Home Blog Page 287

Jury sees CCTV of student allegedly stabbing housemate in garden

0

Jurors were shown CCTV footage capturing the moment a university student was allegedly stabbed 30 times in the garden of his home and left to die.

The footage, described by prosecutors as showing a “carefully planned and cold-blooded execution”, was recorded in Filton, South Gloucestershire, on April 8 this year.

Bristol Crown Court heard that Jamie Collins, 21, was ambushed shortly before 6pm by his housemate, Zack Coughlan, 23, in the garden of the property they shared.

The court was told the two men had previously argued about the amount of rent Coughlan was charging Mr Collins.

Mr Collins, who was from Swansea, was allegedly stabbed repeatedly before Coughlan left him dying in an alleyway. Coughlan is said to have cycled away on his housemate’s bicycle while dressed in black and wearing a mask.

Coughlan, of Cleve Road, Filton, accepts that he killed Mr Collins but denies murder.

The attack took place shortly after Mr Collins returned from the University of the West of England in Bristol, where he was studying robotics alongside Coughlan.

Afterwards, Coughlan abandoned the bicycle at a nearby retail park, bought different clothes and discarded his bloodstained clothing in a pond.

Footage of the 'carefully planned and cold-blooded execution' was captured in Filton, South Gloucestershire, on April 8 this year

CCTV captured the alleged “carefully planned and cold-blooded execution” in Filton, South Gloucestershire, on April 8 this year

Mr Collins, originally from Swansea, was allegedly stabbed repeatedly – with Coughlan leaving him to die in the alleyway as he cycled away on his housemate's bicycle

Mr Collins, who was from Swansea, was allegedly stabbed repeatedly before Coughlan left him dying in an alleyway and cycled away on his housemate’s bicycle

Jamie Collins (pictured) was stabbed to death in the garden of the university home where he lived with Zack Coughlan, 23, who is now on trial accused of his murder

Jamie Collins (pictured) was stabbed to death in the garden of the university home he shared with Zack Coughlan, 23, who is on trial accused of his murder

He later returned to the house they shared on Cleve Road at about 9pm. Jurors had previously heard that the property was fitted with three CCTV cameras. Coughlan then went for a walk and bike ride shortly before 12.45am on April 9.

Separate footage shown to the jury recorded Coughlan entering the garden with a torch at 2.06am. Mr Collins could be seen lying on the ground in the gateway.

At 2.07am, Coughlan called police and reported that his friend had been stabbed.

On Tuesday, CCTV and video investigator Helen Bartlett showed jurors footage recorded in the days before and after the attack.

At 5.58pm, Mr Collins was seen arriving at the garden gate with his bicycle moments before the fatal attack.

Coughlan looked down and wiped his eyes as the footage played in court. Several members of Mr Collins’ family left the public gallery after watching the video.

Adam Vaitilingam KC, prosecuting, told jurors on Monday that Coughlan had shown police the CCTV of the fatal attack and was initially treated as a witness.

However, an Avon and Somerset Police investigation uncovered “clear evidence” that Coughlan was the killer, Mr Vaitilingam said. He was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

Bodyworn camera footage of the police arriving on the scene of the murder shows Coughlan after he called police in the early hours of the morning

Body-worn camera footage shows police arriving at the scene after Coughlan called officers in the early hours

Coughlan had gone into the garden with a torch at 2.06am where MR Collins was left lying on the ground in the gateway

Coughlan had gone into the garden with a torch at 2.06am where MR Collins was left lying on the ground in the gateway

The court heard Coughlan and Mr Collins were both final year robotics students at UWE Bristol and lived in the house, which was owned by the defendant.

There had previously been disagreements about paying rent and whether Coughlan was charging too much but these had been resolved, Mr Vaitilingam added.

He said Coughlan accepts he killed Mr Collins and has admitted manslaughter but will tell the court he had ‘lost control of himself’ and was in fear for his life in the lead-up to the attack.

However, Mr Vaitilingam told jurors the case involved a ‘carefully planned and cold–blooded execution’.

‘Far from being out of control, Zack was very much in control of what he did, and you will see that as we show you his movements in the hours and minutes before he killed Jamie,’ he said on Monday.

‘His actions afterwards, disposing of his clothes, pretending he had been climbing trees so as to explain knife cuts to his hands, coming home and playing online games with his friends, looking at the CCTV app on his phone, trying to deceive the police when he called them at 2am.

‘Those were further acts of someone very much in control.’

Coughlan denies murder. The trial continues.

Man Killed by Tiger Identified as Former Child Actor Who Appeared With Harry Potter Star

0

The family of former child actor William Chapman, who was fatally attacked by a tiger at a Yorkshire zoo, have remembered him as a “bright, warm and engaging” son and revealed that he had lived with “significant mental illness.”

Mr Chapman, 24, died on Saturday after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. He was attacked by Altai, a 200kg Siberian tiger.

As the investigation continues, his devastated relatives have urged the public not to share distressing footage showing the final moments of his life.

In a statement issued through police on Tuesday, the family said: “William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back.

“Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication.

“It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death. We would ask everybody to respect that process.”

The family also described the widespread circulation of footage from the fatal attack on social media as adding to their suffering.

“The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,” they said.

“The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this.

“The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their utmost to establish why our amazing son did what he did.”

Mr Chapman’s past as a child actor has since come to light. He appeared alongside Harry Potter star Shirley Henderson in an ITV comedy drama.

William Chapman, 24, died on Saturday after climbing into a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster

William Chapman, 24, died on Saturday after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster

William Chapman, 24, was killed by a tiger at a Yorkshire zoo after jumping into the big cat's enclosure

William Chapman, 24, was fatally attacked by a tiger after entering the big cat enclosure at a Yorkshire zoo

A young Mr Chapman (far left) appeared in 2009 in the two-part ITV comedy May Contain Nuts starring Shirley Henderson (second from left) who is best known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films

A young William Chapman, far left, appeared in the 2009 ITV comedy May Contain Nuts alongside Shirley Henderson, second from left, who is best known for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films

A young Mr Chapman at Madame Tussauds in London with a wax figure of Daniel Craig as James Bond

A young William Chapman at Madame Tussauds in London beside a wax figure of Daniel Craig as James Bond

In 2009, he appeared in the two-part ITV comedy May Contain Nuts, which starred Shirley Henderson, widely recognised for playing Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films.

Mr Chapman played Alfie Chaplin, the son of Henderson’s character Alice Chaplin. In the drama, Alice pretended to be her 11-year-old daughter in order to sit a school entrance examination. Darren Boyd also featured in the acclaimed production.

He later appeared in the BBC series True Stories, which explored the lives of historical figures. In 2012, he portrayed a young Edward Jenner, the English physician and scientist who went on to become known as the father of immunology and a pioneer of vaccination.

Mr Chapman also had a role in Breathless, an ITV period drama broadcast in 2013. The series followed hospital staff who secretly carried out illegal abortions in the 1960s, according to a 2014 blog post written by his mother.

His acting career appeared to largely end during his teenage years. There was no indication that he had undertaken further screen work for many years before his death in the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.

The mother revealed her son’s early enthusiasm for acting in her post 12 years ago, saying that he became a pupil at the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Berkshire, when he was just four years old.

She recalled in her blog how he was aged only around five when he went for an audition for May Contain Nuts.

The 24-year-old was on Tuesday named as the victim of the attack

The 24-year-old was on Tuesday named as the victim of the attack 

Describing his time at the stage school, she said: ‘He has learnt a great deal in his time there, and whilst he doesn’t enjoy singing and dancing so much now he’s a teenager, he is passionate about acting and drama.

‘Over the years he has attended many auditions, and I have a few stories to tell there… The most notable one was when he went for the part of Alfie in ‘May Contain Nuts’ the ITV two part drama adaptation of John O’Farrell’s satirical book.’

She went on to describe having her car impounded after she left it on double yellow lines to get him to the audition in central London because she could not find a proper parking space.

The mum wrote: ‘William was only about five then, and unburdened by the nerves he can sometimes suffer from these days. He seemed to relax and thoroughly enjoy himself.

‘We left and went back into the road, and walked to where I parked the car; only there was no car. With my car gone, and the kids in tears, I ran back into the casting agency and became somewhat hysterical.

‘They were brilliant; they called Westminster Council and established where my car had been taken, then called me a taxi to get there.’

The mother told how her son’s other acting work includes roles on radio, commercials, children’s TV, a Snow White panto, as well as filming & photo shoots for Oxford University Press and a part as an extra playing a ‘tribal kid’ in the Warner Bros film Pan in 2015.

Her blog included a passage where Mr Chapman wrote about his experience on Pan, saying: ‘Working as an extra in Pan is amazing; it’s such an awesome experience!

‘But it’s hard work though, ten hour days plus one hour journeys each way to the studios. It was very tiring. I normally had a 6.45am start at the rendezvous, where we travelled by minibus to Cardington Studios in Bedfordshire.

‘Luckily we always had a warm welcome and a warm breakfast to wake us up. Costume fitting and makeup took about an hour, but it was good to admire all the costumes.

Mr Chapman as a child actor playing Edward Jenner in educational BBC series True Stories in 2012

Mr Chapman as a child actor playing Edward Jenner in educational BBC series True Stories in 2012

Mr Chapman as a child actor playing Alfie Chaplin in the two-part ITV comedy drama in 2009

Mr Chapman as a child actor playing Alfie Chaplin in the two-part ITV comedy drama in 2009

‘Once on set we were sheltering from the pirates under the ship’s floorboards and we had to be terrified! Our chief gets shot by Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman), so remember to look out for that scene if you watch the movie.

‘After lunch we just did more tutoring then we went back on set for a retake of the earlier scene, but we were lucky enough to meet and say hi to Hugh Jackman! We gave him a high five, awesome right? Well, that’s my day as an extra.’

His mother added: ‘It was great to collect him at the end of a busy day, and hear him enthuse about a multitude of impressions such as: exploding mud, the energy of being on set, watching the actors practising their sword fighting skills, the delicious meals they had for lunch, meeting other young actors from a few other stage schools, including Levi Miller who plays Peter Pan.

‘It has been a wonderful experience for him. For most of June and some of July he was filming (about 15 days), so I’m hoping it won’t be a case of blink and you’ll miss him when I get to see it! It’s due for release on 26th June 2015, I can’t wait…’

Mr Chapman posted a series of bizarre pictures and footage on social media in the days leading up to his decision to climb into the tiger’s cage on Saturday.

It included a terrifying video of the moment he entered the pen and approached a lone tiger lying on a raised wooden platform. Just minutes later, he was attacked and killed by the animal.

In the background, he can be heard breathing heavily as shocked onlookers cry out ‘oh my God’.

His Instagram account included a selfie taken at the gym, which he uploaded to social media hours before sharing the video of him slowly approaching the big cat.

Another picture shows him holding a bible and a crossbow while wearing the same clothes he had on when he entered the pen at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. In the image, shared on the day of his death, he has a crossbow bolt between his teeth.

Eyewitnesses at the zoo told how Mr Chapman, who was described as vulnerable by police, had been dancing to music and had asked a parkgoer to take a picture of him with the 200kg male Siberian tiger, Altai, in the background.

The scene at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday

The scene at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday 

A video, appearing to be filmed in the pen itself, shows Mr Chapman slowly approaching a wooden platform on which one of the tigers is resting

A video, appearing to be filmed in the pen itself, shows Mr Chapman slowly approaching a wooden platform on which one of the tigers is resting

He then began climbing into the enclosure as a woman desperately tried to hold him back, before dropping 12ft to the floor.

When the tiger attacked, Mr Chapman screamed ‘stop’ several times and appeared to make a gesture for ‘bad’ in Makaton – a sign language system generally used by individuals who struggle to communicate.

The horrifying drama unfolded just minutes before emergency services were called at 1.35pm.

It comes as a witness who took the final photograph of the man fought back tears as she pleaded with ‘not very nice’ trolls to think before they post.

Elsewhere on social media, Mr Chapman posted photographs of himself on a visit to the Pantheon in Paris, and of a Greek-style helmet on a stand, while other posts included references to social media influencers.

Visitors to the park on Saturday told how he shouted ‘stop’ several times and told the tiger to ‘stop being naughty’ after it attacked him. Onlookers said he appeared ‘not attached to reality’.

Distressing footage was uploaded to social media and showed the tiger pawing at and toying with the man. Parkgoers said they then saw it jump onto his neck.

Visitors were rapidly evacuated and emergency services, including an air ambulance, rushed to the scene, but the man was confirmed to have died. Mr Chapman’s family are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.

Zookeepers were said to have done ‘everything they could’ to drive tiger Altai off, firing five loud acoustic gun blasts in attempts to scare him.

Two ambulances and a helicopter rushed to the park at 1.35pm, with a ‘black screen’ erected around the enclosure as lifesaving treatment was attempted.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which remains closed, confirmed that Altai will not be euthanized in the wake of the incident.

It comes as a woman who took a picture of Mr Chapman just moments before he entered the enclosure appealed for trolls to stop posting about the incident in a tearful video on social media on Monday.

Del Taylor asked people joking about the attack online to ‘think about why maybe he’d do something like this’.

An emotional Ms Taylor said it was ‘upsetting’ to know she had taken the last photograph of him, and hit out at ‘not very nice’ and ‘presumptuous’ comments online.

‘I’ve seen a lot of speculation online about this person, this man, and a lot of it is not very nice, very presumptuous,’ she said in a video posted on TikTok.

‘I just wish people would take a moment to think about why maybe he’d do something like this.

‘Maybe it was a lack of danger, awareness of danger. I just feel if somebody had seen this man like myself and a few other people had that day, and you’d seen him dancing his way up and down the bridge with his AirPods in.

‘He was so happy. And then he’s come and placed himself next to us and he’s passed me his phone, and he’s asked me for his photo, and if you’d have seen him, without saying too much, you would understand why I’m saying what I’m saying.’

Mr Chapman's social media profile features various photographs of himself as well as the clip from Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday

Mr Chapman’s social media profile features various photographs of himself as well as the clip from Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday

An air ambulance and police van are seen at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday afternoon

An air ambulance and police van are seen at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday afternoon

She continued: ‘It’s so upsetting to think that apart from that awful viral video of him being attacked by the tiger online that the last photo of that man probably alive is the one that I’ve taken on his phone for him.

‘But, I’m just asking people to keep a broader mind on what’s happened.’

Ms Taylor said she was speaking out after her name appeared ‘all over’ social media, after witnesses described the minutes before the fatal attack. The video was later deleted.

Those at the scene described Mr Chapman as having been dancing up and down a walkway above the enclosure before asking Ms Taylor for the picture.

A video clip appeared to show him moments before he entered the enclosure asking fellow parkgoers to take a picture of him with the animal.

He says: ‘Excuse me, can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?’ while Altai lies in the background under a shaded tree, playing with a fallen branch.

A woman, believed to be Ms Taylor, agrees and takes a photo, before he asks three times for ‘one more’ picture and then says: ‘Thank you, lady.’

An animal ranger at the zoo, Charlotte Pywell, said: ‘I was not there. I don’t know who the guy was or what made him jump.

‘It was not the tiger’s fault at all. It was just something else to play with. The keepers are all distraught. It was not a very nice day.’

In a statement, the park said: ‘Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger.

‘We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanized as a result of this incident.

‘We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday’s [Sunday] tragic incident.’

His former school also released a statement on Tuesday which said: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former student, William Chapman.

‘Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with William’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

‘We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us. It was a privilege to be part of his journey, and he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

‘William will be truly missed, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. Rest in peace, William.’

The licensing authority for Yorkshire Wildlife Park, City of Doncaster Council, has now launched a health and safety investigation into the man’s death.

Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, said: ‘As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.

‘We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident.

‘At this time, we won’t be commenting further on the individual or the investigation and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time.’

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the Land of the Tigers attraction opening in 2011.

The attraction is a purpose-built, two-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild.

Photos of the enclosure on the park’s website show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.

Kelly Clarkson’s Brooklyn Store Outburst: Owner Makes New Claims

0

Ilhan Omar’s Husband Seen After DHS Raid as Trump Questions Couple’s Washington Home Finances

0

Tim Mynett, the husband of embattled Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), was seen in public Tuesday for the first time since Department of Homeland Security agents raided the couple’s Washington, DC, residence — a home President Trump questioned whether they could afford.

Mynett kept his eyes fixed on the pavement as he walked the family’s yellow Labrador retriever, Teddy, back toward the house. Homeland Security Investigations agents had carried out a search warrant there early Monday, removing items from the property.

The search is believed to be connected to an ongoing criminal fraud investigation involving the immigration paperwork of the Somalia-born congresswoman.

Trump, who has repeatedly accused Omar of illegally marrying her brother, weighed in on Truth Social Tuesday. He suggested the “Squad” member could have been linked to “fraudulent activities,” pointing to a sharp increase in her reported net worth that Omar has attributed to an accounting error.

“Why did Ilhan Omar report a Net Worth of up to 30 Million Dollars just a short time ago, and then immediately say, ‘Oh, I made a mistake! It’s really $100,000,’” Trump wrote. “Could it be that her highly paid accountant actually reported the money that was stolen from her fraudulent activities in Minnesota? Would something like that be possible? Do you think the accountant actually gave the right number the first time, 30 Million Dollars, and then she was forced to disavow because she never would have been able to report where that much money came from?

“She must have freaked out when she saw that money!” Trump added.

The president also questioned how Omar and Mynett could afford their Washington residence: a four-bedroom, 1,900-square-foot Cape Cod assessed at roughly $600,000. Property records do not identify either Omar or Mynett as the owner, and the home has previously been offered for rent.

“Where did her house come from, where did her cars come from, and what about her lovely place in Washington, D.C.?” Trump wrote. “I didn’t know that Congressmen and women made that kind of money, but I do know her husband, according to information and belief, makes almost nothing, so it couldn’t have come from him.”

The Post previously reported that Mynett listed the value of his venture capital firm, Rose Lake Capital, along with his now-defunct California wine company, eStCru, at as much as $30 million in Omar’s 2024 financial disclosure.

In Omar’s 2025 disclosure, however, Mynett reported no earnings from Rose Lake Capital and between $200 and $1,000 in income from the wine business, which closed in April.

“How many people did she illegally bring into our Country from Somalia?” Trump continued. “America wants answers, and we want them, NOW!”

Omar’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Man Accused of Stabbing Mom 30 Times Texted Body Photo: Cops

0

Left: Manuel Farfan-Cabello (Broward County Jail). Right: Ylda Cabello-Ynocente (Facebook).

A Florida man allegedly fatally stabbed his mother 30 times after saying he was tired of her bothering him. He later sent a photograph of her body to the family group chat, accompanied by a message saying, “she is dead.”

Manuel Farfan-Cabello, 28, faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his 58-year-old mother, Ylda Cabello-Ynocente.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office was called to the 5300 block of NW 28th Street in Tamarac at about 7:45 p.m. Friday following a report of a stabbing, according to a press release.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Farfan-Cabello contacted 911 and told dispatchers that he had killed his mother. He allegedly said the stabbing occurred roughly four hours earlier and that he later threw the weapon into a nearby pond.

Deputies arrived at the residence and arrested him.

Inside, investigators reported finding a “substantial amount of blood throughout the living room and kitchen areas.” Deputies described Cabello-Ynocente’s body as “stiff and cold to the touch.” She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A trail of blood reportedly extended from the home to a neighbor’s porch. Surveillance footage from that residence showed Farfan-Cabello ringing the doorbell earlier that evening, according to the affidavit.

Relatives told investigators that a family member in Peru had called to say that “something horrible had occurred” at the Tamarac home. Farfan-Cabello’s aunt allegedly said he used his mother’s phone to post a message in the family group chat stating in Spanish that “she is dead,” according to the complaint.

Another alleged message read: “Please forgive me, but God told me to do it.”

When relatives asked him to provide a photograph confirming what had happened, he allegedly sent one, investigators said.

The image reportedly showed the victim on the floor surrounded by blood.

Farfan-Cabello also spoke by phone with another family member.

“I killed my mom,” he allegedly said. “Yes. I was tired of her. She was bothering me too much, and I am here with God.”

Detectives said the suspect then told relatives he intended to burn his mother’s body. Family members persuaded him to contact law enforcement instead.

Relatives told deputies that Farfan-Cabello had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. In an interview with local NBC affiliate WTVJ, they said he had experienced serious struggles for years and frequently suffered hallucinations.

An autopsy found that Cabello-Ynocente had been stabbed 30 times, according to the arrest affidavit.

Farfan-Cabello remains held without bond at the Broward County Jail. A judge appointed a public defender to represent him and ordered that he undergo a mental health evaluation.

Soros-Backed Philly DA Blames Police Misconduct in Cop Killer Case

0

Eric Lewis, accused of ambushing Philadelphia police officers and killing one of them, was acquitted of murder in 2019. The district attorney now says police misconduct compromised that earlier case.

Lewis, 35, is accused of fatally shooting Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and injuring Seiber’s partner. He now faces 76 charges, including murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and other related offenses.

In a video statement Tuesday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Lewis’s earlier murder acquittal resulted from police misconduct that damaged the case.

“Why was this man out of custody? The answer is this: This man is out of custody because a balanced, good and fair judge did what he had to do because two absolutely excellent prosecutors did everything humanly possible with a case and an investigation that was so deeply flawed,” Krasner said. He added that the case contained serious errors and alleged that the conduct of one officer and one detective was “arguably criminal.”

Eric Lewis

Eric Lewis faces 76 charges, including murder, attempted murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer and 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. (Philadelphia Police Department)

Krasner said an officer involved in the earlier case had been in a relationship with Lewis’s sister and attempted to undermine the officer’s testimony by “making up a complete lie.”

According to Krasner, the officer fabricated a claim that he had received an anonymous tip identifying someone named “Spice” as the actual killer. Krasner said no such person exists.

“This is beyond outrageous. This is giving false information to law enforcement,” Krasner said. He described the conduct as an effort to avoid participating in the case and said it amounted to obstruction of the administration of justice, calling it “outrageous, despicable and tragic.”

Krasner said the judge alerted police internal affairs about the incident. He said one officer was fired and another disciplined, but added that he had no additional information.

In a statement to Fox News, the Philadelphia Police Department said, “Assigning blame while families are grieving does nothing to advance accountability or support those affected.”

Shane Seiber

The fallen officer was identified as Shane Seiber, a 40-year-old father of two and Air Force veteran who spent 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department. (Philadelphia Police Department)

“True leadership does not seek to assign fault in a moment like this. It stands with the families. And when the time comes, it holds itself to the same scrutiny it asks of others,” the department said.

Court records show that Lewis, who worked for the Philadelphia Water Department, has a criminal record dating to 2012.

Larry Krasner, Philadelphia's district attorney, center, departs after a hearing at City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.

Larry Krasner, Philadelphia’s district attorney, center, departs after a hearing at City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Ryan Collerd/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Lewis’s record began with a 2012 conviction for theft and receiving stolen property. The next year, he was convicted of gun-related offenses and simple assault and received probation.

In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct related to fighting and was again sentenced to probation.

Seiber, 40, was an Air Force veteran and father of two who served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.

Vatican Confirms Pope Leo Has Lung Cancer

0

Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung cancer after surgeons removed part of his right lung.

The 71-year-old Pontiff underwent a scheduled 90-minute operation on Tuesday morning after doctors identified a lesion on his chest.

The Vatican later confirmed that the nodule had been removed, but laboratory tests detected cancerous cells.

The examination confirmed adenocarcinoma, one of the most common types of lung cancer.

A Vatican spokesman said Pope Leo spent around three hours in the operating theatre.

He said the procedure was successful and that no complications had occurred.

Pope Leo, pictured this morning, has been diagnosed with lung cancer, the Vatican has confirmed

Pope Leo, pictured this morning, has been diagnosed with lung cancer, the Vatican confirmed

Pope Leo XIV arrived today at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, ahead of the surgery to remove a lung nodule

Pope Leo XIV arrived at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy, today ahead of surgery to remove a lung nodule

Following the operation, Pope Leo XIV woke normally and was taken back to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor.

Doctors expect him to remain in hospital for about a week. The Vatican cancelled all of Leo’s audiences through October 20 on Monday.

Additional tests were being conducted to determine whether the cancer had spread, a source said.

Earlier in the day, the Pope walked through the main entrance of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and waved to dozens of well-wishers waiting to welcome him.

Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora issued the following statement about Tuesday’s procedure: ‘The Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery as scheduled.

‘To ensure a radical procedure, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the right lung using a video-assisted technique. An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected by the pre-operative tests.

‘The Holy Father was in the operating theatre for approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted around 90 minutes. The procedure was successful and there were no complications.

‘After the operation, the Pope woke normally and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the 10th floor.

‘The surgical team was led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, with assistance from Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr Maria Teresa Congedo and Dr Leonardo Petracca Caravella.

‘The anaesthesia team comprised Professor Massimo Antonelli, Dr Giovanni Punzo and Dr Giuseppe Bello.’

The Pope is welcomed by Health Director Andrea Cambieri as he arrives at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital today

Pope Leo is welcomed by Health Director Andrea Cambieri as he arrives at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital today

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. Smoking is generally the main cause of lung cancer, although this form is more frequently found in non-smokers.

The lump was first detected during ‘routine checks’, according to the Vatican.  

The American Pontiff has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy.

The Pope revealed the discovery of the small, localized nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and announced that he would have it removed.

He said then: ‘The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers.’ 

Experts said prior to the operation that even if the nodule turned out to be cancerous, Leo’s prognosis is ‘excellent’ since it will have been removed at an early stage. 

A churchman who saw Leo on Monday, Tokyo Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi Tsutomu, said the pope told him he felt fine and decided to have the surgery immediately so that he wouldn’t have to alter his upcoming travel plans to Latin America.

But the decision clearly came as a surprise. While Gemelli has a specific papal apartment that past popes have used, complete with a private chapel on the tenth floor, Leo will actually be staying in a nearby room since the papal apartment is currently undergoing renovations, according to the Vatican press office.

The European Institute of Oncology (EIO) advises patients not to fly for three weeks after surgery – which would give the Chicago-born pope just the interval needed to make his planned November 6 to November 17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, depending on his recovery.

The current itinerary for the trip is ambitious and the longest of his papacy to date, calling for Leo to clock just over 31,000km (19,263 miles) on a dozen flights and two helicopter rides, and a significant altitude change in Peru.

‘I think the Holy Father is in excellent hands at Gemelli,’ Dr Spaggiari, of the EIO said. ‘They have everything needed to keep the Holy Father alive for a long time.’

A lung nodule is a small abnormal area measuring less than 3cm (1.2 inches) that sometimes appears on a CT scan of the chest or abdomen.

Often, the scans are done to investigate trauma or a lung infection, unrelated to a lung cancer screening.

A nodule can be benign or malignant, and oftentimes surgical removal is recommended both to establish whether it is cancer and to treat a malignancy while it is still localised.

Pope Francis died aged 88 in April last year of a stroke after a long period at the Gemelli hospital for double pneumonia. 

Qantas Passenger Says Airline Ignored Bed Bug Warnings

0

Passengers on a Qantas flight were reportedly jolted awake by screams after bed bugs were seen crawling up their legs, across personal items and along the aircraft windows.

The alleged infestation came to light on October 9, when travellers aboard flight QF5 from Perth to Rome said they had been bitten during the journey.

Qantas subsequently cancelled the return flight from Rome to Perth on Saturday, removing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from service for extensive cleaning and fumigation.

However, passengers claim they had warned Qantas crew about the insects several hours earlier, while travelling on the Sydney-to-Perth section of QF5. They were reportedly shocked when the plane continued its journey to Rome.

Passenger Hailey Bagnall told 9News the bugs were spreading across luggage, clothes, Qantas blankets and even the plane windows.

She said the insects continued appearing as passengers moved to collect their bags.

According to Bagnall, bed bugs were found inside her husband’s shoes and crawling up their legs and across their jumpers.

Several other passengers also reported being bitten during the gruelling 17-hour flight from Australia to Italy.

A Qantas flight has been grounded after an outbreak of bed bugs, leaving passengers stranded in Rome for days

A Qantas aircraft was taken out of service following a bed bug outbreak, leaving passengers stranded in Rome for several days

Passenger Hailey Bagnall said they were crawling over her clothing, Qantas-issue blanket and the plane windows

Hailey Bagnall said bed bugs were found on her clothes, her Qantas blanket and the aircraft windows

Other travellers complained of being bitten on the 17-hour service to Italy and said they were woken to screams

Travellers on the 17-hour flight to Italy said they were bitten and woken by screaming during the journey

One passenger said they woke to screams and heard a baby repeatedly saying “buggies”, while some travellers became sick.

Qantas provided affected passengers with accommodation and moved them onto replacement flights within 48 hours of their scheduled departure.

The airline said cancelling the return service allowed its maintenance teams to carry out a thorough deep clean of the aircraft.

“We sincerely apologise to customers for the cancellation of Saturday’s Rome to Perth service, which allowed our engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean of the aircraft after an issue was identified on a small number of economy seats,” a Qantas spokesperson said.

Qantas said its planes undergo regular cleaning and are disinfected every 50 days as a precautionary measure.

The Perth-Rome route is a popular non-stop service for Australia’s national carrier. Qantas had extended its seasonal schedule through late October, adding 40 flights and nearly 10,000 seats.

Bed bugs are tiny, wingless insects measuring between one and five millimetres that survive by feeding on human blood.

The pests can spread quickly by concealing themselves in clothes, furniture, luggage and other personal possessions.

The bugs, which feed on human blood, spread through clothing, furniture and personal belongings and are notoriously difficult to eradicate

The blood-feeding insects measure just one to five millimetres, can travel through clothing and belongings, and are notoriously difficult to eliminate

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate once they take hold, often requiring extreme heat, freezing, chemical treatments and fumigation.

Their bites can cause itching and swelling, although the insects are not known to spread disease.

‘Bed bugs are not believed to transmit diseases to humans,’ according to the Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel website.

‘Their bite typically causes a large, reddened and itchy weal that fades to a red spot.’

The health authority said the bites themselves were painless, while the severity of the reaction differed between people.

‘Some people do not react to the bites, but for others the bites can become itchy and swell into reddened weals (or welts).’

It is not the first time the blood-sucking pests have disrupted an international flight.

Bed bugs were found aboard a British Airways service from Vancouver to London in 2017, while passengers on a Turkish Airlines flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul complained of an outbreak in 2024.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley Hallmark Movies Fans Loved or Missed

Kimberly Williams-Paisley has become a familiar face to Hallmark viewers, thanks to a run of popular films and her long, famously private marriage to country singer Brad Paisley. But many of her newer fans may not realize that her screen career began in the 1991 comedy “Father of the Bride,” where she starred alongside Steve Martin. After appearing in shows including “According to Jim” and “Two and a Half Men,” she eventually found a regular place on the Hallmark Channel. Her first project with the network was the 2017 movie “Darrow & Darrow.”

In 2021, she teamed up with her younger sister, Ashley Williams, for two Christmas movies. “A lot of the time Hallmark movies I think are really fun to watch because it’s about a guy and a girl and whether or not they’re going to be together,” Williams-Paisley told People. She added that their films placed the focus on female friendship and solidarity. “For the two of us, these movies were really about women supporting women and that was a really fun thing. That’s a really important part of our relationship.”

Williams-Paisley was largely absent from screens between 2021 and 2025 after unexpectedly losing her voice in 2022. Doctors diagnosed her with muscle tension dysphonia, a condition that left her unable to speak and forced her to turn down acting opportunities. She later said the setback was heartbreaking. A medical procedure in 2024 restored her ability to speak, and she went on to host the reality series “Farmer Wants a Wife.” She now stars in ABC’s “9-1-1 Nashville.” Whether she will return to Hallmark remains uncertain, but her filmography includes both beloved favorites and titles that viewers have been far less enthusiastic about.

Follow the Stars Home was touching and emotional

In 2001, Williams-Paisley led the made-for-television drama “Follow the Stars Home.” Although CBS broadcast the film, it was produced for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, which at the time aired on major network television. She played Dianne Parker-McCune, a mother raising a daughter with a disability while deciding whether to reunite with her ex-husband or begin a relationship with his more compassionate brother. Dianne also faces the painful realities of having an alcoholic mother and an abusive maternal figure in her life.

Critics responded positively to the film’s emotional story and its willingness to address heavier subjects than Hallmark productions typically explored. “Kimberly Williams is a beautiful actress, and this movie has become one of my favorites,” one reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes wrote.

The same reviewer praised the movie as “a beautiful look at what love can do with the unexpected things that might seem ‘bad’ at first but turns out to be blessings in disguise.” Another viewer on IMDb called it “an incredible movie” that inspires gratitude, adding that Williams-Paisley portrayed the grieving, struggling mother beautifully.

Darrow & Darrow was criticized for the central mystery

After establishing herself as a wife, mother and performer in her own right, Williams-Paisley returned to Hallmark 16 years later with 2017’s “Darrow & Darrow.” She played Claire Darrow, an idealistic attorney who prioritizes justice over financial gain. Claire takes on the case of a local shop owner and friend accused of robbing a jewelry store, all while managing the demands of raising her preteen daughter and dealing with her estranged mother. Her legal battle becomes more complicated when she repeatedly clashes with assistant district attorney Miles Strasberg, played by Tom Cavanagh, who also keeps asking her out.

The movie drew mixed reactions, particularly over its tangled mystery. Some viewers felt the script failed to provide enough clues to make the solution satisfying, while others thought the climactic courtroom sequence delivered too much exposition at once. “I found myself going, ‘wait, when did we learn that?’ Or, ‘when did they find that out?’” one Redditor wrote.

A Letterboxd reviewer similarly argued that the central mystery was weakened by the many character-driven subplots. According to the review, Claire appears to interview only one witness before the entire case falls apart, while the courtroom finale tries to evoke “Perry Mason” but instead feels more like an unrealistic trial scene from a low-budget procedural.

The Christmas Train was too cliche for some viewers

While the “Darrow & Darrow” movies were being developed, Williams-Paisley also appeared in Hallmark’s 2017 holiday film “The Christmas Train.” Dermot Mulroney played Tom, a disillusioned journalist traveling by rail who unexpectedly encounters his former girlfriend, Eleanor, played by Williams-Paisley. Tom still has feelings for her, while the other passengers seem to understand more about the couple’s past than they initially reveal.

Despite its high-profile cast, which also included Joan Cusack and Danny Glover, “The Christmas Train” received a chilly response from many Hallmark fans. Critics called the story overly sentimental and objected to a twist that felt more suited to a psychological thriller than a holiday romance. One viewer on IMDb described the script as packed with corny clichés and said nearly every line and plot development was terrible, labeling it “The worst Hallmark Christmas movie ever made.”

A Letterboxd reviewer was equally unimpressed, writing that Tom and Eleanor had virtually no chemistry and questioning why viewers were meant to root for them as a couple. The reviewer also said the twist was so confusing that it seemed as if an important detail had been missed.

Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder was a witty improvement over the first film

Williams-Paisley returned as Claire Darrow in the 2018 sequel “Darrow & Darrow: In the Key of Murder.” This time, Claire joins forces with ADA Miles Strasberg to clear Miles’ sister, a musician accused of murdering her manager.

The follow-up earned a warmer reception than the original, and Williams-Paisley enjoyed its lighter tone. “I definitely think this ‘Darrow and Darrow’ is even more playful than the first one and I love those playful scenes,” she told International Business Times. “I love this role and love doing these movies.” Although Cavanagh has been married to his wife since 2004, he and Williams-Paisley generated convincing on-screen sparks through Claire and Miles’ flirtatious dynamic.

Viewers also considered the sequel’s mystery more effective than the case in the first film. “An improvement on the first TV movie as Cavanagh and Williams-Paisley start to build a chemistry together,” one Letterboxd reviewer wrote. An IMDb user praised the casting and called the movie quirky and charming, describing its murder mystery as engaging without being overly complicated.

Darrow & Darrow: Body of Evidence was fun and kept viewers guessing

The “Darrow & Darrow” franchise continued later in 2018 with “Body of Evidence.” Williams-Paisley’s Claire and Cavanagh’s Miles investigated the case of a woman who may have been wrongly imprisoned for killing her husband a year earlier. As they worked to prove her innocence, Miles confronted the professional consequences of helping the defense, while he and Claire continued avoiding a clear conversation about their relationship.

Fans often describe the “Darrow & Darrow” films as improving with each entry, and “Body of Evidence” received particular praise for its storytelling and the increasingly entertaining relationship between Claire and Miles. Writing for Carstairs Considers, critic Mark Baker said he enjoyed the characters and their interactions, especially the playful teasing that produced several laughs before the conclusion.

An IMDb reviewer also praised the series for being well cast and directed. The reviewer called the plots light, accessible and enjoyable—a welcome alternative to the many television shows built around constant shock value.

Witness to Murder: A Darrow Mystery featured a weak story

The franchise concluded with 2019’s “Witness to Murder: A Darrow Mystery.” Claire and Miles once again found themselves on opposing sides of a courtroom battle. Claire represented a former colleague of her mother, while Miles handled the prosecution. Their developing romance was put on hold when Miles’ former love interest, a police lieutenant, returned to the story.

Some viewers felt the final installment was held back by flat writing and an overly predictable mystery. “The first few movies were charming, this time the characters were annoying about their ‘non’ relationship and most of the movie felt very contrived,” one IMDb critic wrote.

Another IMDb reviewer also compared this film unfavorably with the other “Darrow & Darrow” episodes and felt the chemistry between the leads was wasted on their tepid romance, writing, “There are so many things wrong with the story I don’t have the patience to list them. Not the least of these is the developing romance where the characters also act like Middle Schoolers. The court scenes come off like the juvenile’s take on a ‘Perry Mason’ episode.”

A Nashville Christmas Carol didn’t resonate with everyone

In 2020, Williams-Paisley left the “Darrow & Darrow” series and had a Southern accent to portray the Spirit of Christmas Present in the holiday film “A Nashville Christmas Carol.” The film starred Jessy Schram (one of the most surprisingly wealthy Hallmark stars) as Vivienne, a workaholic TV producer visited by the Spirit of Christmas Past and the Spirit of Christmas Present, who guide her toward a more peaceful inner life and a reunion with her ex.

The film featured appearances by country singers such as Wynonna Judd and Sara Evans. Reviewers unfamiliar with the country-music scene did not enjoy these cameos. A Letterboxd reviewer said, “A country music theme is a big challenge for me … Plus the singers shouldn’t have been giving actual speaking roles because they are lifeless, monotone, and absolutely terrible.” 

Although Williams-Paisley played only a minor role in this film, she was still called out for her attempt at a southern accent; an IMDb reviewer wrote that the Nashville-centric Hallmark films “are generally weak on plot and heavy on singers who can’t act. You’ll usually find at least one flat or embarrassing performance — hello, Wynonna Judd and Kimberley Paisley-Williams of the varying accent.”

Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday was uneven

Williams-Paisley teamed up with her younger sister, Hallmark stalwart Ashley Williams (who has experienced some ups and downs with her films’ receptions), for a duo of movies titled “Sister Swap” that were released a week apart in 2021. The two films were cut from the same roll of footage, with Ashley Williams telling PIX 11, “We talked about maybe making it one movie but it just didn’t feel like enough, you know?” Williams-Paisley added that creating the movie was “one of the great joys of my entire career.” 

The first film, “A Hometown Holiday,” focused on Williams-Paisley’s character, Jennifer, a widow who swaps places with her sister, Meg, to restore their late uncle’s small-town movie theater.

A Letterboxd reviewer thought the concept of one story told from two points of view was cool, but concluded, “This was just kind of boring? … And I’ve kind of already forgotten how it resolved even though I finished it a few hours ago lol.” A reviewer on IMDb felt the actors’ talents were wasted with the uneven writing: “The chemistry between Kimberly and Mark [Deklin, portraying a love interest] was fine. … Given that Kimberly and Ashley are both great at comedy, I’m surprised that this series was more of a drama. And not a very well done one at that.”

Sister Swap: Christmas in the City was confusing

The second “Sister Swap” film, “Christmas in the City,” focused on Ashley Williams’ character, Meg, as she takes over her sister Jennifer’s Salt Lake City restaurant. Though Williams-Paisley didn’t play as prominent a role, she emphasized, “I hope that people will see the love in these films. They are certainly made with love and joy” (per a Hallmark Channel promo).

However, the reception to the second installment was lukewarm. Reviewers complained that the storyline was confusing at times and that the two films together didn’t quite pull off the “one story, two points of view” concept. 

“I am not even sure what the storyline was supposed to be. But the most watchable part is the interaction and relationship between the sisters,” one IMDb viewer wrote. A Letterboxd user said, “It feels more like a few deleted scenes from the first with a lot of random stuff added on … It is fun to have two movies that when watched together tell a larger story. But this didn’t quite pull that off.”

Mamdani Says He Has No Plans to Fire NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch

0

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday that he has “no plans” to remove NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, appearing alongside the city’s top police official at a ceremony honoring officers who died in the line of duty.

“Jessica Tisch is the police commissioner. I have no plans to change that,” Mamdani told reporters in Queens at a news conference held before the memorial service.

Mamdani said he appointed Tisch because of her record of confronting corruption within the upper ranks of the NYPD.

His comments are likely to disappoint members of his left-wing political base, who have called for Tisch’s dismissal and urged the city to disband two specialized NYPD units after an encounter involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the Bronx last week.

The criticism comes as New York recorded its lowest number of murders during the first six months of any year, according to NYPD statistics released in July.

Mamdani and Tisch later attended a ceremony at the New York City Police Memorial in Lower Manhattan, where the names of 42 officers were added to the memorial wall on Liberty Street.

The appearance marked their first joint event since City Hall directed the NYPD to review its use-of-force policies a day earlier. Critics characterized the move as an attempt to ease mounting pressure from groups opposed to police practices.

Neither Mamdani nor Tisch appeared to show signs of tension over the directive as they addressed attendees at the memorial. First dedicated in 1997, the site honors members of New York’s Finest who lost their lives while serving the city.

The mayor said 41 of the officers recognized Tuesday were first responders who later died from illnesses linked to the September 11 attacks.

NYPD Detective and father Didarul Islam was also honored. He was killed in July 2025 when a gunman entered a Midtown office building.

“I thank you for loving these New Yorkers, for raising these New Yorkers, for tending to them as they tended to all of us,” Mamdani told the families gathered at the memorial.

“While we cannot fill the silence they left behind, we will refuse to let their memory fade,” he said.

Tisch thanked Mamdani for attending the ceremony before delivering her own remarks.

“Here, we pause. We pause to remember the people who helped make all of that possible, and who lost their lives in service to others,” she said.