposals."

The foundation will do the bulk of the fundraising for the library after Obama's second term ends. Nesbitt says the ultimate decision on where the library goes will be made by President Obama and the First Lady.

"I also think there's a vision of the library through its physical and virtual presence that will serve as an economic anchor for the community that it is ultimately situated in," Nesbitt said.

Last month, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel stated that he wanted the city to put together a cohesive bid for the library. The University of Chicago, Chicago State University and the Bronzeville neighborhood have all expressed interest in hosting it.

U of C president Robert Zimmer released a statement Friday officially expressing interest in hosting the library, saying he firmly believes it should be "located in one of our neighboring communities on the South Side of Chicago."

"Such a location would reflect the personal and professional lives of the Obamas, as well as their commitments to society," Zimmer said.

Obama taught law at U of C before entering politics.

Scammer Acts Like Officer

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The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department sent out a warning against a man pretending to be one of their own. 

 
Officials said the man calls people and claims to be a member of the sheriff’s department. He tells the person on the other end of the line that they or a family member has an outstanding warrant for their arrest. 
 
To avoid arrest, the suspect says the victims must pay him cash immediately. 
 
In a statement released Friday, Sheriff Gore said his department would not call anyone seeking payment for an outstanding arrest warrant. 
 
Santee single mother Michele Monks said she lost more than $1,000 in the scam. 
 
The caller told her she owed $1,000 on a loan and faced three felony charges if she did not pay it right away. 
 
"He said, 'You need to leave work now. You need to go to the bank. You need to withdraw this money,'" Monks said.
 
While Monks knew she didn’t have any outstanding loans, she thought her estranged husband might have borrowed the money. 
 
As Monks talked with the suspect, another woman called her, posing as a law enforcement officer and threatening to arrest her. She searched for that number online and found it belongs to the sheriff’s substation in Santee.
 
Scared and confused, Monks borrowed $1,000 from a relative. She then bought two $500 “Green Dot Money Pak” cards at CVS and read the cards’ serial numbers to the suspect, per his instructions.
 
"I didn't know what to do. I was literally, I felt I was being robbed at gunpoint and there was no one there," Monks said.
 
Monks shared her story with NBC 7 because she wants to help other potential victims avoid this scam.
 
If you receive a call like that, officials said you should hang up and call the sheriff’s department at 858-565-5200 or another police agency.
 
Anyone who knows about the man impersonating a peace officer is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. 
 

Trial Date Set in Filner Civil Suit

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A trial date has been set for the sexual harassment lawsuit against former Mayor Bob Filner and the City of San Diego.

The suit filed by former communications director Irene McCormick Jackson and her lawyer, Gloria Allred, will start on Feb. 20, 2015 in Federal Court.

The suit alleges that Filner harassed McCormick Jackson several times while she worked as his communications director.

McCormick Jackson’s allegations in July led to a number of different women coming forward and eventually led to Filner stepping down from office.

Filner already pleaded guilty to felony false imprisonment and two misdemeanor charges of battery.

He was ordered in December to 90 days home confinement as punishment for the three charges that ended his term as San Diego mayor.

Under the terms, Filner was put on probation for three years with six months of custody stayed.

He must agree not to seek or hold public office, undergo treatment as recommended by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist and surrender his city retirement.

For the first 18 months he has to report periodically to a probation officer. If there aren't any problems, he will be unsupervised though still on probation.

Man Missing After Crossing Border

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A 26-year-old man last seen crossing a U.S.-Mexico border checkpoint in South San Diego has now become the focus of a missing person investigation, the San Diego Police Department said on Friday.

Jose Alberto Ortigoza, a Mexican national, has been missing for nearly one week.

San Diego police said Ortigoza was last seen on Jan. 24, just before 3 p.m., entering the U.S. at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Ortigoza was crossing the border to conduct business of behalf of his employer, Especies y Granos de Baja California, police said.

He hasn’t been heard from since, and has not been in contact with his family or his employer.

According to SDPD detectives, Ortigoza may have entered the U.S. in a 2008 or later model GMC Acadia Crossover or similar type of vehicle.

Police describe him as Hispanic, 5-foot-6 and 170 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and goes by the aliases “Alberto” and “Jose Alberto Ortigoza Martinez.”

Anyone with information on Ortigoza’s whereabouts should contact the SDPD Homicide Unit’s Adult Missing Persons section at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
 



Photo Credit: SDPD

Man Sentenced for Terror Funding

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A U.S. District judge sentenced a Somali immigrant to six years in prison Friday for his part in a San Diego-based plot to support terrorist group al-Shabaab.

Ahmed Nasir Taalil Mohamud, a cab driver from Anaheim, is the last of four people to be sentenced after they were found guilty in February 2013 during a three-week trial.

U.S. attorney Laura Duffy said Nasir, Basaaly Saeed Moalin, Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud and Issa Doreh conspired to give money to al-Shabaab.

The prosecution alleged that Nasir collected funds from donors in Orange County to send to the militia group, which is known for its suicide bombings, civilian assassinations and use of improvised explosive devices, according to Duffy.

The U.S State Department officially listed al-Shabaab as a foreign terrorist organization in 2008.

During Friday’s sentencing, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller said while Nasir was the least culpable member of the conspiracy and is a refugee from war-torn Somalia, his offenses were “very serious.”

Nasir’s co-conspirators were sentenced last November. Cab driver Basaaly Saeed Moalin was sentenced to 18 years, Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud – an imam at a local mosque – was sentenced 13 years, and Issa Doreh was sentenced to 10 years for working at a money transmitting business that helped move the illegal funds.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Deputy-Involved Shooting at Vista Apartment Complex

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A deputy-involved shooting occurred at an apartment complex in Vista Friday night, officials confirmed.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said shots were fired at the Shadow Ridge Park Apartments in the 2000-block of South Melrose Drive. No deputies were injured, officials said.

Deputies were on scene just before 6:30 p.m.

No further details were immediately released but the sheriff's department did post a tweet on their Twitter page asking residents to avoid the area for now.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said residents should expect a heavy law enforcement presence in and around the apartment complex, which may include the department's ASTREA helicopter overhead.

Officials said an investigation into the shooting is now under way.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

 


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Photo Credit: Google Maps

Camp Pendleton 'Godfather' Pleads Guilty

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Seven people, including the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Camp Pendleton,” pleaded guilty in federal court Friday in connection with a bribery and kickbacks scheme at federal facilities.

Investigators say U.S. Department of Defense employee Natividad “Nate” Cervantes used his position to extort bribes from companies seeking to do business with Camp Pendleton. According to the FBI, Cervantes accepted bribes since as early as September 2008.

The other six people to plead guilty were government contractors.

In return for major contracts with businesses, investigators say Cervantes received thousands in cash payments and remodeling work on a condominium.

He was arrested on March 28 after allegedly accepting $10,000 in cash from a witness that was cooperating with the FBI.

Reimagining the Gaslamp Square

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After staying fenced off for five years, the Gaslamp Square in downtown San Diego is undergoing a transformation, and the public got a chance to reimagine what the end result will be.

San Diegans brought their own seats and a good idea or two to the Chairs in Squares event Friday at 5th Avenue and L Street. 
 
The area acts as the gateway to the Gaslamp District, sitting by the trolley line across from the convention center, yet it’s been closed off for years due to a broken fountain.
 
Downtown groups have worked to restore the area, and during its reopening Friday, they used “tactical urbanism” to make it a part of downtown life. 
 
Tactical urbanism, a trend which has popped up in cities around the globe, tries to engage a community through temporary events. That way, community members have a say in changes to their spots.
 
At the Chairs in Squares event, live music, chalk artists and creative seating aimed to inspire guests to weigh in on what they would like to see happen at the Gaslamp Square.
 
Residents suggested having cultural events like public art exhibits and farmers markets, and permanent seating for downtown employees and visitors and live music and movie nights.
 
The event grew out of the Downtown San Diego Partnership's 20-year plan called "Imagine Downtown," which includes more parks and open spaces at the city's core.


Photo Credit: Downtown San Diego Partnership

Councilman Loses Brother to H1N1

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San Diego City Councilman Mark Kersey has lost his 37-year-old brother to the H1N1 influenza strain, according to his Twitter page. 

Bradley Nolan Kersey died Monday in a Pennsylvania hospital.  He was living in Avella, Penn., with his wife and four children. His obituary in the Observer-Reporter said he was a mechanic who always put his family first. 
 
Mark Kersey tweeted about his brother’s death Friday, pleading with everyone to get a flu shot. 
 
The Kersey family set up a fund to help Bradley’s children, who are 17, 13, 7 and 3 years old. The money will help with basic expenses like clothing, food and utilities, according to the GoFundMe.com description. 
 
So far, more than $2,000 has been raised with a goal of $20,000.
 
Bradley’s funeral will be Saturday in West Virginia, and his body will be buried in Ohio, where he, his brother and two sisters lived, his obituary said.
 
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control said this season's H1N1 is hitting young adults hard, affecting more than just elderly victims as in typical years. The CDC said 55 percent of the people who died this year are considered middle-aged. 
 
In San Diego County, 20 people have died from influenza, including a 31-year-old man last week
 
However, the County Public Health Officer said the number of flu cases this season seems to be leveling off. 
 
For those who want to follow Kersey's advice, flu shots are available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. It takes two weeks for the shot to become effective.
 
This year’s vaccine protects against H1N1, Influenza A H3N2 and Influenza B strains. 

Teen Got Call Seconds Before Her Death: Family

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A teenager who police say walked into the path of a big rig at a busy intersection south of San Diego was crossing with the signal in a crosswalk when she was killed, her family said Friday.

The mother of Noemi Mendez say reports that the teen was distracted by the phone when she started crossing the street are untrue.  In fact, she says the 15-year-old's phone rang while she was in the intersection.

Noemi died instantly when she lost her balance and fell behind the rear wheels of a semi-truck at Otay Mesa Road and La Media Road.

Elias Mendez said he has had trouble sleeping and hasn't been able to eat since he witnessed his sister's death Wednesday in Otay Mesa, an industrial area just north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Elias and his mother, Viviana Castro, were grief-stricken when they spoke to NBC 7 Friday about the Castle Park High School student who was always happy and loved to joke around.

Elias, who has been traumatized since the night of the accident, said he was walking side by side with his sister in the crosswalk around 5 p.m. Wednesday when he tried to pull her out of the path of the oncoming truck.

He said the crossing light was flashing, allowing them time to make it across the street.

That's when police said Noemi fell under the rear wheels of the truck.

"I turned around towards her and I was yelling at her like 'Wake up, c'mon. Don't do this, just wake up,'" Elias remembered.

Investigators said Noemi was distracted by her cell phone when she walked into the intersection and that the truck driver turned right on a green light. Witnesses told police the teen attempted to cross the street against the light.

However, Castro said Noemi was not on the phone until it rang while she was in the street. Elias Mendez said the truck should have yielded to them.

The truck driver told police he didn’t realize the teen had been hit until he heard a disturbing noise at the back of his vehicle. He stopped the truck and jumped out of the vehicle, officers said.

San Diego police officers told NBC 7 the truck driver was not charged in the collision.

Noemi's classmates at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista wore black or white in her honor Friday.

A viewing is scheduled for Saturday at Aztlan Mortuary in La Mesa. The family is accepting donations to help cover the services. Any donations can be sent in Noemi’s name to 7856 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 or call (619) 337-8100.

Old Globe Employee Killed in Crash

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A man who worked as property master at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park has been identified as the person killed in a hit and run crash in North Park.

According to family and friends, Seamus O’Bryan, 32, died in a head-on collision around 12:40 a.m. on Friday at University and Granada avenues.

His older brother, who lives in Phoenix, confirmed O’Bryan’s death to NBC 7 San Diego. By Friday afternoon, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office had also identified O'Bryan as the victim of the fatal North Park hit and run crash.

The San Diego Police Department said O’Bryan was driving his motorcycle accompanied by a 31-year-old passenger. As they traveled eastbound on University Avenue, a white, 4-door vehicle – possibly a Cadillac – turned in front of the motorcycle.

The vehicles collided head-on and the car fled the scene, police said.

Both O’Bryan and his passenger were injured in the crash and were transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital.

O’Bryan’s injuries were critical and he died at the hospital a short time later, police said. The motorcycle passenger sustained scrapes, bruises, chest and leg pain, but survived.

The hit and run vehicle was last seen heading south on Granada Avenue. Police said they’re now looking for the white car, which likely has damage to the front driver’s side.

Officials shut down University Avenue between 30th and 28th streets for many hours following the deadly collision.

On Friday, after hearing news of the hit and run, O’Bryan’s friends took to his Facebook page to leave messages for their loved one, quickly turning his social media page into a makeshift memorial.

Among those posts, O’Bryan’s younger brother, Devin O’Bryan, wrote this:

“Still in shock as I write this…Early this morning my next older brother Seamus O’Bryan, or Raph as we in the family call him was killed on his motorcycle in a hit and run accident in San Diego”

Many posted their fond memories of O’Bryan, including one friend who wrote: “I’ll forever remember singing Irish drinking songs together around beach bonfires.”

Others wrote:

“You are a shining example of a true free spirit. Only the good die young. Rest in peace.”

“I am in shock and feel deep sadness for the massive loss of the amazing, kind and adventurous Seamus O’Bryan. My heart goes out to all of his tribe.

“I hadn’t spoken to you in years, but you were not someone I could ever forget. And I never will. Rest well. You made the world better while you were here and the folks whose lives you brightened will work that much harder to do the same now that you’re gone.”

O’Bryan had an extensive background in arts and theater.

He held residency at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, Calif., from March 2009 to June 2009, according to the Center’s website.

A biography on O’Bryan says he graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and worked in the theater industry and arts education in several countries. The bio says O’Bryan worked with the La Jolla Playhouse, the UCSD School of Theater and Dance and a freelance photographer and video production specialist.

The human resources department at The Old Globe told NBC 7 O'Bryan was a valuable and beloved employee who worked there for three years, from January 2011 until his death. He worked as the stage and properties master, as well as on the carpenter and run crew.

The human resources department said O'Bryan also spent more than nine years working at the La Jolla Playhouse as part of the production staff, from October 2001 through December 2010.

On Friday evening, The Old Globe and La Jolla Playhouse released this joint statement, in part, regarding O'Bryan's passing:

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that we inform you that our dear friend and colleague, Seamus O’Bryan, 32 years old, was tragically killed in a hit and run accident just after midnight the evening of January 30 in North Park. Seamus was on his way home from an opening night at The Old Globe. He was the Stage and Properties Master for the production.

Seamus began working for the Globe in January of 2011 and became the Stage and Properties Master of the White Theatre in January of 2013. He was smart, funny, dedicated and well-loved by those who knew him. His presence and friendship will be sorely missed by all at the Globe, but particularly backstage where he calmly and with great humor created theatre with actors, fellow crew-members and creative staff. An archery enthusiast, avid sailor, member of the Seaforth Sailing Club, and crew member on various tall ships, he especially enjoyed taking visiting artists sailing to enjoy San Diego’s waters. He inspired us to enjoy each moment and to care for each other.

O’Bryan was also an integral part of the La Jolla Playhouse production staff for nearly a decade. A remarkable artisan, Seamus had a hand in nearly every technical department at the Playhouse, from carpentry to props to wigs. His very first job at the Playhouse was on the running crew for Dracula in 2001 when he was just 19 years old. Since that time, he served on the production team for countless productions, including Zhivago, The Wiz, Memphis and Surf Report. His friends and colleagues at the Playhouse will remember Seamus as a true Renaissance man, who shared his indefatigable spirit, kindness and tremendous talents with everyone around him.

Seamus was a great humanitarian, generously volunteering his time and energy for a number of different organizations. With Medinet Vanuatu /The M.A.R.C Project-(Medical Aid to Remote Communities), he worked on standardizing birthing practices severely affecting two local tribes, building women’s clinic and water treatment facilities to improve their chances of survival; and served on a tall ship that assisted in transporting medical supplies to remote areas in Vanuatu. In 2010, he joined in earthquake relief work in Haiti, and has worked with Habitats for Humanity.

A Phoenix native, he is survived by his father Bert O’Bryan, mother Marty O’Bryan, and two brothers. He was preceded in death by his older brother Gabriel O’Bryan. Seamus, known to his family as ‘Raph’ for his middle name Raphael, was the third of four children of a loving Spanish/Irish Catholic family.

O'Bryan's friends told NBC 7 they planned to get together Friday night to pay tribute to O'Bryan at one of his favorite bars in Banker's Hill. Dozens got together to say farewell to their friend.

The Old Globe's human resources department said a memorial will also be held for O'Bryan at The Old Globe at a later date. O'Bryan's family will hold funeral services for him in Phoenix.

Condolences can be sent to O'Bryan's family via The Old Globe at:

Human Resources
The Old Globe
P.O. Box 122171
San Diego, CA 92112-2171
 

The theater also shared this video of O'Bryan at their opening night celebration, just hours before the deadly crash. He had prepared a special, ukulele rendition of "Sea of Love" to share with cast and crew at the opening night party:
 

DA Details 'Horrific' Torture Case

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A San Diego prosecutor revealed the extremely graphic, violent details Friday of two separate assaults on two women allegedly committed by a man who met his victims through online escort ads and tortured them in ways deemed “unimaginable” by the prosecutor.

“This case is horrific. It is actually unimaginable, but it happened,” said San Diego Deputy District Attorney Mary Ellen Barrett, referring to a case involving 31-year-old suspect Brendan Mathis. “It’s frightening.”

Mathis was arrested Wednesday at a Mission Valley apartment complex on Fenton Parkway. San Diego police said Mathis went to the complex to meet with a paid escort he connected with through an online ad. When he arrived at the woman’s apartment, he allegedly attacked her with a taser and tried to tie her up.

The 30-year-old woman managed to escape by jumping off the second-story balcony of her apartment, police said. Moment later, officers took Mathis into custody near the apartment complex. He was carrying a blue shoulder bag that contained a taser and hatchet.

On Thursday, Lt. Chuck Kaye with the San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes Unit told NBC 7 that Mathis' victim was a paid escort. Lt. Kaye also said Mathis had attacked another escort in a similar manner earlier this month.

However, that victim was not able to escape.

After Mathis’ arraignment Friday, Barrett laid out the sordid details of the alleged attack on that first victim, which occurred on Jan. 10 in a hotel room in Mission Valley.

According to the prosecutor, Mathis also met that victim through an online ad. When he arrived at the woman’s hotel room he allegedly tased her, attacked her and forced her to the ground.

“He bound her hands and feet and said that he had an axe and he was going to kill her, and that she should just go along and cooperate,” Barrett explained. “He told her not to scream.”

Barrett alleged that Mathis then proceeded to blindfold his victim. At one point he allegedly flicked the burning amber from a cigarette at the woman’s private parts.

After that, Barrett said the woman was subjected to a “four or five-hour-long” torture session that included repeated, forced oral copulation so violent that Barrett said the victim suffered injuries. The prosecutor said the alleged attacker would take short breaks between the forced oral sex acts.

He then allegedly raped the woman.

Barrett said Mathis eventually took off the victim’s blindfold. Able to see again, the woman then spotted an axe lying close to her. Barrett said the woman also allegedly saw “other tools laid out” in the room, including garden shears, a knife and zip ties.

At the end of the lengthy assault, Barrett said Mathis forced the woman into the bathtub and told her to take a shower. He then told her to stay in the bathroom until an alarm went off and walked out of the room, laughing, according to the prosecutor.

Barrett said Mathis’ assault on the second victim this week was “very similar” in nature to the first attack -- only this time, the woman escaped.

Barrett said the suspect tied that victim’s hands behind her back and threatened to kill her.

The woman was able to make her way to a sliding glass door that led to her balcony and that’s when she jumped from the second-story, Barrett said, falling onto an air-conditioning unit below. The woman ran for help and shortly thereafter, police arrested Mathis near the apartment complex.

Barrett said Mathis gave investigators a statement in which he admitted guilt on both cases.

Though his motive for the alleged attacks remains under investigation, Barrett said the suspect told investigators he had a dark side.

“He said something came over him and it is dark,” she explained.

The prosecutor also said Mathis admitted he “targeted these women for their vulnerability.”

Barrett said Mathis faces a total of at least eight counts for the attacks on the two victims, including charges of torture, assault and rape. If convicted, he faces multiple life terms in prison.

Although police have said Mathis’ victims were both paid escorts, Barrett said this does not matter.

“A victim is a victim, regardless of what they were doing,” she added. “Anything we can do to protect the victims and to see that they’re protected in the future and that justice is done is what we’re going to have to do.”

At this point, Barrett said she’s not sure if there are more victims of Mathis’ alleged crimes but said she wouldn’t be surprised if there are more victims out there. She said any additional victims should come forward and contact the San Diego Police Department.

In court before a judge, Mathis looked down and remained mostly quiet.

When a judge ordered him to stay away from his victims he briefly replied: “Yes, sir."



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Sen. Pays Back $11K for Jet Trip

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Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has disclosed that his campaign recently recently paid back $11,200 for a free private jet trip he took three years ago from a Florida campaign donor.

This latest payment comes after the senator paid back $58,000 out of his personal account for two other private jet trips he took to the Dominican Republic with that same donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen.

The senator’s office also announced Friday it was opening a legal defense fund to try to cover the cost of mounting legal bills.

Menendez is facing more than $400,000 in legal defense bills so far, his office said.

Investigators have said the criminal investigation is focusing in part on whether Menendez improperly contacted Medicare officials at a time when Melgen was facing investigation for alleged overbilling of Medicare. Menendez’s spokesman has said the senator only called Medicare officials to suggest they clarify poorly written rules and was unaware of any investigation at that time.

Melgen, whose offices have been searched twice by the FBI, denies any wrongdoing and is suing Medicare in what he says were mistakes by the agency.

NBC 4 New York reported last week the federal criminal investigation into the senator is also focusing in part on his relationship with two fugitive bankers from Ecuador.

The bankers are accused of embezzling over $100 million dollars from their Filanbanco bank, and their relatives donated thousands of dollars to the senator’s 2012 campaign.

In 2012, Menendez wrote letters to U.S. Homeland Security officials on behalf of Ecuador businessmen William and Roberto Isaias in support of their efforts to gain permanent U.S. residence in the Florida.

Federal election records show relatives of the Isaias brothers donated over $10,000 to the senator’s 2012 campaign and over $100,000 to the Democratic Party.

The Senator said he never acts based on campaign donations. And he said he agrees with the Isaias brothers, who say they have been unfairly persecuted by the current government in Ecuador.

Pacifiers Recalled Due to Hazard

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling three baby pacifiers due to a choking hazard.

The pacifiers are manufactured by Fred & Friends and have elements that can detach and create a problem. The CPSC also said the ventilation holes to two of the pacifier guards are too small.

The pacifiers recalled are the Artiste, Volume, and Panic pacifiers. The Artiste has a fake mustache on it while the Volume and Panic pacifiers have knobs on the front.

There has been one report of a knob detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled pacifiers away from young children and return them to Fred & Friends for a $12 refund. Fred & Friends is providing a postage paid envelope for consumers to return the recalled pacifiers.

People can call Fred & Friends toll-free at (855) 346-6372 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email the firm at pacifiersconsumer@fredandfriends.com or online at www.fredandfriends.com and click on Pacifier Recall for more information.

 

 

New Md. Mall Shooting Info.

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Columbia Mall gunman Darion Aguilar met someone in Burtonsville, Md., before the shooting in which two people were killed before he turned the gun on himself Jan. 25.

That morning, Aguilar, 19, left his College Park home at 5:15 and met another young man at a Wendy’s on Briggs Chaney Road, sources told News4. Sometime after 9:30 a.m., he used a smartphone app to summon a Barwood taxi to take him to the mall. An employee at the restaurant said the two men parted ways when the cab arrived.

Aguilar sat quietly slouched in the cab and carried a backpack that appeared to be heavy, according to sources. He left the driver a $13 tip for the $27 fare.

After the driver heard about the shooting on the radio, he called police to say he dropped off someone there who appeared to be “weird.”

The Wendy’s employee who spoke to News4 recognized Aguilar from a picture and described him as a polite young man who she’d seen at the restaurant before with other young people.

About an hour after arriving at the mall, Aguilar went on a shooting spree inside the Zumiez store, killing employees 21-year-old Brianna Benlolo and 25-year-old Tyler Johnson.

Aguilar also was with an unidentified man when he bought the shotgun used in the shooting.

The Mall in Columbia will hold a moment of silence at 11:15 a.m. Saturday to remember the victims.

 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Smoke Reported in Plane at Airport

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Over 150 people were evacuated after smoke was discovered in a plane at Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday.

Officials say Delta Flight 987 was scheduled to depart for Salt Lake City Saturday morning when smoke was found inside the cockpit shortly before takeoff.

“Flight 987, a Boeing 737-800 departing from Philadelphia to Salt Lake City with 150 passengers on board, returned to the gate shortly after pushback when the Captain experienced a smoky odor in the vicinity of the cockpit," said Delta Air Lines spokesman Paul Skrbec. "Out of an abundance of caution, the Captain elected return to the gate and advised emergency ground personnel."

The plane returned to the gate and the 159 passengers and crew were evacuated and evaluated. No injuries were reported. Officials say the smoke dissipated but they have not yet revealed the cause.

"All passengers onboard deplaned without incident and will be accommodated on the next available flight scheduled in the day today," Skrbec said. "The aircraft is currently in maintenance. We apologize to the passengers for the inconvenience.” 
 

Also on NBC10.com:


 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Sgt. Accused of Racial Profiling

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A 25-year Suffolk County Police Department veteran was arrested Friday, accused of targeting Hispanic drivers in traffic stops, and in some cases stealing from them, authorities announced. 

Sgt. Scott Greene, a patrol supervisor in the 6th Precinct, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday on two misdemeanor charges, including official misconduct. A conviction on that charge could lead to his removal from the police force, officials said. 

Suffolk District Attorney Spota said Greene stopped Hispanic drivers, then took cash from them.

"He masqueraded as a police officer, but was in fact nothing more than a thief," said Spota. 

The investigation into Greene began with a complaint from the relative of an alleged victim last year, and two more potential victims have since come forward, according to Spota. 

He could face an additional hate crime charge as the probe continues, Spota said. 

In one sting operation conducted by police, a car was outfitted with cameras and audio equipment, and an undercover Hispanic officer was at the wheel.

The video shows Greene taking a $100 bill from an envelope containing twelve $100 bills, slipping it under his sleeve, the district attorney said. 

"That's as red-handed as you can get," said Spota. 

Greene, whose salary last year was $175,000, has been suspended without pay, and he has surrendered his badge and gun.

Police Commissioner Ed Webber said it appears no other officers involved in the alleged misconduct and said Greene's behavior was not representative of the police force. 

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