A Florida man suspected of gunning down four of his family members on Thanksgiving is now on the U.S. Marshals' list of the top 15 most-wanted fugitives.
Paul M. Merhige is accused of fatally shooting his twin sisters, a 6-year-old cousin and a 79-year-old aunt at a family home in Jupiter, Florida, on Nov. 26. One of his sisters was pregnant.
A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.
Along with adding Merhige, 35, to its most-wanted list, the U.S. Marshals Service has released some distinguishing characteristics about him.
Merhige might be "homosexual and/or effeminate and may frequent homosexual establishments," according to a U.S. Marshals statement. He also is known to either fake or display symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder, such as frequent bathing and shaving, and difficulty making decisions. He also has faked or displayed symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Merhige has been taking several prescription drugs for the ailments.
"Sudden or prolonged cessation of any of his prescribed medication can result in adverse side effects, including seizures and death," according to the Marshals Service.
Authorities say Merhige also wounded two other family members during the shooting rampage.
He faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office has said.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
School stampede in China turns deadly
A stampede on a school staircase in central China's Hunan province killed eight students and injured 26 others, state media reported.
A student had fallen on a flight of stairs, causing dozens of others to lose their balance and triggering the stampede Monday night, Xinhua News Agency cited officials as saying. The students at Yucai Middle School in Xiangxiang had just finished their evening study session, Xinhua reported.
Seven boys and a girl -- ranging in age from 11 to 14 -- were killed, and five others were seriously injured.
Eight children who were at the center of the stampede were being kept at local hospitals for medical observation, as doctors from the nearby city of Xiangtan were arriving to help treat the injured.
A student had fallen on a flight of stairs, causing dozens of others to lose their balance and triggering the stampede Monday night, Xinhua News Agency cited officials as saying. The students at Yucai Middle School in Xiangxiang had just finished their evening study session, Xinhua reported.
Seven boys and a girl -- ranging in age from 11 to 14 -- were killed, and five others were seriously injured.
Eight children who were at the center of the stampede were being kept at local hospitals for medical observation, as doctors from the nearby city of Xiangtan were arriving to help treat the injured.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Arrest warrant issued for Florida man in quadruple slaying
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Florida man suspected in the shooting deaths of four people, including his sisters, in the coastal town of Jupiter, authorities said Saturday.
Paul Michael Merhige, 35, allegedly left the scene of the Thanksgiving Day shooting armed. He faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office said in a statement.
The U.S. Marshals have joined the search for Merhige, and a $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
The shooting victims include Merhige's 6-year-old cousin, Makayla Sitton; his 33-year-old twin sisters, Carla Merhige and Lisa Knight; and 76-year-old Raymond Joseph, police said.
One of the victims -- Knight -- was pregnant, a police spokeswoman said Friday.
Two others -- Patrick Knight and Clifford Gebara -- were wounded, police said.
Interviews with family members suggest that Merhige "had ongoing resentment" for some of his relatives, said Sally Collins-Ortiz, a spokeswoman for Jupiter police.
The shooting occurred about 10 p.m. Thursday.
Merhige is thought to have escaped in a blue 2007 Toyota Camry with Florida license plate number W42 7JT, police said.
Paul Michael Merhige, 35, allegedly left the scene of the Thanksgiving Day shooting armed. He faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office said in a statement.
The U.S. Marshals have joined the search for Merhige, and a $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
The shooting victims include Merhige's 6-year-old cousin, Makayla Sitton; his 33-year-old twin sisters, Carla Merhige and Lisa Knight; and 76-year-old Raymond Joseph, police said.
One of the victims -- Knight -- was pregnant, a police spokeswoman said Friday.
Two others -- Patrick Knight and Clifford Gebara -- were wounded, police said.
Interviews with family members suggest that Merhige "had ongoing resentment" for some of his relatives, said Sally Collins-Ortiz, a spokeswoman for Jupiter police.
The shooting occurred about 10 p.m. Thursday.
Merhige is thought to have escaped in a blue 2007 Toyota Camry with Florida license plate number W42 7JT, police said.
Tiger Woods Questioned About Wreck
State troopers arrived at the home of Tiger Woods on Saturday to interview the pro golfer and his wife about a car crash near his home but were told the couple was not available to talk as scheduled, a spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The troopers were asked by Woods' agent to postpone the interview until Sunday, spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes told CNN. She said she didn't know whether a reason was given.
Troopers had also tried to speak to Woods on Friday as part of a routine car accident investigation, but his wife said he was sleeping, Montes said. Troopers decided they would come back Saturday afternoon.
While Woods is required to show his license, registration and proof of insurance, he's not obligated by state law to give a statement on the crash. However, it's "very unusual" not to do so, Montes said.
"We simply want to ask why did he crash his car," she said, adding, "All we're trying to do is get his side of the story."
Though they didn't interview Woods on Saturday, the troopers entered the luxury complex and started part of their investigation into the incident, Montes said. Investigators will seek possible surveillance tapes of the accident from Woods and his neighbors and review the 911 call from Friday, she said.
The single-vehicle accident occurred about 2:25 a.m., according to a police report. Woods pulled out of his driveway in a 2009 Cadillac SUV and struck a fire hydrant, then a tree, the report says.
Authorities have said they don't have details on why Woods was driving away from his home at such an early hour. Montes acknowledged there are questions surrounding the circumstances of the crash, saying, "If this turns up something else, we'll go down that road. ... We're knee-deep in this now."
Police Chief Daniel Saylor on Friday said two Windermere police officers were the first to arrive on the scene.
"There was Tiger Woods laying on the ground in front of the vehicle with his wife over him rendering first aid," he told reporters.
"He was in and out of consciousness with lacerations to his upper and lower lip," Saylor said. "He was mumbling but didn't say anything coherent."
Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, told the police she was inside the house when she heard the accident. She said she went outside and used a golf club to break out the rear window of the vehicle, then pulled him from the SUV.
"According to the officers, yes, she was very upset," he said in response to a question. But, he added, "Things like this happen all the time ... I understand he's stable and he's fine."
Nordegren rode in the ambulance with Woods, who was treated at Health Central Hospital before he was released Friday, Montes said Saturday.
Montes said both rear passenger windows of the SUV -- which was towed from the scene -- were shattered and there was damage to the left and right of its front end, resulting in $5,000 to $8,000 in estimated damages. She said the left side hit the fire hydrant, the right hit the tree.
The accident was not alcohol-related, according to the police report.
The 33-year-old golf phenomenon has won 14 major championships, only four shy of Jack Nicklaus' record. His 71 PGA tournament victories rank third all time behind Sam Snead and Nicklaus. He was set to host and play in the Chevron World Challenge on Monday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California. Woods has won the tournament -- which helps raise money for Tiger Woods Foundation programs -- four times.
Woods has won six times on the PGA tour this year after returning from knee surgery he underwent in 2008.
In a post on his blog last month, Woods said he was "absolutely thrilled" about his play of late, adding, "This has been one of my most consistent years on the PGA tour."
Woods and his wife have two children ages 2 years and 10 months.
The troopers were asked by Woods' agent to postpone the interview until Sunday, spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes told CNN. She said she didn't know whether a reason was given.
Troopers had also tried to speak to Woods on Friday as part of a routine car accident investigation, but his wife said he was sleeping, Montes said. Troopers decided they would come back Saturday afternoon.
While Woods is required to show his license, registration and proof of insurance, he's not obligated by state law to give a statement on the crash. However, it's "very unusual" not to do so, Montes said.
"We simply want to ask why did he crash his car," she said, adding, "All we're trying to do is get his side of the story."
Though they didn't interview Woods on Saturday, the troopers entered the luxury complex and started part of their investigation into the incident, Montes said. Investigators will seek possible surveillance tapes of the accident from Woods and his neighbors and review the 911 call from Friday, she said.
The single-vehicle accident occurred about 2:25 a.m., according to a police report. Woods pulled out of his driveway in a 2009 Cadillac SUV and struck a fire hydrant, then a tree, the report says.
Authorities have said they don't have details on why Woods was driving away from his home at such an early hour. Montes acknowledged there are questions surrounding the circumstances of the crash, saying, "If this turns up something else, we'll go down that road. ... We're knee-deep in this now."
Police Chief Daniel Saylor on Friday said two Windermere police officers were the first to arrive on the scene.
"There was Tiger Woods laying on the ground in front of the vehicle with his wife over him rendering first aid," he told reporters.
"He was in and out of consciousness with lacerations to his upper and lower lip," Saylor said. "He was mumbling but didn't say anything coherent."
Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, told the police she was inside the house when she heard the accident. She said she went outside and used a golf club to break out the rear window of the vehicle, then pulled him from the SUV.
"According to the officers, yes, she was very upset," he said in response to a question. But, he added, "Things like this happen all the time ... I understand he's stable and he's fine."
Nordegren rode in the ambulance with Woods, who was treated at Health Central Hospital before he was released Friday, Montes said Saturday.
Montes said both rear passenger windows of the SUV -- which was towed from the scene -- were shattered and there was damage to the left and right of its front end, resulting in $5,000 to $8,000 in estimated damages. She said the left side hit the fire hydrant, the right hit the tree.
The accident was not alcohol-related, according to the police report.
The 33-year-old golf phenomenon has won 14 major championships, only four shy of Jack Nicklaus' record. His 71 PGA tournament victories rank third all time behind Sam Snead and Nicklaus. He was set to host and play in the Chevron World Challenge on Monday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California. Woods has won the tournament -- which helps raise money for Tiger Woods Foundation programs -- four times.
Woods has won six times on the PGA tour this year after returning from knee surgery he underwent in 2008.
In a post on his blog last month, Woods said he was "absolutely thrilled" about his play of late, adding, "This has been one of my most consistent years on the PGA tour."
Woods and his wife have two children ages 2 years and 10 months.
Monday, October 12, 2009
'Obama, I know you are listening': Gay rights activists march in D.C.
Judy Shepard stood before a massive crowd at the Capitol on Sunday for a single, painful reason.
Sunday's National Equality March in Washington coincided with National Coming Out Day.
"I'm here today because I lost my son to hate."
Her gay son, Matthew Shepard, was kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998. He died five days later in a hospital.
More than 10 years later, Judy Shepard addressed the thousands of gay rights activists in Washington who wrapped up Sunday's National Equality March with a rousing rally at the Capitol.
"No one has the right to tell my son whether or not he can work anywhere. Whether or not he can live wherever he wants to live and whether or not he can be with the one person he loves -- no one has that right," Judy Shepard told the crowd. "We are all Americans. We are all equal Americans, gay, straight or whatever."
The activists marched through Washington, calling for an end to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and equality in marriage.
The National Equality March coincided with National Coming Out Day, and came a day after President Obama delivered a supportive speech to the nation's largest gay and lesbian rights group.
Obama was praised for his remarks to the Human Rights Campaign, where he said he has urged congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act. But Obama has also been criticized by gay rights activists who say he has put those issues -- and the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans homosexuals from openly serving in the military -- on the back burner.
"Obama, I know you are listening," pop star Lady Gaga told the crowd, before shouting, "Are you listening? We will continue to push you and your administration to bring your words of promise to a reality." Shepard told the crowd she was confident in Obama's pledge, but that the activists could also play a critical role by contacting their congressional representatives and voting for politicians who support their cause. Legislation bearing her son's name was passed in the House this week. It expands the definition of hate crimes to include attacks based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation is awaiting a Senate vote.
"I can announce that after more than a decade this bill is set to pass and I will sign it into law," Obama said Saturday.
At the Capitol on Sunday, the participants spilled from the western front of the building, where a podium was set up, onto Pennsylvania Avenue. There was no official estimate of the size of the crowd.
Christine Quinn, the first openly lesbian speaker of the New York City Council, said she had one request for lawmakers at all levels across the country.
"Look me in the eye and tell me I am less of a person than you are," she said. "Look me in the eye and tell me my family is worth less than yours. Look me in the eye and tell me I am not an American. Well you know what, not one person in any of those places can do that, not one of them."
She continued: "So what we're here about today is to start telling the truth and to force the lawmakers from coast to coast and in the nation's capital to make our law books tell the truth."
Although Obama's speech Saturday was supportive of changes in the law to reflect equal rights in marriage and service to the military for homosexuals, given a full plate of other issues at home and abroad facing the administration, it remains unclear how quickly the issues at the center of Sunday's march will be addressed.
Even members of the president's own party are split.
"I've said in the past I don't think that's the way to go," Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, told CNN's John King, referring to the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. "We can move forward on a lot of measures, but I'm not sure there's the support yet for that."
"We are gathered here today from all over the U.S., and back home many of us are deeply embroiled in the particular local battles that we are fighting, but today is a national rally and when we walk away from here tonight, we need to walk away with a common national resolve," actor Cynthia Nixon, of "Sex in the City" fame, told the crowd.
A small number of counter-protesters gathered at the beginning of the march.
Sunday's National Equality March in Washington coincided with National Coming Out Day.
"I'm here today because I lost my son to hate."
Her gay son, Matthew Shepard, was kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998. He died five days later in a hospital.
More than 10 years later, Judy Shepard addressed the thousands of gay rights activists in Washington who wrapped up Sunday's National Equality March with a rousing rally at the Capitol.
"No one has the right to tell my son whether or not he can work anywhere. Whether or not he can live wherever he wants to live and whether or not he can be with the one person he loves -- no one has that right," Judy Shepard told the crowd. "We are all Americans. We are all equal Americans, gay, straight or whatever."
The activists marched through Washington, calling for an end to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and equality in marriage.
The National Equality March coincided with National Coming Out Day, and came a day after President Obama delivered a supportive speech to the nation's largest gay and lesbian rights group.
Obama was praised for his remarks to the Human Rights Campaign, where he said he has urged congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act. But Obama has also been criticized by gay rights activists who say he has put those issues -- and the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans homosexuals from openly serving in the military -- on the back burner.
"Obama, I know you are listening," pop star Lady Gaga told the crowd, before shouting, "Are you listening? We will continue to push you and your administration to bring your words of promise to a reality." Shepard told the crowd she was confident in Obama's pledge, but that the activists could also play a critical role by contacting their congressional representatives and voting for politicians who support their cause. Legislation bearing her son's name was passed in the House this week. It expands the definition of hate crimes to include attacks based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation is awaiting a Senate vote.
"I can announce that after more than a decade this bill is set to pass and I will sign it into law," Obama said Saturday.
At the Capitol on Sunday, the participants spilled from the western front of the building, where a podium was set up, onto Pennsylvania Avenue. There was no official estimate of the size of the crowd.
Christine Quinn, the first openly lesbian speaker of the New York City Council, said she had one request for lawmakers at all levels across the country.
"Look me in the eye and tell me I am less of a person than you are," she said. "Look me in the eye and tell me my family is worth less than yours. Look me in the eye and tell me I am not an American. Well you know what, not one person in any of those places can do that, not one of them."
She continued: "So what we're here about today is to start telling the truth and to force the lawmakers from coast to coast and in the nation's capital to make our law books tell the truth."
Although Obama's speech Saturday was supportive of changes in the law to reflect equal rights in marriage and service to the military for homosexuals, given a full plate of other issues at home and abroad facing the administration, it remains unclear how quickly the issues at the center of Sunday's march will be addressed.
Even members of the president's own party are split.
"I've said in the past I don't think that's the way to go," Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, told CNN's John King, referring to the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. "We can move forward on a lot of measures, but I'm not sure there's the support yet for that."
"We are gathered here today from all over the U.S., and back home many of us are deeply embroiled in the particular local battles that we are fighting, but today is a national rally and when we walk away from here tonight, we need to walk away with a common national resolve," actor Cynthia Nixon, of "Sex in the City" fame, told the crowd.
A small number of counter-protesters gathered at the beginning of the march.
NEW MJ SONG!!
A brand new song by Michael Jackson was released on the late singer's Web site early Monday.
Interest has been running high in "This Is It" -- the song, the two-disc album and the movie.
However about 45 seconds of "This Is It" did the rounds online Sunday after being leaked ahead of its scheduled release on Michaeljackson.com.
"This Is It" will be followed by a two-disc album with the same title on October 26.
The album features music that inspired the film "Michael Jackson's This Is It," which is scheduled for release October 28.
Interest has been running high in "This Is It" -- the song, the two-disc album and the movie.
However about 45 seconds of "This Is It" did the rounds online Sunday after being leaked ahead of its scheduled release on Michaeljackson.com.
"This Is It" will be followed by a two-disc album with the same title on October 26.
The album features music that inspired the film "Michael Jackson's This Is It," which is scheduled for release October 28.
41 dead in Pakistan Swat Valley blast
At least 41 people were killed and dozens wounded in a blast Monday at a security forces checkpoint in northwest Pakistan, authorities said.
Pakistani soldiers patrol outside the main gate of army headquarters in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
About 45 people were injured in the explosion in the Shangla district in the volatile Swat Valley, said Syed Altaf Hussein, a senior government official in the area.
The explosion targeted a military vehicle, officials said.
The blast is the latest in a string of attacks in the country.
On Saturday, militants attacked the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, killing 11 military personnel and three civilians, according to the Pakistani military's press office. Nine militants died in the attack.
A total of 39 hostages were freed Sunday morning after being held by five militants at the army headquarters.
In a news conference Monday, the top spokesman for the Pakistani military said Saturday's attack was planned by the Taliban based in South Waziristan.
Don't Miss
Gen. Athar Abbas said intelligence agents intercepted a phone call in which Pakistani Taliban commander Wali-ur Rehman was informed about the start of the attack. Rehman responded by calling for a prayer for the operation to succeed, Abbas said.
Abbas said the leader of the operation, who was captured alive, is from Pakistan's Punjab province. Four other militants were from Punjab as well. Five others were from South Waziristan.
During the standoff, two of the militants held 22 hostages in a small room, Abbas said. One of the militants wore a suicide vest connected to a mine and a bomb. He sat in the middle of the 22 hostages. Abbas said this room was the focus of the operation and security forces were successful in storming the room and killing the militant with the suicide vest before he could detonate his bombs.
Military officials said they have tightened security around army headquarters.
The attacks will not deter Pakistan from launching an offensive in South Waziristan, the Interior Ministry said. South Waziristan is one of seven districts in Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border. Intelligence analysts consider it a haven for Islamic militants who have launched attacks in Pakistan and targeted U.S. forces in neighboring Afghanistan.
A date for the offensive in the area has not been announced.
The Shangla district east of Mingora is one of the areas where the military conducted search-and-destroy operations earlier this year. Troops targeted terrorist hideouts and reported the arrest of one militant leader and the death of another.
Pakistani soldiers patrol outside the main gate of army headquarters in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
About 45 people were injured in the explosion in the Shangla district in the volatile Swat Valley, said Syed Altaf Hussein, a senior government official in the area.
The explosion targeted a military vehicle, officials said.
The blast is the latest in a string of attacks in the country.
On Saturday, militants attacked the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, killing 11 military personnel and three civilians, according to the Pakistani military's press office. Nine militants died in the attack.
A total of 39 hostages were freed Sunday morning after being held by five militants at the army headquarters.
In a news conference Monday, the top spokesman for the Pakistani military said Saturday's attack was planned by the Taliban based in South Waziristan.
Don't Miss
Gen. Athar Abbas said intelligence agents intercepted a phone call in which Pakistani Taliban commander Wali-ur Rehman was informed about the start of the attack. Rehman responded by calling for a prayer for the operation to succeed, Abbas said.
Abbas said the leader of the operation, who was captured alive, is from Pakistan's Punjab province. Four other militants were from Punjab as well. Five others were from South Waziristan.
During the standoff, two of the militants held 22 hostages in a small room, Abbas said. One of the militants wore a suicide vest connected to a mine and a bomb. He sat in the middle of the 22 hostages. Abbas said this room was the focus of the operation and security forces were successful in storming the room and killing the militant with the suicide vest before he could detonate his bombs.
Military officials said they have tightened security around army headquarters.
The attacks will not deter Pakistan from launching an offensive in South Waziristan, the Interior Ministry said. South Waziristan is one of seven districts in Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border. Intelligence analysts consider it a haven for Islamic militants who have launched attacks in Pakistan and targeted U.S. forces in neighboring Afghanistan.
A date for the offensive in the area has not been announced.
The Shangla district east of Mingora is one of the areas where the military conducted search-and-destroy operations earlier this year. Troops targeted terrorist hideouts and reported the arrest of one militant leader and the death of another.
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