Patricia “Pat” Likens, 90, Warsaw, died at 3:52 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital.
Arrangements are pending at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, Warsaw.
Multiple Jan. 6 defendants have already been impacted by the Supreme Court’s decision to take a case weighing the scope of an obstruction statute central to their prosecution.
Federal judges put on hold the cases of defendants Ethan Seitz and Ryan Zink pending the Supreme Court’s ruling. Meanwhile, defendants Matt Bledsoe and Sandra Weyer are asking to be released as the justices consider the statute.
The Supreme Court accepted a case Dec. 13 that considers the scope of Section 1512(c)(2), which threatens to levy fines or up to 20 years in prison for anyone who “obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding.” Defendant Joseph Fischer, who was one of hundreds of defendants the Department of Justice charged under the statute for obstructing Congress’s certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on the question.
“Hundreds of cases have been and will be affected by the scope of Section 1512(c)(2), including a case against the former President,” Fischer’s petition states. “In addition, the use of Section 1512(c)(2) outside evidence impairment crimes is an extraordinary and unprecedented extension of the statute’s reach.” (RELATED: Chief Justice John Roberts Has A Major Trump Problem On His Hands)
The sh*tshow related to SCOTUS review of 1512c2 continues to escalate. If–and when–SCOTUS overturns DOJ/DC court abuse of obstruction, a full investigation into those responsible–starting with ex chief judge Beryl Howell–is absolutely necessary.
Howell sentenced Matthew… pic.twitter.com/C9WokLQ3pG
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) January 2, 2024
Judge Beryl Howell sentenced Bledsoe to 48 months in prison in Oct. 2022. His attorney argued in a filing Sunday that his sentence would likely be reduced to be “less than the time he has now already served” if the Supreme Court rejects the DOJ’s interpretation of the obstruction statute.
Weyer’s attorney likewise wrote in a Sunday filing that a decision in her favor would likely “result in a reduced imprisonment sentence that would expire before her appeal concludes.” The attorney noted that her challenge is stronger than the one pending at the Supreme Court.
“Unlike Fischer, Weyer was not charged with violent or assaultive conduct,” the filing states. “She entered the Capitol Building where she wandered around for approximately 11 minutes, searched for her brother, and did not enter the House or Senate Chamber or congressmember’s offices.”
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ROCKLAND — A Clifton man who was arrested Dec.27 and accused of a series of thefts in Knox and Lincoln counties made his initial appearance in Knox County Court Dec. 29.
Jesse Spencer, 36, appeared in court before Judge Eric Walker, who set his bail at $2,500 cash. He is charged with felony theft and violating conditions of release.
When bail is posted, Spencer will be on supervised released and must follow the conditions of a Maine Pretrial Contract.
According to the police affidavit filed in Knox County Court, Spencer allegedly stole more than $1,000 in merchandise from Maine Sport in Rockland and more than $2,000 in merchandise from E.L. Spear in Rockland. Other thefts cited include merchandise at Lowe’s in Thomaston, two generators valued at $2,200 from Harbor Freight, and items at Warren True Value.
As part of his bail conditions, Spencer is not to return to the businesses where the thefts occurred.
Spencer is scheduled to appear in court again Feb. 22 for a dispositional conference.
WARREN — Police representing three different municipalities came together Wednesday, Dec. 27, to help arrest an individual alleged to be involved in a series of ongoing felony theft cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Following a tip passed along by Rockland Police Department to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy went to a motel in Warren just prior to 1 p.m., Dec. 27.
“The information provided was that the suspect vehicle may have been parked at a business on Atlantic Highway in Warren,” said a Dec. 28 news release from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, the deputy located the suspect’s vehicle, and then found the suspect, Jesse Spencer, 36, of Clinton, there, as well.
As the deputy kept watch on a door, as well as making sure that no other people entered the area, he called for backup. Within minutes, multiple personnel were en route from the Sheriff’s Office, as well as an officer each from Waldoboro and Rockland.
At approximately 1:06 p.m., Spencer was apprehended, taken into custody for outstanding arrest warrants from Lincoln and Knox counties, and transported to Knox County Jail in Rockland.
Investigations continue and more charges are possible, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The following charges have been introduced:
Lincoln County Warrants
Reckless Conduct, Class D
Eluding an Officer, Class C
Driving to Endanger, Class E
Operating After Suspension, Class E
Refusing to submit to arrest or detention, Class E
Knox County Warrants
2 Counts of Theft, Class C
Spencer was also charged by the Sheriff’s Office with:
3 Counts of Felony Theft, Class C
4 Counts of Violations of Conditions of Release
There are new developments in the case against three now-former Albuquerque firefighters accused of rape.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — There are new developments in the case against three now-former Albuquerque firefighters accused of rape.
All three – Angel Portillo, Aden Heyman, and Anthony Martin – are out of jail and on ankle monitors while awaiting trial.
As prosecutors explained in court in September, the three men are accused of raping a woman inside an apartment after hanging out together earlier in the day.
“She states that she woke up to these men all naked in the same bed as her, while the defendant here was having intercourse with her,” a prosecutor said. “She states she was being held down by her legs and her arms.”
All three men are asking the judge to release them from GPS monitoring.
While considering the case against Portillo, Judge Brit Baca-Miller said GPS monitoring made sense.
“My concern is more that he would attempt to or would be in contact with the other individuals and that is why I believe the GPS monitor is warranted,” Judge Baca-Miller said.
Portillo’s motion states he has complied with all conditions of release “without violation” and that he has been “repeatedly denied employment due to these conditions.”
Heyman’s motion is a bit more detailed. It references no violations and that he is having trouble finding a job. It also mentions the GPS device impacts his ability to work out, and that he is not able to swim. He would also like to visit his daughter.
Martin’s motion is short and simple, stating, “The court indicated that if there were no violations, the GPS could be removed after 90 days. There have been no violations.”
Hearings on the motions are scheduled for next week.
A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office says prosecutors want Martin and Heyman to continue with GPS ankle monitors. They have agreed to allow Portillo’s ankle monitor to be removed as long as he continues following strict conditions of release, including drug and alcohol monitoring.
Peggy A. Ruggley, 74 of Bluffton passed away December 31, 2023 at the Meadows of Delphos.
Peggy's services will begin at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 8, 2024 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
Visitation will be Monday, January 8, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
The Canadian Press
The family of a woman shot by an officer in Edmonton during a wellness check says her death was unnecessary, as the number of police shootings across Canada show little sign of relenting over the past four years. "I see my daughter's death as being a result of a complete mishandling of the tools available to law enforcement in the application of dealing with mental health issues," the family of the woman, who has not been publicly identified, says in a statement from their lawyer, Tom Engel. Edm
France 24
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel’s war with Palestinian militant group Hamas will “continue for many months until Hamas is eliminated and the hostages are returned”. Netanyahu was speaking at a news conference hours after the health ministry in Gaza said more than 21,670 people have been killed and more than 56,160 injured from Israeli strikes in the enclave since October 7, the date of the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel. Read our live blog for all the day's
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