Saturday 22 December 2012

FILICIDE (multiple): Florida: Tonya Thomas Shot Her Four Children 18 Times



Posted:
 

Tonya Thomas
Tonya Thomas is accused of fatally shooting her four children before taking her own life.
A Florida mother shot her four children 18 times before taking her own life, according to the Brevard County medical examiner's findings.
In the early morning of May 15, 33-year-old Tonya Thomas fired bullets at two of her children's chests from short distances in the alleged murder-suicide massacre in Port St. John, USA Today reported. Authorities have not reported on the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Thomas' other two children during the incident.
Authorities say that Thomas used a Taurus .38-caliber revolver to kill Joel Johnson, 12, Jazzlyn Johnson, 13, Jaxs Johnson, 15, and Pebbles Johnson, 17.
According to the initial Associated Press report:
Three of the children had gone to a neighbor's front door before dawn to say their mother had shot them. The mother then called the children back to the house and killed them, [Lt. Tod Goodyear, a spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office] said.
"From what the neighbors said, she was very calm. She walked out and called them back. They turned around and walked back to the house," Goodyear said.
On Wednesday, police released the 911 call from neighbors in which witnesses recall hearing gunshots and seeing Thomas' children outside their home.
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Friday 21 December 2012

FILICIDE (By accessory): UK: Kirsty Smedley jailed for letting her son die at the hands of her boyfriend who hit him so hard his liver was split in two



  •  Kirsty Smedley, 24, put her lover Daniel Rigby ahead of son Rio
  • She was jailed for four years for allowing the toddler's death 
  • Rigby has been jailed for a minimum of 17 years for murder

A woman who allowed the death of her two-year-old son at the hands of her murdering boyfriend has been jailed for four years.
'Infatuated' Kirsty Smedley, 24, put her desire to please Daniel Rigby ahead of son Rio, who suffered 91 injuries all over his body.
The fatal blow was delivered to the youngster’s stomach and split his liver in two after Smedley left her home in Bolton to get cash to buy cannabis for her boyfriend.
Two-year-old Rio Smedley was battered senseless by his mothers lover and hit so hard that his liver was split in two
Kirsty Smedley was found guilty of allowing the death of her son
Tragic: Rio Smedley, pictured left, was left in the care of Daniel Rigby by his mother Kirsty Smedley, right. He was found to have 91 injuries and his liver was split in two
She was convicted last month in a trial at Manchester Crown Court of allowing his death after the court heard she knew her son had received two nasty injuries to his backside and head the day before when Rigby was looking after him. 
Rigby, 23, from Tyldesley, Wigan, was sentenced to life last month and ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years after he was found guilty of the murder on April 22 at Smedley’s former home in Cheriton Drive, Breightmet.
Daniel Rigby, pictured holding a baby, was found guilty of murdering two-year-old Rio whilst he was supposed to be looking after him and jailed for a minimum of 17 years
Daniel Rigby, pictured holding a baby, was found guilty of murdering two-year-old Rio whilst he was supposed to be looking after him and jailed for a minimum of 17 years
The injuries were inflicted in the space of three hours and included significant bruising to both his feet caused by stamping.
Smedley who has already been pregnant seven times was castigated by the judge for having 'an irresponsible view of obligations of a mother' after he heard how she put her love life first.
Sentencing her, Mr Justice MacKay said the jury’s verdict meant they were sure she knew or ought to have known there was a significant risk of serious harm to her son.
He told Smedley: 'At no stage did you do anything to protect Rio from his fate. He must have suffered greatly before his death.
'You should never have left him that night. It was quite clear that Rio was at risk. You were infatuated with Rigby at the time and I think you still are, or at least during the trial.
'At the top of your list was a need to please him (Rigby).'
Doctors said he was beaten viciously his injuries were similar to being kicked repeatedly by a horse or being involved in a road accident
The mother of two had been headbutted, slapped across the face and called a 'fat slag' by 23-year  Rigby during a stormy relationship.
Yet even though he was arrested and banned from contacting her she was so infatuated she dropped charges against him - even though her son Rio had had previous unexplained bruises.
 The pair had only kissed and made up after a row just 48 hours earlier but Smedley paid the deadly price for inviting Rigby back into her home when he battered her son senseless.  
Kirsty Smedley has been jailed for four years after she allowed the death of her two-year-old son at the hands of her murdering boyfriend
Daniel Rigby, 23, from Tyldesley, Wigan, who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend's son, Rio Smedley, who had 91 separate injuries on his body and died from a ruptured liver
Kirsty Smedley, left, was so keen to impress her boyfriend Daniel Rigby, pictured right, that she did not think about the safety of her toddler
The judge noted that she had shown no remorse over Rio’s death and the only time she showed distress was when her 999 call to the emergency services was played in court.
The tragedy occurred whilst Smedley was heavily pregnant with a third child - but had not told Rigby someone else was the father.
She only revealed the truth in a witness box when she was testifying at a trial over the toddler’s death. 
Whilst awaiting trial she fell pregnant again to a neighbour but she had a termination in prison two weeks ago - and is now considering sterilisation, the judge was told.
She was said to have been exposed to a chaotic upbringing and suffered a traumatic assault at the age of 15.
Smedley is of low IQ, has low self-esteem and as a consequence sought solace in a string of sexual relationships - moving on to the next man when abandoned, her QC Robert Woodcock said. 
He said she did not believe Rigby posed the 'slightest threat' to Rio.
Rio was beaten to death at his house in Cheriton Drive, Breightmet, Bolton, pictured. The jury found Smedley knew leaving him with her lover left him at risk
Rio was beaten to death at his house in Cheriton Drive, Breightmet, Bolton, pictured. The jury found Smedley knew leaving him with her lover left him at risk
Mr Justice MacKay told Smedley, who will be released on licence halfway through her sentence: 'I hope you will take the assistance that the prison will give you.
'I hope it will lead to some realisation that you need to take control of your life in a different way.'
Following sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Phil Reade said: 'This is a shocking case in which an innocent and defenceless little boy has suffered appalling injuries at the hands of someone who had been trusted to look after him.
A police officer stands guard outside Smedley's former home in April where tiny Rio recieved 91 injuries including a split liver which caused his death
A police officer stands guard outside Smedley's former home in April where tiny Rio recieved 91 injuries including a split liver which caused his death
'Although Daniel and Kirsty have now both been jailed for their involvement in Rio’s death, this will go little way to ease the suffering of Rio’s family, who have lost their beloved little boy under such tragic circumstances.'
Her two surviving children will now be cared for by foster carers and she has made little effort to contact them.  
Smedley began dating Rigby, who has previous for or assault, public order matters and car theft, in 2011 
Last January she announced she was three months pregnant with her second child but Rigby punched and slapping Smedley in the belief she had been texting other men.
Kirsty Smedley leaving Manchester Crown Square Crown Court where she was found guilty of allowing or causing the death of a child
Daniel Rigby had a history of violent outbursts before he murdered the toddler
Smedley, pictured left leaving Manchester Crown Court, has been pregnant seven times and Rigby, right, was not Rio's father
Friends recalled how he also headbutted her and kicked her in the head during a row in the kitchen whilst waiting for her to 'get him some money'.
Last March 21 when Smedley was five months pregnant, Rigby punched her in the face grabbed her by the cheeks, pushed her into a door and headbutted her after claiming she was planning to have sex with other men.
He was arrested and bailed on condition he make no contact with her with Smedley telling her midwife how she feared Rigby would kill her. A social worker also urged Smedly to ring her if there were any further problems.
But on April 3 Smedley later withdrew a police statement she made about the attack and on April 20, Rigby was told no further action would be taken against him.
Flowers and a teddy bear were left in memory of tragic Rio outside the home where he was beaten to death earlier this year
Flowers and a teddy bear were left in memory of tragic Rio outside the home where he was beaten to death earlier this year
He immediately returned to their home and that evening Smedley left him to care for Rio for an hour whilst she and a friend went off to pick up portions of fish chips from a nearby takeaway.
When Smedley returned home Rio already had red blotches on him and was feeling sick but she ignored the warning signs and instead went out again the next day to see relatives leaving the youngster at home with her violent boyfriend.
During that time Rigby sent a text to Smedley saying Rio had 'fallen off the arm of the couch' at his grandmother’s house when the dog jumped up at him' and another saying he had been hit with a plastic toy sword.
When she returned the youngster was sporting a bruise to his bottom, yet the following day the mother went out for a third time leaving Rio with Rigby.
She was eventually called in a text by Rigby who said Rio had fallen down the stairs. She rushed back home to find the youngster was not moving and his eyes “sunk” to the back of his head and dialled 999.
Rio was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital but later died of a ruptured liver caused by punches kicks and stamping.
A pathologist who examined Rio, found 91 separate marks of injury including 40 bruises and abrasions to his head and face, 11 bruises and abrasions to his abdomen, a 9.5cm x 3.7cm bruise to his buttock, seven bruises and abrasions to both his arms, and 20 injuries to his legs and feet.
A police officer surveys the home where Rio was killed by his mum's boyfriend just days after the pair had got back together
A police officer surveys the home where Rio was killed by his mum's boyfriend just days after the pair had got back together
Prosecuting Simon Phillips QC said: 'Kirsty was infatuated or desperate to make her relationship with Rigby work.
'What she was fearful of wasn’t what might happen to her child but what might happen to her if she didn’t please him. Rio was very much second in her thoughts. He was not her priority.'
During the hearing Rigby held his head in his hands as Smedley revealed a DNA said had shown he was not the father of her second child. Earlier he had told the trial he never harmed Rio and insisted the youngster had fallen down the stairs.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251758/Mother-jailed-letting-son-die-hands-boyfriend-hit-hard-liver-split-two.html#ixzz2FiBtSbzi
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Thursday 20 December 2012

FILICIDE: UK: Natalie McMillan to be sentenced for "neglect"


Mother cleared of killing four-month-old son who died after television set weighing five stone fell on his head

  • Natalie McMillan was trying to watch a DVD when the TV fell on her four-month-old Kian
  • He later died in hospital but she has been cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence
  • McMilland and ex-partner Edward Hanratty now face sentencing for neglect
Natalie McMillan who has been cleared of killing her four-month-old son who died from 'catastrophic injuries' when a television weighing five stone dropped on his head
Accident Natalie McMillan who has been cleared of killing her four-month-old son who died from 'catastrophic injuries' when a television weighing five stone dropped on his head

A woman was today cleared of killing her four-month-old son who died from 'catastrophic injuries' when a television weighing five stone dropped on his head.
Kian McMillan was lying below on his changing mat and died a day later in hospital after the incident at his home in Burnley, Lancashire, on December 6 last year.
Natalie McMillan, 25, initially told detectives she accidentally knocked over the TV set as she attempted to move it to plug in a scart lead and watch a DVD.
In interview she said: 'I have never hurt my son on purpose... all because I wanted to watch a film.'
She denied she had been under the influence of drugs but tests later showed she had taken heroin and valium.
McMillan was charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and child neglect but then changed her version of events as she shifted the blame to the boy's father.
When giving evidence in her trial at Preston Crown Court, she claimed ex-partner Edward Hanratty, 41, was the person responsible for the television falling and that she was upstairs in bed when it happened.
She admitted guilt to neglect midway through the trial, while Hanratty also changed his plea to guilty on the same charge after he gave evidence.
The prosecution had alleged McMillan was responsible for the toppling television while Hanratty was passed out on the kitchen floor through drink and drugs.
 
    She said she decided to accept the blame on his behalf from the moment she made the 999 call from the address in Scarlett Street because she was scared of him.
    Prosecutor Suzanne Goddard QC said this was 'nonsense' and that she was lying.
    v
    Father: Edward Hanratty, who the prosecution said was passed out on the kitchen floor through drink and drugs at the time of the accident
    In his closing speech yesterday, Peter Wright QC, defending McMillan, told jurors they were not being asked to determine if his client was a good mother.
    The relevant questions were: was she responsible for the television falling and if so; was her behaviour so grossly negligent that it was 'truly exceptionally bad' rather than a mistake or a serious error of judgment.
    Mr Wright said: 'We say the evidence points away rather than to her being responsible. A not guilty verdict is not a vindication of Natalie McMillan or a dereliction of Kian McMillan.'
    The jury took less than four hours to reach its verdict.
    Deliberations: Jurors at Preston Crown Court took less than four hours to find the two defendants not guilty
    Deliberations: Jurors at Preston Crown Court took less than four hours to find the two defendants not guilty
    McMillan, of Leeds, and Hanratty, of Bradford, will both be sentenced on January 31.
    The Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, told McMillan he wanted a pre-sentence report to find out more about her personal background.
    He said all sentencing options remained available, including custody. Hanratty was released on bail yesterday following his guilty plea.


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251282/Natalie-McMillan-cleared-killing-month-old-son-died-TV-fell-head.html#ixzz2FdStH5lD
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    FILICIDE: UK: Magdelena Luczak and partner 'kept four-year-old son in locked room and fed him SALT before battering him to death'


    By ANNA EDWARDS

      A mother and her partner kept her four-year-old son locked in a room, denying him food and feeding him salt before battering him to death, a court heard today.
      Magdelena Luczak, 27, and her partner Mariusz Krezolek, 33, are accused of assaulting and killing her son Daniel Pelka on March 3 this year.
      The couple today pleaded not guilty to murder when they appeared at Birmingham Crown Court.
      Daniel Pelka, who died after he was found unconscious at his home, was allegedly locked in a room and fed salt
      Daniel Pelka, who died after he was found unconscious at his home, was allegedly locked in a room and fed salt
      They also denied child cruelty charges between January 2011 and March this year.
      The couple, who listened to proceedings via Polish interpreters, were remanded in custody by Mrs Justice Macur and ordered to return to court for trial on May 1 next year.

      The charge sheet states the pair 'wilfully assaulted, ill treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed Daniel Pelak in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury by physically assaulting him, denying him food, locking him in a room and feeding him salt and by failing to obtain prompt medical treatment for him.'
      A mother and her partner are accused of battering him to death, a court heard today
      A mother and her partner are accused of battering him to death, a court heard today
      Both also faced an individual charge of causing or allowing the death of a child by failing to take reasonable steps to protect him.
      Paramedics found Daniel unconscious at the family home in Holbrooks, Coventry, on March 3 this year after Luczak dialled 999.
      Despite desperate attempts to save Daniel, he died in hospital.
      A post-mortem examination found that the youngster died of a head injury


      Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251235/Mother-27-partner-kept-year-old-son-locked-room-fed-SALT-battering-death.html#ixzz2FdRewggp
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      Wednesday 19 December 2012

      FILICIDE (under orders): Norway: Ammaz Hunaina drowned her child


      Father accused of killing a baby girl by telling mother to torture her over Skype is extradited for trial in Norway

      • Ammaz Qureshi was talking to his former mistress Yasmin Chaudhry over the internet
      • One-year-old Hunaina 'interrupted their conversation' so he told her to dunk her in a bucket of water
      • He was arrested in June and put on a plane to Norway earlier this week

      A father accused of killing a baby girl over Skype by telling her mother to dunk her head in a bucket of water - has been extradited to Norway to face trial.
      Ammaz Qureshi was talking to his former mistress over the internet when one-year-old Hunaina started crying, interrupting their conversation. 
      He is accused of telling her mother, Yasmin Chaudhry, to hold her daughter by the ankles and dunk her in the bucket as punishment.
      Ammaz Qureshi was talking to his former mistress over the internet when one year old Hunaina started crying, interrupting their conversation
      Ammaz Qureshi was talking to his former mistress over the internet when one year old Hunaina started crying, interrupting their conversation (stock image)
      But after her nose and mouth were submerged for the second time the girl stopped breathing and lost consciousness. She was rushed to hospital but died the next day.  
      Prosecutors say that the dunking was part of a campaign of cruelty inflicted on the girl by her mother under Qureshi's instructions.
      That allegedly included spraying her in the face with a bottle of water, making her eat chilli powder and forcing her to stay awake.
      She was also forced to stay in the ‘naughty corner’ for hours with her legs bound, sleep on the floor and had her head held under running water in the sink, they claim. 
       
        Following her daughter's death in October 2010, Chaudhry told doctors that she fell into the water by accident.
        She was arrested on suspicion of negligence because of inconsistencies in the stories she told police and paramedics.
        But when facing manslaughter charges, she told police that Qureshi, 33, of Pinner, North London, had been directing the abuse for months.
        He was questioned by Norwegian police in the UK in December 2010 and faces charges of cruelty to a child and manslaughter. He denies giving any instructions. 
        The married accountant had a fling with Chaudhry when she came to London on holiday in February 2010. He managed to keep the death from his wife until police began to question him. 
        Police flew over from Oslo to question him with the help of Scotland Yard
        Police flew over from Oslo to question him with the help of Scotland Yard
        He was arrested in June and put on a plane to Norway earlier this week.
        In January this year, Norwegian police prosecutor Kristin Rusdal told MailOnline: 'This has been a long investigation and she (Chaudhry) eventually admitted it to us in October 2011. 
        'She said it was done to discipline the child. She had been holding her under water.
        'She had discussed the discipline with this friend, with whom she had a relationship.'


        Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2250617/Father-accused-killing-baby-girl-telling-mother-torture-Skype-extradited-trial-Norway.html#ixzz2FYeLO2J3
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        Tuesday 18 December 2012

        FILICIDE: UK: Natalie Critchley charged


        Mother, 21, charged over death of daughter, three, after body was found with serious internal injuries

        • Partner Richard Green, 22, charged with Lia's murder
        • Natalie Critchley will appear in court on Friday for preliminary hearing
        • Couple called ambulance to their home after toddler became unwell
        • But their little 'princess' was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital

        'Princess': Lia Green was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after she began feeling unwell at her parents' home
        'Princess': Lia Green was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after she began feeling unwell at her parents' home
        A 21-year-old mother has been charged with causing or allowing the death of her three-year-old daughter, who was found with serious injuries to her internal organs.
        Natalie Critchley and her partner Richard Green, 22, called an ambulance to their £90,000 terraced home in Preston, Lancashire, after their daughter Lia Green began feeling unwell.
        Paramedics fought to save her life, but the toddler was pronounced dead on arrival at Royal Preston Hospital.
        Richard Green was charged in October with her murder and later remanded in custody. 
        He is due to attend a plea and case management hearing at Preston Crown Court on January 14.
        Shocked neighbours of the couple spoke of their disbelief after Lia's death and said they used to call her a ‘little princess’ because of her pretty face and lovely smile.
        Lia's mother, Natalie Critchley, appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court this morning and was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on Friday at 10am for a preliminary hearing.
        Lancashire Police said a 22-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice has been released from his bail and will face no further action.
         
        ‘We are going to continue to speak to people who knew Lia such as family members and friends.
        ‘The main focus of our enquiries are the injuries and to determine how she got her injuries,’ police said.
        On trial: Natalie Critchley, right, will attend a preliminary hearing on Friday and Richard Green, left, will be in court in February charged with their daughter's murder
        On trial: Natalie Critchley, right, will attend a preliminary hearing on Friday and Richard Green, left, will be in court in February charged with their daughter's murder
        Shocked: Neighbours in Preston described Lia as a 'little princess' because of her fair hair and 'lovely smile'
        Shocked: Neighbours in Preston described Lia as a 'little princess' because of her fair hair and 'lovely smile'
        Lia Green
        Natalie and Lia
        Tragedy: Critchley, right, and Green called 999 and said they feared Lia was deteriorating quickly
        Det Supt Dermott Horrigan, from Lancashire’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: ‘This is an incredibly complex and sensitive inquiry and we have a team of highly trained and professional officers looking into the matter.
        ‘The death of a child will always be greeted with shock and a deep sense of sadness.'
        One said they would often see Lia playing in the street and added: ‘She was often called the little princess because she had such a fair face and lovely blonde hair and a lovely smile. It’s such a tragedy and everyone is in utter shock.’
        The couple, who are thought to be engaged, were arrested and questioned for up to four days by police.


        Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2250111/Lia-Green-Mother-Natalie-Critchley-charged-causing-allowing-death-daughter-suffered-internal-injuries.html#ixzz2FSH8HcuJ
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        Monday 17 December 2012

        FILICIDE (multiple): UK: Mairead Philpott 6 charges of manslaughter


        Murder charges DROPPED against parents of six children killed in house fire... but they will face trial for manslaughter

        • Mick Philpott and his wife Mairead will face a trial in February next year

        The parents of six children who died when a fire ripped through their home mouthed 'I love you' to each other today when their murder charges were dropped.
        Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, will now face a trial in February next year charged with six counts of manslaughter.
        Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight; Jessie, six, and Jayden, five, died when fire tore through their house in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, at 4am on May 11.
        Mick and Mairead Philpott, the parents of six children that died following a fire at their home in Derby have had the murder charges dropped against them
        Mick and Mairead Philpott, the parents of six children that died following a fire at their home in Derby have had the murder charges dropped against them
        Their brother Duwayne, 13, died three days later in Birmingham Children's Hospital.
        The down-grading of the charges means the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will not have to prove the pair intended to kill their children.
        The maximum sentence for manslaughter is discretionary while a convicted murderer is automatically jailed for life.
        The couple, from Derby, were charged with six separate counts of manslaughter during a 90 minute hearing at Birmingham Crown Court.
        Victims: Duwayne, 13, (top left) next to his brother John, 9, (top right). Bottom row (left to right) are: Jack, 7, Jessie, 6, their sister Jade, 10, and Jayden, 5,
        Victims: Duwayne, 13, (top left) next to his brother John, 9, (top right). Bottom row (left to right) are: Jack, 7, Jessie, 6, their sister Jade, 10, and Jayden, 5,
        Respect: Well-wishers left hundreds of cards, flowers, teddy bears and candles after a candlelit vigil
        Respect: Well-wishers left hundreds of cards, flowers, teddy bears and candles after a candlelit vigil
        The pair, who appeared on separate video-links but could see each other, mouthed 'I love you' while covering their hearts with their hands as the new charges were read out.
        Earlier, the pair were seen on the court's TV screen waving to each other before Mick mouthed 'You alright?' to his tearful wife.
        Paul Mosley, 45, of Cecil Street, Derby, who appeared in person, was also charged with the manslaughter of the six children. 
        Father-of-17 Mr Philpott wept and held his head in his hands in the dock.
        They spoke only to confirm their names, deny the allegations and to confirm they could hear proceedings.
        The next hearing in the case will take place on January 16 next year.
        A trial was fixed for February 11 and is expected to last five weeks.
        Philpott's former mistress, Lisa Willis, 28, and her brother-in-law Ian Cousins, 38, were arrested on suspicion of murder following the fire but later released without charge.

        Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2249525/Philpott-Murder-charges-DROPPED-parents-children-killed-house-blaze-face-trial-manslaughter.html#ixzz2FL8F17yX
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