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Fort Hood shooter’s execution will be livestreamed

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be livestreamed after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be “public.”

Hegseth, speaking to the conservative TV outlet Real America’s Voice News on Wednesday, said the execution of Hasan will take place at Fort Hood on Dec. 3. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a shooting at the military base in 2009.

“We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth spoke to the outlet aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier while visiting the long-deployed crew, who supported the Iran war, before their arrival at their home port in San Diego.

When asked if Hasan had made any final requests or reached out to the Trump administration, Hegseth simply replied: “Don’t care. We’ll see him on December 3rd.”

Officials in the Pentagon clarified Thursday that the execution will be livestreamed and that more details would follow.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had said Monday that President Donald Trump had approved the execution of Hasan.

Trump has previously been critical of public executions in Iran, at times using the possibility of protesters being killed by the Iranian government as a possible rationale for military action. Those warnings preceded his ultimate choice to attack Iran at the end of February over its ballistic missiles and the risk of it developing nuclear weapons.

“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping,” Trump told reporters on Jan. 14 of this year. “It’s stopping and there’s no plan for executions.”

He repeated that claim on Jan. 20 at a White House press briefing, saying: “We let them know that if that happens, that will be a very bad day for them. And they decided not to do it. They didn’t hang the people.”

Slightly more than a month later in his State of the Union address, Trump said, “We stopped them from hanging a lot of them with the threat of serious violence.”

The White House on Thursday immediately referred questions about the plans for the livestreamed execution to the Pentagon.

However, experts on military law said Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution.

“It frankly might outlast the current administration, and who knows if the next one will have the same penchant for executions,” Eugene R. Fidell, a visiting lecturer at Yale Law School specializing in military law.

Hasan, an Army psychiatrist who held the rank of major, walked into a medical building where soldiers were were waiting in long lines to receive immunizations and medical clearance for deployment. He shouted “Allahu akbar” — Arabic for “God is great!” — and opened fire with a laser-sighted handgun.

During the trial it was revealed that Hasan spent weeks planning the deadly attack, and his preparation included videotaping a sales clerk showing him how to change the magazine on the pistol that he purchased. He would later go to a gun range outside Austin and ask for advice on how to reload with speed and precision from an instructor.

Soldiers later testified that Hasan’s rapid reloading made it all but impossible to stop the shooting. Investigators recovered 146 shell casings inside the building and dozens more outside, where Hasan shot at the backs of soldiers fleeing toward the parking lot.

Hasan said it was an effort to stop them from going to Afghanistan and killing his fellow Muslims. A military judge barred him from presenting that as a defense during his trial. Hasan made almost no effort to defend himself in court, telling jurors when he acted as his own counsel that evidence would show he was the shooter and describing himself as a soldier who had “switched sides.”

Hegseth said the military hasn’t executed a servicemember by firing squad since World War II. The last military execution took place on April 13, 1961, when Army Pvt. John Bennett was executed by hanging.

Man accused in Indianapolis fatal hit-and-run pleads not guilty, gets $50K bail

INDIANAPOLIS — Franck Bazil pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges stemming from a hit-and-run crash that killed a 9-year-old boy and injured another child on Indianapolis’ northwest side.

Bazil, 31, appeared in court Thursday for his initial hearing. He faces one count of failure to remain at the scene of a crash resulting in death and one count of failure to remain at the scene of a crash resulting in moderate or serious bodily injury.

Police say Bazil was driving Sunday afternoon when his SUV struck two children in the 6700 block of Eagle Pointe Drive North. Nine-year-old Roland McLain III, known as RJ, later died at the hospital. His 6-year-old brother was also injured but has since been released from the hospital.

The judge set Bazil’s bail at $50,000.

“I’m hurt. I’m outraged. I feel like it’s an injustice,” said Laquisha Moore, McLain’s grandmother. She attended the hearing with several of McLain’s loved ones and friends. They showed up wearing blue shirts because one of McLain’s favorite colors was blue.

Bazil is also being held on an immigration detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His attorney confirmed in the hearing that Bazil is not a U.S. citizen.

Investigators used video and automated license plate reader technology to identify and track the SUV. Lawrence police arrested Bazil at a car wash about two hours after the crash, according to police and court records.

Bazil remained in custody Thursday. His initial hearing had been delayed one day after his attorney notified the court that Bazil needed an interpreter.

Caitlin Clark talks possible contract extension: ‘No matter what, I’m going to be here’

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Third-year Fever guard Caitlin Clark gave her exit interview from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a week after the team’s playoff exit to the Las Vegas Aces.

24-year-old Clark is eligible for the WNBA’s “EPIC” extension this offseason but says building the roster and winning championships is the main priority. Clark says she hasn’t discussed the extension with the front office yet.

“No matter what, I’m going to be here,” Clark said. “I just want to do what’s best for the team and make sure we have the opportunity to be able to win championships. That’s my main goal. I think for myself it’s more a decision of how we can best construct the roster and what’s going to be best for our team to help us win championships.”

“I think for myself the focus is on winning,” Clark added. “I certainly know what I deserve and what I’m worth, but at the same time sometimes you have to make sacrifices. I’m not saying I’m not going to sign it; I’m not saying I am going to sign it. I haven’t gotten to those discussions.”

Clark averaged career highs of 22.3 points per game, shooting 44.6% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range this season.

Warren Central football game to have increased security following shooting

INDIANAPOLIS — Warren Central High School will have increased security and tighter attendance rules for Friday night’s home football game following the shooting of two high school-aged students after last week’s Warren Central–Lawrence North game.

Warren Township Schools announced the changes Thursday, saying the additional measures are intended to provide a safer environment for students, families and guests.

For Friday’s game, the district said:

  • Tickets must be purchased in advance. Online ticket sales will close at noon Friday, and tickets will not be sold at the gate.
  • Only Warren Central and Carmel high school students will be allowed to attend. Students must show a valid school ID.
  • Middle school students will not be allowed to attend.
  • Additional security procedures will be in place as vehicles and spectators enter campus. Fans should have their tickets ready and be prepared for additional screening.
  • More law enforcement and security personnel will be stationed throughout the stadium, campus and parking areas before, during and after the game.

The district said the changes are being made specifically in response to last Friday’s shooting.

“We recognize that some may create inconvenience or disappointment, particularly for students and families who would normally attend,” the district said. “At this time, however, we believe these steps are necessary to provide the safest possible environment for our students, staff, families, and guests.”

The shooting happened after the Warren Central-Lawrence North football game last Friday evening. Two high school-aged students were shot.

Warren Township Schools said it continues to cooperate with law enforcement investigating the shooting and is working to support students, families and staff affected by the violence.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Warren Police at 317-258-1363 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477.

The district also encouraged students, staff and families to report concerning or threatening behavior through its anonymous reporting system or by calling 317-532-3049.

The district said its goal for Friday’s game is to provide a safe environment for students to compete and for families and the community to support them.

Smartphone Ban Robs Afghan Female Journalists of a Vital Working Tool

KABUL, October 8 (IPS) – It has become difficult for Afghan journalists to obtain information from the authorities, who are permitted to use smartphones only with special authorization. This ban particularly affects women, for whom face-to-face interviews are not an option.

Read the full story, “Smartphone Ban Robs Afghan Female Journalists of a Vital Working Tool”, on globalissues.org →

Man dies in east side shooting

INDIANAPOLIS — A person is dead after a shooting on Indianapolis’ east side.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said it happened just after midnight on Ritter Avenue near 21st Street. Officers arrived and found the victim, who was taken to a hospital with critical injuries.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the victim, identified as 53-year-old Jason Alexander Payton, died.

Police have not said what led to the shooting. No one is under arrest.

This is a developing story.

Coach Bob Knight’s first IU recruiting class hits red carpet for ‘First Five’ documentary

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The late Bob Knight’s first-ever recruiting class as Indiana basketball’s head coach hit the red carpet for the “First Five” World Premiere at the Heartland Film Festival.

The documentary tells the story of five Midwestern young men from modest backgrounds who made up Coach Knight’s first IU team and laid the foundation for one of the most dominant dynasties in college basketball history.

The 1971-1975 class of Steve Ahlfeld, Doug Allen, Steve Green, John Kamstra, and John Laskowski were at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on Wednesday for a first look at the documentary.

“We were playing for Coach Knight, we were winning a lot of games, and we thought that was the end of the game,” Laskowski said. “Your last game’s over, you’re done playing ball, and you go on with life. 50 years go by, and people say, ‘wait a minute, we think there’s a story there; you’re one of the first five guys he brought to Indiana to start his great run… and tell us more about the story’, and that’s exactly what we did. Not knowing it would be as popular as it was going to be. But we’re grateful that we had the chance to do it.”

Steve Ahlfeld, a member of three consecutive Big Ten Championship teams and the team’s orthopedic surgeon for nearly four decades, described what fans should expect from the documentary.

“It’s a true, honest look at what it was like to be one of the first five recruits in Coach Knight’s first class,” Ahlfeld said. “We tell it realistically, and I think it’s going to be something that Indiana fans and people in general will really enjoy, and they’ll hear some things they’ve never heard before.”

“Brings back great memories of Big Ten Championships, playing for national championships, number one rankings, and just great memories,” Ahlfeld added. “So much excitement for the great Indiana fans, it was such an enjoyable period of time and a lot of respect to be part of something bigger than yourself.”

Grant Gruffin, the “First Five” director, added how proud he is to tell the story of Coach Knight’s first recruiting class.

“These guys came to Indiana University not knowing who Bob Knight was or really what he was about. For them, it was taking a leap of faith to come and to let him shape them into the young men that they became and to build the basketball program that he envisioned from the start. It’s an amazing story about how these guys really went through a lot. They grew, they came together and developed a brotherhood that stands 50 years later.”

Christa Pike is angry and confused after surviving execution, attorney says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Christa Pike was “angry and confused” in the hours after regaining consciousness following Tennessee’s failed execution attempt, first asking, “Where am I?” her lawyer said Wednesday.

Pike, believed to be the first person to survive after receiving lethal injection drugs during an execution, stunningly woke up as plans were being made to remove her from life support, just six days after she was strapped to a gurney in the death chamber, said attorney Randy Spivey.

“But on Tuesday, to the shock of everyone … Christa woke up and began talking,” Spivey said.

Pike, who was sentenced to death for the 1995 beating and stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer, is aware of what happened to her, at least up to a point, Spivey said.

Many questions remain, though, about her prognosis for recovery and whether Tennessee will make another attempt to execute Pike, now age 50.

Her lawyers said Wednesday that she has suffered enough and want the governor to commute her sentence. A judge in Nashville told the state on Wednesday to save evidence from the execution attempt as Pike’s attorneys try to find out more.

The failed execution on Sept. 30 has renewed scrutiny of how states carry out the death penalty, in particular the use of lethal injection. Texas was set to carry out Wednesday the first execution in the U.S. since Tennessee attempted to put Pike to death.

Pike faces a long recovery, lawyer says

Pike’s legal team said she still can’t move her arms or swallow and has some cognitive confusion. She also has pneumonia and a blood clot in her arm, Spivey said. Her hands were extremely swollen when they saw her Tuesday in the hospital, shackled to a bed, he added.

Her prognosis remains unclear and she has a long road to recovery, he said.

“She is angry and confused about everything right now,” Randy Spivey said during a news conference following a court hearing about preserving evidence.

Spivey, who was not with Pike when she woke up, was told her first words were, “Where am I?” and “Who are you?”

Pike’s attorneys want evidence preserved

The Death Penalty Information Center says Pike is the first person to survive after receiving lethal injection drugs during an execution.

At the hearing Wednesday, a judge told the state that the Tennessee Department of Correction needs to save evidence including “anything that was in the actual room.”

Chancery Court Judge I’Ashea Myles said she plans to issue a sweeping order that will direct the state to maintain recordings, witness accounts, emails, drugs, syringes, IV lines and other medical items.

The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office had argued a court order was unnecessary. John W. Ayers, assistant attorney general, said some evidence from the death chamber already had been collected and logged. He declined to comment after the hearing.

Pike’s attorneys accused the state of carrying out the attempted execution in secrecy, saying more transparency is needed. They also repeated their calls for clemency for Pike. Republican Gov. Bill Lee has not yet indicated how he’ll respond.

Outside the courthouse, Michelle Nowell yelled “Justice for Colleen” as Pike’s attorneys talked with supporters.

“The victim is Colleen. The victim is not Christa Pike,” said Nowell, who was among a group outside the prison last week where the failed execution took place.

What happened in the execution chamber remains unclear

The governor postponed the state’s only other execution for this year and ordered a review of what went wrong. The state’s prison chief resigned.

Medical and lethal injection experts have focused on the possibility that a problem with the IV line caused the drug to pool in her tissue rather than entering her bloodstream.

Pike’s attorneys wrote in a court filing that “apparently at no point did any member of the execution team realize that the IV lines were not correctly placed or that the veins had blown.”

State officials have not yet offered an explanation.

The attempted execution got underway when Pike was given a chance to make a final statement. About five minutes later, she raised her head and said her arm was hurting. At some point she appeared to lose consciousness, but she could be heard breathing heavily until media were escorted from the witness room nearly 90 minutes into the execution. An ambulance took Pike to a hospital.

Dr. Joel Zivot, a professor of anesthesiology and surgery in Atlanta who consulted as an expert for Pike’s legal team, said it could be weeks or months before anyone knows exactly what her recovery might look like, and whether her competency could be restored so the state can try again to execute her.

Associated Press writers Ed White in Detroit and John Seewer, in Toledo, Ohio, contributed.

Indiana secretary of state debate: Here’s how to watch

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s candidates for secretary of state will meet Wednesday night for their second debate of the election season.

Republican Max Engling, Democrat Beau Bayh, independent Greg Ballard and Libertarian Lauri Shillings will take part in the debate from 7-8 p.m.

WISH-TV will livestream the debate beginning at 7 p.m. Viewers can watch on WISH-TV, WISHTV.com, the WISH-TV app and the WISH-TV Facebook page.

The debate comes after the candidates met for their first debate in August.

The four candidates enter the race from different professional backgrounds. Ballard, a former Republican mayor of Indianapolis, collected about 74,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot as an independent. Engling, a former staffer for Sen. Jim Banks, secured the Republican nomination after defeating incumbent Diego Morales at the state convention this summer. Bayh, a former U.S. Marine Corps captain, is the son of former Indiana governor and U.S. senator Evan Bayh. Schillings, a small business owner, is the chairwoman of the Hamilton County Libertarian Party.

The Indiana Debate Commission is hosting Wednesday’s event. Commission President Elizabeth Bennion described the organization as “an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to putting voters first.”

The full debate will also be available on WISHTV.com after the event.

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