Paradise News

Category: Metro

  • Woman escapes home where she was allegedly held captive and beaten for several days

    GIG HARBOR, Wash. (TCD) — A 66-year-old man was found deceased over the weekend after he allegedly held a woman captive in his home and beat her before she managed to escape.

    According to the Gig Harbor Police Department, on Nov. 18 at 10:03 a.m., the victim went to a home on the 10800 block of Sehmel Drive and informed the residents she “had just escaped a home nearby where she had been held against her will for ‘multiple days.’”

    Police arrived at the residence and she reportedly told them a man picked her up in either King or Thurston County, though she did not know him. The woman purportedly told police she did drugs and also shared details about the home where she had been held captive. The victim, however, did not share many other details because she needed to go to the hospital for treatment.

    Officers went to the residence and reportedly found blood on the porch outside. Pierce County Sheriff’s Office deputies helped Gig Harbor Police contain the scene as they tried finding someone inside the home to speak with. No one answered, and police eventually obtained a search warrant to look through the home.

    While inside, they reportedly discovered a 66-year-old man deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the statement, evidence at the home showed there had been an attempt to start a fire.

    The victim sought help at Gary and Robin Marcello’s home and rang the doorbell multiple times, according to KCPQ-TV. Gary Marcello told KCPQ he saw the victim in his driveway and she had “blood all over her face.”

    Robin Marcello said the woman repeated, “He’s going to kill me. He’s going to kill me.”

    Robin Marcello told KCPQ the woman said the suspect was “beating her hands, beating her arms, and her head,” which made Robin Marcello believe the victim “must have had her arms up protecting herself.”

    According to KCPQ, Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey said the suspect allegedly hit her with some furniture as she tried to leave, which left her with cuts on her head.

    The suspect reportedly lived next door to Gary and Robin Marcello. She described him as “a recluse” who “kept to himself a lot.”

    Busey told KCPQ there is a possibility the suspect was a “borderline hoarder” and that he did not have any prior criminal history.

    Gig Harbor Police said in the statement they do not think any other suspects are involved.

    MORE:

    • Female Reportedly Held Against Her Will / Flees Home / Suspect Deceased – Gig Harbor Police Department
    • Police: Woman assaulted and held captive in Gig Harbor house; suspect dead – KCPQ

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  • 3 teens plead guilty to killing New Orleans woman during carjacking that dismembered her

    NEW ORLEANS (TCD) — Three teens pleaded guilty this week to carjacking a 73-year-old woman and dragging her more than a block with her arm still stuck in the vehicle, while a fourth still faces a trial.

    Nola.com reports 17-year-old Briniyah Baker, 16-year-old Lenyra Theophile, and 16-year-old Mar’Qel Curtis entered the plea for attempted manslaughter in connection with Linda Frickey’s death. They were initially charged with second-degree murder. They were all sentenced to 20 years in prison.

    Frickey’s sister said regarding the plea, “For them to plead guilty and say they want to do the 20 years is a relief to us.”

    The fourth suspect, 18-year-old John Honore, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. His trial will begin Monday, Nov. 27. Nola.com reports the trial will most likely only last about three days.

    On March 21, 2022, at 1:35 p.m., New Orleans Police Department officers were called to the 300 block of North Scott Street regarding a carjacking and found Frickey on the ground unresponsive. New Orleans Police said Frickey’s arm was detached from her body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Police determined the four teens carjacked Frickey, which caused her to be “thrown from her vehicle during the commission of the offense.” Then, the suspects fled the scene in a Nissan.

    Then-New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said during a press conference he believes Frickey “was tangled in her seatbelt, which caused her arm to be severed from her body and dragged” during the incident.

    All four of the suspects were charged as adults. Nola.com reports Honore allegedly played a bigger role than the other three in the carjacking, including reportedly beating Frickey as he pushed her out of the car.

    If he gets convicted, Honore will be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

    According to Nola.com, Curtis said in court, “I wish I could go back and change the outcome,” and that Frickey “seemed like such a nice lady.”

    Curtis said her involvement in the carjacking was “the worst decision of my life.”

    Baker reportedly said following the plea, “That’s not what we set out to do, and I hope that you can all forgive me.”

    MORE:

    • Three New Orleans teens involved in Linda Frickey’s carjacking, death plead guilty before trial – Nola.com
    • NOPD Arrests Four Juvenile Suspects in Homicide Investigation, 3/22/2022 – New Orleans Police Department
    • NOPD provides an update related to a fatal Mid-City carjacking – New Orleans Police Department via Nola.com
    • 4 teens arrested after 73-year-old woman dismembered during fatal carjacking, 3/23/2022 – TCD

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  • Calif. man convicted of beheading the mother of his child with samurai sword

    SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. (TCD) — A jury found a 34-year-old man guilty of beheading his girlfriend with a sword last year in what prosecutors called a “vengeance” motive.

    The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office posted on social media that Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta was convicted of first-degree murder with use of a sword in connection with Karina Castro’s death.

    On Sept. 8, 2022, at 11:50 a.m., a witness flagged down San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office deputies in San Carlos and alerted them about an assault nearby. Deputies quickly arrived at the scene and found an adult female deceased. The sheriff’s office said at the time the suspect “was known to the victim.”

    The Redwood City Pulse reports Castro had two children and Landaeta was the father of one of them. Officials said he used a samurai sword and was “slashing numerous times, causing the victim’s head to be almost severed.”

    Landaeta reportedly initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but after doctors deemed him competent, he entered a plea of not guilty. His attorneys reportedly argued he killed Castro in self-defense because he thought Castro was trying to stab him. Landaeta’s defense attorney said Landaeta had a psychotic break at the time of the killing.

    According to NBC Bay Area, Landaeta was not taking his schizophrenia medication when he killed Castro.

    Prosecutors reportedly said in court that Landaeta was angry at Castro because she accused him of having a sexual relationship with an underage girl and that she would expose him by sharing that information online. Landaeta reportedly sent Castro ninja and blood emojis in his messages.

    Castro’s father, Martin Castro, told Redwood City Pulse the verdict is “bittersweet.”

    He said, “I am hoping to get some closure and normalcy back to life, or at least try. It feels like weight was lifted from my shoulders.”

    Landaeta faces up to life in prison.

    MORE:

    • Guilty – San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office
    • Community update for City of San Carlos, 9/8/2022 – San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office
    • Man found guilty of first-degree murder in beheading case – Redwood City Pulse
    • Jury delivers guilty verdict in San Carlos beheading trial – NBC Bay Area
    • NorCal mother of 2 reportedly beheaded with sword during argument, 9/9/2022 – TCD

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.



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  • Fla. man found guilty of killing ex in bank drive-thru several days after she broke up with him

    VENICE, Fla. (TCD) — A jury recently found a man guilty of trapping his ex-girlfriend in a bank drive-thru and fatally shooting her after she broke up with him.

    The Florida State Attorney’s Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit announced that on Nov. 17, a jury convicted William Tollard of first-degree premeditated murder for the “brutal slaying” of his ex-girlfriend. A judge will impose Tollard’s mandatory life sentence in the next several weeks.

    WTSP-TV identified the victim as Angela Zeigler.

    According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, on the morning of Oct. 5, 2020, deputies responded to the drive-thru of the BB&T bank branch on Pointe Loop Drive to a report of shots fired. In the parking lot, deputies located a 40-year-old deceased female in the driver’s seat of a white Jeep.

    Investigators determined Tollard followed the victim in the drive-thru bank line and “trapped” her vehicle between his truck and a work van near the teller’s window. Officials obtained surveillance video from the bank that showed Tollard getting out of his truck and walking up to Zeigler to talk. He reportedly “fired three gunshots at her at close range,” then walked to her passenger window and fired two more times.

    Zeigler’s Jeep reportedly crashed into a light pole about 100 yards away. Tollard, with his gun in hand, went back into his truck in the drive-thru line and parked next to Zeigler’s Jeep. According to the state attorney’s office, after parking, he walked up to his ex-girlfriend and “fired several more rounds into her front windshield before driving away.”

    Two witnesses at the scene reportedly heard Tollard yell, “Who the [expletive] do you think you are? You can’t [expletive] do this to me.”

    Deputies apprehended Tollard near the scene at Jacaranda and Sklar drives. He reportedly had a semi-automatic gun, a magazine with eight rounds, and a pair of binoculars in his possession.

    According to the state attorney’s office, Tollard and Zeigler had a “tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship” for around 18 months before the shooting. The victim had reportedly broken up with Tollard five days prior to her death.

    Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig said in a statement, “This is a case of a man who would not take no for an answer.”

    MORE:

    • Press Release – Florida State Attorney’s Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit
    • Man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend in bank drive-thru – WTSP
    • News Release, 10/06/2020 – Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.



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  • Colo. woman sentenced for killing newborn, leaving child in bag in bathroom cabinet

    HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (TCD) — A judge sentenced a 22-year-old woman to several decades behind bars for killing her newborn and leaving the child’s body underneath a bathroom sink.

    The 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced Peyton Green was ordered to serve 40 years in prison after she pleaded guilty on Nov. 16 to child abuse — knowingly and recklessly causing death. She had initially been charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased body, and attempt to influence a public servant.

    On Sept. 26, 2020, Green went to UCHealth Highlands Ranch because she was experiencing vaginal bleeding and became worried. She agreed to undergo a Sexual Assault Nurses Examination (SANE), and nurses determined she had “extensive vaginal lacerations consistent with giving birth.” Green had a blood test, which confirmed she was pregnant. Then, doctors performed an ultrasound and saw she had a dilated cervix, which pointed to pregnancy.

    Doctors performed surgery on Green and found placenta in her uterus.

    According to the district attorney’s office, Green reportedly told doctors she never had sex or gave birth. Medical staff contacted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office about the case, so deputies went to Green’s home to investigate. Her father reportedly allowed deputies into the residence to look for the child.

    The statement said, “A baby’s lifeless body was found inside a tan grocery store bag underneath a towel in the cabinets below a bathroom sink.”

    Investigators located Green’s ex-boyfriend in Colorado Springs. They interviewed him and he negated Green’s original story about not having sex or being pregnant. Detectives discovered Green texted her ex and another friend that she was expecting a child.

    In 2021, Douglas County detectives issued a warrant for Green’s arrest. She was arrested Sept. 30, 2021, in Wyoming, and extradited back to Douglas County a few days later.

    Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo said in the statement, “This defendant attempted to conceal a murder by lying to her parents, law enforcement, and medical staff. In the end, the evidence is indisputable. Blood work, an ultrasound, and surgery to repair Green’s injuries confirmed she was pregnant.”

    Gallo added, “Had this mother told the truth about her pregnancy or called for help after giving birth, this tragedy may have been avoided. There were multiple ways to handle an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy, but her selfish and deceitful actions to hide a birth by dumping her newborn’s body in a bag like a piece of trash certainly warrants a lengthy prison sentence.”

    MORE:

    • Highlands Ranch mom sentenced to 4 decades in prison following her newborn baby’s murder – 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
    • Highlands Ranch woman has been arrested in connection with the September 2020 death of her newborn, 10/5/2021 – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.



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  • Ill. nursing home resident allegedly killed man with his own walker because he was mad about laundry

    JOLIET, Ill. (TCD) — Police arrested a 71-year-old man after he allegedly beat a fellow nursing home resident to death because he was mad about the victim using the washing machine.

    On Nov. 17 at 9:25 p.m., Joliet Police Department officers were called to Salem Village Nursing and Rehabilitation on Rockwell Avenue regarding a battery in the building. Officers went inside and reportedly found a 61-year-old man unresponsive inside the laundry room. Staff members from the nursing home rendered aid until paramedics arrived.

    The victim, who remained unidentified, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

    According to Joliet Police, investigators allege the suspect, William Paschall, assaulted the victim in the laundry room because he was “angry about the victim’s use of the washing machine.” Paschall allegedly punched the victim in the head several times, then took the victim’s walker and hit him with it. The victim reportedly fell to the ground after being attacked with the walker.

    A nursing home staff member reportedly tried step in and stop the fight.

    Both Paschall and the victim lived at the nursing home.

    Paschall was arrested and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Center and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a person 60 years of age or older.

    MORE:

    • News Release – Joliet Police Department

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.



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  • Trowers: More lawyer roles at risk amid ‘continued slowdown’

    Cut 18 jobs last month


    Trowers & Hamlins has launched a second redundancy consultation across its UK offices, just weeks after it cut lawyer roles from its real estate and finance teams.

    The law firm said it anticipates the fresh round of cuts will impact around a further 25 jobs within its UK real estate team amid what it described as a “continued slowdown in market conditions”.

    The news comes a little over a month after 18 lawyers, including some partners, exited the firm as part of a separate consultation.

    Commenting on the latest consultation, a Trowers’ spokesperson said: “In order to best align our real estate team to changing client requirements, and in light of a continued slowdown in market conditions, it has become necessary for the firm to enter into a formal redundancy consultation with our real estate department in the UK.”

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    “As ever, we are deeply committed to the wellbeing of our colleagues and this move has not been taken lightly,” the spokesperson continued. “We are working to keep the number of those ultimately affected as low as possible whilst also protecting the longer-term strength of the firm.”

    A number of big legal players have been forced to cut their lawyer numbers in recent months, amid uncertain and fluctuating market conditions. CMS trimmed roles within its UK corporate team while Reed Smith cut its global workforce by 50. Orrick, meanwhile, reduced staff numbers by 6% earlier this year citing reduced demand.

    The post Trowers: More lawyer roles at risk amid ‘continued slowdown’ appeared first on Legal Cheek.

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  • Estranged husband accused of killing missing Florida mother whose remains were found in storage unit

    APOPKA, Fla. (TCD) — A man stands accused of killing his estranged wife in a storage facility where her remains were discovered over the weekend.

    In a social media post, Winter Springs Police said Shakeira Rucker was last seen on Nov. 11 at around 7:30 p.m., leaving her home in Winter Springs. Rucker’s family believed she left with her estranged husband, Cory Hill, and they were worried about her safety.

    According to a press conference from Orange County Sheriff John Mina, on Saturday, Nov. 18, officials searched for Rucker in an area near the Bob White airfield in Mount Dora, Florida. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office later received a 911 call regarding a strong odor emitting from a storage facility at 2400 Wiggins Road. Deputies responded to the facility at around 5 p.m., made entry into one of the storage units, and found a woman believed to be Rucker deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.

    Mina said they were “hoping for a different outcome.”

    Multiple law enforcement agencies from four different counties in Florida worked on the case. Mina said the storage unit was registered under Hill’s name, and they identified him as the primary suspect in Rucker’s disappearance and death. Investigators believe Hill allegedly killed Rucker at the storage facility.

    According to Mina, Hill was already in custody on suspicion of trying to kill his girlfriend. Mina said officials will charge him in connection with Rucker’s shooting death. He remains held in the Orange County Jail without bond.

    Mina added, “Cory Hill could have stopped a lot of that pain and suffering by talking to investigators in the very beginning instead of putting them through this weeklong nightmare.”

    MORE:

    • Press Conference – Orange County Sheriff’s Office
    • Missing Person – Winter Springs Police Department
    • Orange County Jail

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  • Half of legal workers feel pressure to take on additional hours to ‘meet job demands’

    Many do so without extra pay


    Half of legal workers feel pressured to work overtime to meet job expectations, new research has found — and many of those who clock up these additional hours are doing so without any extra pay.

    The research found that the typical legal worker goes beyond their contracted hours on 11.4 days each month, which in turn impacts their mental and physical health, as well as personal relationships. By comparison, accountancy, banking and finance workers clock up 11.7 overtime days while those in law enforcement and security top the list with 12.6 days.

    Fifty-percent of legal workers said they felt pressured to clock up extra hours, as did those working in accountancy banking and finance. Social care workers topped the list with 57% reporting they felt compelled to work beyond their contracted hours.

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    Researchers found that a little over half of the 1,000 UK workers surveyed undertook overtime for more than two days per week, with a quarter of these not receiving any additional pay for their efforts.

    These extra hours, paid or not, have a “significant impact” on employees’ lives outside of the workplace, according to the findings. More than a quarter (26%) of respondents reported that working overtime had a negative impact on their physical health, while 23% cited adverse effects on their mental health. Further, more than one in six workers stated that overtime had caused relationship issues, with one in 12 even admitting that it had led to a breakup.

    “Caring for your employees and managing overtime is a critical practice for any business leader,” said Fiona Armstrong, chief people officer for Moneypenny, the telecommunications firm which carried out the research. “In a world where performance and productivity often dominate the conversation, remember that a well-rested, engaged, and content workforce is the true driving force behind success.”

    The post Half of legal workers feel pressure to take on additional hours to ‘meet job demands’ appeared first on Legal Cheek.

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  • Man accused of sexually assaulting 9-year-old he allegedly kidnapped from N.Y. campsite

    SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (TCD) — An Upstate New York man was arraigned on multiple charges, including sexual assault, for allegedly abducting a 9-year-old girl from a campsite in late September.

    Craig Ross Jr. appeared in Saratoga County Court on Friday, Nov. 17, and pleaded not guilty to first-degree kidnapping, four counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault, and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the girl’s alleged kidnapping that occurred between Sept. 30 and Oct. 2.

    A judge ordered him to be held without bail.

    WYNT-TV reports if Ross is convicted, he could face up to life in prison for the kidnapping charge alone.

    On Sept. 30, the young girl went for a bike ride around Lake Moreau State Park at around 6:15 p.m. but never returned. Her parents reported her missing about 30 minutes later. Over 100 law enforcement officials and personnel participated in the search until she was found inside a cabinet in Ross’ home Oct. 2. 

    According to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, on Oct. 2 at 4:20 a.m., Ross reportedly drove to the girl’s home, which was being guarded by New York State Police troopers, and left something in the mailbox. Troopers reportedly noticed the vehicle and opened the mailbox, where they found a ransom note.

    New York State Police investigators attempted to find a fingerprint match but were unsuccessful on their first try. They searched again through the New York State database, which reportedly linked them to Ross, who was caught driving under the influence in Saratoga in 1999. Investigators tracked the suspect to Ross’ mother’s home. He reportedly resided in a camper behind the residence.

    New York State Police detectives conducted a “dynamic entry” tactical maneuver and located Ross.

    According to Hochul, the girl “knew she was being rescued” and that she “was in safe hands.”

    Ross was initially arrested on a charge of first-degree kidnapping.

    WNYT reports Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen said at Ross’ court hearing last week that he “committed a heinous, terrible offense against a tender age victim.”

    MORE:

    • Ballston Spa Man Arraigned in Saratoga County Court on Kidnapping, Predatory Sexual Assault Against A Child and Other Charges – Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office
    • Man pleads not guilty in girl’s kidnapping in Moreau – WNYT
    • Governor Hochul Provides Update on Rescue of Charlotte Sena, 10/2/2023 – New York Governor’s Office
    • 9-year-old girl found safe after going missing in upstate N.Y. park while riding her bicycle, 10/2/2023 – TCD
    • Man accused of kidnapping 9-year-old at N.Y. campsite allegedly left ransom note in her family’s mailbox, 10/5/2023 – TCD
    • Ballston Spa Man Charged with Kidnapping of Saratoga County Child, 10/2/2023 – New York State Police

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to our True Crime Daily newsletter.



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