Articles in ‘Crime’

Police have recovered a culturally significant mere pounamu allegedly stolen from a church museum in Hamilton. The taonga was returned to its custodians after investigators traced it to a property in Tokoroa. Report by elocal: Based on reporting by RNZ. Original article https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/687328/man-charged-after-taking-mere-pounamu-from-church-museum. · Alleged Theft From Museum · A 45-year-old man has been charged…

Prosecutors have presented a letter and text messages they say contain Tyler Robinson’s admission to murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson has been charged with the killing but has not yet entered a plea. INR Report: Based on reporting by RT HERE. · Letter Presented In Court · Utah prosecutors have presented a letter they allege was written by Tyler Robinson before the murder of US conservative activist and political organiser…

Four decades after one of New Zealand's most controversial murder investigations, the High Court is again examining whether crucial witness evidence was withheld from the original trial. The proceedings revisit one of the country's most significant miscarriages of justice. Original Article: RNZ — Arthur Easton murder: Ethnicity of suspect debated in High Court by Matthew Theunissen. HERE · Witness stands by account · The High Court in Auckland…

The High Court at Hamilton has ruled that a man accused of killing an eight-year-old child with a hammer is mentally unfit to stand trial. The decision follows extensive psychiatric assessments finding his schizophrenia prevents him from understanding or properly participating in legal proceedings Report by eLocal · Court finds accused mentally unfit · A man accused of murdering eight-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti has been ruled unfit to stand…

Members of the US House Oversight Committee have heard testimony from former intelligence officials, researchers and journalists alleging that elements of the CIA's controversial MK-Ultra programme may have continued beyond the 1970s. The hearing revisited one of the darkest chapters in American intelligence history while raising new questions about government transparency, oversight and declassification INR Report: Based on reporting by Frank…

Nearly 39 years after the fatal shooting of Red Fox Tavern publican Chris Bush, the Supreme Court has unanimously quashed the convictions of two men who had been sentenced to life imprisonment. The decision marks a dramatic turning point in one of New Zealand's longest-running criminal investigations. Report by eLocal · Supreme Court overturns convictions · The Supreme Court has quashed the convictions of the two men found guilty of murdering…

An aged-care worker has been sentenced to more than 10 years' imprisonment after being convicted of raping one elderly resident and sexually assaulting another at a residential care facility. Following the lifting of name suppression, RNZ has identified the offender as Nilushan Jayanga Silva Ginthota Vidhanage. The care facility where the offending occurred remains permanently suppressed by court order. INR Report: Based on reporting by Sam…

A retired scientist connected to Los Alamos National Laboratory disappeared without a trace after reportedly assisting with a classified quantum research project. Newly released police records have fuelled speculation about his work and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his disappearance INR Report: Based on reporting by Frank Bergman for Slay News. · A missing former employee of Los Alamos National Laboratory was reportedly involved in…

Germany has reportedly upgraded the legal classification of the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage from infrastructure sabotage to a possible war crime. The move signals investigators may now view the attack as part of the wider Russia–Ukraine conflict, with potential implications extending beyond the prosecution of individual suspects. INR Report: Based on reporting by RT HERE. · German prosecutors have reportedly escalated the legal…

A former senior aide to then-UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pleaded guilty to using confidential government information to place bets on the timing of the 2024 British general election. The case has intensified scrutiny of how privileged information can be misused for personal gain. INR Report: Based on reporting by RT. · Former MP admits offence · Craig Williams, a former Conservative MP and parliamentary aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi…