1. Jones’ lawyer files for dismissal
- The attorneys for Marshae Jones filed a motion to dismiss the charges against her, calling them “completely unreasonable and unjust.”
- The district attorney’s office still has not yet decided whether to prosecute Jones.
- Her attorney’s said in their motion that the state used a “flawed and twisted rationale” that “ignores the law and ignores reason.”
- The motion also argues that the state is not legally allowed to prosecute Jones under Alabama law. While a 2006 Alabama law allows homicide charges to be brought when a fetus or embryo is killed, a section of that law also notes that the provision does not authorize prosecution of a “woman with respect to her unborn child.”
- The filing notes that Jones is facing “an unprecedented attack that threatens to leave her six-year-old daughter without her mother.”
- A hearing on the motion has been scheduled for July 9.
- Read more about the case HERE.
2. Tanks for the fourth
- If President Trump wants tanks for this year’s Fourth of July parade, then he is going to get tanks.
- He said Monday that a display of U.S. military tanks will be part of a special event he’s headlining July 4 in Washington — and an Associated Press photographer saw at least two M1A1 Abrams tanks and two Bradley Fighting Vehicles on flatcars in a railyard at the southeastern edge of Washington.
- A U.S. official told the AP that the military vehicles to be used in the July 4 event were being stored at the railyard.
- Trump had wanted a military parade of tanks and other equipment in the District of Columbia after he witnessed a similar parade on Bastille Day in Paris in 2017. That plan eventually was scuttled, partly because of cost, though Trump apparently held on to the idea.
- Local officials had also objected because of the damage the heavy armored tanks could do to city streets.
- Two M1A1 Abrams tanks and two Bradley Fighting Vehicles will be on display as part of Trump’s “Salute to America” event, according to a U.S. official, as well as a demonstration by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and other aircraft.
- “We’re going to have a great Fourth of July in Washington, D.C. It’ll be like no other,” Trump said. “It’ll be special and I hope a lot of people come. And it’s going to be about this country and it’s a salute to America.”
- Read more about the Fourth of July events HERE.
3. Teen arrested in crash that killed Brambletts
- Police have charged a 16-year-old with two counts of manslaughter in the car crash that killed Auburn broadcaster Rod Bramblett and his wife.
- A police statement says Johnston Edward Taylor, of Auburn, was arrested Monday in connection with the May 25 accident. Police say test results showed that Taylor was driving “well over” the 55 mph speed limit and had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash.
- The 53-year-old Bramblett and his 52-year-old wife, Paula, died as a result of injuries from the crash.
- Taylor was charged as an adult and arrested at his Auburn home with a $50,000 bond. An official with the Lee County Jail said Monday evening he had been released.
- Bramblett had been Auburn’s football and men’s basketball announcer since 2003, and had called baseball games since 1993.
- Story link HERE.
4. Iran breaches uranium limit
- Iran has broken the limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set by its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, international inspectors and Tehran said Monday. This marks Iran’s first major departure from the unraveling agreement a year after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the accord.
- The announcement by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and later confirmation by the U.N. nuclear watchdog puts new pressure on European nations trying to save the deal amid President Donald Trump’s maximalist campaign targeting Tehran.
- Iran separately threatened to raise its uranium enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels on July 7 if Europe fails to offer it a new deal.
- It also further heightens tensions across the wider Middle East in the wake of Iran recently shooting down a U.S. military surveillance drone, mysterious attacks on oil tankers that America and the Israelis blame on Tehran, and bomb-laden drone assaults by Yemen’s Iranian-backed rebels targeting Saudi Arabia.
- At the White House, Trump told reporters Iran was “playing with fire,” and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the international community to require Iran to suspend all enrichment, even at levels allowed under the nuclear deal.
- Read more about the situation HERE.
5. AP News Briefs
Pastor charged with sex abuse reported by church members
- A prosecutor says an Alabama pastor has been charged with felony sexual abuse after church members reported him to authorities.
- John Martin of Florence was jailed Monday in Lauderdale County on $60,000 bail. Al.com reports the 41-year-old minister had recently resigned after nine years as pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church.
- Lauderdale County Assistant District Attorney Angie Hamilton said Martin admitted to church members when he resigned June 23 that he had inappropriate relationships with young men. She said church members reported his remarks to authorities, who began a criminal investigation.
- Hamilton says Martin is charged with four counts of felony sexual abuse involving victims younger than 16. She said more charges could be added.
- It was not immediately known if Martin had an attorney who could speak for him.
Records: Slain wife had court order against suspect
- Alabama authorities say they think a Madison County man killed his wife months after she was granted a protection order against him for threatening to kill her.
- Al.com reports the Madison County’s Sheriff’s Office responded to a home Sunday night and found the body of 53-year-old Lorrie Payne Ridings. They then arrested 52-year-old Tyson Wells Ridings and charged him with murder.
- Officials declined to release a cause of death.
- In March, a county judge granted Lorrie Ridings a protection from abuse order against Tyson Ridings. In court records, the woman wrote he’d choked, beaten and threatened to kill her. Records show Tyson Ridings was prohibited from having contact with her at the time she died.
- It’s unclear whether Tyson Ridings has an attorney to provide comment.
Hong Kong protests over democracy escalate
- Hundreds of protesters swarmed into Hong Kong’s legislative building Monday night, defacing portraits of lawmakers and spray-painting pro-democracy slogans in the chamber before vacating it as riot police cleared surrounding streets with tear gas and then moved inside.
- The three-hour occupation, which ended early Tuesday, came on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony’s return to China, a city holiday, and reflected mounting frustration with Hong Kong’s leader for not responding to protesters’ demands after several weeks of demonstrations.
- The protests were sparked by a government attempt to change extradition laws to allow suspects to be sent to China for trial.
- Protesters whacked away at thick glass windows until they shattered and then pried open steel security gates. Police initially retreated as the protesters entered, avoiding a confrontation and giving them the run of the building.
- Read more about the protests HERE.
Headlines
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Lawyers: Fetal death charges ‘unjust,’ should be dismissed
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Trump isn’t taking ‘no tanks’ for an answer for July Fourth
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Riot police clear away protesters from Hong Kong legislature
ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Iran breaches uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal
Montgomery Advertiser – Marshae Jones’ lawyers file motion to dismiss case
Montgomery Advertiser – Predawn shakedown at Autauga Metro Jail nets unusual contraband
YellowHammer News – Exclusive: Ivey focused on continued growth for booming aerospace industry — ‘Alabama is an easy sell’
YellowHammer News – Birmingham’s HPM hires industry vet as company focuses on nationwide expansion
YellowHammer News – Teen charged with two manslaughter counts in death of Rod, Paula Bramblett; Excessive speed, marijuana use cited
Dothan Eagle – Auburn police arrest teen on manslaughter charge in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett
Dothan Eagle – Woman arrested after shots fired outside Dothan nightspot
Dothan Eagle – Kinsey man charged with heroin possession, other crimes
Tuscaloosa News – $3 million bond set for Tuscaloosa drug trafficking suspect
Tuscaloosa News – Attorneys file motion to dismiss charges against woman who lost fetus when shot
Tuscaloosa News – Ford dealer ends July 4th gun-Bible deal over fatal shooting
Decatur Daily – Athens man dies in 1-vehicle accident
Decatur Daily – Alcohol sales approved for Point Mallard ice rink after opposition, testy exchange
Decatur Daily – 3 die in weekend Limestone accidents; 2 recent Hatton grads injured
Times Daily – Solution to Airbnb issue not likely during holiday reprieve
Times Daily – ‘Spirit of Freedom’ returns to park Thursday
Times Daily – Lawsuit likely after council nixes businessman’s claim
Gadsden Times – ECSO warns about phone scam
Gadsden Times – Jail stabbing leads to attempted murder charge
Gadsden Times – Gadsden man arrested for trafficking, other charges
Anniston Star – Cleburne County trash convenience center to open by August
Anniston Star – Georgia man charged with trafficking marijuana
Anniston Star – Atlanta man charged with trafficking meth, heroin, ecstasy
Troy Messenger – Local, state officials preparing for 2020 Census
Troy Messenger – University Avenue to undergo construction
Troy Messenger – Meeksville to host Fourth of July parade Thursday
Andalusia Star News – Alabama ranked as third highest among states to see fastest increase of diabetes
Andalusia Star News – Andalusia Public Library to incorporate Teen Game Day this month
Andalusia Star News – Cov. County engineer’s contract renewed for another three years.
Opelika-Auburn News – Rod and Paula Bramblett deaths lead to Auburn teen driver charged with manslaughter
Opelika-Auburn News – Construction worker plummets to his death from water tower in Dadeville
Opelika-Auburn News – Construction worker plummets to his death from water tower in Dadeville
Trussville Tribune – Center Point splash pad now open at Reed Harvey Park
Trussville Tribune – PHOTOS: Trussville PD cruiser catches fire after chase with carjacking suspects
Trussville Tribune – Nike pulls Betsy Ross sneaker after Colin Kaepernick complains
Athens News Courier – FATAL WEEKEND: 3 killed in separate wrecks
Athens News Courier – Trump says tanks will be part of July Fourth in Washington
Athens News Courier – Arrest Reports for 7/2/19
Sand Mountain Reporter – Crossville Stars and Stripes Celebration set for July 4, 5-9 p.m.
Sand Mountain Reporter – Feeling free | Diversicare makes memorable motorcycle ride possible for resident
Sand Mountain Reporter – Brown book signing at Shades of Pemberley July 13
WSFA Montgomery – Attorney for Marshae Jones discusses controversial case
WSFA Montgomery – Funds raised to restore Jewish temple in Selma
WSFA Montgomery – $1 million consolidated bond set for man charged with drug trafficking
Fox 6 Birmingham – DNA testing unites Ala. woman with father 48 years after her birth
Fox 6 Birmingham – 7 people in 4 years have been killed at same intersection, deputies say something must change
Fox 6 Birmingham – Man found alive beside wreckage of car, five days after crash in Texas woods
WAFF Huntsville – Whitesburg Christian Academy graduates injured in car wreck; 1 in critical condition
WAFF Huntsville – Huntsville bus improvements begin
WAFF Huntsville – Former Florence pastor accused of sexually abusing child
WKRG Mobile – 4th of July events around the Gulf Coast
WKRG Mobile – Bikers bare all in funny calendar, all for charity
WKRG Mobile – Gulf Power Hurricane Michael restoration surcharge begins July 1
WTVY Dothan – 15-year-old Houston County Jail may need an expansion
WTVY Dothan – Police seek help finding 3 suspects from Portland protests
WTVY Dothan – Florida Mayor makes his Presidential pitch to 2020 voters