Former Mayor of Washington, DC Marion “Mayor for Life” Barry Dies at 78

Marion Barry dead at age 78.

Marion Barry, the former mayor of Washington, DC has passed away at the age of 78. Hospital spokeswoman Natalie Williams said Barry arrived at the hospital around 12:30 a.m. and died at 1:46 a.m. He had been released from Howard University Hospital on Saturday following a brief stay. There was no cause was given, but he had suffered from many health problems over the years, including diabetes, prostate cancer and kidney ailments. Barry was married four times and is survived by one son, Marion Christopher Barry.

Barry was first elected mayor in 1978, then re-elected in 1982 and 1986. However, Barry was probably most famous when he gained international notoriety in 1990 when he was videotaped in an FBI sting smoking crack in a downtown Washington hotel room with a female friend.  He was convicted on one count of drug possession and sentenced to six months in prison. Unbelievably, after getting out of prison, Barry was elected to a fourth, and final, term as mayor in 1994. It probably spoke more to the disarray of DC than anything else.

Former District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry, whose four terms were overshadowed by his 1990 arrest after being caught on videotape smoking crack cocaine, died Sunday morning. He was 78.

Barry D.C. council spokeswoman LaToya Foster says he died shortly after midnight Sunday at a hospital in Washington. He had battled kidney problems stemming from diabetes and high blood pressure and underwent a kidney transplant in February 2009.

But he gained international notoriety in 1990 when he was videotaped in an FBI sting smoking crack in a downtown Washington hotel room with a female friend. He was convicted of a single count of drug possession — jurors had deadlocked on most counts — and sentenced to six months in prison.

Despite the embarrassment, Barry’s political career was far from over. In 1992, he made it back to city government, winning a council seat representing the poorest of the city’s eight wards. That victory helped propel him to a fourth, and final, term as mayor in 1994.

UPDATE I: Barack Obama paid tribute to the late mayor:

Dude, really? I guess if you overlook that little crack thing. (VIDEO)

President Obama on Sunday paid tribute to the late Marion Barry, saying the former Washington, D.C., mayor and councilman made a mark fighting against poverty and spearheading other initiatives that earned him the respect of his city.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon Declares a State of Emergency in Ferguson Ahead of Grand Jury Decision in the Death of Michael Brown … FBI Warns of “Likely Violence”

The grand jury decision could happen any moment …

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency on Monday as a precaution ahead of the grand jury decision in the death of Michael Brown. Nixon said he signed the executive order because of the “possibility of expanded unrest.” What he means is the almost certainty of riots and unrest if they fail to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on murder charges. The National Guard has been called in to St. Louis County. This could get really messy.

Office of Gov. Nixon:

Gov. Jay Nixon today signed an executive order activating the Missouri National Guard to support law enforcement during any period of unrest that might occur following the grand jury’s decision concerning the investigation into the death of Michael Brown.  The Governor said the Guard will provide support for law enforcement’s objectives of maintaining safety and protecting constitutional rights.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to plan and be prepared for any contingency, it is necessary to have these resources in place in advance of any announcement of the grand jury’s decision,” Gov. Nixon said. “These additional resources will support law enforcement’s efforts to maintain peace and protect those exercising their right to free speech. The National Guard is well-suited to provide security at command posts, fire stations and other locations as well as perform other functions that will free up law enforcement officers to remain focused on community policing and protecting constitutional rights.”

CNN:

Ahead of a grand jury’s decision on whether to indict a police officer in the killing of Michael Brown, Missouri has both called in the National Guard and diminished the role of the Ferguson Police Department.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency Monday as a precaution, he said, in the event of unrest or violence.

It’s unknown when the grand jury will hand down a decision on whether to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for his fatal shooting of Brown, a teen. Prosecutors have suggested the grand jury would be done deliberating in mid- to late November.

At the national level, the FBI last week issued a bulletin to law enforcement urging vigilance in the days before the Ferguson grand jury decision, according to a law enforcement official.

UPDATE I:  Police Command Worries About Radicals when Grand Jury Wraps Up

Police are worried about radical groups that might try to harm officers after the Michael Brown grand jury announces its decision.

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar says they are concerned that the Black Panthers or communist activists might blend in with peaceful protestors and try to hurt police.

“We do have concerns about that. We’re seeing on the social media, there’s a lot of threats out there against police officers. Again, we’re trying to discern which of those are legitimate and which are not,” Belmar says. “I have a feeling 99 percent of them are not going to amount to anything, but you know what? It just takes one.”

UPDATE II: FBI Warns Ferguson Decision ‘Will Likely’ Lead to Violence By Extremists Protesters

As the nation waits to hear whether a Missouri police officer will face charges for killing unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., the FBI is warning law enforcement agencies across the country that the decision “will likely” lead some extremist protesters to threaten and even attack police officers or federal agents.

Peaceful protesters could be caught in the middle, and electrical facilities or water treatment plants could also become targets. In addition, so-called “hacktivists” like the group “Anonymous” could try to launch cyber-attacks against authorities.

“The announcement of the grand jury’s decision … will likely be exploited by some individuals to justify threats and attacks against law enforcement and critical infrastructure,” the FBI says in an intelligence bulletin issued in recent days. “This also poses a threat to those civilians engaged in lawful or otherwise constitutionally protected activities.”

22 Year Old Carlesha Freeland-Gaither Missing Since 11/2/14 in Philadelphia, PA … Abducted In the City’s Germantown Section Sunday Night Caught on VIDEO (Update: Missing Philadelphia Woman found in Maryland)(Update: Delven Barnes Arrested)

22 year old  Carlesha Freeland-Gaither is missing after her apparent abduction that was caught on surveillance video. Carlesha Freeland-Gaither was last seen around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, November 2, 2014 in the 100 block of West Coulter Street in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Freeland-Gaither is described as a black female, five feet, three inches tall, 125 pounds with brown eyes. Police say she has braided hair and has a tattoo on her lower back, and was last seen wearing a light blue jean jacket, a gray and white sweater, carrying a black backpack.

Police in Philadelphia have released dramatic video of a suspect apparently abducting a woman in the city’s Germantown section Sunday night.

Twenty-two-year-old Carlesha Freeland-Gaither was last seen around 9:40 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of West Coulter Street, reports CBS Philly. A witness said the woman was yelling for help as a man forced her into a dark-colored sedan.

Surveillance video released Monday by Philadelphia police shows a man driving down a street, parking his car and walking a short distance out of the camera’s view, back towards the direction from which he came. He’s then seen apparently chasing a woman across the street before grabbing her and forcing her down the block and into the car.

UPDATE I: Surveillance Video Shows Struggle as Woman Abducted Off Germantown Street.

Freeland-Gaither tries to break free as the man works to open the rear driver’s side door on a 2000 model dark gray metallic Ford Taurus with missing inspection stickers. They both tumble onto the sidewalk, but the woman is unable to get away.

She’s thrown into the back of the car and the vehicle rocks back-and-forth for about 30 seconds before it pulls away. During that time, police said the woman broke out the both rear windows of the car trying to escape.

Another car can be seen driving up the street as the struggle takes place, but eventually backs out of the street.

A witness told NBC10 he walked past the woman shortly before hearing her scream. He then ran back to find her being forced into the sedan.

UPDATE II: $15,000 reward offered in the search for Carlesha Freeland-Gaither.

There is now a $15,000 reward offered in the search for Carlesha Freeland-Gaither.

The Fraternal Order of Police put an additional $5,000 Tuesday saying if an arrest is made today, they will pay up immediately.

Philadelphia Police have launched a full-scale investigation into the abduction on West Coulter Street in Germantown.

“Just let my daughter go. Whatever it takes, I don’t care. Just let her go,” father Carl Freeland said.

UPDATE III: Missing Woman, Carlesha Freeland-Gaither Found Safe in Maryland.

Authorities have found the woman abducted in Philadelphia alive in Maryland, and they have arrested a man in connection with the investigation, police and the FBI announced Wednesday evening.

FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Ed Hanko announced at 7 p.m. Wednesday that a tip to their Richmond office led investigators to identify an individual and his car, which they tracked to the 7200 block of Waterloo Road in Jessup.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives went to the location, which was a shopping center parking lot, and said agents immediately recognized the car as the one for which they’d been looking.

“It did have the right rear window kicked out of it, which was similar to the information that we received from the Philadelphia Police Department,” said ATF agent Timothy Jones.

UPDATE IV: Delvin Barnes Arrested and will be charged with Federal kidnapping.

“Tonight, the FBI and Philadelphia Police Department have great news that Carlesha Freeland has been rescued, her abductor has been arrested in Maryland,” Special Agent Hanko said.

The suspect is identified as 37-year-old Delvin Barnes.

Barnes is currently being held on a warrant based out of Charles City County, Virginia sheriff’s office for attempted capital murder, assault, malicious injury with acid, explosive, or fire.

Hanko says he will then be charged federally with crimes in Philadelphia

Anyone with information is asked to call the Philadelphia Police. Tipsters in Philadelphia should call 911, and those outside of the city should call 215-686-TIPS.

8 Year Old Isabella Grogan-Cannella Missing Since 9/2/14 in Bullhead City, AZ (Update: Body Found Near Missing Girl’s Home)(Update: 26 Year Old Justin Rector Charged with Murder)(Update: Autopsy, Bella was Stragled)

The search is on for 8 year old Isabella “Bella” Grogan-Cannella who went missing from her home before 1:30 Tuesday morning, September 2, 2014 in Bullhead City, Arizona. She was last seen in her bed Monday night at her home on the 2400 block of Lakeside Drive (map). Police were called to the home early Tuesday morning, as “Bella’s” family told them that she wasn’t in her bed or anywhere in the house. According to reports, the FBI and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have been contacted. To date, there has yet to be an Amber Alert issued.

The Bullhead City Police Department said Isabella Grogan-Cannella disappeared before 1:30 a.m. from her home, located on Lakeside Drive.

The girl, who goes by Bella, is 4’8″ tall and between 80 and 90 pounds. She has shoulder-length blond hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a green, sparkly tank top and dark shorts. She could be barefoot.

UPDATE I: FBI joins search for girl, 8, missing in Bullhead City.

VIDEO – ABC 15 Arizona

If anyone has any information concerning the child’s whereabouts, please call the Bullhead City Police Department at 928-763-1999.

UPDATE II: Body found near home of missing Arizona girl

Investigators found a body near the home of missing 8-year-old Isabella Grogan-Cannella, Bullhead City Police Chief Brian Williamson said Wednesday.

Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the body, Williamson said, adding that investigators planned to finish gathering evidence at the scene and turn the body over to the Medical Examiner’s Office for identification.

He would not provide additional information on the approximate age of the body, its gender or condition.

Body Found in Search for Missing 8-Year-Old Arizona Girl

A body has been found in Bullhead City, Arizona, as authorities — including the FBI — search for an 8-year-old girl who has been missing for more than 40 hours, police said Wednesday.

At a news conference late Wednesday afternoon, police said it was too early to know whether the body is that of Isabella Grogan-Cannella, known as “Bella,” who went to bed Monday night but wasn’t there when her parents went to check on her shortly before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. They said there were no signs of a break-in but that kidnapping was a possibility, and that they were searching the nearby Colorado River.

UPDATE III: 26 year old Justin James Rector arrested and charged with the kidnapping and first degree murder of  Isabella “Bella” Grogan-Cannella.

A 26-year-old man snatched an eight-year-old girl in the middle of the night as he stayed at her family’s home – before murdering her and leaving her body in a shallow grave, police have said.

Justin James Rector was arrested on kidnapping and first-degree murder charges on Thursday morning after the body of Bella Grogan-Cannella was found in Bullhead City, Arizona on Wednesday.

At a press conference on Thursday, Police Chief Brian Williamson would not reveal how Bella died or if she had been sexually assaulted. He said they are still trying to determine a motive for the murder.

UPDATE IV: Medical Examiner Released the manner of death for Isabella “Bella” Grogan-Cannella on Friday … death was asphyxiation.

An 8-year-old girl reported missing from her Arizona home was strangled, authorities said Friday as they continued to investigate the case.

The Mohave County medical examiner released the manner of death for Isabella “Bella” Grogan-Cannella on Friday. The cause of death was asphyxiation.

Police found Isabella’s body in a shallow grave near her Bullhead City home Wednesday, a day after her family reported her missing.

Isabella was discovered wearing the same green, ruffled, sparkly tank top she had on when she was last seen. However, authorities said she didn’t have any clothing on her lower half and they are looking into whether she was the victim of sexual assault.

12 Year Old Charlie Bothuelle V Missing Since 6/14/14 in Detroit, MI (Update: Charlie Bothuelle Found Alive in his Basement)

12 y old Charlie Bothuelle V has been missing since Saturday, June 14, 2014. in Detroit, Michigan. at 9 p.m. June 14, 2014. Charlie was last seen leaving his home in the 1300 block of Nicolet Place, near Gratiot Avenue Saturday night. A  resident of the Martin Luther King Apartments  told relatives that she saw Charlie walking east on Lafayette on June 14. It has now been 10 days since Charlie Bothuelle has been seen or heard from. Old Charlie Bothuelle V has run away from home in the past, but was found 3 hours later.

Description:

He’s 5′-4″ tall, weighs 120 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and dark complexion.

He was last seen wearing a red shirt, black and gray pajama pants and a black and gray Phat Farm Jacket.

Missing: Charlie Bothuelle V

The FBI joined Detroit police in the search for Charlie Bothuelle V, who was last seen at 9 p.m. June 14, leaving his home in the 1300 block of Nicolet Place, near Gratiot Avenue, after working out.

Last week, the FBI used cadaver dogs to search Charlie’s home, which led them to a nearby elementary school playground where Charlie is known to hang out. The search went cold at the playground, said the boy’s father, Charlie Bothuelle IV.

Bothuelle and several other family members passed out fliers last week at the nearby Martin Luther King Apartments, where one resident told relatives she saw Charlie walking east on Lafayette on June 14.

Police launched a new search for the missing boy Tuesday night. Several K-9s sniffed around the Martin Luther King apartments on Lafayette.

Police launched a new search for the missing boy Tuesday night. Several K-9s sniffed around the Martin Luther King apartments on Lafayette searching for the 12-year-old.

At the same time, the boy’s father has been hitting the streets every day searching for his boy. Tuesday night he appeared on “Nancy Grace” begging for help to find him.

UPDATE I: Lie detector twist in case of missing 12-year-old Charlie Bothuell.

Hmm, why would you not tell police the truth about something that seems so minor? Originally, the father of the missing boy told police that Charlie was working out when he stopped to go to the bathroom and never came back.   However, Tuesday he told a different story. He says there were some chores that he didn’t do and he cut his work out short.

There is a new twist in the case of a missing 12-year-old boy from Detroit who was last seen leaving his home on June 14.

Polygraph tests for Charlie Bothuell’s father have come back inconclusive. The child’s stepmother declined to take the polygraph test.

She tells 7 Action News her attorney told her to decline the lie detector test because she did not think she would be treated fairly.

The father and stepmother both say they feel like they have been treated like suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detroit Police’s Criminal Investigation’s Department at (313) 596-1140.

UPDATE II: Missing Detroit 12-year-old found alive in his basement.