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- Salty Ginger Talk Newsletter
17-year-old murder suspect's bond set at $1 million
Our take: This is a heartbreaking story out of Texas. Two 17-year-olds got into an altercation at a track meet. For some reason, one of them had a knife in his backpack, which he used to stab the other 17-year-old, who died at the scene in his twin brother's arms as his brother tried to save him.
The lawyer for Karmelo Anthony, a Texas high school student accused of stabbing fellow 17-year-old student-athlete Austin Metcalf to death during a confrontation at a track meet Wednesday, plans to ask for his $1 million bond to be lowered, according to a report.
"I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don't have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what's going on before I make any statements about what I think happened," attorney Deric Walpole, who was hired by Anthony’s family Friday, told KXAS-TV. "I don't have any reason to think it wasn't self-defense at this time."
When the officer told others that he had the alleged stabbing suspect in custody, Anthony apparently said, "I'm not alleged. I did it," according to the arrest report obtained by FOX 4.
"He put his hands on me. I told him not to," Anthony allegedly said as authorities walked the teenager to a police vehicle.
Anthony also asked the officers if Metcalf was "going to be OK" and if what happened could be considered "self-defense," FOX 4 reported, citing the police document.
Oof. There is no good news here. 2 young lives are ruined. One is dead; the other is going to have to pay for his mistake with a huge chunk of his life. Hopefully some lessons can be learned here that will prevent others from suffering similar fates down the road.
COURTESY: FOX NEWS
Bipartisan support of sick colleague leads to head-shaving show of support
Our take: It may seem like our government officials are hopelessly deadlocked with each other and cannot come together on issues, even when they benefit all of society. But lawmakers in the Idaho House have banded together in a story that should provide hope and warm feelings for everyone.
Idaho lawmakers tugged on the heartstrings of social media users this spring in a video where 11 Republican representatives shaved their heads in solidarity with one Democratic colleague diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time.
"We were all just devastated for her," state Rep. Josh Wheeler said. "When she gave us the news last year, [we were] further devastated when we found out this year that she needed to undergo a more aggressive chemotherapy, which is where the bald heads came from, standing in solidarity with her."
These Gem State community leaders felt it was important to "go beyond party lines" to support their colleague, state Rep. Brooke Green.
Cross-party cooperation was pushed one step further when the "most diverse group of co-sponsors" banded together in bipartisan support of House Bill No. 134. The bill, mandating that select health benefit plans in the state provide yearly coverage of supplemental breast cancer screening for at-risk individuals, is key in "early detection [that] will save lives."
Not only did these folks show support for their colleague, but they also passed a law that provides a valuable service for their constituents through this collaboration. If you are wondering what good government should look like, here is exhibit A.
COURTESY: FOX NEWS
Our take: Stories of female teachers grooming and molesting students have unfortunately become much more common over the past 30 years. This can be traced back to the story of Mary Kay Letourneau and her student starting an affair in 1996. Shockingly, they eventually got married after Letourneau served her sentence and her student, then husband, reached legal age. Unfortunately, this behavior has become more frequent in the subsequent 30 years. Another such story is unfolding in Illinois.
Newly released bodycam footage shows the shock and emotional unraveling of an Illinois school teacher who was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old student last month.
The video shows Christina Formella, 30, being pulled over during a traffic stop last week and being taken into custody, where she’s been charged with various sex crimes for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student in 2023.
Formella is accused of sexually assaulting the boy in a classroom for a tutoring session before class began at Downers Grove South High School in December 2023. The victim’s mother discovered the alleged assault when looking through her son’s text message thread on his cell phone and then contacted police, prosecutors said.
Formella, who was also a soccer coach, began tutoring the alleged victim after he broke his collarbone, and they began messaging each other on a school platform, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. The pair then allegedly exchanged provocative texts, followed by FaceTime chats, which led to the December 2023 sexual incident.
"I love you so, so much, Mama," the boy allegedly sent Formella in one text.
"I love you sooooo much, baby… Even though this morning was short, it was perfect," the teacher, then 28, allegedly responded.
Yuck. There are no words to describe how vile and reprehensible this is. Any adult who is attracted to a minor needs psychological help. If this woman did commit the crimes of which she is accused (she is innocent until proven guilty), hopefully she is kept away from society and will get the help she clearly needs if she thinks this type of behavior is OK.
COURTESY: YAHOO
Tip of the day
When people show you who they are, believe them. Far too often, I have seen us try to recreate who we want people to be, only to later find out they are exactly what they've been demonstrating. — Nedra Glover Tawwab, licensed therapist and the author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace
Quote of the day
“It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.” – Benjamin Franklin