Pontefract pub attack victim critically ill in hospital
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The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Families of slain University of Idaho students share emotions at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing
The families and loved ones of the four students stabbed to death in a home near the University of Idaho campus faced Bryan Kohberger during his sentencing in a Boise court Wednesday in an outpouring of grief, anger and even forgiveness. Judge Steven Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four life sentences without parole for four counts of first-degree murder in the brutal deaths of Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin early on Nov. 13, 2022. He was also given a 10-year sentence for burglary and assessed $270,000 in fines and civil penalties. He has waived his right to appeal. Kohberger pleaded guilty early this month, just weeks before his trial was to start, in a deal to avoid the death penalty. Prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed on the sentence. Kohberger had a chance to speak in court but declined to do so. Many loved ones spoke through tears as they gave their emotional statements during Wednesday's hearing. Some addressed Kohberger directly, while others said they did not want to 'waste the words' on him. The prosecutor and judge also choked up at times as they spoke of the victims. Here's a look at the hearing in their words: Surviving roommates speak of their trauma Bethany Funke was one of two roommates to survive the night of the stabbings. In a statement read by a friend, she said the killings terrorized her and prompted her to sleep in her parents' room for almost a year. 'I have not slept through a single night since this happened. I constantly wake up in panics, terrified someone is breaking in or someone is here to hurt me, or I'm about to lose someone else that I love," Funke's statement said. 'For a long time I could barely get out of bed. But one day, I realized I have to live for them." Dylan Mortensen, the other surviving roommate, similarly said she had to sleep in her mom's bed and described panic attacks that hit her 'like a tsunami.' 'Sometimes I drop to the floor with my heart racing, convinced something is very wrong. It's far beyond anxiety. It's my body reliving everything over and over again,' she said, sobbing. What Kohberger couldn't take from her was her voice and her memories of her roommates, she said. "Those things are mine. They are sacred, and he will never touch them.' Families express array of emotions Scott Laramie, Mogen's stepfather, said the 'emotional wound will never fully heal.' 'Karen and I are ordinary people, but we lived extraordinary lives because we had Maddie,' he said, referring to his wife, Maddie's mother. 'As for the defendant, we will not waste the words. Nor will we fall into hatred and bitterness." An attorney for the family read a statement from Karen Laramie. 'Some may offer forgiveness for what the defendant has done. However, we cannot at this time, or perhaps ever," the statement said. "Nor will we ask for mercy for what he has done. His acts are too heinous.' Some other family members, meanwhile, said they forgave Kohberger. "Bryan, I'm here today to tell you I have forgiven you because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart,' said Kim Kernodle, Xana's aunt. 'Any time you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number. I'm here, no judgment, because I do have questions that I want you to answer.' Cara Northington, Xana's mother, emphasized the importance of her faith. 'Jesus has allowed me to forgive you for murdering my daughter, without you even being sorry,' she said. The father of Madison Mogen read the last thing she had written him — a Father's Day card. In it, she said she couldn't wait to 'hang out again soon" and that she was proud of him. 'When I wasn't wanting to live anymore, she was what would keep me from not caring anymore,' Ben Mogen said, describing struggles with addiction. 'Knowing that she was out there and that she was just such a beautiful person kept me alive a lot of rough moments.' Steve Goncalves, Kaylee's father, taunted Kohberger for leaving his DNA on a knife sheath left near Mogen's body and getting caught despite being a graduate student in criminology at nearby Washington State University at the time. "You were that careless, that foolish, that stupid,' Steve Goncalves said. 'Master's degree? You're a joke.' Kohberger declines to speak When asked by the judge whether he wanted to speak, Kohberger responded: 'I respectfully decline.' Prosecutor chokes up showing photos of victims Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson's voice caught in his throat as he displayed photos of the victims, including one of all the roommates taken the day before the killings. Sobbing was heard in the courtroom and the judge used a tissue to dry his eyes. 'You can see all six of these dynamic, vibrant, loving, special, innocent faces, taken together just across the street from their residence and barely 12 hours before four of them would be brutally murdered in their sleep,' he said. Thompson acknowledged that the victim's families were split on how they felt about the plea deal. 'I respect the fact that of these fine, suffering people here, not everybody agreed with the decision we made,' he said. 'I accept that. It's my responsibility in the end. I recognize that that's the duty of the office that I hold.' Judge reflects on not knowing the motive 'No parent should ever have to bury their child,' Judge Steven Hippler said. 'Parents who took their children to college in a truck filled with moving boxes had to bring them home in hearses lined with coffins.' Hippler said he shared 'the desire expressed by others to understand the why," while also wondering whether focusing on the motive gave Kohberger agency and power. 'The need to know what is inherently not understandable makes us dependent upon the defendant to provide us with a reason, and that gives him the spotlight, the attention and the power he appears to crave," he said. "Yet even if I could force him to speak, which legally I cannot, how could anyone ever be assured that what he speaks is the truth?'
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'Fun, outgoing' woman, 26, died when she slipped down nightclub stairs on way to toilet with a friend, inquest hears
An 'outgoing and friendly' young woman died a month after she slipped down a set of nightclub stairs on her way to the toilet with a friend, an inquest heard. Georgia Harry, 26, described by family as 'bubbly' and 'fun', was out with friends in Liverpool when she fell down a set of stairs in Lost Bar in the early hours of March 17. An inquest at Gerard Majella Courthouse heard how she had met with her friend Michael Pollard at Punch Tarmey's at around 3pm on March 16, before heading out with pals. Mr Pollard then saw the civil servant again when arriving at the nightclub on Seel Street at around 2am, adding that Georgia had drank both lager and vodka while with in his presence. At about 2.15am, the pair separated from the group to go to the toilets which were located on the basement floor of the building, the inquest was told. But as they headed down the flight of stairs, Georgia's legs 'went from beneath her', and she hit her head on the concrete floor as she held her friend arm. Sean Moogan, who was not drinking at the time, recalled witnessing a man and a woman walking down the stairs as he left the toilets. Recalling Georgia's fall, he said her legs had given way, swinging to the same height as his head, as she began to fall - around six steps away from the bottom floor. Mr Pollard rushed to help the 26-year-old, shouting her name as the fall rendered her unconscious, Mr Moogan said. According to The Liverpool Echo, the personal trainer, who is first-aid trained, urged Mr Pollard to calm down. He also advised the friend to move away from Georgia so her body remained still to prevent any injuries worsening. The 26-year-old was rushed to Aintree Hospital, where she underwent a blood test and an assessment, before being transferred to the Walton Centre. She remained in critical condition and on life support until she passed away on April 13 of this year. A 'low level of ketamine' was found in Georgia's system, a toxocology report found. She also had an alcohol reading of 294, around three-and-a-half times the drink-driving limit. Aoife Magill, an environmental health officer for Liverpool City Council visited the premises following the incident, She discovered there was no slip strips on the stairs, with the bar instructed to have them in place in future. Area Coroner for Liverpool and Wirral, Ms Anita Bhardwaj, said Georgia 'more than likely' slipped on the stairs. However, she could not definitively say due to CCTV being obstructed by a person walking behind Mr Pollard and Georgia. A police probe found Georgia was not pushed down the stairs. In a statement, Detective Inspector Dillon of Merseyside Police, said Mr Pollard was seen taking something from his jumper before he and Georgia linked arms. Later, between two CCTV cameras, Georgia was seen 'falling at speed' down the staircase before hitting her head on the ground. A post mortem concluded her cause of death a result of an extensive brain injury caused by a fall. Ms Bhardwaj said: 'More likely than not that Georgia has died from the injuries sustained from the fall. 'From the evidence we have heard, there is nothing to suggest that it was nothing more than an accident.' It comes after her devastated mother, Nicola Poolton, 44, led tributes to her daughter, who she described her as a 'strong fighter' that 'fought until the end'. She added: 'She was a hard-working girl who loved to have fun with her friends and going on holidays. She was so sociable.' Reflecting on Ms Harry's terrifying time during the ICU, Ms Poolton said: 'We were told on the night that they didn't think she would make it through the night. 'But when we turned off life support she survived for five days.' Ms Harry, who lived with her mum and two dachshunds, Mabel and Maggie, worked at Liverpool Passport Office based within the city centre. A moving obituary notice declaring Ms Harry's passing stated that she had died 'peacefully in hospital surrounded by her loving family'. It added: 'Much loved daughter of Nicola and David. Georgia will be sadly missed by all who knew her. 'To our darling daughter. We miss you the world our beautiful miracle. We love you the world and back.'
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
Family pay touching tribute to ‘caring' 78-year-old killed after car smashed into her home
A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to a "caring, sharing, and stunning" mum who was killed in a tragic crash. Barbara Howard died in hospital after a Jaguar car ploughed into her property, in Coventry, shortly before 5pm on July 17. 2 2 The Jaguar had been involved in a smash with a Volkswagen van at the junction of Shilton Lane and Lentons Lane. It is understood the vehicle then swerved off the road and hit Barbara's house. The 78-year-old was inside at the time, and rushed to hospital where she died a short time later. In a statement, Barbara's heartbroken family said: "Caring, sharing, glamorous, and stunning, someone who loved life. "Dancing mother of Debbie and Julie, our best friend was taken in the most horrific way. "We love her to the moon and back." A spokesperson for Midlands Police said: "Our investigation into the collision is continuing, and the drivers of both vehicles involved were spoken to at the scene. "We are urging anyone with information or footage to get in touch with us. "We would especially like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam video from around the area at the time, as we look to establish exactly what happened. "If you can help our investigation, please call 101 quoting Log 4184 of 17 July. "You can also email sciu@ is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
