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Suspect admits to rape after ‘stupid urges’ took control during woman’s solitary walk

Vadnais Heights, MN

A 21-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman during her evening walk. Tristen Alan Leritz allegedly attacked the 51-year-old victim on October 28 while she was talking on the phone.

According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, Leritz approached the woman from behind, tackled her to the ground, and told her not to scream. The victim called for help and fought back, throwing his glasses into the grass.

The affidavit states that the victim struggled, believing she would die as Leritz pressed his forearm against her neck. He proceeded to assault her for 15 to 30 minutes before casually walking away.

After the attack, the victim sought help from a nearby home. Deputies observed injuries, including a red abrasion on her throat and cuts on her face.

DNA analysis from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension linked Leritz to the crime. Family members of Leritz notified law enforcement after hearing about the glasses lost during the assault.

Leritz initially denied the allegations but later admitted to assaulting the victim. He stated he had been riding his bicycle when he saw her walking alone and surrendered to his urges, saying, “it escalated from there.”

The suspect, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 248 pounds, has a previous conviction for vehicle theft and a pending robbery charge. He is being held in the Ramsey County Jail with a court date scheduled for November 25.

Parents arrested in connection with death of newborn daughter

Opelousas, LA

The parents of a two-month-old girl face multiple charges after her death. Taylor Daniel Broussard and Kaylee Fontenot have been charged with first-degree murder, cruelty to a juvenile, and second-degree battery.

The Opelousas Police Department responded to a medical emergency on Saturday morning at a home on North Liberty Street. First responders found the infant not breathing and began lifesaving procedures until she could be transported to a hospital.

The baby was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the facility. An autopsy indicated she suffered severe neglect and physical abuse. The report revealed multiple broken ribs, dehydration and malnourishment, along with a severed lower spine causing internal bleeding.

Broussard and Fontenot had exclusive custody of the infant since her birth. Investigators issued arrest warrants for both parents after identifying them as suspects.

Fontenot was taken into custody on Friday. Broussard later surrendered after evading authorities for several days.

Both parents are held at the St. Landry Parish Jail. Their court appearance date has not been disclosed.

The investigation remains active, according to Opelousas Police Chief Graig LeBlanc. He emphasized the need for patience and cooperation in pursuing justice.

Minnesota man sentenced to 76 years after shooting at police during drug raid

Glendorado Township, MN

Karl Holmberg, 66, has been sentenced to 76 and a half years in prison for shooting at seven police officers during a narcotics search warrant at his home. The incident occurred on October 12, 2023, when officers entered his residence and attempted to engage him.

Holmberg opened fire with a high-powered assault rifle, discharging nearly 30 rounds and injuring five officers. He was found guilty in August of seven counts each of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault of a police officer, as well as a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

The officers knocked on Holmberg’s bedroom door before he fired 28 shots, striking one officer in the arm and another in the chest and hip. A third officer sustained injury to his right hand, while two others were protected by their bulletproof vests.

At the time of the incident, Holmberg’s wife was asleep in the home. He reportedly woke her and expressed a belief that it was his “day to die” before engaging police.

During a police interview, Holmberg confirmed he knew officers were present but believed they had no right to enter. Officers returned fire and struck Holmberg in the foot during the encounter.

Attorney General Keith Ellison stated that the case illustrates the dangers law enforcement face in their duties. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office prosecuted Holmberg.

Driver charged after fatal hit-and-run in St. Clair Shores

St. Clair Shores, MI – A woman has been charged following a hit-and-run incident that led to the death of a 76-year-old woman. Stephanie Holt, 31, is accused of backing her vehicle into Mary Hulswit, who was found deceased in her driveway on Saturday.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charged Holt with failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault and resulting in death. Hulswit was discovered unresponsive at the end of her driveway with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

Police were alerted and declared Hulswit dead at the scene. Holt was later arrested for allegedly striking Hulswit while backing out of her own driveway; details about the arrest were not disclosed.

On Tuesday, Holt was arraigned in Michigan’s 40th District Court, where her bail was set at $100,000 cash with a 10% surety bond. If she posts bail, she will be required to wear a GPS device and avoid the scene of the incident.

As of Wednesday, Holt remained in custody. She is scheduled to appear in court on November 14 and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Hulswit leaves behind a husband, two children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Man charged with child neglect after violent outburst during family fight

Brenton, WV A West Virginia man has been arrested following a domestic incident that reportedly involved violence against his family. Timothy Vance, 44, was taken into custody after allegations arose that he attacked his wife and threatened his teenage stepson during a night of heavy drinking.

Vance’s wife reported that the altercation began when he resumed drinking at approximately 8 p.m. the night before and later woke up in bed to begin kicking her. When she attempted to ignore the behavior, it escalated into physical violence, including slapping while she held the couple’s baby.

The situation reportedly intensified when his teenage son intervened to separate the two. Vance allegedly attempted to attack the boy, leading to further chaos and threats within the household.

A daughter in the home confirmed the events, stating she witnessed Vance swinging at her brother. Both children ultimately managed to escape to another room to call 911.

Vance reportedly expressed regret over wishing he had physically harmed his stepson when authorities arrived on the scene at around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

He was arrested at his father’s residence later that day and charged with felony child neglect causing bodily injury and four counts of misdemeanor domestic assault. Prior convictions for domestic battery may impact ongoing proceedings.

Muskego man leaves mother to die after crash in shocking hit-and-run incident

Muskego, WI A 47-year-old man is charged with reckless homicide after allegedly driving under the influence and crashing his vehicle. Casey Yiannackopoulos is accused of fleeing the scene, leaving his 77-year-old mother behind in the passenger seat.

Witnesses report seeing him running from the crash site on Sunday at approximately 7:15 p.m. First responders encountered the woman, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, unconscious yet breathing.

Despite emergency efforts, she was pronounced dead at the hospital roughly an hour after rescue.

Surveillance footage captured the vehicle speeding at over 50 mph in a 30 mph zone before it veered off the road. Yiannackopoulos allegedly appeared intoxicated, as noted by witnesses who observed his unsteady movements and strong smell of alcohol.

Witnesses reported he stated he was going to seek help but did not return. After police tracked Yiannackopoulos to his mother’s home, they found him hiding in a crawl space. Officers needed to deploy a drone to locate him under blankets and a plastic bin cover.

When taken into custody, he displayed bloodshot eyes and indicated that he did not know his mother was deceased. A blood draw has been conducted, with the results pending.

Court proceedings reveal Court Commissioner Daniel Rieck expressed disbelief at Yiannackopoulos’ actions, questioning his decision to abandon his mother at the scene of the accident.

Currently, Yiannackopoulos is being held in the Waukesha County Jail on a bond of $750,000. His next court appearance is expected on Thursday.

Headline: Parents sue baby formula company after infant diagnosed with botulism

Richmond, KY

A couple has filed a lawsuit after their infant daughter was diagnosed with an infection they attribute to ByHeart baby formula. Piper Everett, four months old, exhibited neurological symptoms, including a loss of her gag reflex, following consumption of the formula.

Hanna and Michael Everett allege in their legal complaint that Piper was a healthy baby prior to using ByHeart’s product. They purchased the formula based on advertisements touting it as a high-quality alternative to traditional formulas.

Soon after starting the formula, Piper developed constipation and exhibited alarming symptoms. Emergency room doctors diagnosed her with infant botulism, and health investigators confirmed she was part of a multistate outbreak linked to ByHeart formula.

Hanna Everett recalled her frustration as she witnessed her daughter’s suffering. She initially believed ByHeart’s formula would be similar to breast milk.

Piper’s condition deteriorated, leading to lethargy and an inability to feed. On November 9, health professionals at Kentucky Children’s Hospital provided her with an antitoxin after confirming the botulism diagnosis.

The complaint indicates that the Kentucky Department of Public Health traced the infection back to a recalled batch of ByHeart formula. At least 15 infants across 12 states have been reported ill due to the same issue.

Hanna Everett expressed her distress over the incident on social media, noting that Piper is showing signs of improvement. The family continues to navigate ongoing medical challenges and therapies.

ByHeart has not responded to requests for comments as of Thursday.

Man sentenced to 75 years for setting wife on fire after argument

North Little Rock, AR

Bruce Lee Cockrell, 48, was sentenced on Thursday to 75 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder and arson. The plea is related to the death of his wife, Tonya Marie Liggin-Cockrell, 35, on July 9 after an altercation.

Court documents revealed that during an argument on July 8, Cockrell doused his wife with weed eater gas. Initial reports indicated that he claimed faulty electrical work was the cause of the fire.

First responders found Liggin-Cockrell alive but severely burned, and she identified Cockrell as her attacker. Following the incident, investigators discovered a jug of weed eater gas in the home, further implicating him.

While in custody, Cockrell admitted to police that an argument had escalated, resulting in him pouring gasoline on his wife as she sat by their bed. He claimed Liggin-Cockrell then lit a cigarette, which ignited the flames.

Liggin-Cockrell was transported to a burn unit but succumbed to her injuries a day later. Cockrell’s charges included capital murder and arson, culminating in a sentence of 45 years for murder and 30 years for arson, to be served consecutively.

Illinois father charged with murder in death of infant son

Chicago, IL A father has been arrested in connection with the death of his two-month-old son, Kayson Flowers. The infant was reportedly handed off to his mother in a covered stroller after being killed.

Family members allegedly told Kayla Flowers her son was asleep upon the handover on April 28. Upon uncovering the stroller, she discovered Kayson lifeless and covered in bruises.

Anthony Evans, 23, is accused of killing Kayson and has been charged with murder. Investigators state the child had been dead for six to eight hours prior to the handoff.

Witnesses reported Kayla Flowers expressed her grief following the discovery. She made a phone call to her pastor, claiming, “My baby’s dead, they killed my baby!”

Kayson was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead with signs of abuse present. His death was ruled a homicide, prompting local church members to offer a reward for information leading to an arrest.

According to police, Kayson had been staying with Evans and another family member for approximately a week before the incident.

Evans was arrested on Monday in the 4700 block of South Champlain Avenue.

Kayla Flowers expressed relief in a Facebook post after Evans’ arrest, stating that she finally received justice for her son.

She reiterated her sorrow, noting that Kayson did not have the opportunity to grow up with his family due to his father’s actions.

Fort Wayne man charged with girlfriend’s death from fentanyl

Fort Wayne, IN – A man faces charges in connection with the death of his girlfriend, who allegedly died after receiving a fatal dose of fentanyl. Jeremy Duvall, 45, has been charged with dealing a controlled substance resulting in death.

The incident reportedly occurred on June 27. Duvall claims he found Keana Swafford, 29, face down on the floor after falling asleep while she was smoking fentanyl.

Emergency responders pronounced Swafford dead at the scene. Duvall, believed to have been dealing drugs at the time, hesitated before calling for help, leading to his eventual arrest a month later for felony narcotics possession.

During police questioning, Duvall reportedly made an incriminating remark, saying, “It is kinda like my fault.” He has remained in custody since his arrest.

Messages found on Duvall’s phone indicated his guilt regarding Swafford’s death. In one message, he expressed deep regret and stated he would give his life for hers.

Duvall had an initial hearing for the charges on Friday and is scheduled for another court appearance on November 26. Swafford is survived by three children and is remembered as having a vibrant personality.

Murder suspect arrested after chaotic shooting in Indiana party

Fishers, IN

A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred during a party in Fishers. The shooting took place on March 16, when a 24-year-old man, identified as Cameron Doaks, was shot multiple times.

Caleb Weis, 26, has been named as the primary suspect in the case. He was charged with multiple offenses following an altercation that led to Doaks’s shooting, which was classified as a homicide.

Weis’s arrest warrant was attempted to be served on November 6. During that encounter, he was shot by an officer and remains hospitalized.

Court documents detail statements made by Weis following the shooting. In interviews conducted between March and May, inquiries found discrepancies in his account, raising concerns among officials.

Weis maintained that he acted in self-defense during the incident at an Airbnb, where a confrontation with Doaks and another man occurred.

On the night of the shooting, officers responded to reports at approximately 11:39 PM and discovered Doaks unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

At the scene, police recovered evidence including shell casings and a gun found under Doaks. Eyewitness accounts confirmed the sound of gunfire during the party, which escalated tensions.

Weis expressed anxiety at the scene, repeatedly stating his disbelief over the events. His account positioned him as the victim of aggression, asserting that the men he confronted brandished firearms.

The following interview revealed conflicting statements from Weis, including a claim that he shot Doaks out of compassion, likening it to putting a suffering deer out of its misery.

Prosecutors noted his constant references to Doaks’ state as indicative of intent to kill. The chaos of that night stemmed from misunderstanding, as Doaks believed Weis was attempting to steal his vehicle.

After thorough examination, Weis faced charges including murder and attempted murder on November 5. His hospital stay continues following the incident with law enforcement.

Texas dad sentenced for infant son’s starvation death

Waco, TX District Judge Susan N. Kelly sentenced Charles Devin Harris to 40 years in prison for the death of his 3-month-old son, Jacob Jeremiah Amon Harris. Harris pleaded guilty to charges of injury to a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of methamphetamine.

The sentence requires Harris to serve a minimum of 20 years before becoming eligible for parole. Kelly’s ruling follows a plea agreement in which prosecutors dropped a murder charge against Harris.

Harris’ sentence is similar to the 40-year sentence handed down to the victim’s mother, Skylynn Tuerk. The case centered around an incident on November 29 at the New Road Inn motel in Waco, where the infant was found deceased due to severe neglect.

A welfare check led police to the motel where they discovered Jacob’s lifeless body exhibiting signs of prolonged starvation. A 3-year-old sibling was also found in the motel room, which authorities described as filthy and hazardous.

The investigation into the family’s living conditions was initiated after a report to Child Protective Services raised concerns about Jacob’s weight gain since birth. Witnesses indicated that Tuerk was indifferent to the child’s needs, while Harris reportedly spent time playing video games when assistance was sought.

Upon their arrival at the motel, officers noted a lack of adequate food, with no baby formula available for Jacob. The unsafe environment included accessible knives and harmful conditions posing serious risks to the children.

Florida woman arrested for throwing knife at boyfriend over $5 payment to another woman

Marathon, FL A 34-year-old woman is in custody after allegedly throwing a knife at her boyfriend during an argument over a mobile payment. Danielle Banks was charged with aggravated battery and resisting arrest after police responded to a 911 call from her boyfriend on Thursday.

According to the arrest report, Banks became enraged after finding a $5 payment to a “female friend” on her boyfriend’s phone. The confrontation escalated, resulting in physical violence, with Banks allegedly striking him multiple times and tearing his shirt.

Witnesses reported that during the incident, Banks retrieved a knife from the kitchen and threw it at her boyfriend, leading to a cut on his face. Following the altercation, she fled the scene in her vehicle.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent who observed her departure provided assistance in locating Banks. She was subsequently detained by sheriff’s deputies who witnessed her attempt to hide inside her vehicle.

While being questioned, Banks claimed a shard from a broken plate caused her boyfriend’s injury. She later invoked her right to remain silent.

Her boyfriend declined to provide a statement and refused to allow deputies to recover the knife from their home. He was treated at the scene for his injuries and later left the residence to stay with his brother.

Banks remains in Monroe County Jail with a bond set at $75,000. Her arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 21.

Texas man kills wife in murder-suicide attempt after marriage troubles

Longview, TX A Texas man faces murder charges after allegedly shooting his wife and attempting suicide. Lavan Bullock, 66, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of 62-year-old Kathleen Bullock.

The Longview Police Department received a welfare check call on Wednesday afternoon regarding the couple’s home. Officers found Kathleen Bullock deceased from a gunshot wound inside a bathroom.

Court documents indicate Lavan Bullock confessed to the murder in a text message, stating he “lost [his] mind” and shot his wife.

Following his arrest, Lavan Bullock was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries before being booked into the Gregg County Jail.

Documents reveal he texted a friend after the incident, stating he took 30 sleeping pills in an attempt to end his life.

In the communication, Lavan Bullock attributed the shooting to years of abuse from his wife.

According to reports, Kathleen Bullock had asked for a divorce a month prior to the shooting, heightening tensions between the couple.

Neighbors reported Lavan Bullock expressed suspicions of infidelity involving his wife.

In his texts, Lavan Bullock instructed his friend to contact a preacher and urged caution for the couple’s daughter, writing, “Thank you my friend! I’m so sorry to end it this way!”

A judge set his bond at $1 million during a September arraignment. He remains in custody at the Gregg County Jail.

South Carolina man pleads guilty to murder of girlfriend and sets her body on fire

Denmark, SC Jarrett Haskell Davis, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of his girlfriend Megan Bodiford, 25. He also admitted to charges of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, third-degree arson, and desecration of human remains.

Davis received a sentence of 43 years in prison for the murder, with additional time added for the other charges. Bodiford was reported missing on or around April 25, when she was last seen in Denmark, approximately 60 miles south of Columbia.

Before her disappearance, Bodiford sent a text to a friend stating, “If you don’t hear from me in 30 minutes, he killed me.” That message included a warning that Davis had a gun.

Bodiford had a four-month-old baby and was experiencing domestic issues in her relationship with Davis, according to her family. Friends noted her reaching out for help prior to her death.

Davis was apprehended after police located a burned-out car containing Bodiford’s remains about two miles from her residence.

Bodiford’s family expressed frustration with law enforcement, claiming that Davis had a domestic violence arrest warrant at the time. They believe that his prior arrest could have prevented Bodiford’s murder.

Bodiford was a mother to three daughters, ages 7, 4, and 4 months. Family members wished to remember her as a caring mother and a beloved friend.