Jury Convicts Gang Member of First-degree Murder of Blind Man
On December 2, Ruben Alejandro Oliveros, 27, received a conviction of first-degree murder in the 2006 death of legally blind Raffi Yessayan, 26.
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Archive for 2008
Man in Santa Costume Massacres Ex-In-Laws’ Christmas Party
Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, dressed as Santa, killed nine people and injured several others at his ex-in-laws’ Christmas Eve party at their Los Angeles residence. Pardo began shooting indiscriminately before setting the house on fire and, finally, committing suicide.
Settlement Awarded to Victims of Charter Bus Crash
$10 million has been awarded to victims of a January 2008 charter bus crash, in a personal injury settlement that was made public last Wednesday.
Investigators Search Caylee Anthony’s Grandparents’ Residence
Investigators searched and removed evidence from the Orlando residence of the grandparents of murder victim Caylee Anthony.
RIAA Will End Filesharing Lawsuits
The industry's new approach may take the form of a 3-strikes policy, in which Internet service providers would be required to eventually suspend service to customers who download illegally.
Donald Trump Files $100 Million Civil Rights Suit
Trump has had a series of conflicts with the city and its residents since buying property in 2002 and developing a golf course.
Trucking Firm Forced to Pay $15.3 Million to Injured Man
In one of the largest personal injury settlements in Kansas state history, a federal jury awarded Terry Frederick $15. 3 million dollars for injuries he sustained in a 2006 late-night tractor-trailer crash.
Legendary Wall Street Trader Faces Fraud Charges
Bernard L. Madoff, a prominent stock trader and fixture on Wall Street for more than four decades, was arrested at his Manhattan home on Thursday, December 11 by federal agents and charged with defrauding investors of billions of dollars.
Sarah Palin’s to-be In-law Arrested on Drug Charges
Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s in-law-to-be, Sherry Johnston, was arrested for misconduct involving a controlled substance.
Supreme Court Considers Re-Examining Convicted Murderer’s Case
Supreme Court justices deliberated whether prosecutors had committed misconduct in giving a convicted murderer the death sentence in the 1980 murder of a Memphis couple.
Police Captain Settles Out of Court in Suit Against County
Matthew Jamison, a police captain in New Castle County, Delaware, has settled a federal lawsuit against New Castle County out of court for $77,200. The suit was originally filed in 2005.
Judge Reduces Murder Suspects’ Bail in Slaying of College Student
On December 10, a San Diego judge reduced the bail of four suspects in the October murder of a college student.
Trampled Man's Family Sues Wal-Mart for Wrongful Death
The family of a temporary Wal-Mart worker who was trampled to death by shoppers on Black Friday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the retail chain.
Plastic Chunks Found in Lean Cuisine Frozen Dinners Prompts Recall
About 900,000 pounds of Lean Cuisine frozen chicken dinners have been recalled by manufacturer Nestle Prepared Foods Co. after several consumers reported finding small pieces of a blue plastic material in their food.
Former Morgan Stanley Broker Sanctioned for Robbing Accounts of Minor Malpractice Victims
New York Stock Exchange regulators today banned stockbroker Charles Winitch from working for member firms for a period of five years after he pocketed over $100,000 making unauthorized trades using the accounts of injured children.
Oneida County Office Building Reopened Following Asbestos Scare
The Oneida County Office Building in Utica, New York was reopened Thursday after test results for the presence of asbestos in air samples taken from throughout the building came back negative.
Arkansas Voters Pass Ban on Unmarried Couples Adopting or Fostering Unwanted Children
On Tuesday, nearly 57 percent of Arkansas voters approved a ballot measure barring adoptive and foster care children from placement in the homes of couples who are not married.
Bridge Construction Accident Sends Workers Tumbling Into Louisiana Lake, Kills 1
One man is dead after a girder gave way and fell from a 30-foot piling into Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain from a new bridge under construction on Interstate 10.
French Researchers Claim Experimental Diet Drug Tricks Body Into Losing Weight
A team of scientists at the University of Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg say that experimental drug SRT1720 encourages the body to burn fat reserves even on a fatty diet.
Supreme Court Evaluates Effects of FDA Drug Labels on Liability Cases
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case which could result in restrictions on lawsuits against drug manufacturers if the justices decide FDA approval conveys protection from liability claims.
Study Demonstrates Link Between Autism and Rainy Climates
According to the results of a new study, children who live in areas with high precipitation appear to demonstrate higher rates of autism.
7 Northeast States Petition EPA to Limit Mercury Emissions
Seven Northeastern U.S. states have petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to limit toxic mercury emissions originating from sources outside of the region that contaminate waterways and fish.
14 Injured in Idaho Bridge Construction Collapse on Interstate 84
14 construction workers were injured Monday afternoon in Nampa, Idaho when an bridge under construction collapsed under them while they were in the midst of pouring concrete for the structure.
1 Killed, 1 Injured in Massachusetts Construction Lift Collapse
A construction worker was killed and another seriously injured when a hydraulic lift platform became unstable and toppled to the ground on the campus of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Justice Department Approves Merger of Northwest and Delta Air Lines
DOJ antitrust regulators announced today that they will not halt the merger of Delta and Northwest, approving a deal which will create the world's largest airline.
Nebraska Governor Calls Special Session to Revise Safe Haven Law
Governor Dave Heineman announced today that a special session of Nebraska's legislature will be held next month to revise the state's controversial safe-haven law.
Convicted Hedge Fund Swindler to Undergo Medical and Psychological Evaluation
Judge Kenneth Karas has ordered convicted swindler Samuel Israel to undergo a thorough evaluation in order to determine whether or not Israel is competent to plead guilty to bail-jumping charges.
Explosion at NW Louisiana Gas Transmission Station Injures 1
Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a gas transmission station in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, where one man has reportedly been injured in the wake of a natural gas explosion.
FDA Issues Warning Letters to Bayer over Unapproved Aspirin Products
In warning letters issued today, the FDA stated that two over-the-counter aspirin-based medications marketed by Bayer AG make unsubstantiated health claims about fighting osteoporosis and heart disease.
8-year-old Boy Dies after Accidentally Shooting Self with Gun Club Uzi
8-year-old Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Connecticut died Sunday after accidentally shooting himself in the head while firing a fully automatic Uzi machine gun at a gun fair.
2 Small Planes Collide in Midair over Colorado, No Injuries Reported
Two single-engine Cessnas containing a total of six people collided in midair Wednesday over Colorado, but all people aboard the planes survived and no injuries were reported.
26 More Genes Associated with Most Common Form of Lung Cancer Identified
The findings of a study published in the journal Nature show that researchers have identified 26 genes associated with adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.
4 Killed in Crash of Maryland Medical Helicopter
Four people died Sunday when an emergency medical-services helicopter crashed in suburban Washington, D.C while attempting to land after picking up two automobile accident victims.
Study Shows Traffic Fatality Numbers Spike on Election Day
A study which appears in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that more people die in traffic accidents on days when U.S. presidential elections are held.
More Than 90% of Nursing Homes Cited For Violations Last Year
According to a report issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 90 percent of American nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards in 2007.
Study Shows That Popular Supplements Fail To Help Slow Arthritis
A two-year study has showed that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, two popular supplements commonly used for arthritis and joint pain, were ineffective at slowing the loss of knee cartilage or the progress of the disease.
FDA Study Shows No Link Between Use of Statins and ALS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an analysis of the results of 41 clinical trials today which demonstrates that use of statins does not increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Study Shows Increased Risks of Heart Disease, Stroke from COPD Drug Use
A paper published this week reports that drugs commonly prescribed for COPD were associated with increased risks of cardiovascular problems and stroke.
Off-duty Chicago Police Officer Shoots Son, Kills Self and Daughter
Chicago Police Officer Dannie Marchan committed suicide Monday morning by turning his gun on himself after fatally shooting his young daughter and grievously wounding his 9-year-old son.
OSHA Issues $313,500 in Fines to Construction Firms over March Crane Collapse
OSHA has fined three construction firms a total of $313,500 for alleged safety violations leading to a March crane collapse which killed seven people.
FDA Issues Warning Letters and Import Alert for Drugs Produced by Ranbaxy
The FDA today issued warning letters to drug manufacturer Ranbaxy Laboratories due to concerns about deviations from U.S. current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements at two of the company's manufacturing facilities.
Study Links Bisphenol A to Increased Incidence of Heart Disease and Diabetes
A new study demonstrates that people with elevated levels of bisphenol A are likelier to have heart disease and diabetes.
Metrolink Spokeswoman Tyrrell Resigns in Wake of Criticism over Handling of Accident
The spokeswoman for rail agency Metrolink resigned after board members said her statements that the agency was responsible for Friday's commuter train crash were premature.
FDA Orders Stronger Warnings Be Placed on Four Popular Arthritis Drugs
The FDA today ordered that stronger warnings be placed on four widely used immunosuppressive drugs due to elevated risks of fungal infections.
16 Injured by Collapse of San Diego Construction Site Pedestrian Walkway
A covered, wooden pedestrian walkway collapsed at a construction site in downtown San Diego Thursday and injured 16 people, three critically.
Tracy, CA Man Receives 10 Month Prison Sentence for Asbestos Violations
Wassim Mohammad Azizi was convicted by a federal jury on three counts of violating the Clean Air Act in conjunction with the demolition of a building containing asbestos.
Bay Area Water Regulators Announce Intention to Sue Federal Government over Pollution
The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board will file suit against the U.S. Maritime Administration over pollution caused by deteriorating vessels.
Digitek Manufacturer Actavis Totowa Issues Recall For All Other Drugs
Actavis Totowa has announced a voluntary recall on all drugs manufactured at their Little Falls, NJ facility due to unsatisfactory results on their 2008 FDA inspection.
Study Shows Popular Infertility Treatments To Have Little or No Effect
A study in the British Medical Journal shows that women trying to become pregnant who were given either of two popular fertility treatments demonstrated no higher conception rate than patients given no treatment at all.
Truck Accident Dumps Thousands of Chickens onto Buffalo Thruway
A truck carrying nearly 10,000 chickens tipped over on the offramp from the Mainline Thruway today, spilling thousands of chickens and eggs onto the roadway.
New Study Shows Correlation Between Higher Gas Prices and Fewer Roadway Deaths
According to a new study by professors Michael Morrisey and David Grabowski, the rate of traffic fatalities in the U.S. falls as gas prices rise.
Maryland Labor Board Proposes Strict New Crane Safety Regulations
Three months after the death of a worker in an Annapolis crane accident, an advisory board of Maryland's Occupational Safety and Health program has recommended sweeping changes be made to state rules for crane operations.
Asbestos Problems Force Albany Elementary School To Close For School Year
The entire staff and student body of The Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology will be sent elsewhere this year so that a serious asbestos problem can be corrected.
Disgruntled San Francisco IT Administrator Relents, Hands Over Network Passwords to Mayor
Terry Childs, who has been jailed since July 13 on suspicion of computer tampering, handed passwords for San Francisco's FiberWAN network over to Mayor Gavin Newsom Monday.
Over 500,000 Bus and Truck Drivers Collect Medical Disability But Keep Driving
According to a study released Monday, more than 563,000 truck and bus drivers qualify for full disability benefits due to health issues, yet are still eligible to drive.
Crane Accident in Houston is Area's Second Within Four Days
A 150-ton crane fell over in Houston Monday while operators were attempting to remove a sign marking the entrance to Kingwood planned community.
Disney, Universal Studios, and Georgia-Pacific Claim Exemptions from Florida Gun Law
A new Florida law allowing employees to bring guns to work has come under fire from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and paper manufacturer Georgia-Pacific.
Mysterious New Mexico Death Solved By Viewing of Five Year-Old CSI Episode
New Mexico State Police have closed their case on a Texas man's death after determining he killed himself in a manner similar to that shown in an episode of CSI.
Federal Aviation Administration Passes New Rule Intended to Prevent Fuel Tank Explosions
12 years after TWA Flight 800 exploded off Long Island, killing 230, the FAA has passed a rule intended to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Study Shows Experimental Amgen Bone-Loss Drug Aids Prostate Cancer Patients
California-based Amgen announced Monday that its experimental drug denosumab reduced risks of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in men being treated with prostate cancer medicines that can cause bone loss.
17 Premature Babies Given Heparin Overdoses at Corpus Christi Hospital, One Dies
A Corpus Christi hospital has opened an investigation into how 17 premature babies in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit received overdoses of the blood thinner heparin.
FDA Imposes Urgent Safety Warnings on Fluoroquinolone Drugs Due to Tendon Risks
The FDA announced today that they will require a class of antibiotic drugs known as fluoroquinolones, including Cipro and Levaquin, to carry severe warnings on their packaging.
Jamul Tribal Chairman and Daughter-In-Law Killed in Motorcycle Crash
A motorcycle wreck has claimed the lives of William C. Mesa, chairman of the Jamul Indian Village, and daughter-in-law Crystal Roberts-Mesa on Lyons Valley Road in Jamul, California.
FDA Announces Intention to Seek Black Box Warnings on Epilepsy Drugs
The FDA announced Monday that they intend to ask drug manufacturers to add warnings about increased suicide risks to 11 drugs used to treat epilepsy.
Patients Being Recruited For New Columbia University Mesothelioma Treatment Study
Researchers are currently seeking pleural mesothelioma patients for a clinical research study investigating the possibilities of a new targeted radiation and chemotherapy treatment protocol.
Panel of FDA Experts Urges Stricter Testing and Standards for Diabetes Drugs
An FDA panel comprised of outside medical experts has recommended that the agency impose stricter standards for approval of diabetic drugs, including long-term studies on cardiovascular effects.
French Court to Try Continental Airlines and Five Others over Concorde Crash
A Paris prosecutor has filed manslaughter charges against Houston-based Continental Airlines along with five individuals in connection with the 2000 Concorde jet crash left 113 people dead.
European Union Caps Airline Emissions, Angers International Trade Groups
A landmark agreement reached last week by the European Union to limit greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft has ignited controversy and protest from trade groups who question the legality of the Union's decision.
U.S. Supreme Court Limits Punitive Damages in Maritime Law Cases
In a 5-3 decision hailed as a victory for corporations seeking to limit lawsuit damages, the U.S. Supreme Court has severely reduced the $2.5 billion punitive award in the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill case.
Natural Gas Explosion Injures 14 at San Diego Hotel Construction Site
A San Diego waterfront hotel under construction was rocked Monday afternoon by a natural gas blast that damaged four floors and injured 14 people, five critically.
California Appeals Court Says Marine Contractor Not Liable for Seaman's West Nile
A California Appellate Court has ruled that Connolly-Pacific Co. is not liable for a seaman who contracted West Nile Virus, and is therefore not required to provide him with food, lodging, or medical care.
Manhattan Man Sues JetBlue for $2 Million over Forced Bathroom Break
A JetBlue flight was not such a happy jetting experience for Gokhan Mutlu: he says he was forced to relinquish his seat mid-flight and ride out the remainder of the trip in the plane's bathroom.
Spain Identifies Source of Half-Billion Dollar Sunken Treasure Recovered by US Firm
Nearly a year after asserting that sunken treasure recovered by Tampa, Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. might be Spanish property, Spanish archaeologists announced that they have identified the source of the treasure.
Crashed Wisconsin Medical Helicopter Was Lacking Recommended Safety Features
A medical helicopter which crashed late Saturday after dropping a patient off at a La Crosse hospital was not equipped with two high-tech safety features recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board to prevent crashes.
Mannsville, New York Man Killed in Quarry Bulldozer Accident
A Mannsville man died Monday when a bulldozer he was operating dropped eight feet down a partially constructed ramp, ejecting him from the tractor and causing him to be run over by the bulldozer's track.