Latest news with #poisoning
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Former Canton doctor charged with lying about attempted murder of pregnant woman on U.S. citizenship application
CLEVELAND (WJW) — A former Stark County doctor, imprisoned for poisoning a woman carrying his unborn child in an attempt to terminate the pregnancy, is now under federal indictment for allegedly lying about the incident when applying for American citizenship. Yousif Abdulraouf Alhallaq, 46, of Canton, is charged with naturalization fraud, accused of lying on a U.S. citizenship application and during an in-person interview, according to a Thursday news release from Carol Skutnik, acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. 'Abhorrent': Akron woman sentenced for raping infant The Kuwait-born Alhallaq was a Jordanian citizen when he entered the country on an H1B visa in 2006, according to the U.S. attorney's office. He was granted permanent residency in 2011 and began working as a medical doctor in Northeast Ohio in 2012, according to the release. In December 2014, he poisoned a woman who was pregnant with his child, in an attempt to cause an abortion without her knowledge, according to the release. He was indicted in Stark County in March 2021 on charges of attempted murder and felonious assault. He pleaded guilty the following September and was sentenced to four years in prison. But in late 2017, before his indictment, Allhallaq applied for U.S. citizenship, attesting on a federal form that he had never been involved in killing or trying to kill someone and that he had otherwise never committed a crime. In a March 2018 interview with an immigration officer, he confirmed those answers while under oath, according to the release. He was ultimately granted citizenship. Police: Man confessed to shooting ex-wife in Chardon 'The grand jury charges that although Alhallaq knowingly committed acts of attempted murder and felonious assault against his unborn child in 2014, he nonetheless proceeded to sign his naturalization application in 2017 and then provided verbal confirmation to an immigration official during an interview in 2018 and in both instances attested to the truthfulness of the information he provided, which resulted in being granted U.S. citizenship,' reads the release. Ohio State Medical Board records show Alhallaq's medical license was permanently revoked in January 2022, after his plea. State prison records show he is scheduled to be released from Lake Erie Correctional Institution on Aug. 15. He's set to be placed on probation for the following five years, barring any future court rulings. Alhallaq faces up to 10 years in prison on the new naturalization fraud charge, according to the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Mother tiger and cubs found dead in suspected mass poisoning
Five tigers, a mother and her four cubs, were discovered dead in the MM Hills wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka, southern India. Officials suspect the tigers died from poisoning, noting a dead cow nearby, as villagers sometimes poison carcasses to deter tigers preying on livestock. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday and was discovered on Thursday, is believed to be the highest single-day tiger casualty toll in one sanctuary in India. Eshwar B Khandre, the state minister for forest ecology and environment, has deemed the deaths "unnatural" and initiated an investigation, vowing criminal cases for any negligence or foul play. The deaths are particularly distressing for Karnataka, a state recognized for its successful conservation efforts and home to India's second-largest tiger population.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Five tigers found dead in suspected mass poisoning at Indian wildlife sanctuary
At least five tigers have been found dead inside a wildlife sanctuary in southern India's Karnataka in what is suspected to be a case of poisoning, officials said. The bodies of the tigers – a mother and her four cubs – were found close to each other in the MM Hills wildlife sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district on Thursday. Wildlife officials also found a dead cow in the area, and said they suspect the carcass may have been poisoned by local villagers. Villagers living on the boundaries of Indian wildlife sanctuaries have been known to poison cow or goat carcasses in order to target tigers, which sometimes prey on their livestock or pose a threat to the farmers themselves. Other farmers deploy electric fences around fields and houses, which has also been known to lead to fatalities among tigers. Both methods have been widely condemned by Indian conservationists. An autopsy into the latest incident was due to be held on Friday to confirm the cause of the tigers' deaths. The incident came to light on Thursday and the tigers most likely died on Wednesday, officials said. It is believed to represent the highest single-day toll for tiger casualties in one sanctuary anywhere in India. India has lost a total of 103 tigers this year, according to India's National Tiger Conservation Authority, though the net population of the big cats is steadily rising. A preliminary video of the incident showed a lush green part of the sanctuary cordoned off as five seemingly uninjured tigers laid lifeless and officials inspected the area. Officials said the tigress was believed to be around 11 years old and was first seen by the forest officials in November 2014 when it was a six to eight month old cub. The state minister for forest ecology and environment, Eshwar B Khandre, has said the deaths appear to be 'unnatural' and sought an investigation into the incident. 'If negligence by forest staff is found or if the death were caused by electrocution, poisoning or any other reason, criminal cases would be filed,' Mr Khandre said, vowing that the guilty will not be spared. He also called the deaths of five tigers within 24 hours in the Indian state otherwise known for its successful conservation efforts 'deeply distressing'. Known as one of the best states for wildlife in the country, Karnataka is ranked the second-most populated Indian state for the big cats with 563 tigers. It is also home to leopards, elephants, and large numbers of prey species.
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Erin Patterson trial: Judge tells jury alleged mushroom poisoner admitted lies
Prosecutors allege Erin Patterson faked being sick in an effort to avoid suspicion after the illnesses of her husband's family members, the judge overseeing her triple murder trial has told the jury. Continuing his summing up of the arguments and evidence in the case, Justice Christopher Beale turned to the final piece of alleged incriminating conduct prosecutors argue can only be reasonably explained by Ms Patterson holding the belief she was guilty of the charged offences. This was Ms Patterson allegedly lying about being unwell and faking death cap mushroom poisoning. Justice Beale said Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC had argued not a single medical witness observed her to be unwell and asked them to compare that to the experience of the lunch guests. Dr Rogers, he said, argued when Ms Patterson was discharged with no evidence of death cap poisoning on August 1 each of the guests were on life support in an advanced state of organ failure. The judge said prosecutors argue there was no medical evidence to support vomiting that would prevent serious illness and she had not told a single doctor about this claim. 'She was not sick with death cap mushroom poisoning, she was lying about it,' he summarised. Defence, Justice Beale said, had questioned if it was possible for people to share the same meal and have different outcomes. Defence barrister Colin Mandy SC, he told the jury, had argued there was no evidence to answer that question. 'The accused account is consistent in every meaningful way,' the judge said Mr Mandy argued. Justice Beale said defence argued she was not faking illness and pointed to her low potassium, elevated haemoglobin and elevated fibrinogen. 'You can't fake that,' he said Mr Mandy argued. Justice Beale said jurors could use alleged incriminating conduct to assess Ms Patterson's credibility or as an implied admission of guilt. But he directed the jury they could only use the alleged conduct in that way if it was the only reasonable explanation. 'Even if you think the conduct makes the accused look guilty, that does not mean the accused is guilty,' Justice Beale said. Jurors were sent home shortly before 1pm after Justice Beale reaffirmed he would complete his final address on Monday before lunchtime. 'Ladies and gentlemen don't let anybody get in your ear over this weekend, only discuss this case with your fellow jurors in the jury room,' he said. 'You've been doing a great job, see you on Monday.' Ms Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder relating to a beef wellington lunch she hosted on July 29, 2023, with members of her estranged husband's family. Simon Patterson's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, died from death cap mushroom poisoning in the week following the lunch. Ms Wilkinson's husband, Ian Wilkinson, also fell critically ill but recovered after about a month and a half in hospital. Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson intentionally sourced and included death cap mushrooms in the lunch intending to kill or seriously injure her guests. Her defence argues that she did not intend to harm anyone, and the case is a tragic accident. Mushroom cook admitted to lies: court Alleged mushroom poisoner Erin Patterson has admitted she told a series of lies to police, the judge overseeing the trial has told the jury. Continuing his summing up of the arguments and evidence in the case, Justice Christopher Beale turned to Ms Patterson's lies during her record of interview with police on August 5, 2023. These were; she lied about never foraging for mushrooms, she lied about not owning a dehydrator, she lied about never dehydrating foods and lied by saying she may have owned a dehydrator years ago. In the witness box, the judge said Ms Patterson had admitted these lies but explained that she 'probably knew' police would immediately suspect her in the poisoning event. 'She said it was a stupid knee-jerk reaction to dig deeper and she was scared,' Justice Beale said. Justice Beale told jurors that prosecutors had argued these could be used as incriminating conduct or implied admissions of guilt. The judge said Ms Patterson's defence had referenced an alleged conversation with her husband on August 1 where he accused her of poisoning his parents. Simon Patterson denies this occurred. Justice Beale said defence barrister Colin Mandy SC argued this alleged conversation was a 'turning point' where Ms Patterson began panicking, fearing she would be wrongly blamed. 'Its not incrimination conduct, she starts panicking, she starts lying,' he said Mr Mandy argued. On Thursday, Justice Beale advised jurors they would be sent out to deliberate a verdict following the conclusion of his address on Monday next week. The trial continues.
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- SBS Australia
Mushroom murder trial: Judge directs jury before deliberations begin
Mushroom murder trial: Judge directs jury before deliberations begin Published 26 June 2025, 9:30 am The jury in the trial of accused triple murderer Erin Patterson has continued to receive directions from the judge. The mushroom trial, which has lasted more than 8 weeks, is now into its final days with the jury expected to begin deliberations on Monday. Patterson has always maintained her innocence saying the mushroom poisonings were a terrible accident.
