Death Toll In Oklahoma Tornadoes Hits 24 (Video)

Tornadoes in the Oklahoma ravaged the town of Moore, left 24 people dead. Many others lost their homes and vehicles during the terrifying twisters that left a path of devastation, creating $2 billion dollars in damage. Natural disasters have struck all over the world and the one constant must be our ability as human beings to care for one another and rebuild in the face of tragedy. The Judiciary Report sends its condolences to Moore over the lives lost.

15 Dead In Tragic Texas Plant Explosion (Video)

A fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas killed at least 15 people and leveled many homes yesterday. Over 160 people were also injured and reports indicate rescuers are still searching for survivors of the blaze, as many have been reported missing.

The Associated Press describes West, Texas as, "A flat farming community 20 miles from Waco" with "2,800" residents. This incident is another reminder of the potency of fertilizer, which has been used in many makeshift bombs by terrorists.

STORY SOURCE

Rescuers Hunt for Survivors of Texas Fertilizer Explosion 

8-Year-Old Dies In Boston Marathon Bombing And His Little Sister Loses Her Leg (Video)

8-year-old Martin Richard went to greet his dad at the finish line of the Boston Marathon yesterday, in what would be his last moments of life. Two bombs exploded during a terrorist attack, claiming the young boy's life and his little sister, standing close by, lost her leg. Martin's mother sustained serious injuries and is currently hospitalized. Martin's dad was running for Sandy Hook, another terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of innocent people.

Photos From The Boston Marathon Bombing (Warning Graphic Images)

3 Dead, 176 Injured Several Of Them Children, 17 In Critical Condition, 10 With Loss Of Limbs And More Amputations Are Expected

Pictures have emerged of the terrible injuries many sustained during the unconscionable Boston Marathon bombings that occurred yesterday in Massachusetts. What was to be a day of triumph, became one of tragedy, due to a terrorist attack, where two bombs containing ball bearings detonated:

 

Terrorist Attack At Boston Marathon Leaves 3 Dead, 10 With Loss Of Limbs, 17 In Critical Condition, 132 Injured [Video]

 132 People Injured

The iconic Boston Marathon in Massachusetts ended today in terrible tragedy, as bombs exploded near the finish line. 3 people were killed, including an 8-year-old boy. 132 people were injured in the bloodbath, which included loss of limbs and amputations.

This unspeakably wicked, unconscionable act of human cruelty has shaken Boston, as bombs have been located in strategically placed historic points of interest, aimed at physically, emotionally and mentally damaging the city.

ABC News reported authorities are looking for a dark skinned male with a foreign accent, carrying a black backpack and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, as he attempted to access a restricted area minutes before the bombs went off. This is unquestionably an act of terror, whether of domestic or foreign origin. To attack innocent people going about their lives at a celebrated public event is terrorism.

12-Year-Old Boy Dies From Injuries After Being Bullied (Video)

12-year-old Bailey O'Neill of Pennsylvania, was taken off life support one day after his birthday. O'Neill was a victim of schoolyard bullying and sustained serious injuries in an attack, which resulted in a broken nose and seizures from trauma to his brain. He was placed in a medically induced coma to relieve pressure on his brain.

A Facebook page posted in O'Neill's honor read, "First of all I want to say the battle isn't over we will remember Bailey always and we will continue this fight until Bullying is eradicated," said a post on the Prayers for Bailey O'Neill Facebook page, which is not run by the family.

"With the heaviest heart we want to inform you all that Bailey has gone to be with the Lord please, please, please continue to pray for his family and continue on this fight for us until no child ever has to face a situation like this again. God Bless You all thank you so much!"

The Judiciary Report has stated in the past and reiterates, bullying should be criminalized. Kids are seriously injured or commit suicide from bullying. Something must be done to stop it. Only a small percentage of students would be unwise enough to risk jail to bully others, thus reducing the number of incidents.

RELATED ARTICLE

15-Year-Old Girl Who Killed Herself After Having Sex With Four Football Players On Camera Highlights The Ongoing Problem Of Bullying

Protests On The One Year Anniversary Of Trayvon Martin's Death

A year ago, 17-year-old Miami teenager, Trayvon Martin, was shot and killed in Florida by neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, 28, who racially profiled the youth. Protests, demonstrations and other gatherings were held today to commemorate his untimely death. In the meantime, the contentious Zimmerman murder trial continues in Sanford, Florida.

STORY SOURCE

One year later, candlelight vigils for Trayvon Martin

Parents Of Shooting Victim In Oscar Pistorius Case Speak Out About The Sprinter

Oscar Pistorius

Barry Steenkamp and his wife, June Steenkamp, have spoken out about the shooting death of their daughter, model, Reeva Steenhkamp, at the hands of Olympic and Paralympic sprinter, Oscar Pistorius. The athlete has stated in court that the shooting was an accident, as he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, but based on their statements, her parents are not convinced.

 

Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius

Barry Steenkamp stated, "If it didn't happen the way he says it did he must suffer and he will suffer. It does not matter how much money he has and how good his legal team is, he will have to live with his conscience. But if he speaks the truth, I can perhaps some day forgive him."

Barry Steenkamp

June Steenkamp said of her daughter's death, "She loved like no-one else could love. She had so much of herself to give and now all of it is gone. Just like that, she is gone. In the blink of an eye and a single breath, the most beautiful person who ever lived is no longer here. All we have is this horrendous death to deal with, to get to grips with. All we want are answers, answers as to why this had to happen, why our beautiful daughter had to die like this."

The Rugged Sports Star At The Center Of Cheating Allegations In The Oscar Pistorius Murder Case Involving Reeva Steenkamp

Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius

Not a lot is currently known about claims model Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot to death by boyfriend, sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, was cheating on him with hunky rugby football player, Francois Hougaard. The muscular rugby star, who dated Steenkamp, was said to have been sending her messages Wonline, which enraged Pistorius.

Francios Hougaard

Once again, these claims have not been confirmed, but it has been stated police retained Steenkamp's iPad as evidence in the case. Hougaard was seen at Steenkamp's funeral is South Africa, whilst Pistorius, who is in custody for her death, continues to make his application for bail in the case.

The Oscar Pistorius Murder Case Explodes With Claims Of An Affair, Steroids, Alcoholism And His Girlfriend's Skull Being Crushed By Cricket Bat

The Oscar Pistorius criminal case, regarding the shooting death of the double amputee Olympian and Paralympian's girlfriend, model and law graduate, Reeva Steenkamp, has taken some very serious and sad turns, as leaks in the press reveal explosive claims. Last week, on February 16, 2013, in the article "Oscar Pistorius Cries In Court As Charges For Killing His Girlfriend Changed To Premeditated Murder (Video)" the Judiciary Report stated, "The police have labeled it 'premeditated murder' due to something they have in their evidence files leading them to believe it is so."

Oscar Pistorius (center)

It appears the smoking gun in their evidence files has arrived, as the following day it was stated in the press, a cricket bat with blood on it was found at the crime scene, the track star's mansion in Pretoria, South Africa and the victim, Steenkamp, was found with a crushed skull and four gunshot wounds (to the head, hip, hand and chest). It is going to be very difficult to explain a crushed skull in a court of law.

Pistorius being perp walked

In a previous interview, prior to the shooting, Pistorius stated he keeps a cricket bat behind his bedroom door, an AK-47 machine gun by the window and a pistol by his bed, in crime plagued South Africa, where the rich have experienced a higher than usual amount of home invasion robberies.

What also complicates this tragic case is an allegation in the press today that late night texts and tweets between Skeenkamp and  ex-boyfriend, South Africa rugby player, Francios Hougaard, enraged Pistorius. Some are attempting to label her death a crime of passion on Valentine's Day. Steenkamp's iPad is being held as evidence regarding the claim.

To any man, especially a disabled man, often discriminated against by society, due to closed minded people, who would make a person with said medical condition feel like less of a man, being cheated on is devastating. However, one must always control one's response to such situations, keeping things in perspective and knowing you are just as good as anyone else.   

 

Francios Hougaard

The trouble does not end there for Pistorius, as it is also being reported the sprinter's home contained steroids and police ordered be tested for its use. If this is in fact the case and these allegations of cheating prove true, Pistorius could be stripped of the medals he has won in competition. 

Another report exists that excessive amounts of alcohol were found in Pistorius' home - a property police repeatedly were called to during "domestic violence" incidents. Three people have come forward in two separate allegations, stating Pistorius was drunk and threatened them. In a case involving two women at a Kings of Leon concert, they stated he was drunk, verbally abusive, called them lesbians and pushed them.

Crime scene inside Pistorius' Pretoria mansion in South Africa

In another incident, a friend of Pistorius' ex-girlfriend stated the athlete threatened to break his legs, believing something was going on between the two of them. He stated he was called to a meeting with police "colonels" where Pistorius showed up with a black eye, from getting into a fight with a friend the night before.  

Pistorius crying in court

If all of the aforementioned points are entered into court record, Pistorius will be in serious legal trouble and could lose his freedom. The picture it paints is one of an angry athlete, using steroids, getting drunk, having violent confrontations with female members of the public and harboring suspicions of girlfriends cheating on him. The irony is, prior to Steenkamp's death, Pistorius was repeatedly referred to in the press as a womanizer.

Country Music Singer Mindy McCready Found Dead Of Suspected Suicide

Mindy McCready

Troubled, drug and alcohol addled country music singer, Mindy McCready, was found dead of an apparent suicide. She was 37 years-old. It is also being stated she killed her dog as well. McCready, who enjoyed a string of hits over a decade ago, was distraught over the suicide death of the father of one of her children, David Wilson. Her downward spiral began due to drugs and alcohol, after very troubled teen years spent prostituting herself.

McCready became the subject of scandal when news of her affair with married baseball player, Roger Clemens, hit the press. She struggled for years as her career declined and fell deeper into substance abuse as a means of escaping the pain. Intensive rehab was in order, but it is something that was not in her plans.

Oscar Pistorius Cries In Court As Charges For Killing His Girlfriend Changed To Premeditated Murder (Video)

 

Track star, Oscar Pistorius, who has been detained in the killing of his girlfriend, model Reea Steenkamp, broke down crying in court when prosecutors announced the charges would be upgraded to premeditated murder. Steenkamp is believed to have surprised Pistorius at his home in Pretoria, South Africa, a nation struggling with violence, leading to her death, as Pistorius has stated he thought she was an intruder.

There are items working for and against the famous, multi-millionaire double amputee in this case. For example, as stated above, South Africa has been plagued by violence, leading to a gun culture in the country, as citizens have armed themselves for protection, especially the rich like Pistorius.

Oscar Pistorius crying in court, as charges are upgraded to "premeditated murder." The athlete denied the charges and sent his condolences to his girlfriend's family.

In November 2012, Pistorius wrote on Twitter that he returned to his home only to hear noises and as a result rushed for his gun, believing the sounds indicated an intruder. However, it was the clothes dryer. The incident can be used to establish there was precedent for Pistorius' believing his home was being broken into and reaching for his weapon.

While some will refer to it as paranoia, but when living in a nation with a high murder and burglary rate, this can become everyday life. People who live in nations or cities with serious crime problems know when you hear a rumbling in your house you cannot identify, it is cause for concern. One is not paranoid when the threat exists and is real, especially if one has been victim to it before, as seen in other cases.

Pistorius breaks down in court

It needs to be established whether Steenkamp had keys to Pistorius' property, as police indicated no signs of forced entry exist. If she had a key and was planning a big surprise for Pistorius, as has been stated online, she could have innocently let herself into his home on Valentine's Day, not realizing what it could turn into in being misidentified as an intruder and shot four times behind a bathroom door. That very well could have happened.

I've attended surprise parties before for friends, who did not know everyone had gathered to wish them the best on their birthday. So, I can't judge Steenkamp or Pistorius' actions in this regard if that is what occurred. That would be one tragic and very sad accident.

Reeva Steenkamp

One item working against Pistorius is claims by the police regarding having been called out to his mansion on previous occasions over "domestic violence" issues. This is not an indication of guilt in a murder case, but will prejudice a jury in the hands of a skillful prosecutor.

Another item that could work against him is the fact Pisotrious was arrested in 2009 for allegedly hitting a woman, who later dropped the charges. The issue, if successfully entered into the court record, will work against him as well and be labeled a pattern of violence against women. A shrewd prosecutor will know how to mold those police reports to create an impression the next step up would be "premeditated murder."

Reeve Steenkamp recently began filming a reality show in Jamaica

Where some believe this case was a tragic accident via a shooting that occurred due to mistaken identity, the police have labeled it "premeditated murder" due to something they have in their evidence files leading them to believe it is so.

Until more facts are released, this case could go either way. It is the Judiciary Report's hope all the facts will come out in this case and if this was truly a case of mistaken identity, in believing Steenkamp was planning a surprise, Pistorius will not face jail. If the police successfully prove this shooting was something else, justice must be served.

Pistorius' previous post last year revealed he had a fear of intruders and went for his gun when he thought someone had broken into his home in November 2012

Steenkamp was said to be planning a Valentines Day surprise for Pistorius

As the Judiciary Report has written in the past, public conduct will impact sponsorship deals (The Positives And Perils Of Fame and Lindsay Lohan Moves Back In With Her Mom But Now Their Home Has Been Hit With Foreclosure Papers). It is now being reported, sponsors are canceling Pistorius' endorsements.

Side Bar: I know some of my readers are gun owners, but as stated previously, I am not into them. So much can go wrong, as seen in this case. I'd previously written about gun violence and celebrities.

RELATED READING

Sponsors rethink links to Oscar Pistorius

February 14 - The sponsors that helped make Oscar Pistorius the highest-profile and highest-paid Paralympic athlete in the world are having to rethink their commitment to the sportsman after he was charged with murder Thursday. The disabled athlete, whose performances at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games made a national hero in South Africa, had links with Nike, sunglass manufacturer Oakley, perfume maker Thierry Mugler and running blade manufacturer Ossur. In total, his sponsorship deals were estimated to be worth about $4.7 million.

Already, the South African satellite TV channel M-Net has pulled its campaign promoting the forthcoming Oscar awards season. "Out of respect and sympathy to the bereaved, M-Net will be pulling its entire Oscar campaign featuring Oscar Pistorius with immediate effect," the channel said.

A Nike spokesperson said: "Nike extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to all families concerned following this tragic incident. As it is a police matter, Nike will not comment further at this time." British Telecom, another sponsor of Pistorius, said it was "shocked by this terrible, tragic news." On Thursday, BT was also shortlisted for an industry award for its sponsorship of Pistorius. No one at Oakley was available for comment...

http://www.washingtonpost.com

Gold Medalist Sprinter Oscar Pistorius Arrested And Charged With The Murder Of His Girlfriend Model Reeva Steenkamp (Videos)

26-year-old Paralympic gold medalist, Oscar Pistorius, has been arrested and charged with the death of his beautiful girlfriend, 30-year-old model and law student, Reeva Steenkamp. The tragedy occurred at his home in Pretoria, South Africa. Pistorius is stating he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder. However, police are stating they are "surprised" at his account of events.

Police are currently investigating the matter and hopefully all the evidence and details will come out in the case, to enable the public and court to understand what truly happened that night. Pistorius is being detained in jail overnight and is scheduled to face a judge in the morning for his first hearing in the criminal case. The two have been dating since the time of the wonderful 2012 London Paralympic games, which changed the public's perception of disability in a positive way. 

Oscar Pistorius being taken into custody

As with any mainstream case, the press is digging for all the information that can be obtained. Thus far, TMZ is reporting, in 2009 Pistorius was arrested for "assaulting a woman" who later dropped the charges. There are also claims in the public domain that previously police have allegedly been to Pistorius' home regarding "domestic violence" issues.

Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius 

This story is truly sad and I'm sorry it happened. Pistorius has struggled with so much due to his disabilities, but in spite of it done so well on the track and with his charity. Just a few days ago, I tweeted a video of him outrunning a race horse. I am hoping for the best in this case, but I also know that a person has died, which is tragic and another is facing the consequences thereof and the feelings of guilt that accompany it. Pistorius is going to have to forgive himself for what happened and most of all seek God's forgiveness as well.

Pistorius spoke of difficulties he faced when younger, as people would turn their kids away, when they would stare at his prosthetic legs, "I see a child and he's staring at my prosthetic legs, often the parent turns the kid away," observed Pistorius. "And they develop a mentality of kind of shying away from disability and not being educated about it. And I think that's what creates the difficulty in society."

That kind of public interaction or lack thereof can hurt a person in many ways. However, there are millions of disabled people in the world, many of whom are amputees and it is nothing to be afraid of or ashamed of in any manner. Disabled people lead normal lives just like everyone else.

Pistorius' Nike Ad "I am the bullet in the chamber" was been pulled from his website. Nike stated the ads were pulled by Pistorius.

My mother has worked with disabled people for the past 15-years, many of whom I have gotten to know and they are wonderful people. The fact of the matter is it is very easy to have a disability. Many are born disabled, but some experience disability later in life via disease, war injuries, car accidents, surgeries gone wrong, falling off one's bed and becoming paralyzed or fights (injury).

15-Year-Old Girl Who Performed At Obama Inauguration Shot To Death In Chicago

Hadiya Pendleton 

Beautiful 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was gunned down at a bus stop in Chicago, Illinois, weeks after performing at the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. An $11,000 reward has been issued for information leading to the capture of the killer. The White House also sent its condolences.

Barack Obama

It marks a heavy week of gun violence for America, as a bus driver in Alabama was killed today trying to protect young kids from a gunman, who took a 6-year-old hostage. There was also an armed hostage standoff in Arizona today. Currently, the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration are working on gun laws, to stem the flow of violence using high powered weapons.

STORY SOURCE

Teen girl who performed at Obama inauguration killed in Chicago shooting

Suspected Alabama gunman holed up with boy in bunker after school bus shooting