Police in suburban Chicago say they have thwarted an alleged mass shooting plot that may have targeted a Hindu place of worship. They have arrested a 19-year-old man, who has been accused of expressing hatred towards Indians and other minority groups. The suspect, identified as Alexandros Paporakis, a Taco Bell cashier from Palatine, Illinois, faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a weapon. Investigators believe he may have planned an attack on the largest Hindu temple in the Aurora area, although authorities have not confirmed the specific intended location.Paporakis was arrested on Sunday, October 11, by officers from the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments after investigators received information about disturbing electronic communications he had allegedly sent to a co-worker.According to prosecutors, the messages included an eight-page document outlining an alleged mass shooting plan, along with photographs of tactical equipment. Co-workers told police that Paporakis had openly identified as a white supremacist and made threats against Indian people.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-supremacist-alexandros-paporakis-terror-plot-against-illinois-hindu-temple-foiled-by-jammed-gun-all-we-know-about-suspect-1792033187519">'White supremacist' terror plot against Illinois Hindu temple foiled by jammed gun: Who is Alexandros Paporakis?</a><h2>Alleged manifesto described a plan to target minorities</h2>Prosecutors allege that Paporakis sent a co-worker a document titled "Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)". According to a court document obtained by The Associated Press, it described Indian, Jewish and African American people as “subhumans” and outlined an alleged plan to kill as many people as possible.The document reportedly contained a statement in which Paporakis described himself as a white supremacist neo-Nazi who fantasised about mass murder.Investigators believe the alleged attack may have been planned for Sunday. Paporakis had reportedly told colleagues that the day would be “a special day”.According to prosecutors, he later contacted a co-worker and said his gun had jammed. Local media reports, citing court records, say investigators believe the weapon malfunction prevented the alleged attack from proceeding as planned. Authorities have not confirmed the precise intended target.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn3.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20261015/image-1792029499054.png"></figure>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/near-the-seat-of-power-far-from-free-protest-jantar-mantar-to-tiananmen-5-iconic-protest-sites-where-protests-are-no-longer-allowed-1791879318970">Near the seat of power, far from free protest? Jantar Mantar to Tiananmen: 5 iconic protest sites where protests are no longer allowed</a><h2>Police recover rifle, ammunition and Nazi-related items found</h2>During a search of Paporakis’ home, detectives recovered an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines, ammunition and other items they believe are connected to the investigation, police and prosecutors said.Authorities also reported finding a gas canister bearing a slur directed at South Asians and items depicting Nazi symbolism. Investigators are examining the alleged manifesto and electronic communications as part of the case. “The seriousness of this alleged threat cannot be overstated,” Palatine Police Chief William Nord said, stressing that protecting places of worship remains a law enforcement priority.The Mount Prospect and Palatine police departments coordinated the arrest. The investigation has also involved the FBI, while Aurora police contacted Hindu places of worship in their jurisdiction to alert them to the potential threat.<h2>Judge orders suspect held before trial</h2>A judge on Wednesday ordered Paporakis to remain in custody while the case proceeds. He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 30.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in suburban Chicago over an alleged mass shooting plot that may have targeted a Hindu temple in Illinois. Investigators say he shared a manifesto expressing hatred towards Indians and other minority groups.


Police in suburban Chicago say they have thwarted an alleged mass shooting plot that may have targeted a Hindu place of worship. They have arrested a 19-year-old man, who has been accused of expressing hatred towards Indians and other minority groups. The suspect, identified as Alexandros Paporakis, a Taco Bell cashier from Palatine, Illinois, faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a weapon. Investigators believe he may have planned an attack on the largest Hindu temple in the Aurora area, although authorities have not confirmed the specific intended location. Paporakis was arrested on Sunday, October 11, by officers from the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments after investigators received information about disturbing electronic communications he had allegedly sent to a co-worker. According to prosecutors, the messages included an eight-page document outlining an alleged mass shooting plan, along with photographs of tactical equipment. Co-workers told police that Paporakis had openly identified as a white supremacist and made threats against Indian people. Also read | 'White supremacist' terror plot against Illinois Hindu temple foiled by jammed gun: Who is Alexandros Paporakis? Alleged manifesto described a plan to target minorities Prosecutors allege that Paporakis sent a co-worker a document titled "Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)". According to a court document obtained by The Associated Press, it described Indian, Jewish and African American people as “subhumans” and outlined an alleged plan to kill as many people as possible. The document reportedly contained a statement in which Paporakis described himself as a white supremacist neo-Nazi who fantasised about mass murder. Investigators believe the alleged attack may have been planned for Sunday. Paporakis had reportedly told colleagues that the day would be “a special day”. According to prosecutors, he later contacted a co-worker and said his gun had jammed. Local media reports, citing court records, say investigators believe the weapon malfunction prevented the alleged attack from proceeding as planned. Authorities have not confirmed the precise intended target. Also read | Near the seat of power, far from free protest? Jantar Mantar to Tiananmen: 5 iconic protest sites where protests are no longer allowed Police recover rifle, ammunition and Nazi-related items found During a search of Paporakis’ home, detectives recovered an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines, ammunition and other items they believe are connected to the investigation, police and prosecutors said. Authorities also reported finding a gas canister bearing a slur directed at South Asians and items depicting Nazi symbolism. Investigators are examining the alleged manifesto and electronic communications as part of the case. “The seriousness of this alleged threat cannot be overstated,” Palatine Police Chief William Nord said, stressing that protecting places of worship remains a law enforcement priority. The Mount Prospect and Palatine police departments coordinated the arrest. The investigation has also involved the FBI, while Aurora police contacted Hindu places of worship in their jurisdiction to alert them to the potential threat. Judge orders suspect held before trial A judge on Wednesday ordered Paporakis to remain in custody while the case proceeds. He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 30.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in suburban Chicago over an alleged mass shooting plot that may have targeted a Hindu temple in Illinois. Investigators say he shared a manifesto expressing hatred towards Indians and other minority groups.

US police foil alleged mass shooting plot targeting Illinois Hindu temple during Navratri; 19-year-old’s manifesto called Indians ‘subhumans’

Kouri Richins, the Utah mother who gained national attention after publishing a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering him. Judge Richard Mrazik delivered the sentence on Wednesday (May 13), the same day that would have marked the 44th birthday of her late husband, Eric Richins. Following a lengthy trial earlier this year, an eight-person jury found Richins guilty of aggravated murder for fatally poisoning her husband in March 2022. She was also convicted of attempted aggravated murder for allegedly trying to kill him weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day, along with insurance fraud and forgery tied to his life insurance policies.&nbsp;“A person convicted of those things is simply too dangerous to ever be free,” Judge Mrazik said while announcing the sentence. The judge also ordered Richins to serve additional consecutive prison terms related to the other convictions. As the sentence was delivered, Richins reportedly looked toward her defense attorney and raised her eyebrows. Before sentencing, Richins addressed her three young sons in court through an emotional statement. “As much as you’ve been influenced into thinking that dad was murdered, that I took your dad from you, that is completely wrong. An absolute lie,” Richins said. “And the thought of that is still as absurd today as it was four years ago.”&nbsp;Statements written by the couple’s children were later read aloud in court by therapists. All three expressed fear about their mother potentially being released one day.“You took away everything from my brothers and me. I don’t want you out of jail because I will not feel safe if you are out,” wrote the couple’s middle child, identified as “A.R.” “You have never said sorry for anything that you have done to my brothers or me. I don’t want you to hurt anyone again.” Members of Eric Richins’ family also urged the court to impose the harshest sentence possible. “Please do not leave those boys to wonder whether Kouri might track them or their children down in the future,” said his sister, Katie Richins-Benson. “Please do not create a possibility for Kouri to endanger Eric’s boys, my daughters, my family, or anybody else ever again.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/this-website-tracks-private-jets-to-predict-doomsday-on-earth-billionaires-will-know-1778680680419">THIS website tracks private jets to reveal if Earth is facing an extinction-level event</a>&nbsp;Defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued against a life sentence without parole, saying the children could someday want a relationship with their mother. “A life without the possibility of parole, the sentence cannot be changed,” Lewis said. “If Kouri and Eric’s boys someday change their mind and it is too late to say something different than what they’ve said today, this day will become one more day that haunts them.” Some of Richins’ family members defended her character during the hearing, calling her a loving mother and claiming she had been wrongfully convicted.&nbsp;“We don’t with 100% certainty know what happened to Eric, no one does,” her brother Ronney Darden told the court. “But we do know with 100% certainty that it wasn’t caused by you.” Her legal team confirmed plans to appeal the conviction and seek a new trial. Judge Mrazik said that the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole could theoretically release Richins in the future if officials determined “by clear and convincing evidence at some future point that she is permanently incapable of being a threat to the safety of society.”<h2>How did the case unfold?</h2>Eric Richins was found dead inside the couple’s home in Kamas during the early morning hours of March 4, 2022. According to statements given to investigators, the couple had celebrated a successful real estate transaction that evening with drinks. Richins told police she later slept in one of her son’s rooms because he was having nightmares. When she returned to the master bedroom hours later, she claimed she found her husband dead. An autopsy later determined Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose, with prosecutors saying he had nearly five times the lethal amount in his system.&nbsp;During the 13-day trial, prosecutors presented testimony from more than 40 witnesses, including family members, investigators, associates connected to the drug supply, and people close to Richins. A key witness, house cleaner Carmen Lauber, testified she sold illicit pills to Richins several times in early 2022. Prosecutors also presented cellphone data placing Richins near locations where the drugs were allegedly obtained. The prosecution argued Richins had multiple motives, including financial problems, an extramarital affair, and a desire to escape her marriage.&nbsp;Her alleged lover, Robert Josh Grossmann, became emotional while messages exchanged between the pair were shown in court. “I do want a future together. I do want you. Figure life out together,” Richins texted Grossmann weeks before her husband’s death. “If he could just go away, and you could just be here! Life would be so perfect!!! I love you.” Prosecutors also highlighted testimony from a forensic accountant who said Richins’ real estate business was drowning in debt despite appearances of success.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paraguay-beethoven-s-ode-to-joy-echoes-in-guarani-1778722201630/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/paraguay-beethoven-s-ode-to-joy-echoes-in-guarani-1778722201630/embed</a>&nbsp;Eric Richins reportedly carried around $2.2 million in life insurance policies, including one prosecutors said Richins fraudulently secured shortly before his death. “She murdered Eric Richins,” prosecutor Brad Bloodworth told jurors during closing arguments, “and then she submitted a claim to get the money.” The jury also convicted Richins of attempting to murder her husband on Valentine’s Day 2022. Prosecutors said Eric Richins told friends he felt like he was dying after eating a sandwich his wife had prepared for him.&nbsp;Investigators additionally pointed to internet searches found on Richins’ cellphone, including:<ul><li>What is a lethal dose of fentanyl</li><li>If someone is poisoned, what does it go down on the death certificate as?</li><li>Kouri Richins Kamas net worth</li></ul>Authorities argued Richins later attempted to redirect suspicion by publishing her children’s book, Are You With Me?, roughly a year after her husband’s death. While promoting the book on local television in April 2023, just weeks before her arrest, Richins said the story was intended to help her children process grief. “Just because he’s not present here with us physically, that doesn’t mean his presence isn’t here with us,” Richins said. “Dad is still here. It’s just in a different way.”

Utah mother Kouri Richins, who wrote a children’s book about grief after her husband’s death, was sentenced to life without parole for his murder. Emotional testimony from family members and her children marked the sentencing hearing

Kouri Richins, the Utah mother who gained national attention after publishing a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering him. Judge Richard Mrazik delivered the sentence on Wednesday (May 13), the same day that would have marked the 44th birthday of her late husband, Eric Richins. Following a lengthy trial earlier this year, an eight-person jury found Richins guilty of aggravated murder for fatally poisoning her husband in March 2022. She was also convicted of attempted aggravated murder for allegedly trying to kill him weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day, along with insurance fraud and forgery tied to his life insurance policies. “A person convicted of those things is simply too dangerous to ever be free,” Judge Mrazik said while announcing the sentence. The judge also ordered Richins to serve additional consecutive prison terms related to the other convictions. As the sentence was delivered, Richins reportedly looked toward her defense attorney and raised her eyebrows. Before sentencing, Richins addressed her three young sons in court through an emotional statement. “As much as you’ve been influenced into thinking that dad was murdered, that I took your dad from you, that is completely wrong. An absolute lie,” Richins said. “And the thought of that is still as absurd today as it was four years ago.” Statements written by the couple’s children were later read aloud in court by therapists. All three expressed fear about their mother potentially being released one day. “You took away everything from my brothers and me. I don’t want you out of jail because I will not feel safe if you are out,” wrote the couple’s middle child, identified as “A.R.” “You have never said sorry for anything that you have done to my brothers or me. I don’t want you to hurt anyone again.” Members of Eric Richins’ family also urged the court to impose the harshest sentence possible. “Please do not leave those boys to wonder whether Kouri might track them or their children down in the future,” said his sister, Katie Richins-Benson. “Please do not create a possibility for Kouri to endanger Eric’s boys, my daughters, my family, or anybody else ever again.” Also Read: THIS website tracks private jets to reveal if Earth is facing an extinction-level event Defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued against a life sentence without parole, saying the children could someday want a relationship with their mother. “A life without the possibility of parole, the sentence cannot be changed,” Lewis said. “If Kouri and Eric’s boys someday change their mind and it is too late to say something different than what they’ve said today, this day will become one more day that haunts them.” Some of Richins’ family members defended her character during the hearing, calling her a loving mother and claiming she had been wrongfully convicted. “We don’t with 100% certainty know what happened to Eric, no one does,” her brother Ronney Darden told the court. “But we do know with 100% certainty that it wasn’t caused by you.” Her legal team confirmed plans to appeal the conviction and seek a new trial. Judge Mrazik said that the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole could theoretically release Richins in the future if officials determined “by clear and convincing evidence at some future point that she is permanently incapable of being a threat to the safety of society.” How did the case unfold? Eric Richins was found dead inside the couple’s home in Kamas during the early morning hours of March 4, 2022. According to statements given to investigators, the couple had celebrated a successful real estate transaction that evening with drinks. Richins told police she later slept in one of her son’s rooms because he was having nightmares. When she returned to the master bedroom hours later, she claimed she found her husband dead. An autopsy later determined Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose, with prosecutors saying he had nearly five times the lethal amount in his system. During the 13-day trial, prosecutors presented testimony from more than 40 witnesses, including family members, investigators, associates connected to the drug supply, and people close to Richins. A key witness, house cleaner Carmen Lauber, testified she sold illicit pills to Richins several times in early 2022. Prosecutors also presented cellphone data placing Richins near locations where the drugs were allegedly obtained. The prosecution argued Richins had multiple motives, including financial problems, an extramarital affair, and a desire to escape her marriage. Her alleged lover, Robert Josh Grossmann, became emotional while messages exchanged between the pair were shown in court. “I do want a future together. I do want you. Figure life out together,” Richins texted Grossmann weeks before her husband’s death. “If he could just go away, and you could just be here! Life would be so perfect!!! I love you.” Prosecutors also highlighted testimony from a forensic accountant who said Richins’ real estate business was drowning in debt despite appearances of success. https://www.wionews.com/videos/paraguay-beethoven-s-ode-to-joy-echoes-in-guarani-1778722201630/embed Eric Richins reportedly carried around $2.2 million in life insurance policies, including one prosecutors said Richins fraudulently secured shortly before his death. “She murdered Eric Richins,” prosecutor Brad Bloodworth told jurors during closing arguments, “and then she submitted a claim to get the money.” The jury also convicted Richins of attempting to murder her husband on Valentine’s Day 2022. Prosecutors said Eric Richins told friends he felt like he was dying after eating a sandwich his wife had prepared for him. Investigators additionally pointed to internet searches found on Richins’ cellphone, including: What is a lethal dose of fentanyl If someone is poisoned, what does it go down on the death certificate as? Kouri Richins Kamas net worth Authorities argued Richins later attempted to redirect suspicion by publishing her children’s book, Are You With Me?, roughly a year after her husband’s death. While promoting the book on local television in April 2023, just weeks before her arrest, Richins said the story was intended to help her children process grief. “Just because he’s not present here with us physically, that doesn’t mean his presence isn’t here with us,” Richins said. “Dad is still here. It’s just in a different way.”

Utah mother and children’s author Kouri Richins was sentenced to life without parole for poisoning her husband with fentanyl

'Dad is still here': Inside the chilling case of Kouri Richins, Utah mom who wrote grief book after husband’s death gets life sentence for his murder

For decades, Indian-origin businesspeople—predominantly Gujaratis, often bearing the surname Patel—have been the backbone of America’s motel industry: a saga often described as proof of resilience, hard work, and immigrant success. But the recent murders of two Indian-origin motel workers have shaken the community and highlighted once again the decades-old racism and hate they have suffered silently. How did Indian Americans, particularly the Patels, become the most prominent community running American motels? And is their success now exposing them to greater danger in a polarised and hate-filled America of the Trump era?<h2>The murders that shocked American motel owners</h2>In September, Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old manager from Dallas, Texas, was decapitated by a co-worker. The assailant had a violent criminal past and had been released from custody despite previous deportation orders. This horrific murder sparked a fierce debate on immigration policies, with political leaders demanding stricter enforcement and Indian-American community urging safer hiring practices within their own communities.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/key-concerns-for-indian-americans-in-the-2024-us-elections-immigration-and-unemployment-773103/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/key-concerns-for-indian-americans-in-the-2024-us-elections-immigration-and-unemployment-773103/embed</a>Just weeks later, on October 3 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, motel owner Rakesh Ehagaban was fatally shot while trying to intervene in a disturbance. The assailant was a guest with a violent past.&nbsp;In June 2024, Indian-American motel manager Hemant Mistry was punched to death in Oklahoma.&nbsp; These incidents exposed the vulnerability of motel owners, many of whom live on site and face unpredictable, and at times dangerous, clientele.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-man-beheaded-in-us-after-argument-with-employee-1757645218088">Indian-origin man beheaded in US after argument with motel staff</a><h2>How the Indian community, particularly Gujaratis, became the most prominent US motel owners</h2>Starting in the 1940s, early Gujarati immigrants purchased motels often sold at low prices amid the post-World War II economic downturn. They lived on site to cut costs, and reinvested profits into expanding their businesses. The 1965 Immigration Act further fuelled this growth by easing immigration for skilled workers and family members. Their business model is deeply rooted in family ties—relatives are often hired to manage day-to-day operations, fostering both economic self-sufficiency and community support.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-are-you-alright-indian-origin-motel-manager-shot-dead-in-pittsburgh-after-confrontation-in-parking-lot-1759723569074">'Are you alright?': Indian-origin motel manager shot dead in Pittsburgh after confrontation in parking lot</a><h2>How Indian-American motel owners contribute to the US economy</h2>Even though they make up just about 1 per cent of the population, Indian Americans—particularly Gujaratis—own up to 60 per cent of motels across the United States. In small towns and rural areas, this figure rises to as much as 90 per cent. The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), founded in 1989 and primarily representing Indian-owned hotels, accounts for nearly 34,000 properties valued at around $1 trillion. Employing more than 1.1 million people and generating over $50 billion annually, these motel businesses contribute nearly 1.5 per cent of the US GDP.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/motel-6-sold-to-indian-hotel-operator-in-525-million-deal-761512">Motel 6 sold to Indian hotel operator in $525 million deal</a><h2>Indian-owned motels in the US: A success story that also exposes them to hate and crimes</h2>The community’s economic success has come with serious risks. Indian-American motel owners face crimes ranging from petty theft to hate-fuelled abuse and violent attacks on both people and property.In the 1970s and 1980s, xenophoic hate groups like the 'Dotbusters' in New Jersey targeted Indian immigrants, particularly Hindus, with physical assaults and threats. In the same period, the "American Owned" movement emerged, where some motel owners promoted their businesses as non-immigrant-owned in an attempt to isolate Indian-run establishments.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-chandra-mouli-nagamallaiah-indian-man-beheaded-in-us-chilling-details-of-murder-emerge-1757663125185">Who was Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, Indian man beheaded in US? Chilling details of murder emerge</a>&nbsp;The 24/7 nature of motel operations continues to make them vulnerable to theft and random violence, especially in remote and isolated pockets with limited staff and security.As Indian Americans continue to run a significant part of the US hospitality industry, these repeated incidents highlight a troubling reality: their visibility and success have also made them vulnerable in an increasingly divided and hostile nation.

How did Indians become the most prominent community running American motels? And is their success now exposing them to greater danger in a polarised America of the Trump era?

For decades, Indian-origin businesspeople—predominantly Gujaratis, often bearing the surname Patel—have been the backbone of America’s motel industry: a saga often described as proof of resilience, hard work, and immigrant success. But the recent murders of two Indian-origin motel workers have shaken the community and highlighted once again the decades-old racism and hate they have suffered silently. How did Indian Americans, particularly the Patels, become the most prominent community running American motels? And is their success now exposing them to greater danger in a polarised and hate-filled America of the Trump era? The murders that shocked American motel owners In September, Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, a 50-year-old manager from Dallas, Texas, was decapitated by a co-worker. The assailant had a violent criminal past and had been released from custody despite previous deportation orders. This horrific murder sparked a fierce debate on immigration policies, with political leaders demanding stricter enforcement and Indian-American community urging safer hiring practices within their own communities. https://www.wionews.com/videos/key-concerns-for-indian-americans-in-the-2024-us-elections-immigration-and-unemployment-773103/embed Just weeks later, on October 3 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, motel owner Rakesh Ehagaban was fatally shot while trying to intervene in a disturbance. The assailant was a guest with a violent past. In June 2024, Indian-American motel manager Hemant Mistry was punched to death in Oklahoma. These incidents exposed the vulnerability of motel owners, many of whom live on site and face unpredictable, and at times dangerous, clientele. Also read: Indian-origin man beheaded in US after argument with motel staff How the Indian community, particularly Gujaratis, became the most prominent US motel owners Starting in the 1940s, early Gujarati immigrants purchased motels often sold at low prices amid the post-World War II economic downturn. They lived on site to cut costs, and reinvested profits into expanding their businesses. The 1965 Immigration Act further fuelled this growth by easing immigration for skilled workers and family members. Their business model is deeply rooted in family ties—relatives are often hired to manage day-to-day operations, fostering both economic self-sufficiency and community support. Also read: 'Are you alright?': Indian-origin motel manager shot dead in Pittsburgh after confrontation in parking lot How Indian-American motel owners contribute to the US economy Even though they make up just about 1 per cent of the population, Indian Americans—particularly Gujaratis—own up to 60 per cent of motels across the United States. In small towns and rural areas, this figure rises to as much as 90 per cent. The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), founded in 1989 and primarily representing Indian-owned hotels, accounts for nearly 34,000 properties valued at around $1 trillion. Employing more than 1.1 million people and generating over $50 billion annually, these motel businesses contribute nearly 1.5 per cent of the US GDP. Also read: Motel 6 sold to Indian hotel operator in $525 million deal Indian-owned motels in the US: A success story that also exposes them to hate and crimes The community’s economic success has come with serious risks. Indian-American motel owners face crimes ranging from petty theft to hate-fuelled abuse and violent attacks on both people and property. In the 1970s and 1980s, xenophoic hate groups like the 'Dotbusters' in New Jersey targeted Indian immigrants, particularly Hindus, with physical assaults and threats. In the same period, the "American Owned" movement emerged, where some motel owners promoted their businesses as non-immigrant-owned in an attempt to isolate Indian-run establishments. Also read: Who was Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, Indian man beheaded in US? Chilling details of murder emerge The 24/7 nature of motel operations continues to make them vulnerable to theft and random violence, especially in remote and isolated pockets with limited staff and security. As Indian Americans continue to run a significant part of the US hospitality industry, these repeated incidents highlight a troubling reality: their visibility and success have also made them vulnerable in an increasingly divided and hostile nation.

How did Indians become the most prominent community running American motels? And is their success now exposing them to greater danger in a polarised America of the Trump era?

Motels and Patels: Once a source of pride for Indian Americans, small hotels are now spots of hate crimes targeting them

A US couple who ran a so-called 'green funeral home' in Colorado were told by a court to pay&nbsp;$950 million to victims' families, nearly a year after some 190 decaying corpses were recovered from their facility. 
 
The decision announced by the victims' lawyer on Monday (Aug 5) came after authorities found that Jon and Carie Hallford, owners of&nbsp;Return to Nature funeral home in Penrose, Colorado, had given fake ashes to grieving relatives after taking their loved ones' bodies for 'green burials'.

In October 2023, after reports of foul smell from their green funeral home, 190 bodies or body parts were recovered by investigators in a case that shocked America.

The couple had claimed that their burial services were environment-friendly,&nbsp;without the use of chemicals such as embalming fluids, and used biodegradable caskets to dispose of&nbsp;the bodies.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-hangs-man-for-heroin-trafficking-second-hanging-in-two-weeks-amid-calls-to-end-practice-747556">Singapore hangs man for heroin trafficking, second hanging in two weeks, amid calls to end practice</a>

After the bodies were recovered, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) helped in the laborious process of identifying the bodies through DNA testing. Several could not be identified.

Hallford&nbsp;who is in custody and his wife who is out on bail did not attend the court proceedings.

The criminal charges they faced included corpse abuse, theft, money laundering and forgery. State prosecutors had offered them a plea deal on 190 counts of abuse of a corpse but that is yet to come to fruition.

<h2>Will the rotting corpse funeral home owners pay victims' families?</h2>

According to reports, it is highly unlikely that the couple will pay the victims, as they are in financial trouble.

Crystina Page was one of those who used the funeral home's services to cremate her son in 2019 and was keeping fake ashes till his body parts were recovered from its premises.

“I’m never going to get a dime from them, so, I don’t know, it’s a little frustrating,” Page said about the ruling, as quoted by AP news agency.

WATCH |&nbsp;Google's monopoly over internet search illegal: US

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/googles-monopoly-over-internet-search-illegal-us-747672/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The&nbsp;victim families' lawyer Andrew Swan said, "I wanted to put them on the witness stand, have them put under oath and ask them how they came to do this, not once, not twice, but hundreds of times.”

After the macabre episode came to light, strict legislation was introduced in the state of Colorado on storing and disposing of dead bodies.

(With inputs from agencies)

A US couple who ran a so-called 'green funeral home' in Colorado were told by a court to pay $950 million to victims' families, nearly a year after some 190 decaying corpses were recovered from their facility.

A US couple who ran a so-called 'green funeral home' in Colorado were told by a court to pay $950 million to victims' families, nearly a year after some 190 decaying corpses were recovered from their facility. The decision announced by the victims' lawyer on Monday (Aug 5) came after authorities found that Jon and Carie Hallford, owners of Return to Nature funeral home in Penrose, Colorado, had given fake ashes to grieving relatives after taking their loved ones' bodies for 'green burials'. In October 2023, after reports of foul smell from their green funeral home, 190 bodies or body parts were recovered by investigators in a case that shocked America. The couple had claimed that their burial services were environment-friendly, without the use of chemicals such as embalming fluids, and used biodegradable caskets to dispose of the bodies. Also Read | Singapore hangs man for heroin trafficking, second hanging in two weeks, amid calls to end practice After the bodies were recovered, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) helped in the laborious process of identifying the bodies through DNA testing. Several could not be identified. Hallford who is in custody and his wife who is out on bail did not attend the court proceedings. The criminal charges they faced included corpse abuse, theft, money laundering and forgery. State prosecutors had offered them a plea deal on 190 counts of abuse of a corpse but that is yet to come to fruition. Will the rotting corpse funeral home owners pay victims' families? According to reports, it is highly unlikely that the couple will pay the victims, as they are in financial trouble. Crystina Page was one of those who used the funeral home's services to cremate her son in 2019 and was keeping fake ashes till his body parts were recovered from its premises. “I’m never going to get a dime from them, so, I don’t know, it’s a little frustrating,” Page said about the ruling, as quoted by AP news agency. WATCH | Google's monopoly over internet search illegal: US The victim families' lawyer Andrew Swan said, "I wanted to put them on the witness stand, have them put under oath and ask them how they came to do this, not once, not twice, but hundreds of times.” After the macabre episode came to light, strict legislation was introduced in the state of Colorado on storing and disposing of dead bodies. (With inputs from agencies)

US funeral home owners told to pay $950mn after 190 rotting corpses were found

A study was conducted about the most dangerous states to live in US, revealed by personal injury attorneys&nbsp;

A few states of the US&nbsp;have been identified the most dangerous ones to live in, based on a study conducted by personal injury attorneys. A research based on WHO's database has found that the mortality rates in the US&nbsp;are 2.5 times higher than the average rates in countries which have a similar income.&nbsp;

The deaths are majorly caused by homicide, transport accidents, drug overdose, suicides, negligence in treating cardiovascular diseases and an increase in disease mortality&nbsp;rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A new study conducted by Caputo and Van Der Walde Injury &amp; Accident Attorneys has identified 10 factors on which each state is compared which includes traffic fatalities, firearm mortality, railway injuries and crimes against persons so that they can assess which states are the most dangerous ones.

The study revealed 5 states to be most dangerous.&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li>New Mexico: The most dangerous state ranked as number one in the list and has high level of traffic accidents, assault, burglary offence, homicide, etc. the firearm mortality is almost twice the average for the country.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Louisiana: The most dangerous state for traffic accidents with at least one death per billion mile.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Arkansas: The state is seeing double the national average for homicides.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Alaska: The assault offences are highest in this state and most of the crimes are related to "crimes against persons" that includes assault and homicide.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Missouri:&nbsp;The state had a high ranking for firearm mortality, vehicle thefts and assault offences.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-not-able-to-function-post-4pm-wh-officials-covering-up-for-him-big-time-report-736537">Biden not able to function post 4 pm; White House officials covering up for him big time: Report</a>

A spokesperson from Caputo and Van Der Walde Injury and Accident Attorneys said that, "Living in certain states in America can be particularly dangerous due to high rates of injury from various sources".&nbsp;

Some states are going to benefit from the interventions such as increasing funding for medical emergency services, implementing stricter traffic laws, etc. The states can help their population in being safe by addressing these issues.

(With inputs from agencies)

A study was conducted about the most dangerous states to live in US, revealed by personal injury attorneys A few states of the US have been identified the most dangerous ones to live in, based on a study conducted by personal injury attorneys.

A study was conducted about the most dangerous states to live in US, revealed by personal injury attorneys A few states of the US have been identified the most dangerous ones to live in, based on a study conducted by personal injury attorneys. A research based on WHO's database has found that the mortality rates in the US are 2.5 times higher than the average rates in countries which have a similar income. The deaths are majorly caused by homicide, transport accidents, drug overdose, suicides, negligence in treating cardiovascular diseases and an increase in disease mortality rate. A new study conducted by Caputo and Van Der Walde Injury & Accident Attorneys has identified 10 factors on which each state is compared which includes traffic fatalities, firearm mortality, railway injuries and crimes against persons so that they can assess which states are the most dangerous ones. The study revealed 5 states to be most dangerous. New Mexico: The most dangerous state ranked as number one in the list and has high level of traffic accidents, assault, burglary offence, homicide, etc. the firearm mortality is almost twice the average for the country. Louisiana: The most dangerous state for traffic accidents with at least one death per billion mile. Arkansas: The state is seeing double the national average for homicides. Alaska: The assault offences are highest in this state and most of the crimes are related to "crimes against persons" that includes assault and homicide. Missouri: The state had a high ranking for firearm mortality, vehicle thefts and assault offences. Also read: Biden not able to function post 4 pm; White House officials covering up for him big time: Report A spokesperson from Caputo and Van Der Walde Injury and Accident Attorneys said that, "Living in certain states in America can be particularly dangerous due to high rates of injury from various sources". Some states are going to benefit from the interventions such as increasing funding for medical emergency services, implementing stricter traffic laws, etc. The states can help their population in being safe by addressing these issues. (With inputs from agencies)

Study reveals America's most dangerous states: New Mexico, Louisiana top the list

A video of a sniper shooting a bank robber and the bullet passing through a desktop computer and between two hostages before killing the perpetrator was released by Florida police.

A video of a sniper shooting a bank robber and the bullet passing through a desktop computer and between two hostages before killing the perpetrator was released by Florida police. When police closed in on a 36-year-old man who was attempting to rob a Bank of America branch in Fort Myers on February 6, he held two individuals hostage inside the bank's office. The suspect informed officers he had a bomb on him and knelt behind the hostages, using them as a human shield, as a negotiator tried to convince him to surrender. GRAPHIC: SWAT Sniper places a shot through a computer monitor into the forehead of a suspect holding 2 hostages at knifepoint in a Florida bank. pic.twitter.com/nkR2SXmpdy — FUNKER530 (@FunkerActual) June 9, 2024 × Officers sprang into action as the robber abruptly put one of the hostages in a headlock and put a knife to her throat. SWAT officers were positioned outside the bank's doors as a sniper balanced his gun on the shoulder of another cop, according to footage from the scene that the Lee County Sheriff's Office shared. A computer monitor across the room obstructed the suspect's head, so the sniper aimed his gun at it. Also read: US Vice President Kamala Harris confronts protester at Detroit Democratic fundraiser over Gaza conflict “Keep talking to me, keep talking to me, I want to know what’s going through your head right now,” the negotiator was heard saying in the video. A moment later, the sniper pulled the trigger, and a shot boomed out. The bullet entered the bank office and penetrated the computer monitor, creating a hole before hitting the suspect. In the footage, the hostages disperse in all directions in search of cover as the suspect falls to the ground. Lt. Todd Olmer of the Lee County Sheriff's Office described the shoulder-steadied shot and said, "Shooting positions like these are trained regularly by snipers for time-critical incidents like these." “Due to the suspect’s limited exposure the sniper took a planned and deliberate shot through a computer monitor, striking the suspect in the center of the forehead, killing him instantly,” he said. “Firing through barriers is a trained and routinely practiced skill by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office special operations unit snipers,” Olmer added. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Florida Sniper's precise shot through computer monitor kills hostage-taking bank robber

A 33-year-old man in Chicago was violently beaten and robbed by two men in broad daylight on Monday, September 25. A CCTV footage recorded the whole incident. It showed the victim walking down a residential alleyway in Bucktown in the afternoon while eating a slice of pizza when two men ran up to him from behind and attacked him with a punch to his head.

A 33-year-old man in Chicago was violently beaten and robbed by two men in broad daylight on Monday, September 25. A CCTV footage recorded the whole incident. It showed the victim walking down a residential alleyway in Bucktown in the afternoon while eating a slice of pizza when two men ran up to him from behind and attacked him with a punch to his head. As soon as he fell next to the chain-link fence, the attackers began to rain blows on him with their fists and feet. The victim screamed and tried to resist. However, the fight split across the alley. He managed to bring one of the attackers to the ground but the other began stomping him with his feet. A car across the street blared its horn to warn and distract the attackers. Eventually, they snatched the victim's bag and cell phone and delivered a violent stomp before walking away calmly. ALSO READ | London: 15-year-old girl stabbed to death on her way to school in bus The witness in the car across the street told CBS News she stayed with the victim until the police arrived. Despite some bruising, the victim seemed okay. Later, Chicago police informed the New York Post that they transported the victim to a hospital where he was in stable condition. They have assigned five investigators to the case. However, they haven't identified the suspects yet. 💥BREAKING:💥 BRUTAL attack in Chicago. Robbery? Assault? Racial? Circumstantial? What's your take?? pic.twitter.com/lgwnHeHqVN — Dustin (@Draynick86) September 26, 2023 × The savage attack is an example of the rampant crime in the city. According to the data from Chicago Police Department, there was a 29 per cent rise in crime, including murder, sexual assault, robbery, theft and aggravated battery, so far this year, compared to 2022. The data also mentioned that robberies in the city were up by 24 per cent in 2023 compared to last year. The city saw a staggering 54 per cent increase in major crime. A day after the violent Bucktown robbery, the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee visited Chicago to hear the testimony on how developed policies have scorned the crime epidemic. The victims of violent crimes in the city, politicians and law enforcement agents testified in front of the committee. "With all the policies and procedures put into place, officers find themselves with their hands tied behind their back," testified Carlos Yanez Jr., a retired Chicago cop who was shot four times during a traffic stop, and his partner, Ella French, was killed, WLS reported. "Officers continue to lap up violent offenders, but we find them back on the street committing even more violent crimes, including murder," he added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch | Chicago man violently attacked and mugged by two men in broad daylight

Prosecutors in Virginia released video footage on Tuesday (March 21) that showed the death of 28-year-old Black inmate Irvo Otieno as he was being admitted to a mental hospital, where he was forcibly restrained by as many as 10 police officers and hospital security guards. Otieno was already in handcuffs and leg restraints when police brought him from the Henrico County jail near Richmond, Virginia, to the Central State Hospital in nearby Petersburg.

The nine-minute-long footage, published by the Washington Post, showed seven officers bringing the shirtless and shoeless Otieno into a room at the hospital on March 6. Otieno, however, did not seem to struggle.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-10-charged-in-irvo-otienos-death-after-video-reveals-police-torture-572802">US: 10 charged in Irvo Otieno's death after video reveals police torture</a>

The officers placed him on the floor and then held him down at length, the purpose unclear, with one officer laying on him and another pressing his knee to Otieno's head or neck. At the same time, up to 10 hospital workers watched, some sometimes helping out.

Eventually, the 28-year-old went limp and efforts to resuscitate him proved fruitless.

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BREAKING: Newly released hospital surveillance of Irvo Otieno’s death shows him being DRAGGED into an admissions room in handcuffs and leg irons. Then Henrico County (VA) sheriff's deputies &amp; medical staff PILE on top of the shackled 28-yo for 11 MINUTES until he stops moving! <a href="https://t.co/Bg9P1zrWbQ">pic.twitter.com/Bg9P1zrWbQ</a>
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/AttorneyCrump/status/1638161334549217287?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Taking to Twitter, Ben Crump, an attorney for Otieno's family, shared a short video from the footage, and said, "Newly released hospital surveillance of Irvo Otieno’s death shows him being DRAGGED into an admissions room in handcuffs and leg irons. Then Henrico County (VA) sheriff's deputies &amp; medical staff PILE on top of the shackled 28-yo for 11 MINUTES until he stops moving."

Otieno was taken by police into custody three days earlier after experiencing a mental health crisis. Held for three days in the local jail, he was then transferred to the Central State Hospital, where he died.

Last week, three hospital workers and seven police officers faced charges of second-degree murder in connection with his death. In a statement, Dinwiddie Country District Attorney Ann Cabell said that Otieno died of asphyxiation while being physically restrained.&nbsp;

According to the results of the preliminary autopsy, Otieno died of asphyxiation while being "physically restrained”, said Dinwiddie County District Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill in a statement.

The family's attorney Ben Crump had earlier drawn a parallel between Otieno's case and the murder of George Floyd, whose death in 2020 triggered a mass mobilisation against racism and police brutality.&nbsp;

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Prosecutors in Virginia released video footage on Tuesday (March 21) that showed the death of 28-year-old Black inmate Irvo Otieno as he was being admitted to a mental hospital, where he was forcibly restrained by as many as 10 police officers and hospital security guards.

Prosecutors in Virginia released video footage on Tuesday (March 21) that showed the death of 28-year-old Black inmate Irvo Otieno as he was being admitted to a mental hospital, where he was forcibly restrained by as many as 10 police officers and hospital security guards. Otieno was already in handcuffs and leg restraints when police brought him from the Henrico County jail near Richmond, Virginia, to the Central State Hospital in nearby Petersburg. The nine-minute-long footage, published by the Washington Post, showed seven officers bringing the shirtless and shoeless Otieno into a room at the hospital on March 6. Otieno, however, did not seem to struggle. ALSO READ | US: 10 charged in Irvo Otieno's death after video reveals police torture The officers placed him on the floor and then held him down at length, the purpose unclear, with one officer laying on him and another pressing his knee to Otieno's head or neck. At the same time, up to 10 hospital workers watched, some sometimes helping out. Eventually, the 28-year-old went limp and efforts to resuscitate him proved fruitless. BREAKING: Newly released hospital surveillance of Irvo Otieno’s death shows him being DRAGGED into an admissions room in handcuffs and leg irons. Then Henrico County (VA) sheriff's deputies & medical staff PILE on top of the shackled 28-yo for 11 MINUTES until he stops moving! pic.twitter.com/Bg9P1zrWbQ — Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) March 21, 2023 × Taking to Twitter, Ben Crump, an attorney for Otieno's family, shared a short video from the footage, and said, "Newly released hospital surveillance of Irvo Otieno’s death shows him being DRAGGED into an admissions room in handcuffs and leg irons. Then Henrico County (VA) sheriff's deputies & medical staff PILE on top of the shackled 28-yo for 11 MINUTES until he stops moving." Otieno was taken by police into custody three days earlier after experiencing a mental health crisis. Held for three days in the local jail, he was then transferred to the Central State Hospital, where he died. Last week, three hospital workers and seven police officers faced charges of second-degree murder in connection with his death. In a statement, Dinwiddie Country District Attorney Ann Cabell said that Otieno died of asphyxiation while being physically restrained. According to the results of the preliminary autopsy, Otieno died of asphyxiation while being "physically restrained”, said Dinwiddie County District Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill in a statement. The family's attorney Ben Crump had earlier drawn a parallel between Otieno's case and the murder of George Floyd, whose death in 2020 triggered a mass mobilisation against racism and police brutality. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Watch | Footage shows cops piling on Irvo Otieno before he died

The DNA collected as part of a rape exam in San Francisco has been used by the local police to link a woman to a crime.

The city’s district attorney has alleged that the move violates the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights.

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The police crime lab “attempts to identify crime suspects” by searching a law enforcement database that includes DNA collected from sexual assault victims, District Attorney Chesa Boudin said.

“Rapes and sexual assault are violent, dehumanizing, and traumatic. I am disturbed that victims who have the courage to undergo an invasive examination to help identify their perpetrators are being treated like criminals rather than supported as crime victims,” Boudin said in a statement.&nbsp;

“We should encourage survivors to come forward — not collect evidence to use against them in the future.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/assaulted-in-metaverse-woman-alleges-gang-rape-60-seconds-after-joining-metas-virtual-world-449784">Also read |&nbsp;Assaulted in Metaverse: Woman alleges 'gang rape' 60 seconds after joining Meta's virtual world</a>

“Getting a rape kit can be re-traumatizing. Having that DNA placed in a database for future use creates yet another incentive not to do it. It’s unacceptable,” said state senator Scott Wiener, who represents the city.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he has ordered an investigation.

“We must never create disincentives for crime victims to cooperate with police, and if it’s true that DNA collected from a rape or sexual assault victim has been used by SFPD to identify and apprehend that person as a suspect in another crime, I’m committed to ending the practice,” he said.

San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen said she learned about the alleged practice last weekend and has asked the city attorney’s office to draft legislation barring the use of rape kit evidence except to investigate the rape, the Chronicle reported.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The DNA collected as part of a rape exam in San Francisco has been used by the local police to link a woman to a crime. The city’s district attorney has alleged that the move violates the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights.

The DNA collected as part of a rape exam in San Francisco has been used by the local police to link a woman to a crime. The city’s district attorney has alleged that the move violates the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights. The police crime lab “attempts to identify crime suspects” by searching a law enforcement database that includes DNA collected from sexual assault victims, District Attorney Chesa Boudin said. “Rapes and sexual assault are violent, dehumanizing, and traumatic. I am disturbed that victims who have the courage to undergo an invasive examination to help identify their perpetrators are being treated like criminals rather than supported as crime victims,” Boudin said in a statement. “We should encourage survivors to come forward — not collect evidence to use against them in the future.” Also read | Assaulted in Metaverse: Woman alleges 'gang rape' 60 seconds after joining Meta's virtual world “Getting a rape kit can be re-traumatizing. Having that DNA placed in a database for future use creates yet another incentive not to do it. It’s unacceptable,” said state senator Scott Wiener, who represents the city. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he has ordered an investigation. “We must never create disincentives for crime victims to cooperate with police, and if it’s true that DNA collected from a rape or sexual assault victim has been used by SFPD to identify and apprehend that person as a suspect in another crime, I’m committed to ending the practice,” he said. San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen said she learned about the alleged practice last weekend and has asked the city attorney’s office to draft legislation barring the use of rape kit evidence except to investigate the rape, the Chronicle reported. (With inputs from agencies)

San Francisco: DNA collected as part of rape exam used to link a woman to a crime

A week that marked the return of capital punishment by the US government after a 17-year hiatus ended on Friday with a third execution of a federal prisoner.

Dustin Lee Honken, a convicted murderer, was pronounced dead at 4:36 p.m. EDT (2036 GMT) after an executioner injected him with a powerful barbiturate at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, the US Department of Justice said.

Efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to resume executions were under way soon after the Republican took office. His administration has now completed as many federal executions in a few days as were carried out in the preceding 57 years.

Lawyers for the condemned men have amassed legal challenges, which include arguments that the Justice Department's new one-drug lethal-injection protocol breaches a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishments. The arguments were rejected twice this week in overnight rulings by a 5-4 majority in the Supreme Court.

Honken, 52, was a dealer in illegal methamphetamine when he and his girlfriend murdered five people in Iowa in 1993, including a government informant and two girls aged 10 and 6. He was convicted in 2004.

His execution began at 4:06 p.m., when he was asked for any final words after being strapped to a gurney.

"Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for me," he said, according to a media witness who provided an account of the execution to news outlets.

After being injected with pentobarbital, his breathing became more labored. He turned ashen white as blood drained from his face and hands, and his breathing gradually became shallower. It took about 30 minutes before he could be pronounced dead, the media witness said.

Shawn Nolan, one of Honken's lawyers, said Honken had embraced his Catholic faith in prison and repented for his crimes and spent time atoning for them.

"There was no reason for the government to kill him, in haste or at all," Nolan said in a statement. "In any case, they failed. The Dustin Honken they wanted to kill is long gone. The man they killed today was a human being, who could have spent the rest of his days helping others and further redeeming himself."

UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR JUST?

Honken was one of several inmates on federal death row in Terre Haute who have said the new one-drug protocol, which replaces a three-drug protocol the government last used in 2003, would cause an unnecessarily painful death in which their lungs drowned in bloody fluid before they lost consciousness.

The litigation will continue in US District Court in Washington with the surviving prisoners. Since last year, Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the cases, has ordered injunctions on three occasions delaying the scheduled executions to allow the legal challenges to play out. All three were overruled by the Supreme Court.

Two other men convicted of murdering children were executed in Terre Haute earlier this week: Daniel Lee, 47, on Tuesday, and Wesley Purkey, 68, on Thursday. Keith Nelson, who murdered a 10-year-old girl, is due to be executed on August 28.

Families of the killers' victims have been divided, reflecting broader public disagreement over capital punishment, which has been abolished by most other countries. Relatives of Lee's victims pleaded for Trump to scrap Lee's execution. The father of the 16-year-old girl murdered by Purkey told reporters that Purkey's death brought some resolution to his grief.

Cassandra Stubbs, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project, called it "a truly dark period for our country." She joined the condemned men's lawyers in criticising higher courts in what they called a rush to short-circuit prisoners' legal rights.

While the Supreme Court's conservative majority wrote that it had established that lethal injection was a constitutional method, some of the liberal justices complained that new problems raised by the changed protocol were being dismissed too hastily.

"I remain convinced of the importance of reconsidering the constitutionality of the death penalty itself," Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in a dissenting opinion on Thursday.

Kerri Kupec, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that the executions were a "just punishment."

A week that marked the return of capital punishment by the US government after a 17-year hiatus ended on Friday with a third execution of a federal prisoner. Dustin Lee Honken, a convicted murderer, was pronounced dead at 4:36 p.

A week that marked the return of capital punishment by the US government after a 17-year hiatus ended on Friday with a third execution of a federal prisoner. Dustin Lee Honken, a convicted murderer, was pronounced dead at 4:36 p.m. EDT (2036 GMT) after an executioner injected him with a powerful barbiturate at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, the US Department of Justice said. Efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to resume executions were under way soon after the Republican took office. His administration has now completed as many federal executions in a few days as were carried out in the preceding 57 years. Lawyers for the condemned men have amassed legal challenges, which include arguments that the Justice Department's new one-drug lethal-injection protocol breaches a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishments. The arguments were rejected twice this week in overnight rulings by a 5-4 majority in the Supreme Court. Honken, 52, was a dealer in illegal methamphetamine when he and his girlfriend murdered five people in Iowa in 1993, including a government informant and two girls aged 10 and 6. He was convicted in 2004. His execution began at 4:06 p.m., when he was asked for any final words after being strapped to a gurney. "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for me," he said, according to a media witness who provided an account of the execution to news outlets. After being injected with pentobarbital, his breathing became more labored. He turned ashen white as blood drained from his face and hands, and his breathing gradually became shallower. It took about 30 minutes before he could be pronounced dead, the media witness said. Shawn Nolan, one of Honken's lawyers, said Honken had embraced his Catholic faith in prison and repented for his crimes and spent time atoning for them. "There was no reason for the government to kill him, in haste or at all," Nolan said in a statement. "In any case, they failed. The Dustin Honken they wanted to kill is long gone. The man they killed today was a human being, who could have spent the rest of his days helping others and further redeeming himself." UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR JUST? Honken was one of several inmates on federal death row in Terre Haute who have said the new one-drug protocol, which replaces a three-drug protocol the government last used in 2003, would cause an unnecessarily painful death in which their lungs drowned in bloody fluid before they lost consciousness. The litigation will continue in US District Court in Washington with the surviving prisoners. Since last year, Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the cases, has ordered injunctions on three occasions delaying the scheduled executions to allow the legal challenges to play out. All three were overruled by the Supreme Court. Two other men convicted of murdering children were executed in Terre Haute earlier this week: Daniel Lee, 47, on Tuesday, and Wesley Purkey, 68, on Thursday. Keith Nelson, who murdered a 10-year-old girl, is due to be executed on August 28. Families of the killers' victims have been divided, reflecting broader public disagreement over capital punishment, which has been abolished by most other countries. Relatives of Lee's victims pleaded for Trump to scrap Lee's execution. The father of the 16-year-old girl murdered by Purkey told reporters that Purkey's death brought some resolution to his grief. Cassandra Stubbs, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project, called it "a truly dark period for our country." She joined the condemned men's lawyers in criticising higher courts in what they called a rush to short-circuit prisoners' legal rights. While the Supreme Court's conservative majority wrote that it had established that lethal injection was a constitutional method, some of the liberal justices complained that new problems raised by the changed protocol were being dismissed too hastily. "I remain convinced of the importance of reconsidering the constitutionality of the death penalty itself," Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in a dissenting opinion on Thursday. Kerri Kupec, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that the executions were a "just punishment."

US government executes third man this week after 17-year hiatus

A man driving a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen in what authorities said was an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/world-leaders-condemn-new-york-terrorist-attack-23260">act of terrorism</a>.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/police-release-mugshot-of-suspect-in-new-york-truck-attack-23264">29-year-old suspect</a> was shot in the abdomen by police and arrested after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, authorities said. A US law enforcement source told Reuters the suspect is an Uzbekistan-born immigrant.

CNN and The New York Times, each citing law enforcement sources, reported that investigators found a note left by the suspect claiming he carried out the attack in the name of the Islamic State militant group.

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Five of the dead were Argentine citizens, visiting New York as part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their high school graduation, the Argentina Foreign Ministry said. A sixth member of the group was among those hospitalized after the attack, the ministry said in a statement.

The incident marked the greatest loss of life from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September&nbsp;11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people.

Tuesday&#39;s assault, on the far west side of lower Manhattan a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, was reminiscent of several deadly vehicle attacks in Europe during the past 15 months.

&quot;This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror, aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them,&quot; Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference.

A representative of the US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security similarly called the incident an &quot;apparent act of terrorism.&quot;

Governor Andrew Cuomo said the suspect appeared to have acted alone.

&quot;There&#39;s no evidence to suggest a wider plot or a wider scheme. These are the actions of one individual meant to cause pain and harm and probably death,&quot; Cuomo told the same news conference.

Asked later in a CNN interview whether the suspect had been known to authorities before the attack, Cuomo replied: &quot;It&#39;s too early to give you a definitive answer.&quot;

JOINT TASK FORCE

New York City Police Commissioner James O&#39;Neill declined to publicly identify the driver. However, a source familiar with the investigation told Reuters the driver&#39;s name was Sayfullo Saipov.

CNN and NBC News reported that he entered the United States in 2010.&nbsp;

Multiple media outlets, including CNN, cited police officials as saying that the suspect shouted &quot;Allahu Akbar&quot; - Arabic for &quot;God is greatest&quot; - when he jumped out of his truck.

O&#39;Neill would only say when asked at the news conference that an unspecified comment by the suspect when he exited his truck, and the general circumstances of the assault, led investigators to label the incident a &quot;terrorist event.&quot;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the New York City Police Department and other agencies in a Joint Terrorism Task Force to conduct a probe of the attack, the FBI said in a statement.

ABC News reported that Saipov lived in Tampa, Florida. A check of court records related to a traffic citation that Saipov received in eastern Pennsylvania in 2015 showed he listed addresses then in Paterson, New Jersey, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

The suspect drove onto the bike path in lower Manhattan at 3:05 pm&nbsp;(1905 GMT) and sped south for about 20 city blocks, running down pedestrians and bicyclists along the way before slamming into the side of the school bus. Two children and two adults were injured in that collision, O&#39;Neill said.

The man then climbed out of this truck with what appeared to be a handgun. Police later recovered a paint-ball gun and a pellet gun from the scene, authorities said.

O&#39;Neill said the pickup truck driven by the suspect had been rented from the Home Depot hardware chain, but declined to say where it was rented.

MANGLED BICYCLES

Mangled and flattened bicycles littered the sunlit bike path, which runs parallel to the West Side Highway along the Hudson River, after the attack.

Of the eight people killed, six were pronounced dead at the scene and two more were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, O&#39;Neill said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said 11 survivors with serious but non-life-threatening injuries were taken to hospitals.

Despite the attack, thousands of costumed Halloween revelers turned out hours later for New York City&#39;s main Halloween parade, which went on as scheduled Tuesday night with a heightened police presence just a few blocks from the scene of the carnage.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Trump, who has pressed for a ban on travelers entering the United States from some predominantly Muslim countries, said on Twitter he had ordered Homeland Security officials to &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-terror-attack-donald-trump-orders-stepped-up-extreme-vetting-23259">step up our already Extreme Vetting Program</a>. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!&quot;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925490503218589696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The president later said in an official White House statement: &quot;Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today`s terrorist attack in New York City and their families.&quot; He also paid tribute to the &quot;first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims.&quot;

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Our first responders once again ran towards danger. New York City thanks them. <a href="https://t.co/IrJWveDBfP">pic.twitter.com/IrJWveDBfP</a>
&mdash; Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/925514583292416001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Similar attacks in Europe last year killed scores of people.

On July 14, 2016, a suspect drove a large truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds more in an attack for which Islamic State claimed responsibility.

Five months later a Tunisian asylum seeker, who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, plowed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48.&nbsp;

A driver rammed his van into crowds in the heart of Barcelona on Aug. 17 this year, killing 13 people, in an attack authorities said was carried out by suspected Islamist militants.

The five Argentine citizens killed in Tuesday&#39;s attack were identified by their home government as Hern&aacute;n Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Dami&aacute;n Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hern&aacute;n Ferruchi, all from the city of Rosario. Their ages were not given.

The 29-year-old suspect was shot in the abdomen by police and arrested after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle.

A man driving a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen in what authorities said was an act of terrorism. The 29-year-old suspect was shot in the abdomen by police and arrested after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, authorities said. A US law enforcement source told Reuters the suspect is an Uzbekistan-born immigrant. CNN and The New York Times, each citing law enforcement sources, reported that investigators found a note left by the suspect claiming he carried out the attack in the name of the Islamic State militant group. × Five of the dead were Argentine citizens, visiting New York as part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their high school graduation, the Argentina Foreign Ministry said. A sixth member of the group was among those hospitalized after the attack, the ministry said in a statement. The incident marked the greatest loss of life from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people. Tuesday's assault, on the far west side of lower Manhattan a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, was reminiscent of several deadly vehicle attacks in Europe during the past 15 months. "This was an act of terror, and a particularly cowardly act of terror, aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them," Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference. A representative of the US Department of Homeland Security similarly called the incident an "apparent act of terrorism." Governor Andrew Cuomo said the suspect appeared to have acted alone. "There's no evidence to suggest a wider plot or a wider scheme. These are the actions of one individual meant to cause pain and harm and probably death," Cuomo told the same news conference. Asked later in a CNN interview whether the suspect had been known to authorities before the attack, Cuomo replied: "It's too early to give you a definitive answer." JOINT TASK FORCE New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill declined to publicly identify the driver. However, a source familiar with the investigation told Reuters the driver's name was Sayfullo Saipov. CNN and NBC News reported that he entered the United States in 2010. Multiple media outlets, including CNN, cited police officials as saying that the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" - Arabic for "God is greatest" - when he jumped out of his truck. O'Neill would only say when asked at the news conference that an unspecified comment by the suspect when he exited his truck, and the general circumstances of the assault, led investigators to label the incident a "terrorist event." The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the New York City Police Department and other agencies in a Joint Terrorism Task Force to conduct a probe of the attack, the FBI said in a statement. ABC News reported that Saipov lived in Tampa, Florida. A check of court records related to a traffic citation that Saipov received in eastern Pennsylvania in 2015 showed he listed addresses then in Paterson, New Jersey, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The suspect drove onto the bike path in lower Manhattan at 3:05 pm (1905 GMT) and sped south for about 20 city blocks, running down pedestrians and bicyclists along the way before slamming into the side of the school bus. Two children and two adults were injured in that collision, O'Neill said. The man then climbed out of this truck with what appeared to be a handgun. Police later recovered a paint-ball gun and a pellet gun from the scene, authorities said. O'Neill said the pickup truck driven by the suspect had been rented from the Home Depot hardware chain, but declined to say where it was rented. MANGLED BICYCLES Mangled and flattened bicycles littered the sunlit bike path, which runs parallel to the West Side Highway along the Hudson River, after the attack. Of the eight people killed, six were pronounced dead at the scene and two more were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, O'Neill said. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said 11 survivors with serious but non-life-threatening injuries were taken to hospitals. Despite the attack, thousands of costumed Halloween revelers turned out hours later for New York City's main Halloween parade, which went on as scheduled Tuesday night with a heightened police presence just a few blocks from the scene of the carnage. US President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Trump, who has pressed for a ban on travelers entering the United States from some predominantly Muslim countries, said on Twitter he had ordered Homeland Security officials to "step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!" We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017 × The president later said in an official White House statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today`s terrorist attack in New York City and their families." He also paid tribute to the "first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims." Our first responders once again ran towards danger. New York City thanks them. pic.twitter.com/IrJWveDBfP — Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) November 1, 2017 × Similar attacks in Europe last year killed scores of people. On July 14, 2016, a suspect drove a large truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds more in an attack for which Islamic State claimed responsibility. Five months later a Tunisian asylum seeker, who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, plowed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48. A driver rammed his van into crowds in the heart of Barcelona on Aug. 17 this year, killing 13 people, in an attack authorities said was carried out by suspected Islamist militants. The five Argentine citizens killed in Tuesday's attack were identified by their home government as Hernán Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damián Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernán Ferruchi, all from the city of Rosario. Their ages were not given.

Truck kills 8 on New York bike path in US' deadliest attack since 9/11

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