Issue 92, March 13, 2024

15-Year-Old BoyFatally Shot by Deputy, Family of Four Dead in Murder-Suicide

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What is the term for an intentional act that causes another person to fear imminent bodily harm or offensive contact?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

‎‎PODCAST: Morbid | The Career Girl Murders (Part 2)

The Career Girl Murders, marked by the tragic loss of two lives, spotlighted police coercion. Nineteen-year-old George Whitmore, intellectually disabled, falsely confessed after months of pressure. Charges against him were dropped after eight months. The real killer, Richard Robles, was arrested years later. The case exposed racial and class biases in policing and justice.

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What’s Happening Now

15-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot by Sheriff's Deputy in Apple Valley Following an Altercation with Family

A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed by a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy in Apple Valley during an altercation with family.

The boy, Ryan Gainer, was wielding a garden tool and allegedly chased the deputy in an attempt to assault him.

The incident occurred after a 911 call reporting that the teen was assaulting family members.

Body camera footage shows the deputy retreating and eventually shooting Gainer, who later died at a local hospital.

The deputy involved in the shooting was not named, and the incident is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department’s specialized investigations unit.

Shock and Tragedy in Miami-Dade: Family of Four Dead in Murder-Suicide

A tragic murder-suicide occurred in Miami-Dade, resulting in the deaths of a family of four.

The incident involved a 60-year-old man, Victor Penalba, who killed his 50-year-old partner Yumara Martinez, their 19-year-old son Jason Penalba, and 13-year-old daughter Stephanie Penalba before taking his own life.

Family members suspect domestic abuse as the underlying cause.

The Miami-Dade Police Department urges those in similar situations to seek help and not suffer in silence.

This devastating event serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence promptly and effectively to prevent further tragedies.

⛏️Safety Tip of the Day: Safe Storage for Tools Around Children

When storing tools or implements that could be used as weapons, like knives or sharp objects, ensure they are securely locked away or kept out of reach of children. Additionally, educate your children about the dangers of handling such tools without supervision and emphasize the importance of seeking adult assistance when needed.

Cold Case Highlights

Determined to Find Justice: The Unsolved Murder of Voice Coach Frederick Wilkerson

Carlos Gueies-Bonilla, a former student and friend of voice coach Frederick Wilkerson, is determined to seek justice for Wilkerson's unsolved murder that occurred in his Upper West Side home 44 years ago.

Wilkerson was known for shaping the voices of legendary singers like Paul Robeson and Roberta Flack.

Despite the lack of arrests in the case, Gueies-Bonilla has contacted the NYPD Cold Case Squad in hopes of finding closure.

Detective Rob Deckert, reviewing the case file, discovered that Wilkerson was strangled to death and is determined to find the two suspects depicted in sketches.

Gueies-Bonilla urges anyone with information to come forward and bring justice for Wilkerson and his legacy.

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Family of Slain 12-Year-Old Boy Calls for Justice in Unsolved Murder at Asheville Police Department

Derrick Lee Sr. and his family gathered outside the Asheville Police Department, calling for justice and an arrest in the unsolved killing of his 12-year-old son, Derrick Lee Jr. Lee Jr. was shot in 2018 at Lee Walker Heights during a party downtown.

The family remains hopeful that the killer will be held accountable.

Witnesses have been hesitant to come forward, leaving the case unsolved.

Lee Sr. and victim advocate Jack Logan wish for closure and are determined to keep fighting for justice for Lee Jr.

No arrests have been made, but the family remains hopeful and determined.

PODCAST: The Vanished | The Disappearance of Richard Johnson

At approximately 10 PM on May 7, 2023, Richard Johnson, 63, departed his Lansing, Michigan apartment, intending to visit a friend nearby. However, he never returned, a departure from his usual routine, causing worry for his wife Kim. Richard, plagued by health issues, rarely ventured far. Concerned, Kim contacted the authorities and their children, Justin and Jessica. For ten months, the family has tirelessly searched for any leads regarding Richard's whereabouts or fate.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Assault

In the United States, the definition of assault can vary slightly between states. It doesn't necessarily involve physical contact but can include threats or actions that create a reasonable apprehension of harm. Some states differentiate between assault and battery, with assault being the threat of harm and battery involving actual physical contact.