Issue 214, August 30, 2024

High-Profile Murder Trial of Brianna Kupfer Captivates Public and Media Attention in California, Tragedy Strikes as One Dallas Police Officer Killed and Two Others Injured in Shooting Incident in Oak Cliff

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What is the name of the 1993 federal law that aimed to reduce gun violence in the United States by regulating firearm purchases and background checks?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: Crime Writers on | The Thing About Pam

Network TV's top true crime star debuts in podcasting, revisiting Dateline NBC's quirky classic “The Thing About Pam” from September 30, 2019, featuring a cameo from "Date with Dateline."

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What’s Happening Now

High-Profile Murder Trial of Brianna Kupfer Captivates Public and Media Attention in California

The murder trial of Brianna Kupfer has begun in California.

The trial is receiving widespread attention as the case unfolds in court.

The details of the trial, including evidence presented and witness testimonies, are being closely followed by both the public and the media.

The outcome of this trial will have a significant impact on the victim's family and the community at large.

It is crucial for justice to be served as the legal proceedings progress, and for the truth to be revealed in the courtroom.

Watch Now / Read More

Tragedy Strikes as One Dallas Police Officer Killed and Two Others Injured in Shooting Incident in Oak Cliff

One Dallas police officer was killed and two others were injured in a shooting in Oak Cliff.

The incident occurred late Thursday night when officers responded to a distress call.

The officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect, resulting in one officer being fatally shot.

The other two officers were taken to local hospitals, with one in critical condition and the other in stable condition.

The suspect fled the scene but was later killed by officers in Lewisville.

The Dallas Police Department is mourning the loss of one officer and asking for thoughts and prayers from the city..

🔫 Safety Tip of the Day: Store firearms securely in a locked cabinet or safe, and keep ammunition separate to prevent unauthorized access and accidental discharge.

In the USA, accidental shootings often occur due to improper storage of firearms. According to the National Safety Council, over 500 children are injured in firearm accidents each year. Proper storage is crucial in preventing these incidents. Keeping guns locked and unloaded, and storing ammunition separately, significantly reduces the risk of accidental discharge and unauthorized access. Ensuring firearms are secured helps safeguard both individuals and communities from tragic accidents and unintended injuries.

Cold Case Highlights

Mother Arrested Over a Decade After Allegedly Smothering Toddler son

In 2011, Destene Simmons allegedly smothered her toddler, Antwan Hope Jr., by putting a pillow over his face.

Despite being taken from her care, Antwan was returned for an unsupervised visit in 2013, after which he was found dead three days later.

Simmons was arrested in Broward County over 11 years after the incident and faces first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges.

Authorities finally made the arrest after years of investigation by the Coral Springs Police Department.

Antwan's death was deemed suspicious, and Simmons faces prosecution for the tragic loss of her son..

Cold Case Murder of California Teen Solved Through FBI Investigation

The cold case murder of a 14-year-old boy in California from 1989 has been solved after the killer, Gerardo Aguilar, was shot and killed by the FBI in 2007 under a different name in Ohio.

The victim, Raymond Ojeda, was killed in San Jose, and Aguilar was identified as the suspect but had disappeared.

The DA's Cold Case Unit found a man in Ohio, Gerardo Mulato, who matched Aguilar and DNA analysis confirmed the match.

Aguilar was living under the name Mulato for years before being killed in connection with a drug trafficking investigation.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen highlighted the importance of never giving up on solving cases.

PODCAST: My Favorite Murder | 443 - All The Brave Podcasters

In today’s episode, Georgia and Karen explore the death of LA crime boss Charles Crawford and the 1916 shark attacks in New Jersey

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, often known as the Brady Act, was signed into law in 1993. Named after James Brady, who was shot during the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, this legislation introduced background checks for gun purchasers and a waiting period before buying handguns. The goal was to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of individuals with a criminal record or mental health issues, thus aiming to reduce gun violence.