Issue 290, December 18, 2024

Guilty Verdict in Murder Case: Cash App Founder, Fatal Shooting & Fiery Towson Crash Investigated

December 18, 2024

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What is the "Stand Your Ground" law in the USA?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: 48 Hours | A Tragic Journey

On December 20, 1980, teens Sabrina Gonsalves and John Riggins vanished before a birthday party. Their bodies were discovered 36 hours later. In 2002, DNA technology linked the crime to a convicted rapist stored in an FBI database.

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What’s Happening Now

Guilty Verdict in Murder Case Involving Cash App Founder

A San Francisco jury found Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee.

Momeni was acquitted of first-degree murder and faces 16 years to life in prison.

The prosecution alleged that Momeni stabbed Lee three times in April 2023.

Momeni's defense claimed it was an act of self-defense as Lee attacked him.

Surveillance footage showed the two men leaving Momeni's sister's condo before the stabbing occurred.

Lee was found injured and later died in the hospital.

Momeni plans to appeal the verdict, while Lee's brother praised the prosecutors for their work.

Fatal Shooting and Fiery Crash in Towson Investigated as Mass Shooting Incident

One person was killed and nine others injured in a shooting and fiery crash in Towson, Baltimore County on Tuesday night.

The incident, involving a vehicle on its side in flames near a funeral home, is being investigated as a mass shooting.

Law enforcement officials are working to determine the circumstances that led to the crash and shooting.

The police believe this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.

The investigation is ongoing, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Baltimore County Police.

🛡️ Safety Tip of the Day: Know your rights to self-defense and use them wisely.

In many U.S. states, you have the right to protect yourself if you feel threatened, but it's important to understand when and how much force is legally justified. Always try to de-escalate situations when possible, and remember that using excessive force can lead to legal consequences.

Cold Case Highlights

Rex Heuermann Charged with Murder of Valerie Mack in Gilgo Beach Serial Killings Case

Rex Heuermann has been charged with the murder of Valerie Mack, with Suffolk County prosecutors filing new charges in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings.

Heuermann denied the charges in court and is facing additional possible charges related to other victims.

Investigators have used advanced DNA techniques in the case.

Heuermann's wife, Asa Ellerup, has no knowledge of the crimes and is not a suspect.

Heuermann allegedly lived a double life, being a commuter by day and an abuser of sex workers in his free time.

He maintains his innocence and awaits trial.

Court proceedings will continue in January.

Decades-Old Cold Case Solved Through DNA Technology: Ottawa Police Make Arrest in 1996 Murder

Police in Canada's capital city have used new DNA technology to identify and arrest a suspect in a fatal stabbing that occurred nearly three decades ago.

Lawrence Diehl, 73, has been charged with the second-degree murder of Christopher Smith in 1996.

Advanced DNA testing linked Diehl to the crime, leading to his arrest in Vancouver and extradition to Ottawa.

This case marks the closure of Ottawa Police's oldest cold case, with detectives using genetic genealogy for the first time to solve a crime.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about Diehl's time in Ottawa to come forward.

PODCAST: Dateline | The Man of Many Faces

Andrea Canning reports on the dramatic updates in the case of international fugitive Nicholas Rossi, who faked his death. Will the man with multiple identities finally face justice?

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
It lets people use force to defend themselves without retreat.

"Stand Your Ground" laws exist in several U.S. states and protect people from legal consequences when defending themselves in situations where they feel threatened, even outside their homes.