Month: January 2023

A Southern California man has been arrested for attempted murder and child abuse after California Highway Patrol officials say he intentionally drove a Tesla over a cliff on the Pacific Coast Highway with his wife and two children in the car.

California Highway Patrol confirmed the driver of the car, 41-year-old Dharmesh A. Patel, of Pasadena, California, will face attempted murder and child abuse charges for the Jan. 2 incident. Patel is being treated for his injuries and will be booked into San Mateo County Jail upon his release from the hospital. According to Patel’s arrest report, the other occupants of the car were a 41-year-old female, a 7-year-old female and a 4-year-old male. All were rescued after they survived the 250 foot drop over the cliff at Devil’s Slide and landed near the shoreline below, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle flipped multiple times and landed mostly on its wheels. Rescuers were able to notice movement in the front seat while scanning the wrecked car from above with binoculars. Helicopters then assisted in rescuing the four people in the car.

The CHP said on Jan. 3 that investigators spent the evening of Jan. 2 interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene. They shared in a release noting Patel’s arrest: “Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act. There has been no determination as to what driving mode the Tesla was in; however, that does not appear to be a contributing factor in this incident.”

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Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., fell short of the votes needed to be elected speaker of the House on the first three ballots on Tuesday, leading the House to adjourn in advance of further voting.  Representatives officially adjourned for the day at 5:27 p.m. EST and will resume voting after noon Wednesday, marking the first time in 100 years a speaker has not been elected on the first ballot.

20 Republican colleagues opposed McCarthy, 57, during the third vote, an increase from 19 during the second vote. McCarthy collected 202 votes on the third ballot, one less than during the second round. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio received 20 votes cast with the aim of denying McCarthy’s bid for the position. Jordan collected 19 votes in the second round. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., collected 212 votes from Democrats. No other votes were cast.

McCarthy received 203 votes on the first ballot, while Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs received 10 votes and nine others also received votes. One of those who defected, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz had said that he would support Jordan for speaker instead, despite Jordan himself saying that he supports McCarthy for speaker. Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry also refused to support McCarthy. In an effort to gain votes, McCarthy had announced several concessions in a proposed House rules package, including changes to how the speaker could be removed.

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray from Washington was elected Tuesday as President Pro Tempore of the Senate, which puts her third in line of presidential succession after the vice president and speaker of the House. Also on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell celebrated becoming the longest serving party leader in Senate history.

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Amber McLaughlin died by lethal injection Tuesday night in Missouri, becoming the first openly transgender woman to be executed in the U.S.  McLaughlin began her transition in prison about three years ago.  According to the Missouri Department of Corrections, McLaughlin was pronounced dead at 6:51 p.m. at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre.  McLaughlin said in a final, written, statement before her execution: “I am sorry for what I did. I am a loving and caring person.”  She spoke quietly with a spiritual adviser at her side as the fatal dose of pentobarbital was injected, and was pronounced dead a few minutes later.

McLaughlin, 49, was convicted of first-degree murder in 2006 in the killing of Beverly Guenther. A judge sentenced her to death after the jury deadlocked on its sentencing decision. McLaughlin was in a relationship with Guenther before her transition, but Guenther obtained a restraining order after McLaughlin showed up multiple times at her workplace. Officers found a broken knife handle near Guenther’s car and a trail of blood at her office building on the night of Nov. 20, 2003. McLaughlin later led police to a location near the Mississippi River in St. Louis where Guenther’s body had been dumped.

McLaughlin’s appeal for clemency argued that the jury did not listen to issues about her mental health, including details of traumatic childhood abuse and depression. Advocates also expressed concern that McLaughlin would be put to death even though the jury was not unanimous. However, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson denied clemency Tuesday, saying in a statement on Tuesday: “McLaughlin is a violent criminal. Ms. Guenther’s family and loved ones deserve peace. The State of Missouri will carry out McLaughlin’s sentence according to the Court’s order and deliver justice.” 

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