British banker Rurik Jutting appeals life term for gruesome killings

Rurik Jutting's legal team claims the judge made a "fatal error" in his original trial in Hong Kong for killing two Indonesians



By Philip Whiteside, News Reporter

A British banker jailed for life for the gruesome murders of two women has appeared in court to appeal against his conviction.

Rurik Jutting was found guilty in November 2016 of killing Indonesians Sumarti Ningsih, 23, and Seneng Mujiasih, 26, in Hong Kong apartment in 2014.

His lawyer Gerard McCoy told the city's Court of Appeal that the trial judge had made a "fatal error" in his directions to the jurors on whether Jutting's psychiatric disorders constituted a mental abnormality.

Under Hong Kong law, an "abnormality of mind" can be used as a defence against a murder conviction.





Jutting's team also argued the trial judge made a mistake by instructing jurors to come up with the same verdict for both counts, despite the different circumstances of the two deaths.

The Cambridge-educated 32-year-old had met Ms Sumarti through the "casual encounters" section of the Craigslist website. Her body was found in a suitcase on his balcony.

He met his second victim in a Hong Kong bar. Ms Seneng's body was found in a pool of blood on Jutting's living room floor, and her throat had also been cut.

Jutting denied murdering the two women and admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to alcohol and drug abuse and sexual disorders.





But the jury rejected the claim and unanimously found the former Bank of America-Merrill Lynch employee guilty of murder.

Jutting wore a blue shirt as he watched the latest proceedings from the dock, and chatted with the three uniformed court officers sitting next to him during the breaks.

He leafed through a bundle of court documents and listened as lawyers made the case to the three-judge panel that the trial judge gave incorrect instructions to the jury on deciding their verdict.

The jury in the original trial heard that the bodies of Ms Seneng and Ms Sumarti were mutilated, with Jutting describing how he tortured and killed them in a series of videos recorded on his phone.

In one video played in court, he said: "My name is Rurik Jutting. About five minutes ago, I just killed, murdered, this woman here."

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South Carolina serial killer Todd Kohlhepp claims he has more victims

A South Carolina man who admitted to killing seven people earlier this year has claimed to have more victims whose remains have not been discovered.

In an eight-page letter to the Herald-Journal of Spartanburg, Todd Kohlhepp wrote that he tried to tell investigators about the other killings and informed the FBI, but he said "it was blown off."

"At this point, I really don't see reason to give numbers or locations," Kohlhepp also wrote.

Kohlhepp, 46, was arrested last year after police rescued a woman chained at the neck in a storage container and investigators found a body buried in a shallow grave. The woman told investigators she saw Kohlhepp shoot and kill her boyfriend, 32-year-old Charles David Carter who went with her for a cleaning job on the suspect's property.

In addition to Carter, Kohlhepp also pleaded guilty this past May to killing husband-and-wife Johnny and Meagan Coxie in December 2015, as well as four people at local motorcycle shop in 2003. He is currently serving seven consecutive life terms plus 60 years on kidnapping, sexual assault and other charges. He is not eligible for parole.



At the time of Kohlhepp's sentencing, his attorney told the court there were no other victims. But in his letter to the Herald-Journal, Kohlhepp wrote that his murder trail, "leaves the state and leaves the country."

Kohlhepp moved to South Carolina in 2001 shortly after 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping in Arizona. Authorities there said the then 15-year-old forced a 14-year-old neighbor back to his home at gunpoint, tied her up and raped her.







Anderson Police Capt. Mike Walters told the paper he does not believe Kholhepp is tied to any more local cases, but suspects he may have victims out of state.

"I'm sure there are more. I’m just thinking they’re more likely in Florida or elsewhere," Walters said. "People like him, they want the cops to get the notoriety. They’re always going to throw bait out there often to keep their name out there."

The associated press reported this.

Super Eagles begin build-up for CHAN with Super Six

The home –based Super Eagles contingent arrived the ancient city of Kano on Saturday afternoon as Head Coach Salisu Yusuf and his crew countenance the beginning of preparations for the 5th African Nations Championship scheduled for Morocco 13th January – 4th February 2018

Yusuf, also Chief Coach of the Russia-bound A squad, has called up 30 players for the first phase of the preparations, in which the 2014 CHAN bronze medallists would test strength with the nation’s leading domestic clubs in the annual Super Six Tournament.



Super Eagles A team’s safe hands Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Stephen Eze, Osas Okoro and Adeleye Olamilekan, midfielders Afeez Aremu, Rabiu Ali and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi as well as forwards Kingsley Eduwo, Sikiru Olatubosun and Anthony Okpotu are among those who will battle for shirts.



The glamour Super Six Tournament, traditionally organized to set Nigeria’s flag-bearers in continental competitions in battle mood after the lull and inactivity of the post –season break, will this year welcome NPFL reigning champions Plateau United, MFM FC, Akwa United FC, homers Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC, as well as the Super Eagles B.



The first matches are slated for Monday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where the Eagles overpowered their counterparts from Benin Republic 2-0 on 19th August to qualify for the 5th African Nations Championship.



Nigeria will tackle 2014 champions Libya, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea in the group stage at the 5th African Nations Championship. The matches of Group C will be played in Tangier.



Libya shocked the African football family by winning the 2014 edition in South Africa at the expense of Ghana, despite the North African nation being embroiled in political turmoil at the time. Rwanda was the last team to qualify for the finals, after edging Ethiopia 3-2 on aggregate in a play –off that was necessitated by Egypt’s decision to forfeit her slot at the championship. Equatorial Guinea qualified for the finals following the withdrawal of Gabon.



Hosts Morocco, Guinea, Sudan and Mauritania are in Group A, in the event pitting the Atlas Lions against Mauritania in the opening match of the competition, at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on 13th January.



Hosts of the inaugural edition of the competition in 2009, Cote d’Ivoire head Group B that will be based in Marrakech, and have Zambia, Uganda and Namibia as group mates.



Group D, based in Agadir, has 2011 runners-up Angola, Cameroon, Congo and Burkina Faso.


Home / Super Eagles / Super Eagles begin build-up for CHAN with Super Six
Super Eagles begin build-up for CHAN with Super Six
By The NFF
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Updated: December 9, 2017
N17HTKA0262


The home –based Super Eagles contingent arrived the ancient city of Kano on Saturday afternoon as Head Coach Salisu Yusuf and his crew countenance the beginning of preparations for the 5th African Nations Championship scheduled for Morocco 13th January – 4th February 2018.





Yusuf, also Chief Coach of the Russia-bound A squad, has called up 30 players for the first phase of the preparations, in which the 2014 CHAN bronze medallists would test strength with the nation’s leading domestic clubs in the annual Super Six Tournament.



Super Eagles A team’s safe hands Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Stephen Eze, Osas Okoro and Adeleye Olamilekan, midfielders Afeez Aremu, Rabiu Ali and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi as well as forwards Kingsley Eduwo, Sikiru Olatubosun and Anthony Okpotu are among those who will battle for shirts.



The glamour Super Six Tournament, traditionally organized to set Nigeria’s flag-bearers in continental competitions in battle mood after the lull and inactivity of the post –season break, will this year welcome NPFL reigning champions Plateau United, MFM FC, Akwa United FC, homers Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC, as well as the Super Eagles B.



The first matches are slated for Monday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, where the Eagles overpowered their counterparts from Benin Republic 2-0 on 19th August to qualify for the 5th African Nations Championship.



Nigeria will tackle 2014 champions Libya, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea in the group stage at the 5th African Nations Championship. The matches of Group C will be played in Tangier.



Libya shocked the African football family by winning the 2014 edition in South Africa at the expense of Ghana, despite the North African nation being embroiled in political turmoil at the time. Rwanda was the last team to qualify for the finals, after edging Ethiopia 3-2 on aggregate in a play –off that was necessitated by Egypt’s decision to forfeit her slot at the championship. Equatorial Guinea qualified for the finals following the withdrawal of Gabon.



Hosts Morocco, Guinea, Sudan and Mauritania are in Group A, in the event pitting the Atlas Lions against Mauritania in the opening match of the competition, at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on 13th January.



Hosts of the inaugural edition of the competition in 2009, Cote d’Ivoire head Group B that will be based in Marrakech, and have Zambia, Uganda and Namibia as group mates.



Group D, based in Agadir, has 2011 runners-up Angola, Cameroon, Congo and Burkina Faso.



GROUP A (CASABLANCA)

Morocco

Guinea

Sudan

Mauritania



GROUP B (MARRAKECH)

Cote d’Ivoire

Zambia

Uganda

Namibia



GROUP C (TANGIER)

Libya

Nigeria

Rwanda

Equatorial Guinea



GROUP D (AGADIR)

Angola

Cameroon

Congo

Burkina Faso



30 CHAN EAGLES FOR SUPER SIX



Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa; Dele Ajiboye; Theophilus Afelokhai



Defenders: Stephen Eze; Osas Okoro; Daniel Itodo; Adeleye Olamilekan; Kalu Orji Okogbue; Ifeanyi Nweke; Nasiru Sani; Timothy Danladi



Midfielders: Afeez Aremu; Raphael Ayagwa; Ifeanyi Ifeanyi; Rabiu Ali; Destiny Ashadi; Dayo Ojo; Emeka Atuloma; Douglas Achiv; Austine Oladapo; Abdulkadir Zango



Forwards: Sikiru Olatubosun; Kingsley Eduwo; Peter Eneji; Anthony Okpotu; Joseph Osadiaye; Sunday Faleye; Victor Mbaoma; Mustapha Ibrahim; Gabriel Okechukwu

Israeli army shoots Palestinian dead in clashes on Gaza border

A Palestinian was shot dead in Gaza by the Israeli army on Friday, the health ministry said, the first person killed in clashes over US President Donald Trump’s planned embassy move.

The health ministry confirmed Mahmoud al-Masri, 30, was killed in clashes along the Israeli-Gaza border.

The Israeli army confirmed it had shot two people along the border, accusing them of being “main instigators” of “violent riots.”

AIT Staff, Abdullahi Ibrahim Dies In Accident With Pregnant Wife & 3 Children

How sad as journalist in Kogi State were jolted over the death of one of their own, Mr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, a reporter with the African Independent Television, (AIT).

Ibrahim died alongside his family members in a ghastly motor accident when he travelled to his hometown, Okaba, in Ankpa Local Council of Kogi State on Thursday.

He was preparing for the upcoming wedding of his daughter in December. The accident occurred between Ojodu and Ochadamu, along Ajaokuta- Ayingba high way. The reporter was driving his Peugeot 504 Saloon Car in company of his three children and his pregnant wife when the accident occurred.

According to an eyewitness, Ibrahim had a head-on collision with a Toyota hiace bus belonging to a popular transport company. “He was trying to overtake him on top speed while also negotiating a bend,” the witness said.He died on the spot with his three children and pregnant wife.

Ibrahim, who was in his late 50’s, had gone to the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) press centre in Lokoja to chat with his colleagues before he embarked on the journey.He had earlier narrated how a motorist brushed his car that Thursday morning after which he went to fix the car at a mechanic workshop before he embarked on the fatal journey.

His wife and children were seen at the press centre, where he bought snacks and drinks for them before going for the repairs of the car in preparation for the journey.He was even said to have distributed his daughter’s wedding cards to colleagues and friends on that fateful day.

Ibrahim, described as a crack reporter, had worked with several newspapers including the Sentinel, National Mirror, Royal Time. He was the publisher of The Trumpet before joining the AIT.

He was said to have lost his first wife and daughter about five years ago in mysterious circumstances.Reacting to the demise of the journalist, the Chairman of Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Friday Idachaba, expressed shock over the sudden death of the journalist and his family members.

Describing him as: “A very brilliant and hardworking journalist, who has carved a niche for himself “He condoled with his family members and prayed for the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Robert Mugabe sacked from ruling party Zanu-PF

The ruling party in Zimbabwe, Zanu-PF, has sacked the country’s long-time leader, Robert Mugabe.

After a meeting of party leaders held on Sunday, officials said ex-Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was fired by Mr. Mugabe two weeks ago, has been appointed leader of the party, the BBC reports.

It was the sacking of Mr. Mnangagwa that triggered last week’s takeover of power by the military, thus stopping Mr. Mugabe, 93, from installing his wife, Grace, as leader of Zanu-PF and then president.

Grace was also expelled from the Zanu-PF at Sunday’s meeting.

The Southern Africa Development COmmission, led by officials from South Africa, have been mediating between Mr. Mugabe and the military.

The meetings continue on Sunday and are expected to ensure a peaceful exit of Mr. Mugabe from Zimbabwe.