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Oakland murder case falls apart after defense raises questions about impugned detective’s investigation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

OAKLAND — A Bay Area man was recently released from jail in a plea deal that saw prosecutors drop murder charges against him in exchange for a voluntary manslaughter conviction. The deal came after the defense cast doubt on the investigative work by a detective who has since been charged with perjury, court records show.Atiba Barnes, 37, was arrested last year in the 2008 killing of 38-year-old Kevin Grant in Oakland. In June, Barnes pleaded no contest to manslaughter in a plea deal with Alameda County prosecutors. While Barnes was formally sentenced for three years, the deal allowed him to be freed after half that time, leading to his release from jail this month.Barnes’ lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Daniel Taylor, said in a statement to this news organization that his client killed Grant in self-defense after Grant and an unnamed friend attempted to rob Barnes.“This wasn’t murder,” Taylor said, later adding, “If Mr. Barnes had not defensed hims...

So far, Prince William is the young hero in ‘The Crown’s’ Season 6

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

The royal family and their supporters shouldn’t be too put out by the first four episodes of Season 6 of “The Crown,” however much the show applies its usual artistic license to depicting real-life events and controversially produces the Ghost of Diana to offer the future King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II words of encouragement.In fact, the royal family should be relieved and even celebrate that “The Crown” presents Charles as a caring father to his two sons, as well as a friendly ex-husband to Diana and the voice of reason in the chaotic days after her death.Just as important for the monarchy’s public image, the first part of Season 6 sets up Prince William as the show’s young hero and even suggests that the institution will be in good hands. The future king is presented as a serious and sensitive 15-year-old boy who begins to feel the full weight of his royal status when his mother dies in globally seismic car accident. Inde...

Photos: Private island in San Francisco Bay for sale for $25 million

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

Just off the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is Red Rock Island, the only private island in San Francisco Bay, and it is for sale for $25 million.Private island in San Francisco Bay listed for $25 million (Aerial Canvas). Originally settled by Russian fur traders in the early 1800s, the island was later home to its only known resident: Selim Woodworth, a former California senator and son of 18th century poet Samuel Woodworth. He built a cabin there for hunting outings. The current seller, Brock Durning, is retired and lives in Alaska. His late father was granted ownership of the island by former business partner David Glickman, who purchased it for about $50,000 in the 1960s. As a child, the seller went to the island with his family to go camping, hiking and fishing.Whoever buys the island may have some work to do. There are currently no structures, and it has no electricity or running water. The island is also accessible only by boat or helicopter.Private island in San Francisco Ba...

Longtime South Bay Congresswoman Anna Eshoo won’t seek re-election

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

Longtime Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) announced Tuesday morning that she will not seek re-election after serving more than three decades in the U.S. House of Representatives.In a video posted on social media, Eshoo, who turns 81 next month, said she makes the announcement with a “heart filled with unending gratitude” to her constituents.The congresswoman started her political career on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1982 and served for a decade before being elected to the U.S House of Representatives in 1992.“As the first woman and the first Democrat to ever represent our district, I’m very proud of the body of bi-partisan work I’ve been able to achieve on your behalf in Congress,” Eshoo said. “Sixty-six of my bills have been signed into law by five presidents, including the preservation of lands here at home, landmark advancements in women’s health, the creation of two federal agencies to promote research and d...

Wife and lover who allegedly conspired to kill her husband arrested for murder in Hayward

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

(KRON) -- A woman and the man she allegedly conspired with to kill her husband have been arrested and charged with murder, the Hayward Police Department announced Tuesday. The victim in the case, 51-year-old Parwiz Assar of Hayward, was found stabbed to death at 10:21 p.m. on Oct. 8.Officers responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at Lance Way and Tucker Street where they located Assar who was unresponsive and suffering from stab wounds. Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene, police said. Thieves break in Hayward auto dealership, $100K worth of cars stolen Hayward PD detectives conducted an extensive investigation and developed probable cause to arrest two suspects. They were identified as:Samim Azizi, 21, of WashingtonRazma Mohammad-Ibrahim, 35, of Hayward.Police arrested Azizi in Seattle, Washington on Oct. 31. He is being held without bail at King County Jail and awaiting extradition to California.Mohammad-Ibrahim was arrested on Nov. 15 in Hayward...

Silicon Valley congresswoman Anna Eshoo announces retirement

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

(BCN) -- For the first time in two decades, a Silicon Valley congressmember is poised to retire and shake up the South Bay's political landscape -- with many local Democrats reportedly eyeing the seat.Rep. Anna Eshoo announced on Tuesday that she plans to end her three-decade congressional career at the end of her term in 2024. She released an official announcement on social media. Former office manager faces 30 years in federal prison Eshoo, who earned notoriety for spearheading cybersecurity, innovation and high-tech legislation, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992 after serving on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for a decade.Her retirement marks a monumental shift in Silicon Valley politics. Eshoo is a powerhouse politician who rose through the ranks as a senior member earning coveted committee assignments in Washington on health care, energy and commerce. As news spread about Eshoo's decision to call it quits late Monday, speculation circled abou...

Oakland teens arrested for Union City cannabis dispensary break-ins 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

(KRON) – The Union City Police Department arrested three suspects in connection with a commercial burglary. Union City officers responded to Lemonnade Dispensary for an alarm on Nov. 21 at 3:07 a.m. Five to eight suspects were seen attempting to force their way into the business. Suspect who led police on dramatic rooftop to rooftop pursuit arrested by San Pablo PD Upon arrival, officers did not locate any suspects on the property.At 3:17 a.m., Union City PD received calls from on-site security at Flor Dispensary regarding suspects who forced their way into the business. Once officers were at the scene, they noticed several suspects were still inside the building. According to police, the suspects attempted to flee but were unsuccessful. Three juveniles from Oakland were arrested for commercial burglary.If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Fordham at 510-513-3826 or [email protected]. Information may be left anonymously at 51...

Man faces 13 years in prison for molesting child

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

(BCN) -- A Greenfield man faces 13 years in prison after he was convicted for molesting a child, Monterey County prosecutors said Monday.A jury found Juan Pablo Aragon-Herrera guilty of committing lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under the age of 14, assault with the intent to commit lewd and lascivious acts upon the same child, and child endangerment, the Monterey County District Attorney's office said in a statement. Former office manager faces 30 years in federal prison Prosecutors said that on July 2, Aragon-Herrera was visiting a house where two 14-year-old children, identified as Jane Doe and John Doe, were hanging LED lights in a bedroom. Aragon-Herrera walked into their room and used a ruse to remove Jane's pants and place her on a bed when he attempted to continue touching her. John Doe, who saw the whole thing, was able to get away and find help, prosecutors said.Three of Aragon-Herrera's four charges are "strikes" based on California's Three Strikes Law, prosecutor...

Facebook Approved an Israeli Ad Calling for Assassination of Pro-Palestine Activist

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

A series of advertisements dehumanizing and calling for violence against Palestinians, intended to test Facebook’s content moderation standards, were all approved by the social network, according to materials shared with The Intercept.The submitted ads, in both Hebrew and Arabic, included flagrant violations of policies for Facebook and its parent company Meta. Some contained violent content directly calling for the murder of Palestinian civilians, like ads demanding a “holocaust for the Palestinians” and to wipe out “Gazan women and children and the elderly.” Others posts, like those describing kids from Gaza as “future terrorists” and a reference to “Arab pigs,” contained dehumanizing language.“The approval of these ads is just the latest in a series of Meta’s failures towards the Palestinian people.”“The approval of these ads is just the latest in a series of Meta’s failures towards the Palestinian people,” Nadim Nashif, founder of the Palestinian social media research and ...

Chantilly’s Amentum to become one of DC-area’s biggest publicly traded companies

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:13:59 GMT

Upon completion, John Heller, current CEO of Amentum, will serve as CEO of the combined company. (Courtesy Amentum) Upon completion, John Heller, current CEO of Amentum, will serve as CEO of the combined company. (Courtesy Amentum) Chantilly, Virginia-based defense contractor Amentum Services has signed a deal to merge with the critical mission solutions and cyber intelligence government service division of Dallas-based Jacobs. The spin-off will create one of the largest publicly-traded companies headquartered in the D.C. region.Jacobs announced its intent this spring to spin off its CMS business to create two separate companies.Upon completion, John Heller, current CEO of Amentum, will serve as CEO of the combine...