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Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
California teacher stabbed in neck while on Italian vacation is returning home
With every beat of his heart, 29-year-old Nicholas Pellegrino felt like he was another pump closer to death. The religion and Spanish teacher at San Francisco's Archbishop Riordan High School was at the San Donato Milanese train station in Milan, Italy, and he was bleeding out. It was just before noon on July 15, and Pellegrino was supposed to be on a two-hour train heading southeast to Florence but was instead grasping for hope that an ambulance would arrive in time to save him. Photos taken of him on the station floor showed his chest and shorts soaked in blood. After 15 minutes, paramedics arrived and rushed the Staten Island, N.Y., native to a local hospital, where he somehow survived being brutally slashed in the throat. Authorities say the attack was carried out by a group of North African migrants. Now, more than a week removed from what he described as 'ISIS-level barbarism,' Pellegrino confirmed to The Times he had recovered enough to fly back to New York on Thursday. 'Miracles still happen,' Pellegrino, a professed Catholic, said in a phone interview Wednesday evening. 'I'm grateful to be alive.' The train ride was supposed to have been a small blip in Pellegrino's day. He was leaving one set of friends in Northern Italy to join another in Tuscany on what was an Italian vacation before the start of the fall semester. Within minutes of boarding the train, Pellegrino said he was surveilled by four men sitting about 10 rows away from him. When he put his head down, one slashed his jugular vein with a pocketknife while another stole his laptop, clothes and passport, according to Pellegrino. One also violently ripped off a gold cross hanging around Pellegrino's neck. The 'thugs were not afraid of me,' Pellegrino said. 'They were armed with pocketknives and had the intent to murder me.' Pellegrino thought he would die as he dragged himself off the train and to a nearby platform. The attack happened around 11:30 a.m., according to authorities. Pellegrino boarded the train at a previous station. He said he thought of two things in the moments after the attack. 'A, I was looking around to see where the suspects were just to make sure they wouldn't come around to finish me off,' he said. 'And then, B, I felt the blood literally pumping out of me with each beat and just hoped the ambulance would arrive on time.' Pellegrino was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received emergency care to stabilize the wound, according to Italian medi. He was then moved to an intensive care unit, where he received nine stitches. He had been hospitalized there from July 15 to Sunday, then was staying with a friend until his flight to the U.S. The Italian newspaper Milano Today reported that two 21-year-old men were detained by police on suspicion of aggravated robbery. Pellegrino said he testified in court Wednesday and the pair were now facing more serious charges of premeditated attempted homicide. He said authorities found his gold cross and chain inside one of the suspect's intestinal tracts. The two hailed from Tunisia and are part of a gang, according to Milano Today. 'The police told me I was the seventh victim they attacked over a 48-hour stretch,' Pellegrino said. 'That's crazy stuff; that's something from a movie.' Although the alleged perpetrators fled the train platform, they were identified through CCTV footage, according to Milano Today. The two men were arrested attempting to board a bus carrying a switchblade and a stolen pendant, the news outlet reported. Pellegrino said two other suspects standing guard at the time of his attack were also arrested. Italian authorities did not respond to a call from The Times, nor did anyone from the American Consulate in Milan. With his passport still not recovered, Pellegrino confirmed that he was granted a temporary passport to return home. 'I was told these guys had previously served six months on various other small robberies,' Pellegrino said. 'These are evil people with bad intent.' Before working at the San Francisco high school, Pellegrino was a teacher and track coach at Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island, N.Y. One of his friends and former students, Finn McCole, set up a GoFundMe along with other former students of Pellegrino. 'We are setting up this GoFundMe to help Nick pay for any medical expenses incurred during his hospital stay, and to replace his lost valuables,' McCole wrote on the page. 'Finn's a great guy and a former student-athlete of mine and we're still friends,' Pellegrino said. 'I'm surprised by that amount of money, and it just goes to show that even though teaching is a thankless job, the students are craving and grateful for a role model.'
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Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
[Graphic News] ‘Parasite' tops NYT's 100 best movies of 21st century
Korean director Bong Joon-ho's 2019 film 'Parasite' has been named the best movie of the 21st century by The New York Times. The top 100 list was compiled based on votes from 500 directors, actors and film fans. The Times praised 'Parasite' as 'delightful yet twisted, unsettling and shocking,' noting that it 'tells the story of the haves and have-nots and offers a fierce critique of neo-liberalism.' Two other Korean films also made the list: 'Oldboy' (2005) by Park Chan-wook ranked 43rd, while Bong's earlier film 'Memories of Murder' (2005) placed 99th. Korean Canadian director Celine Song's 2023 film 'Past Lives' was also included at No. 86. don@
Los Angeles Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump's top federal prosecutor in L.A. struggles to secure indictments in protest cases
To bystanders at the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, it sounded as though U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli would not take no for an answer. A prosecutor had the irate Trump administration appointee on speaker phone outside the grand jury room, and his screaming was audible, according to three law enforcement officials aware of the encounter who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. The grand jury had just refused to indict someone accused of attacking federal law enforcement officers during protests against the recent immigration raids throughout Southern California, two of the officials said. It was an exceedingly rare outcome after a type of hearing that routinely leads to federal charges being filed. On the overheard call, according to three officials, Essayli, 39, told a subordinate to disregard the federal government's 'Justice Manual,' which directs prosecutors to only bring cases they can win at trial. Essayli barked that prosecutors should press on and secure indictments as directed by U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, according to three officials. Court records show the reason for Essayli's frustration. While his office has filed felony cases against at least 38 people for alleged misconduct that either took place during last month's protests or near the sites of immigration raids, many have already been dismissed or reduced to misdemeanor charges. The three officials who spoke to The Times on the condition of anonymity said prosecutors have struggled to get several protest-related cases past grand juries, which need only to find probable cause that a crime has been committed in order to move forward. That is a much lower bar than the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard required for a criminal conviction. Five cases have been dismissed without prejudice — meaning they could be refiled — and records show nine have been filed as misdemeanors, which do not require a grand jury indictment to proceed. In some cases, prosecutors reduced charges against defendants to misdemeanors after repeatedly falling short at the grand jury stage, according to three federal law enforcement officials. Essayli declined to be interviewed for this article. A statement provided by his office on Tuesday accused The Times of spreading 'factual inaccuracies and anonymous gossip,' but offered no specifics or further comment in response to questions. 'The U.S. Attorney's Office will continue working unapologetically to charge all those who assault our agents or impede our federal investigations,' the statement said. Legal experts said Essayli's low number of indictments raised concerns about the strength of the cases he is filing. Carley Palmer, a former federal prosecutor in L.A. who is now a partner at Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg, said the grand jury's repeated rejection of cases was 'a strong indication that the priorities of the prosecutor's office are out of sync with the priorities of the general community.' Essayli has won indictments in some serious cases, including two where defendants are accused of throwing or planning to throw Molotov cocktails at L.A. law enforcement officers, and a case where defendants allegedly fired a paintball gun at federal police. But in total, he has only secured seven indictments, which usually need to be obtained no later than 21 days after the filing of a criminal complaint. Three other cases have been resolved via plea deal, records show. High-ranking Justice Department officials have repeatedly praised his work. 'My friend, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, is a champion for law and order who has done superlative work to prosecute rioters for attacking and obstructing law enforcement in Los Angeles,' Bondi said in a statement to The Times. But legal experts and some of Essayli's own prosecutors say he's stretching legal limits to serve as Trump's attack dog in L.A. 'It's just generally a culture of 'if Bill asks you to jump, you ask how high,'' said one prosecutor who feared retaliation. 'Any case he wants to charge, find a way to make it a yes.' Questions about Essayli's effectiveness come at a critical time for the former California Assembly member. Bondi appointed him in early April, giving him 120 days to serve as interim U.S. attorney until receiving Senate approval. If he is not confirmed by then, a panel of federal judges will have the opportunity to appoint him — or someone else — to the position. Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla of California raised concerns about Essayli's leadership of the office in interviews with The Times, and a direct approval from the bench is no sure thing. Earlier this month, a federal judicial panel blocked Trump's choice for U.S. attorney in upstate New York after the time limit for Senate confirmation had expired. On Tuesday, another judicial panel declined to appoint New Jersey's interim federal prosecutor, Alina Habba, one of Trump's former personal lawyers. Bondi, however, decried the judges for going 'rogue,' fired their choice for U.S. attorney and reappointed Habba. Legal experts say the move is unprecedented. Meghan Blanco, a former federal prosecutor in L.A. who serves as defense counsel to one of the protesters who is facing charges, said the cases are faltering in part because of unreliable information provided by immigration agents claiming to be victims. 'Frankly, they're not deserving of prosecution,' she said. 'What is being alleged isn't a federal crime, or it simply did not happen.' Blanco represents Jose Mojica, who was accused of pushing a federal officer in Paramount on June 7. According to an investigation summary of the incident reviewed by The Times, a U.S. Border Patrol officer claimed a man was screaming in his face that he was going to 'shoot him,' then punched him. The officer said he and other agents started chasing the man, but were 'stopped by two other males,' later identified as Mojica and Bryan Ramos-Brito. Blanco said she obtained social media videos showing no such chase took place and presented them at Mojica's first court appearance. The charges were soon dropped. 'The agent lied and said he was in hot pursuit of a person who punched him,' Blanco said. 'The entirety of the affidavit is false.' Felony charges against Ramos-Brito and two related defendants, Ashley and Joceline Rodriguez, were also dismissed, though prosecutors refiled misdemeanor cases against them. Christian Camacho-Cerna, the man who allegedly punched an agent, has been indicted. He has pleaded not guilty, with trial set for next month. Similar issues arose in the case of Andrea Velez, who was charged on June 25 with assaulting a federal officer. The criminal complaint alleged Velez, who is 4 feet 11 inches, stood in the path of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer with her arms extended, striking his head and chest when they collided. Diane Bass, Velez's attorney, said the incident occurred when masked, unidentified men in plainclothes pulled up to question a downtown L.A. street vendor. Velez had just been dropped off for work when some of the masked men ran at her and one shoved her to the ground, Bass said. Velez, fearing she was being abducted, held up her work bag to shield herself. Bass requested body-worn camera footage and witness statements cited in the complaint. Soon after, she said, the prosecutor dismissed the case. One federal law enforcement official not authorized to speak publicly said concerns are growing among prosecutors about the accuracy of statements by federal immigration agents that serve as the basis of criminal charges. 'There are a lot of hot-headed [Customs and Border Protection] officers who are kind of arresting first and asking questions later. We're finding there's not probable cause to support it,' said the prosecutor who requested anonymity over concerns of repercussions. One case under close scrutiny is that of Adrian Martinez, a 20-year-old charged in a criminal complaint last month with conspiracy to impede a federal officer. Martinez said he was on a break from his job at Walmart when he spotted immigration agents chasing down a maintenance worker, and told them to leave the man alone. Video footage shows Martinez being thrown to the ground and shoved into a truck, which he said took him to a parking structure. Once there, Martinez said he was told he'd been arrested for assaulting a federal officer by striking an agent in the face and breaking his glasses. Martinez, who weighs around 150 pounds, said the agents arresting him pointed to the colleague he was being accused of attacking, who looked 'like a grizzly bear.' 'I don't even remember you,' Martinez recalled saying. 'It just seemed like they were trying to get me to say like, 'yes, you assaulted him,' but I knew I didn't.' The next day, Essayli posted a photo on X of Martinez, still in his blue Walmart vest. Martinez, he wrote, had been arrested 'for an allegation of punching a border patrol agent in the face.' The criminal complaint makes no reference to a punch and video taken at the scene does not clearly show Martinez strike anyone. Federal prosecutors instead charged Martinez with conspiracy to impede a federal officer, alleging he blocked federal law enforcement vehicles with his car and then later a trash can. Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, previously told The Times that complaints do not always include 'the full scope of a defendant's conduct, or the evidence that will be presented at trial.' A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the agency could not comment on cases under active litigation. 'Our officers are facing a surge in assaults and attacks against them as they put their lives on the line to enforce our nation's laws,' the DHS statement said. Charges against nonviolent defendants have repeatedly raised alarm bells among current and former federal prosecutors. In early June, union leader David Huerta was charged with conspiracy to impede a federal officer for allegedly interfering with immigration enforcement actions in the downtown L.A. garment district. Legal experts said Huerta's conduct did not appear criminal. 'Where do you draw the line between an organized protest and a conspiracy to impede?' Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, asked last month. 'It'll actually be interesting to see if a grand jury indicts these cases.' Huerta has denied all wrongdoing and his attorney did not respond to a request for comment. A deadline of Aug. 5 looms for prosecutors to secure an indictment. Court filings show some prosecutors appear to be refusing to sign their names to contentious cases. An indictment returned against Alejandro Orellana — who is accused of conspiracy and aiding in civil disorder for passing out gas masks at a protest scene in early June — was only signed by Essayli and his second-in-command, Jennifer Waier, records show. Such cases are typically handled by rank-and-file assistant U.S. attorneys. In early May, when Essayli pushed to offer a lenient plea deal to L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy Trevor Kirk months after a jury convicted him of assaulting a woman during a 2023 arrest, several prosecutors refused to sign the document asking for the deal, and some later resigned. Times staff writer Kevin Rector contributed to this report.
Los Angeles Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
After Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death, Red Cross says a second man survived same drowning
New details about the circumstances of 'Cosby Show' star Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death have emerged. The Red Cross in Costa Rica confirmed to The Times on Wednesday that its first responders also tended to another man in the same drowning incident that claimed Warner's life on Sunday. The patient, whose identity was not disclosed, survived the drowning. Costa Rican Red Cross said in a statement that it received an emergency report on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. of a 'water-related incident' at Playa Grande, Cahuita, Limón, involving two men who required emergency treatment. Three ambulances arrived at the beach where Red Cross personnel attended to the two men. They performed CPR and revived the unidentified swimmer. He was transported to a nearby clinic in 'critical condition,' the statement said. First responders also performed CPR on Warner, but to no avail. 'He was unfortunately declared deceased at the scene,' the statement said. The Costa Rican Red Cross also told People that 'two people were dragged by a water current at the beach,' and they were out of the water when paramedics arrived. The Red Cross statement confirms details previously shared by Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department, which told the Associated Press on Monday that first responders found Warner without vital signs and he was taken to the morgue. Warner was on vacation with his family. He was 54. Warner, an Emmy-nominated actor, was best known for starring as Theo Huxtable for eight seasons on 'The Cosby Show.' His numerous TV credits also include 'The Resident,' 'Malcolm & Eddie,' 'Sons of Anarchy,' '9-1-1' and 'Suits.' He was a director for shows 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and 'Kenan & Kel,' among others, and a Grammy-winning musician. As news of his death spread Monday, Warner's Hollywood peers, including Morris Chestnut, Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis and Niecy Nash paid tribute on social media. Beyoncé also honored the actor, updating her website to include a tribute to the TV star. 'Rest in power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner,' reads the tribute, which features a black-and-white photo of the actor in his youth. 'Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.'
Los Angeles Times
7 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
California man accused of hurling concrete blocks at ICE agents during L.A.-area protests arrested
A Compton man who allegedly hurled concrete blocks at federal immigration officers last month in Paramount was arrested Wednesday after fleeing to Mexico, authorities said. Elpidio Reyna, 39, was placed on the FBI's Most Wanted List following his alleged participation in a standoff against federal agents after they conducted a raid at a nearby Home Depot on June 7. In video footage captured by The Times, individuals can be seen hurling objects at moving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles. At around 3:30 p.m. on June 7, Reyna allegedly threw concrete blocks at the cars, damaging the exterior of the vehicles and injuring a federal officer, according to the FBI. The agency did not elaborate on the extent and nature of the injury the federal officer suffered. Reyna was charged in a federal criminal complaint with allegedly assaulting a federal officer on June 8. Federal agents later confirmed Reyna had fled to Mexico. On June 11, the Department of Homeland Security announced a $50,000 reward to locate Reyna, according to a news release. Reyna's photograph and description were publicized in the United States and Mexico, including in an Instagram post from the official White House account. A poster circulated by the FBI said he was wanted for 'the alleged assault of a federal officer.' Mexican authorities took Reyna into custody in the state of Sinaloa shortly after the post was made public, and Reyna surrendered to the FBI on Wednesday, according to the bureau. He was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and taken to L.A., where he was expected to make his initial court appearance Wednesday. 'To anyone who thinks they can attack federal officers and hide behind a mask or helmet, Reyna's arrest today proves we can find and charge anyone who violates federal law,' U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli wrote in a post on X. 'Don't touch our officers.' A video accompanying the post shows Reyna being handcuffed, searched and put into a vehicle. 'The FBI will never tolerate violence against those who serve and protect this country,' FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X, adding that Reyna 'will face justice.' The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attys. Thi Ho and Frances Lewis.
