police – Page 5 – Michmutters

Tag: police

Categories
Australia

Queensland Police reveal victims organized to meet with alleged gunman before mass shooting killed three people in Bogie

Qld farm massacre: Man, 59, charged with gunning down three people, attempted murder of fourth man

Queensland Police have revealed new details about the shooting in a rural town that left three members of the same family dead and another critically injured.

Married couple Mervyn and Maree Schwarz, 71 and 59, and their son Graham Tinge, 35, were gunned down at their cattle farm property in Bogie, about 35 minutes from Bowen in the state’s north on Thursday morning.

Their other son, Ross, was shot in the abdomen and bleeding heavily but managed to flee the scene in a ute where he alerted police about the shooting.

Mackay Detective Inspector Tom Armitt revealed in press conference on Friday that the alleged offender and the victims had organized to meet the night before the shooting.

“What we do know is that all parties are neighbours, some conversation has occurred between the parties and resulted in a meeting up at the parties’ boundary line earlier that morning when the incident occurred,” he said.

Stream more Australian news with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends October 31, 2022 >

“We understand that there was a conversation the night before that was the reason they met the next morning.

“What I can say is that there was an invitation for them to go there and discuss.”

Police said the distance from the properties is a long 45-minute drive and is a three kilometer drive from the gate to the front of the house.

Ross underwent surgery at MacKay Base Hospital on Thursday night and has been well enough to speak with police.

A 59-year-old male neighbor of the Schwarz’s is being held in custody with charges expected to be laid late on Friday afternoon.

“He will be remaining in our custody and we expect to lay criminal charges in relation to the matter some time later on this afternoon,” Superintendent Armitt said.

He also revealed the Schwarzs’ had purchased the property “some time” in the last 12 months while the 59-year-old was a long-term resident of the area.

Police took five people who were on the property at the time of the incident into custody overnight with all but the alleged shooter released.

Emergency services received a call around 9am on Thursday by the lone survivor who had driven about 40 kilometers away from the crime scene.

Superintendent Tom Armitt said there was confusion about where the shooting had occurred with the call coming from a far distance away but praised the officers who placed themselves in danger during the response.

“At that particular time we had a report that three persons had been shot. I believed that they had been killed but we needed confirmation on that,” he said.

“At that particular time whilst we had made requests of our CERT team to come and make clearances and armed clearances at those properties we needed to push forward with police to determine the safety of the people on the ground.

“We had a small team of police who drove forward into the crime scene at that time not knowing if the armed offender was present putting their lives at grave danger especially when the report was that people had been shot with a rifle.

“They were in danger of being shot at any distance whilst approaching the crime scene so that was slow and meticulous work and extremely brave from the officers who were involved at that time.”

Police are yet to determine a motive for the incident with investigations into the incident ongoing.

Anyone in the area with information who has knowledge, information of any issues in the area, or spoke with either family, should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

.

Categories
US

Manhunt over bloodied NJ woman sparked by misunderstanding

Manhunt over bloodied NJ woman sparked by misunderstanding

A nationwide manhunt over a bloody, thought-to-be-abducted woman in New Jersey was sparked by an accident and a bizarre misunderstanding, police told The Post Friday.

The unnamed woman — who was spotted screaming and bleeding inside a tractor-trailer on Route 130 Wednesday — was hurt when her husband hit the brakes to avoid an accident, South Brunswick Police Deputy Chief Jim Ryan said.

The woman, who was standing between the cab and the sleeper of the rig, flew forward and was left bleeding and screaming, he said.

But a worker from a nearby car rental company who did not see the big rig stop short, saw the woman bleeding and thought he might be witnessing a kidnapping and called police, Ryan said.

“He’s standing in a parking lot and he hears someone yell ‘help,’” said Ryan, adding the witness called police.

The mix-up triggered a multi-agency search for the truck and, after media reported the incident, at least 100 calls about possible sightings from Texas to California, Ryan said.

According to police, the nationwide manhunt for a though-to-be-abducted woman in New Jersey was due to a misunderstanding.
According to police, the nationwide manhunt for a though-to-be-abducted woman in New Jersey was due to a misunderstanding.
South Brunswick Police Department

Police used surveillance footage, including from local businesses, along with tips to track down the 50-something married couple and determine there was no foul play Thursday, Ryan said.

“It’s amazing what people can do if they mobilize,” he said. “I’m glad the outcome was positive.”

Despite the weird mix up, he said the witness ultimately did the right thing by reporting the woman in distress.

“He actually saw it accurately, and made some great observations,” Ryan said.

.

Categories
Australia

Family of Canberra woman Bronte Haskins called on ACT coroner to find several people failed her in the lead up to her suicide

A woman holds a framed picture of her daughter.

The family of Canberra woman Brontë Haskins has asked the ACT coroner to make adverse findings about several people involved in her case before and after her suicide in 2020.

Ms Haskins, 23, died in hospital after several days on life support.

Her death came while she was on bail after a stint in jail for drug driving.

Ms Haskins had suffered both substance abuse and mental illness, something her mother said was not taken seriously enough by authorities.

In the lead-up to her death she had been staying at her mother’s home, while she was on bail.

A coronial inquest into Ms Haskins’s suicide heard her mother called police and mental health services when she became delusional, believing the unit where she was staying was a gas chamber.

Several issues have been raised in the case before the ACT Coroner’s Court, including the family’s claim that a mental-health nurse failed to give the case the priority it required and failed to follow up a call from Ms Haskins’s mother, Janine.

Lawyer Sam Tierney who represented Ms Haskins’s family referred to the staged triage system — where category A is the most serious, and category G requires more information — when criticizing the way the case was handled by mental-health nurse Karina Boyd.

A young woman relaxes in a hammock as she cuddles a large smiling dog.
The inquest heard Brontë Haskins’s case was not triaged correctly.(Supplied)

“Had Ms Boyd not incorrectly triaged Brontë as category G, Brontë would have more likely than not been assessed face to face by a trained mental-health clinician within 72 hours and certainly prior to her death,” Mr Tierney said.

Counsel assisting the coroner Andrew Muller also took aim at the way the case was triaged.

“Brontë should have been assessed as a category C or D, resulting in some urgent follow-up,” Mr Muller said.

“What is material is that, on any view of the available information, Brontë was incorrectly assessed for triage purposes.”

Mr Muller has recommended an overhaul of the triage system.

But in its submissions, the ACT defended Ms Boyd’s decision, saying she had not been able to speak to Ms Haskins and her only contact was with her mother.

“She had been told that the AFP had been called and she assumed that the police would contact her if they thought Brontë needed a risk assessment or mental-health service,” the territory submissions said.

Court hears CCTV footage of minutes before attempt to take life missing

A young woman smiles at the camera while cuddling a big black dog.
Ms Haskins’s family have called for greater transparency in passing on confidential details after the death of a mental health service user to the Coroner’s Court.(Supplied)

Another key issue was the fact police returned a CCTV recorder to Brett French, an associate of Ms Haskins, at whose home she had tried to take her life.

The court heard about 45 minutes of footage which may have shed light on the events leading up to her death was deleted

Court documents showed Mr French had admitted showing some of the CCTV to another man.

Mr Tierney told the court the family wanted an adverse finding against Mr French for his “callous” treatment of Ms Haskins on the day of her death.

Mr Tierney also identified the behavior of police investigating the death as an issue.

“A proper investigation and analysis of the CCTV recorder may have disclosed further and important information to the coroner to assist in the process of considering Brontë’s death,” he said.

He has called for a recommendation that will send a message to the AFP about the handling of coronial exhibits.

The inquiry has also looked into the management of Ms Haskins’s case and whether further detention could have prevented her death.

Mr Muller said there was evidence of better communications about her could have helped.

“Had Brontë been stopped the outcome may, of course, have been different,” Mr Muller said.

“But there was no proper reason she could be stopped.”

Other recommendations being sought by Ms Haskins’s family include greater transparency in passing on to the Coroner’s Court confidential details after the death of a mental health service user, recording of calls to the mental health line, audits of the triage system, and better information to be passed to AFP officers called to incidents.

Coroner James Stewart said he would take some time to hand down his findings.

.

Categories
Australia

Homeless man tackled by SA Premier’s security during press conference vows to fight charges

A man walks from a court building holding a guitar and smiling

A homeless man who was tackled to the ground and arrested in front of the South Australian Premier at a press conference in Adelaide says he feels he was unfairly targeted by police.

Aaron John Rudd, 54, was arrested during a scuffle with security at a press conference held by Peter Malinauskas on Hutt Street in Adelaide on June 30.

A plain-clothed police officer asked him to move back because he was getting too close to the Premier.

Rudd was then escorted away by Mr Malinauskas’s security detail and handcuffed face-down on the pavement in scenes that were captured on camera by the gathered media.

Mr Rudd, who arrived at the Adelaide Magistrates Court today with a guitar, is charged with disorderly behavior and resisting police.

After his court hearing, he told the media he meant no harm when he moved closer to the press conference to see what was going on.

“I was just passing by and was curious to watch, see what it was about,” he said.

“I feel very much that I was unfairly targeted.

“I just think it was maybe the ignorance of the police officer, he should be trained better to be more diplomatic about these situations, it’s not the way to handle a situation like that.

“People like that they should be a bit more professional, treat the public with a bit more dignity and respect.”

Aaron Rudd arrested
Mr Rudd was handcuffed face-down on the pavement on June 30. (abcnews)

Mr Rudd said he used to be a full-time carer and has been living on the streets since losing his job and felt passionately about advocating for the rights of disadvantaged people.

“I’m very compassionate and very passionate about street people,” he said.

“These people have a heart and I care for them, I like being around them.”

Mr Rudd said he did not know who Mr Malinauskas was, but felt it was his right to “bear witness” at the press conference.

He said the police officer and security detail were “aggressively intimating” towards him and he tried to defend himself.

“I pushed him, I met him with equal resistance. I was not charged with assault because, as I said to them, this will reflect in footage,” Mr Rudd said.

When asked by reporters if he might write a song about what happened, he said “maybe one day” and that it would be called “freedom for the people, a right to witness.”

The court case was attached to October.

.

Categories
Australia

University of New England vice chancellor Brigid Heywood resigns after being charged with assault

A photo of the UNE Vice Chancellor Brigid Heywood, sitting on a desk.

The vice-chancellor and chief executive of an Australian university has resigned but will defend charges against her, according to her former employer.

Brigid Heywood had been with the University of New England, based in Armidale in regional New South Wales, for three years before she was formally charged on Monday.

Police allege Professor Heywood assaulted a 16-year-old girl at a licensed venue in Armidale in March and that the teenager was not physically injured.

In addition to one charge of common assault, Professor Heywood has also been charged with behaving in an offensive manner near a public place or school.

In a statement, University of New England chancellor James Harris said Professor Heywood “strenuously denies there is any truth to the charges and will defend them.”

The National Tertiary Education Union had called for Professor Heywood to stand down while the matter was before the court.

“Professor Heywood and the University Council acknowledges the deep hurt felt by many on hearing of the charges and thanks the community for the patience shown as we worked through these matters,” Mr Harris said in his statement.

“The University Council wants to clearly state that it remains deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for its students, staff and community at all times.”

Professor Heywood is due to face an Armidale court on September 26.

.

Categories
Australia

SA Police allege six senior Comanchero bikies caught in Adelaide park

A man with a serious expression wearing a suit and tie stands in front of an SA Police banner

Six men police say were senior Comanchero bikies have been arrested in Adelaide’s inner-north, in what police say will have a “distinct impact” on the gang’s activities.

The six men, aged between 20 and 55, were arrested at a park on Alexandra Street in Prospect around 7pm.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Fielke said police believed all six were senior members of the Comancheros.

“What that’s been able to do is significantly hamper and disrupt their activities going forward,” he said.

Chief Inspector Fielke said the gathering of the men was against criminal association laws.

“South Australian legislation prohibits three or more participants of a declared criminal organization to be present in a public place,” he said.

“The penalty for this offense is a mandatory term of imprisonment to a maximum of three years.”

He said it was unclear what the men were doing in the park, but said members of outlaw motorcycle gangs go to public places “to try and get out of the police eye.”

“But they also go there to plan, strategise and discuss what they’re doing,” he said.

“Directions are given, decisions are made. So they go there to further their criminal behavior and their activities.”

A 55-year-old man from Magill, a 37-year-old man from North Adelaide, a 31-year-old man from Northgate, and a 29-year-old man from Brooklyn Park were charged with criminal association offences.

They were all danced with strict conditions not to associate with each other and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 7.

A sign reading Ern Sconce Rotary Park in front of trees and behind a green fence
The men were arrested in a park in Adelaide’s inner-north.(ABC News: Che Chorley)

A 20-year-old Port Adelaide man was also charged with carrying an offensive weapon and possessing prescription drugs and will appear in court on the same date.

A 38-year-old Prospect man was further charged with breaching an intervention order, arising from an unrelated incident, and was refused bail to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court today.

Detective Chief Inspector Fielke said the arrests were a “fantastic” result for police.

“We’ve taken out some of the key decision-makers of the Comanchero of South Australia in this particular incident,” he said.

“So you take away decision-makers and leaders of a group, you have a distinct impact on their day-to-day activities and whatever they may or may not be planning.”

Detective Chief Inspector Fielke said police had been targeting the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs “more stringently” following recent shootings in Adelaide’s north.

“Clearly there’s been tensions between at least two outlaw motorcycle gang groups in the last few weeks,” he said.

“Those investigations are ongoing.”

.

Categories
Australia

Ex-WA police officer Michael Richard Tyler used social media to discuss sexually abusing children

Ex-WA police officer Michael Richard Tyler used social media to discuss sexually abusing children

A former West Australian police officer is behind bars after pleading guilty to accessing and possessing child sex abuse material, which he then discussed and forwarded to users in online chat rooms.

WARNING: This story contains content that some readers may find upsetting.

Michael Richard Tyler, 38, was a senior constable stationed in the Mid West city of Geraldton last year, when he used social media apps such as Discord and WhatsApp to discuss sexually abusing children.

The District Court was told a search of his electronic devices discovered thousands of messages that included discussions about drugging and raping children.

During some of those discussions, Tyler also forwarded images and videos of children as young as two months being abused.

In one exchange, Tyler and a woman talked about abusing an eight-year-old girl while they were babysitting her.

In a different conversation with another woman, the discussion centered around about being abusive parents.

Crimes followed ‘tumultuous few years’

Tyler’s lawyer Clint Hampson told the court the offenses took place after his relationship broke down and his former partner took their children overseas.

Dr Hampson said that he had a “profound effect” on Tyler’s mental health and triggered what he called “a tumultuous few years” that included drug addiction.

The court heard Tyler then met a woman on Tinder, who talked about abusing a child.

“He accepts that once he was introduced to this, he’s gone and offended,” Dr Hampson submitted.

It was revealed during the hearing that a female co-offender had been sentenced earlier this year over her “online chats” with Tyler.

She claimed she had been coerced by him into taking part, despite having no interest in child abuse material.

Judge dismisses ‘fantasy’ claims

Tyler’s sentencing was adjourned until November after Judge Charlotte Dawson said a psychological report was needed to determine the extent of his sexual interest in children.

Judge Dawson said in some of the material before her, Tyler had referred to his crimes being “fantasy”, which she highlighted was not the case.

“This isn’t fantasy, these are real children, real victims,” ​​she said.

“To see the word fantasy, that is offensive… it is clearly erroneous.”

Tyler did not seek bail and was remanded in custody.

.

Categories
US

Woman seen yelling in truck on New Jersey highway found safe

Woman seen yelling in truck on New Jersey highway found safe

A bloodied woman who was spotted screaming for help inside the cab of a big rig on a New Jersey highway Wednesday was found safe by police who are now investigating the incident.

South Brunswick Police announced Thursday evening that they have found the woman in question as well as the truck driver in Woodbridge and said the two know each other.

A witness had spotted the woman, who appeared to be bleeding from her face and yelling for help from the cab of a white tractor-trailer parked on the side of Route 130 a day earlier. She tried to jump out of the cab, but was pulled back in by the driver who then sped off down Route 130.

The alarming report sparked a massive, multi-agency search effort by the South Brunswick PD and federal and state law enforcement.

Police said the incident was not a stranger abduction as many had first speculated, NBC4 reported. The pair were familiar with one another and were found together. Both were brought in for police questioning.

The woman got home safe but had suffered injuries — to what extent is unknown, according to the outlet.

.

Categories
Australia

Victoria’s police association calls for sentencing law reform after Warrnambool assault

Victoria's police association calls for sentencing law reform after Warrnambool assault

The union representing Victoria Police is calling on the state government to overhaul sentencing law for serious offenses to bring punishments in line with community expectations.

The Office of Public Prosecutions yesterday announced it would not appeal against a sentence imposed last month for a man who viciously attacked two Warrnambool police officers.

Steven John Cleary, 50, was sentenced in the County Court to three years and two months in jail, with a non-parole period of one year and 10 months, for the brutal assault.

The Warrnambool man, who heard the court heard delusions including that he was the king of Australia and Norway, admitted to using a metal baseball bat to repeatedly strike an officer to the head while he was on the ground.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton had requested a submission be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions requesting an appeal after the “inadequate” sentence.

‘Broken’ system

Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said the case represented a “dire fault” within the legal system that needed to be addressed.

man in suit speaking outside court
Wayne Gatt says the government must ensure sentencing is in line with community expectations. (abcnews)

“Governments hold the responsibility of making sure the outcomes from courts, that laws the courts must consider when sentencing, actually deliver the outcomes and deliver community expectations,” he said.

“If that’s not happening, it points to a system that is broken. It points to a system that requires reform.”

A Victorian Government spokesperson said in a statement work was under way to “review and modernize” Victoria’s sentencing laws.

The spokesperson said the Attorney-General had asked the Department of Justice and Community Safety to look at the outcome of the case as part of that work.

two police officers are attacked by two people in the street
Police body-worn camera vision of the assault was shown to the court.(Supplied: County Court of Victoria)

“This work will occur in consultation with police and other emergency services in addition to victims’ groups and others,” the statement said.

Mr Gatt said it was not just an issue for police officers seriously assaulted at work, but for all victims of serious crime.

“That victim of crime could be you, it could be me, it could be anyone in our community,” he said.

“The system needs to change for all.”

Officers traumatized

Police body camera footage played to the court showed two police officers attempting to stop a 15-year-old on the street who was not wearing a mask, which was mandated at the time.

The boy contacted Cleary via walkie-talkie and he appeared moments later and rushed forward at the officers.

He continued the frenzied attack despite attempts to restrain him using a taser.

A man holds baseball bat covered in nylon sheath as police officer points taser at him
Clearly attacked the officers with a metal baseball bat covered in a nylon sheath.(Supplied: County Court of Victoria)

One of the victims, Senior Constable Rowan Baldam, told the court he thought he was going to die.

He said he and his colleague had considered leaving their dream job.

Defense lawyer Jonathan Barrera told the court Cleary had severe impaired mental functioning and experienced delusions, that were “active at the time of offending.”

Clearly you have served 300 days in custody since the attack, so you will be eligible for parole in a little more than a year.

No appeal lodged

The Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) released a statement explaining its decision not to appeal the sentence.

“In light of all the relevant sentencing considerations, there is no reasonable prosect that the Court of Appeal would consider the sentence to be manifestly inadequate,” the statement said.

“Those sentencing considerations include the application of the Verdins principles, the utilitarian value of the plea of ​​guilty and the absence of any prior convictions.”

Clearly had pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker on duty and intentionally causing injury.

A man lies on the ground after assault as police officer points at him
The court heard Clearly repeatedly refused to follow police instructions.(Supplied: County Court of Victoria )

sentencing law

Sentencing is dictated by various legal principles found in the 600-page Sentencing Act and case law.

Verdins case law states mental impairment can reduce the offender’s moral culpability for the offense and affect the weight given to just punishment, denunciation and deterrence as purposes of sentencing.

It also justifies a less severe sentence where there is a serious risk of imprisonment could have a significant adverse effect on the offender’s mental health.

The outside of the County Court of Victoria building.
Clearly he was sentenced in the County Court of Victoria. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)

Judges are required to weigh up all factors including the gravity of the crime, the harm to the victims, the offender’s individual circumstances including their prior convictions and prospects of rehabilitation.

Mr Gatt said deterrence had become a “peripheral issue” when it should be a “fundamental principle” in sentencing for serious offences.

He said “any right-minded Victorian” could see Cleary’s sentence did not fit the crime, highlighting a need to change sentencing law.

“[The] advice from the OPP … represents a dire fault within our legal system, not within the OPP,” he said.

“This has to change, but it is beyond the role of the OPP to do that.

“Governments hold this responsibility.”

.

Categories
Australia

Investigation continues following triple fatality after shooting on cattle property near Bogie in north Queensland

A police car on a dirt road near.

Queensland police say they are questioning three people, including the suspected shooter, over a triple fatality at a cattle property in Bogie in north Queensland.

Three people were found dead and a man was critically wounded after the shooting on the cattle property near Collinsville on Thursday morning.

The injured man, who was airlifted to Mackay Hospital with a gunshot wound to his abdomen, is in a serious but stable condition after undergoing surgery late yesterday.

Police said they were still working to determine a motive for the shooting but are questioning three people.

Police issued an emergency declaration yesterday under the Public Safety Preservation Act for an area at Shannonvale Road, south-east of Collinsville, which remains in place.

Nearby residents have been advised to stay away from the area and multiple crime scenes have been established.

The three people who died and the injured man are all from the same family but the police did not confirm their identities.

Mackay District Superintendent Tom Armitt said police were searching an “extensive” farming area that is “hilly and heavily forested”.

Paramedics help a man from a medical helicopter, hidden behind a sheet
A man was flown to Mackay Hospital with critical injuries after suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen.(ABC News: Melissa Madison)

.