4 Dead, 1 Critical Following Crash
Police say four people have died in a collision between a car and a logging truck in Hertford County.
The Highway Patrol said the accident happened about 1:15 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 158 west of Winton.
Troopers said four people in the car, McKenzie Hart, 19, Trarica Burke, 21, and Burke's sons Zaiveyon, 1, and 5-month-old Zamarius all died.
Burke's daughter Zanyiah, 3, was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.
Troopers said the car crossed into the path of the truck. Investigators said the truck's right wheels were well off the pavement as the truck tried to avoid the car when the collision occurred.
The truck driver, 35-year-old Kris Outlaw of Windsor, suffered minor injuries. No charges are expected.
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Even if the trucker didn't do it, I think he/she should be charged in the death of four others. What do you think??
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Jury Finds Mark Jensen Guilty
A jury has found Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of his former wife, Julie Jensen.
He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.
Jurors deliberated more than 14 hours on Tuesday, 9½ hours on Wednesday, and nearly eight hours on Thursday before deciding Mark Jensen's fate.
At the start of deliberations, five jurors thought Mark Jensen was guilty, five were undecided and two thought he was not guilty, 12 News reported.
After the hearing, Mark Jensen was led quietly out of the side of the courtroom by bailiffs. He will be taken to the Kenosha County Jail to be processed before being taken to Dodge County Jail.
Julie Jensen's four brothers spoke at a news conference afterward, thanking the special prosecutor for his passion for the truth. They thanked jurors, law enforcement agents and witnesses who testified against Mark Jensen.
"The witnesses had to endure hardship and muster a lot of courage to come forward," Julie's brother, Michael Griffin, said, adding that he hoped the case would give hope to other victims of domestic violence.
"We can go forward, and this, for me personally, provides some closure and that we can go forward in a positive way, Julie's brother Paul Griffin, said.
After the reading of the verdict, the judge also thanked the jurors for their time and efforts.
Julie Jensen, 40, was found dead in her Pleasant Prairie home on Dec. 3, 1998, after being sick for a few days before.
Throughout the deliberations, jurors asked to see several pieces of evidence.
At about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, jurors asked for the statements of Ted Wojt. Wojt is the neighbor who Julie Jensen gave her letter to for the police in the event of her death. The judge declined that request because Wojt's statements were never introduced into evidence.
The letter implicates Mark Jensen if she were harmed.
"I pray that I am wrong and nothing happens, but I am suspicious of Mark's suspicious behaviors and fear for my early demise," Julie Jensen wrote in the letter.
The defense counters that Julie Jensen was depressed and committed suicide, and that she left the letter to frame her husband.
Jurors also asked for police photos from the scene the day she was found dead, the Jensen family computer's Internet history and 1991 divorce papers that were never acted upon.
Jurors heard from 62 witnesses during six weeks of testimony.
In closing arguments Monday, prosecutor Robert Jambois said Mark Jensen plotted to kill his wife, doing Internet searches on ethylene glycol -- commonly used as antifreeze -- and then giving her sleeping pills and making her drink juice he had spiked. When her health appeared to improve, he pushed her face in a pillow and suffocated her, Jambois claimed.
Jensen's lawyer, Craig Albee, has called witnesses who testified that Julie Jensen was depressed and likely killed herself. Albee claims she framed her husband, who had been cheating on her.
Mark Jensen's former co-worker testified that Jensen told him before his wife died that he wanted to poison her. Two inmates also testified that Jensen confessed to them, and friends testified that Julie Jensen said she was suspicious of her husband. The case largely relied on Julie Jensen's statements and letter until the three of them were found or came forward last year.
Albee said the prosecution's case relied on questionable inmates, a poison expert who misjudged the amount of antifreeze in Julie Jensen's stomach and witnesses whose memories had faded or had been tainted after nearly a decade.
After the verdict, Albee indicated he was disappointed in the outcome, 12 New reporter Colleen Henry said. All along Albee has indicated there will be an appeal.
A jury has found Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of his former wife, Julie Jensen.
He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.
Jurors deliberated more than 14 hours on Tuesday, 9½ hours on Wednesday, and nearly eight hours on Thursday before deciding Mark Jensen's fate.
At the start of deliberations, five jurors thought Mark Jensen was guilty, five were undecided and two thought he was not guilty, 12 News reported.
After the hearing, Mark Jensen was led quietly out of the side of the courtroom by bailiffs. He will be taken to the Kenosha County Jail to be processed before being taken to Dodge County Jail.
Julie Jensen's four brothers spoke at a news conference afterward, thanking the special prosecutor for his passion for the truth. They thanked jurors, law enforcement agents and witnesses who testified against Mark Jensen.
"The witnesses had to endure hardship and muster a lot of courage to come forward," Julie's brother, Michael Griffin, said, adding that he hoped the case would give hope to other victims of domestic violence.
"We can go forward, and this, for me personally, provides some closure and that we can go forward in a positive way, Julie's brother Paul Griffin, said.
After the reading of the verdict, the judge also thanked the jurors for their time and efforts.
Julie Jensen, 40, was found dead in her Pleasant Prairie home on Dec. 3, 1998, after being sick for a few days before.
Throughout the deliberations, jurors asked to see several pieces of evidence.
At about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, jurors asked for the statements of Ted Wojt. Wojt is the neighbor who Julie Jensen gave her letter to for the police in the event of her death. The judge declined that request because Wojt's statements were never introduced into evidence.
The letter implicates Mark Jensen if she were harmed.
"I pray that I am wrong and nothing happens, but I am suspicious of Mark's suspicious behaviors and fear for my early demise," Julie Jensen wrote in the letter.
The defense counters that Julie Jensen was depressed and committed suicide, and that she left the letter to frame her husband.
Jurors also asked for police photos from the scene the day she was found dead, the Jensen family computer's Internet history and 1991 divorce papers that were never acted upon.
Jurors heard from 62 witnesses during six weeks of testimony.
In closing arguments Monday, prosecutor Robert Jambois said Mark Jensen plotted to kill his wife, doing Internet searches on ethylene glycol -- commonly used as antifreeze -- and then giving her sleeping pills and making her drink juice he had spiked. When her health appeared to improve, he pushed her face in a pillow and suffocated her, Jambois claimed.
Jensen's lawyer, Craig Albee, has called witnesses who testified that Julie Jensen was depressed and likely killed herself. Albee claims she framed her husband, who had been cheating on her.
Mark Jensen's former co-worker testified that Jensen told him before his wife died that he wanted to poison her. Two inmates also testified that Jensen confessed to them, and friends testified that Julie Jensen said she was suspicious of her husband. The case largely relied on Julie Jensen's statements and letter until the three of them were found or came forward last year.
Albee said the prosecution's case relied on questionable inmates, a poison expert who misjudged the amount of antifreeze in Julie Jensen's stomach and witnesses whose memories had faded or had been tainted after nearly a decade.
After the verdict, Albee indicated he was disappointed in the outcome, 12 New reporter Colleen Henry said. All along Albee has indicated there will be an appeal.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Toddler Falls From Two-Story Window
Police said they were called out an apartment complex on the 6400 block of Fairbanks in Northeast El Paso after 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon in response to a child falling from a window.
When police arrived, emergency crews were performing CPR.
Police said the unidentified 2-year-old boy fell from a second-story window.
"If I fell out of it, I'm pretty sure I would break a couple of bones," said Northeast El Paso resident Adrial Hervias.
Many residents questioned how this could happen, knowing infants can be curious and should be tended to at all times.
"It's kind of sad actually. I wonder what their parents were doing," said Hervias.
"Where were the parents? They should be watching the infant. What were they doing with the window open with an infant in the house in the first place?" said Nilda Martinez, Northeast El Paso resident.
Police said a caretaker was looking after the child, not the parents.
"At this time, the information we have is that he is in critical condition and we do have our crimes against children responding to investigate the matter." said El Paso police Officer Aldolf Borjon
The child was taken to William Beaumont Army Medical Center to treat his injuries.
Police remind parents that infants are active, and if you leave them alone for a short period of time, bad things can happen.
Police said they were called out an apartment complex on the 6400 block of Fairbanks in Northeast El Paso after 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon in response to a child falling from a window.
When police arrived, emergency crews were performing CPR.
Police said the unidentified 2-year-old boy fell from a second-story window.
"If I fell out of it, I'm pretty sure I would break a couple of bones," said Northeast El Paso resident Adrial Hervias.
Many residents questioned how this could happen, knowing infants can be curious and should be tended to at all times.
"It's kind of sad actually. I wonder what their parents were doing," said Hervias.
"Where were the parents? They should be watching the infant. What were they doing with the window open with an infant in the house in the first place?" said Nilda Martinez, Northeast El Paso resident.
Police said a caretaker was looking after the child, not the parents.
"At this time, the information we have is that he is in critical condition and we do have our crimes against children responding to investigate the matter." said El Paso police Officer Aldolf Borjon
The child was taken to William Beaumont Army Medical Center to treat his injuries.
Police remind parents that infants are active, and if you leave them alone for a short period of time, bad things can happen.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Teacher Accused Of Duct-Taping Boy To Desk
A middle school teacher accused of using duct tape to bind a student to his desk was suspended for more than a week without pay for the alleged incident.
The Duval County School Board voted on Tuesday to suspend Kasey Goodin for 10 days without pay.
The school board made its decision after hearing the teacher's version of what happened inside the Kirby-Smith Middle School classroom, WJXT reported.
The district said Goodin told investigators the taping incident was a joke.
However, board members didn't think it was funny.
"It's just not funny for a child to be taped, whether it's in jest or it's a disciplinary measure," said school board chair Betty Burney.
In Goodin's written account of what happened in the classroom, the teacher said, "There was a light-hearted mood in the class as I walked to the supply closet and removed a roll of purple duct tape and a roll of masking tape … The class was laughing. I was laughing. The student was laughing."
WJXT was told Goodin took that duct tape and taped the student's leg to his desk before she used the masking tape to tape his hands and his face.
"The masking tape was applied to the student's hands. The student immediately removed it, laughing throughout the incident. Within the next few minutes, the 'play' was over, the tape was removed," the teacher wrote in her statement.
She ended her account stating, "This incident, was in reality, an opportunity to have fun with the students while getting a message to them. Looking back, I know that it was inappropriate for me to break the lines of formality."
The student involved has since been removed from Goodin's classroom.
"The reason why we didn't go for something as severe as dismissal, it did appear at least it started out as something more lighthearted," said Duval County Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.
Board members said the teaching position at Kirby is the teacher's first job and she has shown good behavior in the past.
"I understand that it was a young teacher. I just felt that we needed to send a stronger message," said Burney.
Burney was the only board member who voted against Goodin's 10-day suspension, saying she didn't think the punishment was harsh enough.
Board members also voted that the teacher should get counseling.
A middle school teacher accused of using duct tape to bind a student to his desk was suspended for more than a week without pay for the alleged incident.
The Duval County School Board voted on Tuesday to suspend Kasey Goodin for 10 days without pay.
The school board made its decision after hearing the teacher's version of what happened inside the Kirby-Smith Middle School classroom, WJXT reported.
The district said Goodin told investigators the taping incident was a joke.
However, board members didn't think it was funny.
"It's just not funny for a child to be taped, whether it's in jest or it's a disciplinary measure," said school board chair Betty Burney.
In Goodin's written account of what happened in the classroom, the teacher said, "There was a light-hearted mood in the class as I walked to the supply closet and removed a roll of purple duct tape and a roll of masking tape … The class was laughing. I was laughing. The student was laughing."
WJXT was told Goodin took that duct tape and taped the student's leg to his desk before she used the masking tape to tape his hands and his face.
"The masking tape was applied to the student's hands. The student immediately removed it, laughing throughout the incident. Within the next few minutes, the 'play' was over, the tape was removed," the teacher wrote in her statement.
She ended her account stating, "This incident, was in reality, an opportunity to have fun with the students while getting a message to them. Looking back, I know that it was inappropriate for me to break the lines of formality."
The student involved has since been removed from Goodin's classroom.
"The reason why we didn't go for something as severe as dismissal, it did appear at least it started out as something more lighthearted," said Duval County Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.
Board members said the teaching position at Kirby is the teacher's first job and she has shown good behavior in the past.
"I understand that it was a young teacher. I just felt that we needed to send a stronger message," said Burney.
Burney was the only board member who voted against Goodin's 10-day suspension, saying she didn't think the punishment was harsh enough.
Board members also voted that the teacher should get counseling.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Police: Level 3 Sex Offender Molests Boy At Library
A Level 3 sex offender was arrested after police said he molested a 6-year-old boy in the children's room of the New Bedford Public Library.
Corey Deen Saunders, 26, of 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, was charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; rape of a child under 16 (second offense); and enticing a child under 16.
Police said Saunders fondled and performed oral sex on the boy in a secluded corner of the library. A librarian later saw the child with the man, and found his picture online and an article about his past. The child's mother was working on a computer in another part of the library.
Police arrested Saunders a short time later near the library.
Saunders is being held at the Bristol County House of Corrections pending a dangerousness hearing on Feb. 7.
Saunders moved back to New Bedford a few weeks ago, and was registered as a Level 3 sex offender with the city. Level 3 is the most serious sex offender designation and is given to offenders considered most likely to reoffend.
Police said they are outraged that Saunders was allowed in public, saying a Bristol County judge was warned by psychologists that Saunders posed a serious danger if he was released from prison.
"I believe that sexually dangerous people should be held at the exit doors of the courthouse, not at the front doors of the library," New Bedford Police Chief Ronald Teachman said.
"I am disgusted by the facts that he was able to be among the public on the streets. He never should have been released. I think it is a travesty of justice," said New Bedford police Lt. Jeffrey Silva.
Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter released a written statement saying he could not comment on the judge's decision.
"It is a tragedy that this took place. This incident dramatizes exactly why we have a Sexually Dangerous Persons protocol. I can not, however, comment on what the Superior Court Judge did because I was not involved in that case nor was my administration in any way. It would be inappropriate for me to comment. I'm sure there will be times when I feel the need to comment on a judicial decision that leads to adverse consequences. This is not one off them," Sutter's statement said.
There are 50 Level 3 sex offenders registered in New Bedford.
"The issue here is whether Corey Saunders should have been allowed out in society and been allowed at that library last night or anywhere children are," Silva said.
Saunders has been in Department of Social Services custody since he was 12, and was removed from two facilities after officials said other children were at risk, according to the New Bedford Standard Times.
When Saunders was 17, he was placed in a foster home in Attleboro, where within seven hours of arriving he was arrested on charges of assault with intent to rape; indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; and attempting to commit unnatural intercourse, the paper said.
A Level 3 sex offender was arrested after police said he molested a 6-year-old boy in the children's room of the New Bedford Public Library.
Corey Deen Saunders, 26, of 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, was charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; rape of a child under 16 (second offense); and enticing a child under 16.
Police said Saunders fondled and performed oral sex on the boy in a secluded corner of the library. A librarian later saw the child with the man, and found his picture online and an article about his past. The child's mother was working on a computer in another part of the library.
Police arrested Saunders a short time later near the library.
Saunders is being held at the Bristol County House of Corrections pending a dangerousness hearing on Feb. 7.
Saunders moved back to New Bedford a few weeks ago, and was registered as a Level 3 sex offender with the city. Level 3 is the most serious sex offender designation and is given to offenders considered most likely to reoffend.
Police said they are outraged that Saunders was allowed in public, saying a Bristol County judge was warned by psychologists that Saunders posed a serious danger if he was released from prison.
"I believe that sexually dangerous people should be held at the exit doors of the courthouse, not at the front doors of the library," New Bedford Police Chief Ronald Teachman said.
"I am disgusted by the facts that he was able to be among the public on the streets. He never should have been released. I think it is a travesty of justice," said New Bedford police Lt. Jeffrey Silva.
Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter released a written statement saying he could not comment on the judge's decision.
"It is a tragedy that this took place. This incident dramatizes exactly why we have a Sexually Dangerous Persons protocol. I can not, however, comment on what the Superior Court Judge did because I was not involved in that case nor was my administration in any way. It would be inappropriate for me to comment. I'm sure there will be times when I feel the need to comment on a judicial decision that leads to adverse consequences. This is not one off them," Sutter's statement said.
There are 50 Level 3 sex offenders registered in New Bedford.
"The issue here is whether Corey Saunders should have been allowed out in society and been allowed at that library last night or anywhere children are," Silva said.
Saunders has been in Department of Social Services custody since he was 12, and was removed from two facilities after officials said other children were at risk, according to the New Bedford Standard Times.
When Saunders was 17, he was placed in a foster home in Attleboro, where within seven hours of arriving he was arrested on charges of assault with intent to rape; indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; and attempting to commit unnatural intercourse, the paper said.
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