The sentencing in Riverhead marked the culmination of a yearslong investigation into a series of killings that baffled authorities and drew widespread public attention after human remains were discovered along Long Island’s Ocean Parkway and nearby locations.

Heuermann, a 62-year-old Long Island architect, acknowledged responsibility for the crimes during the hearing.

“The words I would say would have no meaning,” Heuermann told the court after stating that he was responsible for the murders.

Families Describe Lasting Impact of Loss

Several relatives of the victims delivered emotional statements describing the decades of grief and uncertainty that followed the disappearances and deaths of their loved ones.

Jasmine Robinson, a cousin of victim Jessica Taylor, told the court that no punishment could adequately reflect the harm caused by the killings.

“A million years isn’t enough,” Robinson said. “Nothing will ever make this right.”

Amanda Funderburg, sister of victim Melissa Barthelemy, addressed Heuermann directly and recalled receiving a taunting phone call from him shortly after her sister disappeared. Funderburg was 15 years old at the time.

JoAnn Mack, the mother of victim Valerie Mack, told the court that her daughter’s hopes and future had been taken away.

While family members spoke, Heuermann largely remained silent, seated at the defense table and looking ahead.

Judge Condemns Defendant During Sentencing

Judge Timothy Mazzei delivered a forceful rebuke before imposing the sentence.

After asking whether Heuermann was at least somewhat remorseful, the judge noted that the defendant appeared to indicate yes. Mazzei nevertheless condemned his actions, describing him as a coward and expressing disgust over the crimes.

As Heuermann was escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs, some spectators reacted with jeers.

Guilty Plea Covered Seven Murders

Heuermann pleaded guilty in April to murdering seven women: Melissa Barthelemy, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Sandra Costilla.

He also admitted responsibility for the death of Karen Vergata, though prosecutors never formally charged him in that case.

According to court proceedings, Heuermann confessed to strangling the victims. He further admitted that some of the victims’ bodies were dismembered.

Many of the women worked as sex workers and disappeared between 2000 and 2010. Most of their remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach on Long Island.

Investigation Revived After Years of Stagnation

The Gilgo Beach investigation first gained national attention in 2010 when authorities searching for missing sex worker Shannan Gilbert discovered human remains along Ocean Parkway. Gilbert’s death was later ruled an accidental drowning.

For years, the murders remained unsolved.

The investigation gained momentum in 2022 after detectives connected Heuermann to a pickup truck reportedly seen near the disappearance of one of the victims.

Authorities later matched DNA recovered from a discarded pizza crust to genetic material found on hair fragments recovered from victims’ remains. Investigators also cited cellphone records and location data that allegedly linked Heuermann to meetings with some victims before they disappeared.

Following his arrest in 2023, prosecutors said they uncovered computer documents that outlined methods for carrying out killings and concealing evidence. Among those files were checklists that investigators described as a blueprint for the crimes.

Life Sentence Ends Criminal Proceedings

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told the court there was nothing Heuermann could say that would lessen the severity of his actions.

“There is no doubt this defendant is sorry,” Tierney said. “He is sorry he got caught.”

Defense attorney Michael Brown said his client had expressed remorse and appeared ordinary in personal interactions despite the gravity of the crimes.

Under the terms of his guilty plea agreement, Heuermann has also agreed to cooperate with the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit in efforts aimed at assisting investigations involving other serial killers.

For relatives of the victims, Wednesday’s sentencing represented the final chapter in a case that spanned decades, though many told the court that no verdict or punishment could fully repair the losses they endured.

Tags: Rex Heuermann, Gilgo Beach, Long Island, New York, Serial Killer, Suffolk County, Criminal Justice, Victims’ Families

The post Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Sentenced as Victims’ Families Demand Accountability appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Yoon, who was removed from office following his impeachment, faced multiple criminal charges related to his six-hour declaration of martial law. The verdict underscores South Korea’s ongoing efforts to reconcile its modern democratic institutions with the memory of past authoritarian rule.

The Seoul Central District Court found that Yoon attempted to override an opposition-controlled legislature by sending military and police forces to the Assembly on Dec. 3, 2024. Judge Jee Kui-youn determined that Yoon intended to block lawmakers, arrest key officials, and establish unchecked power for a “considerable” period.

Martial Law Evokes Authoritarian Legacy

Yoon’s martial law proclamation, the first in more than four decades, drew immediate comparisons to South Korea’s military-backed governments of the late 20th century. During that era, emergency decrees allowed authorities to station soldiers and armored vehicles in public spaces and restrict civil liberties to suppress dissent.

The December 2024 measure suspended political activity, controlled media outlets, and allowed arrests without warrants. It was lifted after roughly six hours when lawmakers broke through a military blockade and unanimously voted to rescind the decree. Yoon was suspended from office on Dec. 14, 2024, and formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has been in custody since July 2025.

Defense Challenges Verdict

Yoon’s legal team criticized the ruling as a “predetermined verdict,” arguing that the court relied solely on prosecutors’ arguments. Lawyer Yoon Kap-keun said the team was considering an appeal. The former president told the court that the martial law measure was intended only to highlight legislative gridlock and that he would respect lawmakers’ decisions if they opposed the decree.

Prosecutors maintained that Yoon sought to paralyze the legislature and prevent lawful votes, exceeding his constitutional authority even under martial law. Judge Jee emphasized that the deployment of troops to the National Assembly was central to the court’s finding of rebellion.

“This court finds that the purpose of his actions was to block the Assembly and arrest key figures, preventing lawmakers from performing their duties,” Jee said. “It is sufficiently established that he intended to obstruct the Assembly’s activities for a considerable period of time.”

Protests and Public Reaction

Hundreds of Yoon supporters gathered outside the court as he arrived, while critics demanded the harshest possible punishment. Police maintained order, and there were no immediate reports of clashes following the ruling.

A special prosecutor had sought the death penalty, citing threats to democratic governance, though analysts widely expected a life sentence given the brief duration of the martial law and absence of casualties. South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997, reflecting a de facto moratorium on capital punishment.

Other Officials Also Convicted

Several former military and police officials involved in enforcing the decree were also sentenced. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun received a 30-year sentence for planning the measure and mobilizing troops. Yoon had previously been sentenced to five years for resisting arrest and bypassing the required Cabinet approval for the martial law decree.

Two Cabinet members, including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, were convicted in separate cases. Han received 23 years for attempting to legitimize the decree, falsifying records, and giving false testimony, and has appealed.

Yoon is the first former South Korean president to receive a life sentence since the country’s military-era leaders. Former dictator Chun Doo-hwan was sentenced to death in 1996 for a 1979 coup and the 1980 Gwangju crackdown but later had his sentence commuted to life and was pardoned in 1997. Chun died in 2021.

Source: AP News – Former South Korean President Yoon receives life sentence for imposing martial law

The post Former South Korean President Yoon Sentenced to Life for Martial Law Attempt appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The measure passed in the Lower Chamber on Tuesday with 237 votes in favor, drawing support from both the governing right-wing coalition and opposition parties. The vote coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed annually on November 25 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly.

The legislation follows a series of high-profile cases that prompted widespread public anger and renewed scrutiny of gender-based violence in a country where cultural and legal reforms have been debated for years. While the government has framed the law as a decisive step, critics argue that enforcement and prevention remain unresolved challenges.

A Rare Moment of Cross-Party Consensus

The bill was backed by the conservative government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and advanced through parliament with unusual cross-party unity. Lawmakers from both the center-right majority and the center-left opposition supported the final version, describing it as a necessary response to the rise in reported violence against women.

Under the new legislation, femicide is legally recognized as the killing of a woman because of her gender, aligning Italy with several Latin American and European jurisdictions that have adopted similar definitions. Courts will be able to impose life sentences in cases of aggravated murder involving domestic partners or former partners, as well as in crimes motivated by gender-based hostility.

The law also expands penalties for related offenses, including stalking and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, commonly known as revenge porn. These provisions reflect legal trends across Europe, where governments have strengthened digital-abuse laws in response to increased reporting and online harassment.

Public Outcry After High-Profile Killing

The legislative push accelerated after the 2023 murder of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin, whose killing by a former boyfriend triggered nationwide protests and extensive media coverage. Thousands marched in Italian cities calling for systemic reform and greater support for women facing domestic abuse.

Advocacy groups have long argued that cultural factors—including deeply rooted gender stereotypes—contribute to underreporting and insufficient protection. Italy’s National Institute of Statistics (Istat) recorded 106 femicides in 2024, with 62 committed by partners or former partners, reinforcing concerns about patterns of intimate-partner violence.

In a statement on Tuesday, Meloni said the government had “doubled funding for anti-violence centers and shelters” and expanded an emergency assistance hotline. She added that awareness campaigns and educational initiatives were underway, calling the law “a concrete step forward.”

However, opposition parties said the reforms remained incomplete. Lawmakers from the center-left stressed that criminal penalties alone would not address the economic and social vulnerabilities that often prevent women from leaving abusive situations.

Prevention Debate Intensifies

The discussion around prevention has become one of the most divisive elements of Italy’s policy response. A government-backed proposal would prohibit sexual and emotional education in elementary schools and require explicit parental consent for related instruction in secondary schools.

Supporters argue the measure protects children from what they describe as ideological influence. Critics—including educators, psychologists, and women’s rights organizations—have condemned the proposal as regressive, warning that limiting classroom education could increase misinformation and weaken early-intervention efforts.

Elly Schlein, leader of the center-left Democratic Party, called the bill “medieval,” noting that Italy is one of only seven European countries where sex and relationship education is not mandatory. “Repression is not enough without prevention, which can only start in schools,” she said.

Across Europe, several governments have linked prevention strategies to school-based programs. The Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention—which Italy ratified in 2013—encourages signatory states to integrate gender-equality education, support services, and coordinated law-enforcement responses. While Italy has expanded police protocols and emergency protections in recent years, watchdog groups report gaps in implementation and geographical disparities in service availability.

Broader Regional and Global Context

Gender-based violence remains a significant concern across Europe. Eurostat data shows that more than half of female homicide victims in the European Union are killed by partners or family members, compared with a far lower proportion among male victims. Several countries—including Spain, France, and Portugal—have introduced national strategies focused on prevention, shelters, and judicial reform.

Italy has faced particular criticism from rights organizations for slow legal proceedings and inconsistent enforcement of restraining orders. Advocacy groups say delays can leave women exposed to continued threats even after reporting abuse.

The Italian government has responded by increasing police supervision for high-risk cases and expanding rapid-response protocols. Authorities have also introduced electronic monitoring for offenders under restraining orders, though its use varies by region.

Next Steps and Ongoing Challenges

Despite broad political support for the new law, experts say its impact will depend on implementation. Legal scholars note that adding femicide to the criminal code strengthens sentencing but does not automatically change investigative practices, which often determine how cases are classified and prosecuted.

Shelter networks have welcomed increased funding but warn that demand continues to outpace capacity, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. Many organizations also emphasize the need for long-term housing and employment support, noting that financial dependence remains one of the strongest barriers for victims seeking to leave abusive partners.

Advocates say sustained public investment, education, and cultural change are essential. Without them, they argue, harsher penalties may serve as a symbolic milestone rather than a structural turning point.

For now, the government has signaled that further measures may follow. “We won’t stop here,” Meloni said. “We must continue to do much more, every day.”

Source: CNN – Italy now recognizes the crime of femicide and punishes it with life in prison

The post Italy Introduces Life Sentence for Femicide After Bipartisan Parliamentary Vote appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Justice Served in Tragic Case

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed satisfaction with the swift sentencing of Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant convicted of murdering 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. The Athens-Clarke County judge sentenced Ibarra to life in prison after convicting him in a non-jury trial.

“I’m glad that justice was served, and it was swift and severe,” Kemp said in an interview with Fox News Digital on Wednesday, shortly after the verdict was delivered.

The case, which shook the University of Georgia campus, began in February when Riley was fatally attacked while jogging on a campus trail. Ibarra was arrested the following day.

A Tragic Loss for Georgia
Governor Kemp called the incident “a really tragic set of circumstances,” adding, “It’s heartbreaking for her family, friends, fellow students, and the entire state of Georgia. I’ve certainly kept them in my thoughts and prayers.”

Ibarra’s legal team had unsuccessfully sought to move the trial out of Athens, and Judge H. Patrick Haggard presided over the case instead of a jury.

Political Implications of Border Policies
The murder reignited debates over U.S. immigration policies. Kemp criticized President Biden’s border security measures, attributing them to increased dangers in local communities.

“The policies are outrageous. They’ve gotten people killed not only in Georgia but across the country,” Kemp said. He linked these concerns to support for President-elect Donald Trump, stating, “That’s a big reason why people elected Trump. We look forward to working with his administration to secure the border and ensure these tragedies don’t happen again.”

National Spotlight on Riley’s Case
Riley’s murder was a focal point during the presidential campaign, with Trump highlighting it as an example of the need for stricter immigration enforcement and the deportation of undocumented migrants.

Kemp’s New Role and Commitment
The governor’s comments came shortly after he was elected chair of the Republican Governors Association during an event in Marco Island, Florida. Kemp pledged to continue advocating for policies that protect local communities from similar tragedies.

“The safety of our communities is paramount,” Kemp emphasized. “We must prevent such heartbreaking incidents from ever happening again.”

Source

The post Life Sentence for Venezuelan Migrant: Kemp Criticizes Biden’s Border Security appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

“After very careful review of all the arguments…I came to a place where I believe that, under the law, resentencing is appropriate, and I am going to recommend that to a court tomorrow,” District Attorney George Gascon told reporters Thursday afternoon.

He said he will recommend a sentence of 50 years to life for each of the brothers, which would make them immediately eligible for parole under state law because they were under 26 at the time of the murders.

Erik and Joseph “Lyle” Menendez ambushed their parents with shotguns in the living room of their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989.

Their first trial ended in a mistrial. They were both convicted after their second trial and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, under a new California law, district attorneys have the authority to request new sentences that were handed down before they took office.

They have been in prison for nearly 35 years,” Gascon said. “I believe that they have paid their debt to society.”

He added that a resentencing must be approved by the court before it becomes official and that a parole board will still need to sign off on their eventual release. He went on to praise the brothers’ good behavior during their decades behind bars.

The brothers and their supporters, including two dozen relatives, among them their mother’s sister Joan Andersen VanderMolen, petitioned Gascon for a resentencing earlier this year, arguing that new evidence shows the brothers were sexually abused and molested by their father.

The new evidence includes allegations made public last year that their father also molested Roy Rossello, a former member of the boy band Menudo, in the 1980s, and a letter that Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin, Andy Cano, which surfaced in 2015, years after the latter’s death.

The date the letter was written has been challenged by critics of the brothers’ potential release. The defense said he sent it to his cousin eight months before the murders, when the brothers were 21 and 18. The Menendez brothers are now both in their 50s.

Gascon is up for reelection in less than two weeks and faces a strong challenge from independent candidate Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor. Critics have called his involvement in the high-profile case politically motivated. But there is also some public support for the brothers’ release after a series of recent documentaries attracted attention to their case, including one on FOX Nation.

“DA George Gascon received the Menendez habeas corpus petition in May 2023 and request for resentencing in February 2024. Yet, he has waited until days before the Nov. 5 election, 30 points down in the polls with articles coming about how his failed policies have led to additional murders of innocent people, to release his recommendation for resentencing,” his challenger, Nathan Hochman, told Fox News Digital. “By releasing it now, Gascon has cast a cloud over the fairness and impartiality of his decision, allowing Angelenos to question whether the decision was correct and just or just another desperate political move by a DA running a losing campaign scrambling to grab headlines through a made-for-TV decision. Angelenos and everyone involved deserve better.”

The brothers unloaded shotguns at their father, former RCA Records executive Jose Menendez, and their mother, Mary “Kitty” Menendez, while the couple was watching TV at 10:30 p.m.

They ran out of shells and had to go outside to get more in order to finish off their mother, who investigators said had blood on the bottom of her shoes, indicating that she tried to escape after the shooting began.

Not all of the brothers’ family members support their release.

Kitty Menendez’s brother, Milton Andersen, 90, vehemently opposes a reduced sentence and on Wednesday asked the judge overseeing the case to keep his nephews in prison for the rest of their lives – as they were sentenced originally.

Source

The post Menendez Brothers Set for Resentencing as Prosecutor Makes Announcement, Revisiting the Infamous 1990s Murder Case appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.