Latest news with #selfdefense
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Judge gives Racine man probation for shooting his mother's ex-boyfriend
RACINE — A Racine man who claimed he was defending his mother when he shot her then-boyfriend will serve the next five years on probation. Damian Mason's family members hugged one another and cried tears of joy moments after Racine County Circuit Court Judge Jon E. Fredrickson handed down his sentence on Friday, June 27. Seated in the gallery a few feet behind the defendant's table, Erika Mason buried her face in her other son's shoulder, relieved by word that Damian Mason would soon be released from jail. "God is good!" she told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel outside the Racine County Courthouse. "Damian saved my life that day. He was a hero .... and he didn't deserve any of this to happen to him. "I'm just so glad my son is coming home." Mason was 17 years old when prosecutors say he intervened with a gun during a violent confrontation on the 1100 block of Racine Street between his mother and her then-boyfriend on June 19, 2022. The man was shot five times as he tried to drive away. He survived, but suffered permanent damage to his one of his arms. Mason's family and defense team promoted the theory Mason, now 20, acted to defend his mother. A jury in May found Mason guilty of attempted second-degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon and of being in possession of a dangerous weapon while under 18. Mason faced up to 60 years behind bars as punishment for attempted second-degree intentional homicide alone. The gun charge carried a maximum penalty of nine months. More: Milwaukee woman recorded on jail tapes arranging hit on ex-boyfriend is headed to prison Mason's conviction sparked demonstrations in Racine from supporters, who claimed Mason should have been shielded by Wisconsin's self-defense law, which allows citizens to use deadly force to protect a third party. Defense attorney Carl Johnson pushed for probation, noting his client had no prior criminal history and acted in defense of another person, which is legally permitted. "He didn't set out to kill anyone ... He was trying to protect his mother," said Johnson, of Racine. "This was a chaotic, stressful situation that he didn't create." Mason had been in custody at the Racine County Jail since his conviction. Fredrickson ordered his immediate release. When calculating his sentence, Fredrickson had to weigh the victim's injuries and the threat to public safety, against Mason's character clear record and his willingness to improve himself. Evidence of that included his graduating from J.I. Case High School while on house arrest for 34 months after the shooting. In a packed courtroom, Mason told the judge he felt he was a good person, despite having been convicted, adding that he planned to "continue to work on myself," no matter the outcome of his 34-month legal odyssey. "What happened that day, I just felt I had no other choice," he said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Racine man gets probation for shooting his mother's ex-boyfriend
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Bedford drug dealer who killed customer gets 12-year jail term
A drug dealer convicted of killing a customer after an early-hours cocaine sale went wrong has been given a 12-year jail Che, 26, died in hospital after being stabbed in the abdomen with a kitchen knife at a house in Brereton Road in Bedford in November Kamau, 25, of Rutland Road, Bedford, claimed he was under threat and acted in found him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after a trial at Luton Crown Court. Kamau had previous convictions for drug dealing offences and possessing offensive weapons."You do present a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public," said the judge, Mr Justice Mr Justice Swift said he was starting to take "responsibility for your actions". Kamau must serve at least eight years in prison before parole is considered. Jurors heard that Mr Che, who was born in Cameroon and lived in Bedford, met Kamau in the early hours of 5 November in a street and wanted barrister Neil Moore, who led the prosecution team, said Kamau had feared a "set up" and "got aggressive".He said evidence showed that Kamau attacked Mr Che with a knife and scissors. Mr Che died after suffering a 13cm (5in) wound. The prosecution said Kamau behaved with "jaw-dropping calmness" after the posed with the blood-stained knife and took a "trophy" photograph of himself, they Kamau said he took the photograph with the intention of showing it to were told officers found the knife, which was 4cm-wide (1.6in) and 18cm-long (7.1in), after Kamau threw it down a rubbish chute. 'Swinging' Kamau told jurors that two other men were with Mr Che and that he decided to leave the property because the situation became "dodgy".He said Mr Che was holding scissors and stood in his said he was "terrified" and picked up a knife from the kitchen."I am just trying not to get stabbed, not get injured," he told jurors. "In that process, I have lunged."He said Mr Che "started coming at me swinging" and told jurors: "I swung once with the kitchen knife. I didn't want to stab him." In a victim impact statement read at the sentencing hearing, Mr Che's family explained how he moved to the UK to study computer science at the University of Westminster."There is nothing to fill the void," said their statement."Not even the harshest sentence will bring Patrice back." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Karmelo Anthony spokesman slams 'white supremacy' in wake of murder charge as teen sets up $1.4m fundraiser for TRAUMA COUNSELING
Murder suspect Karmelo Anthony's family spokesman has railed against 'white supremacy' after the 17-year-old was indicted for a high school track star's murder. Spokesman Dominique Alexander pleaded with Anthony's supporters to 'stand with us in the fight against white supremacy' after the teen was indicted for the murder of Austin Metcalf, 17, in Frisco, Texas, in April. Alexander added: 'To the racists, the bigots, and those filled with hate who've targeted Karmelo, his family, and even myself – you do not intimidate us. We are not backing down. 'This case is yet another example of what it means to be black in America, where even our self-defense is questioned, scrutinized and politicized. 'My involvement – like many others — came as a direct response to the overwhelming hate, threats and outside influence that have surrounded this case since day one.' Anthony's family insist he was defending himself against Metcalf when he stabbed him to death at a high school track meet. But surveillance footage of the killing at a track meet viewed by Daily Mail appears to show Anthony's attack was unprovoked. Meanwhile, Anthony's latest court docket has asked for taxpayer-funded legal counsel for his trial - despite a recent fundraiser than raised almost $600,000. Outrageously, the family raised their fundraising goal to $1.4 million, with the Anthonys saying some of the cash would go on 'trauma counseling.' The family will continue to use some of the cash for relocation to a 'safe neighborhood', after Daily Mail reported that bought a new car and already live in a sprawling $800,000 home in a gated community. When Karmelo was indicted this week, his family wrote in an update to the fundraiser that it was an 'unimaginable tragedy' and a 'moment we hoped we would never face.' Anthony's case divided the nation as his supporters alleged that he is being unfairly prosecuted for murder because he is black, while critics argue there was no reason to fatally stab Metcalf, who was not armed, in the heart. In April, Anthony was released on house arrest and returned to his family's gated community home after his attorneys successfully reduced his bail. The bail was initially set at $1 million, and prosecutors argued that his family could use the $439,000 they had fundraised at the time to pay his bail. His father Andrew Anthony told the court that he didn't have access to the funds at the time, and that he was planning to use the money to pay for his son's defense. It is unclear why the family cannot use the now-$539,000 they have raised for his defense as they filed the indigent packet in court. Alongside paying for trauma therapy and relocation, the family also said in their fundraiser that the money would pay for transportation to and from Karmelo's court hearings. They added that it would be used for enhanced security measures after facing threats and public backlash following Metcalf's death. 'While legal expenses are a significant part of this fund, they are only one part. Our family — a loving, God-fearing family — is simply seeking safety, justice, and peace in these trying times,' they wrote. The altercation between Anthony and Metcalf happened at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas April 2. Anthony, who does not attend school with Metcalf, sat under Metcalf's school's tent before allegedly stabbing him when told to move In a previous post to the GiveSendGo back in April, the family clarified that 'while legal defense is a critical part of this journey, we want to make it clear that this fund is not solely dedicated to legal expenses. 'The funds raised will also support a range of urgent and necessary needs that have emerged as a result of this situation, including — but not limited to — the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats to their safety and well-being, as well as basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and other security measures,' the fundraiser added. 'We ask for your continued prayers, support, and solidarity. Your contribution not only helps protect and stabilize the family, but also serves as a powerful message of community care and resistance in the face of injustice.'
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Murder accused said he took knife from aunt's partner and gave him 'a few jabs', trial hears
A murder accused told gardaí that he took a knife from his aunt's enraged partner after a scuffle and gave him "a few jabs with it", telling detectives that he had no intention to kill and was in fear for his life. "It was either going to be me sitting here today or him sitting here today," the accused told officers. Advertisement Ryan Kearney (39), with an address at Loughnamona Drive, Leixlip, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jeffrey Jackson (50) at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare, on February 8th, 2024. Mr Jackson's partner, Breda Kearney, has given evidence that when she returned home after a brief trip to the shop she was met by her bloodied nephew Ryan Kearney, who told her he had stabbed her partner in the neck and thought he was dead. Detective Garda John Faherty on Wednesday agreed with Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that the accused's garda interview had become "fairly free flowing" on the evening of February 9th. The accused told gardaí he had been a chef, to which Det Gda Faherty replied "Geez, a man of many talents. Jaysus". The accused went on to say: "Murder onto the list". Advertisement Mr Kearney said he had previously lived with his aunt Ms Kearney for two-and-a-half years in her two-bed penthouse apartment. He told gardaí he would stay there regularly but didn't live there and would go down "for a couple of days drinking". Mr Kearney said Mr Jackson had previously "boxed the head off" him and broken his hand. The accused said that when the deceased got "something into his head, he snaps" and "goes into mad rages". Referring to February 8th, Mr Kearney told gardaí that his aunt and Mr Jackson were drinking a bottle of vodka when he arrived at the apartment. He said Ms Kearney had given him a drink and Mr Jackson had started complaining "that's my drink and why you giving it to him". "I could tell he had a few drinks on him," he added. Advertisement The accused told officers his aunt said she would go and get "another bottle to keep the peace". He said when his aunt left the apartment, Mr Jackson "started going to me and all": "What are you coming down here and all for? We don't want you down here". The accused told the detectives he said: "Jeff, will you ever stop". "I wasn't arguing with him, he was arguing with me". Mr Kearney continued: "So then he started throwing digs and this started and we got into a scuffle and I thought it was over and done with, and then next of all, he went for the drawer and he got a knife". Advertisement "I think it was a black-handled knife, it wasn't even a big knife, it was only a small knife". "I seen him coming towards me and I said to myself 'I'm dead'. I said what am I going to do here. Whatever way I caught him with the knife, he had it in his hand, that's how I got cut, that cut on me finger and that cut there". The accused said he got the knife off Mr Jackson, but the deceased "kept coming towards" him. "He kept lunging at me and lunging at me and lunging at me". "I didn't know what to do and then in the end, I gave him a few jabs with it and he fell onto the sofa where he was found". Advertisement He added: "I didn't go out with any intention to kill him, to kill anybody or to do that kind of damage to anybody. I swear it was just..I was in fear for me life, honest to God. I thought he was going to kill me... I promise you I thought he was going to kill he just kept coming at me and coming at me. He was in a fit of rage like. He just snaps". "To see a man going like that in front of you, like, it's terrible. He got the knife out of the drawer and he was coming at me with the knife, so it was either going to be me sitting here today or him sitting here today". Earlier, forensic scientist Ms Sarah Fleming told Edward Doocey BL, prosecuting, that she examined a kitchen knife with a serrated blade and a black plastic handle, which was taken from the draining board in the kitchen of Ms Kearney's apartment. The witness said the knife's blade was 12cm in length and 1.5cm in width at its widest point. She said there was blood-staining on the handle of the knife, and the DNA profile obtained matched that of Mr Kearney. Ms Fleming said there was a mixed DNA profile obtained from the serrated edge of the blade. She said either the mixed DNA profile had originated from the accused and Mr Jackson or from two unknown persons unrelated to them. She said it was one thousand million times more likely if the mixed DNA profile came from the accused and Mr Jackson rather than if it came from two unknown persons. Under cross-examination, Ms Fleming agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that his client's DNA on the knife's handle was consistent with the accused having made contact with it and transferring his blood from an open wound onto the knife itself. Garda Niall Geoghan told Mr Doocey he had photographed a number of injuries to the accused's body and torso. The witness said there was bruising on the accused's arms and lower back. Other injuries included a small cut to the centre of the head and on the little and index fingers. Ireland Man (39) told gardaí he stabbed his aunt's partner... Read More Under cross-examination, Gda Geoghan agreed with Mr Bowman that the accused had been touched with alcohol addiction since he knew him. The garda agreed that the accused had been charged with public order offences in the past, and when he was "on the drink" he wouldn't always attend court, and bench warrants would be issued. Gda Geoghan said he had taken responsibility for making sure Mr Kearney showed up to court and told the court the accused had been cooperative in their dealings and never violent. In his opening speech, Mr Grehan told the jury that evidence of 16 separate knife injuries suffered by Mr Jackson during what the prosecution say was a "ferocious attack" in the apartment did not fit with Mr Kearney's account of having stabbed the deceased in self defence. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of three men and nine women.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Karmelo Anthony's brutal reality check after murder indictment for stabbing and killing high school athlete
Karmelo Anthony could be sent back to jail after being indicted on first-degree murder charges for fatally stabbing a fellow high school athlete during a track meet, the Daily Mail has learned. The 18-year-old, who admitted to attacking and stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in Frisco, Texas, in April, is currently under house arrest. However, his spokesman, Dominique Alexander, told the Daily Mail that Anthony may be returned to custody following his indictment by a Collin County grand jury on Tuesday. Now that the indictment is in place, the case will be assigned to a district judge who could overturn a controversial decision by a magistrate to reduce Anthony's bond from $1 million to $250,000. 'We don't know who the judge will be,' Alexander said. 'But any judge can make any decision they want. It's entirely up to them.' Anthony was 17 at the time of the incident and has since turned 18. He maintains he acted in self-defense during the altercation at the high school meet in the affluent Dallas suburb. However, he has yet to explain why he brought a weapon to a school-sanctioned event. Local police say the boys exchanged words when Metcalf challenged Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, for sitting under the team tent for Memorial High School. 'A lot of stuff gets stolen,' Hunter, Metcalf's twin who was also there, told Fox News hours after he watched his brother die. 'Our coaches always told us don't let other schools mess with our stuff.' Anthony was arrested shortly after the attack, telling arresting officers who called him the alleged killer, 'I'm not alleged. I did it' After spending about two weeks behind bars, Anthony's father went before a local judge, claiming the family had no money and requesting their teen son's bond be lowered from $1 million. In a widely criticized decision, Magistrate Judge Angela Tucker agreed to lower Anthony's bond to $250,000 on the condition he remain under house arrest and in the custody of his dad. Under the conditions of the house arrest, the embattled teen must wear an electronic monitor and only leave the house with 'prior approval of the court,' according to public records obtained by 'Defendant must be supervised by a parent or adult designee at all times. Defendant shall have no contact (direct or indirect) with the family of the alleged victim,' the court order state. 'Defendant may travel to his attorney's office for scheduled meetings approved by the Court. Defendant must check-in with the bailiff of the Court every Friday until the case in indicted into a different Court.' After his release from jail, Daily Mail exclusively reported how the Anthonys had been renting a nearly $900,000 home in a luxury neighborhood. Despite having security guards keeping anyone who wasn't authorized by the family out of the swanky community, a judge allowed the teen to relocate after he claimed he was no longer safe in his house. Alexander told Daily Mail he's had no indication whether the house arrest will be revoked at this time. 'Right now, there's nothing of any violation by Karmelo. Everything has been respected,' he said of the court orders. 'Of course, we would think that the judge, whatever judge it's assigned to, would honor that.' Regardless of whether Anthony remains under house arrest, the victim's father told Daily Mail Tuesday that he was pleased with the indictment. 'I fully believe that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf,' his father Jeff said. 'I look forward to the forthcoming trial. But it will never bring my son back.' Just last week, reported on footage of the stabbing released by the Frisco Independent School District. The video, recorded on a fixed camera at David Kuykendall Stadium, did not show any fighting, pushing or physical altercation between the boys prior to the knifing. Instead, the clip viewed by Daily Mail at school district headquarters, showed several people sitting under the Memorial High School team tent. Without any kind of apparent escalation, people can be seen running and walking away from the tent. Later, what appears to be Metcalf's body is moved out of the stadium bleachers to a walkway near the bottom of the seating area. The surveillance appears to challenge the self-defense claim made by the murder suspect, offering little visible evidence that Anthony was in immediate danger before the attack. The Frisco Police Department would not comment on whether it is the only video of the slaying.
