⏳ Wednesday Fix: Tragedies in the Headlines
Morning all,
Meredith Kercher, Gabby Petito, Ahmaud Arbery and PC Andrew Harper - the killings of these four people are all back in the headlines. While some questions are answered, many remain.
Until tomorrow,
Your Fixers
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TUESDAY'S TOP LINES
The man convicted of the 2007 murder of Mereditch Kercher was released from prison early on Tuesday.
Rudy Guede was convicted of the murder of Kercher - a British student studying in Italy at the time.
American student Amanda Knox and her boyfriend at the time, Rafael Sollecito, were also convicted, but in 2015 after a lengthy legal process their convictions were overturned.
Knox was an American roommate of Kercher's at the time of the murder.
What happened to Meredith Kercher? She was found dead in the flat she had shared with Knox. Her body had 47 stab wounds, and her throat had been slashed.
Brian Laundrie - the man who is suspected of murdering his partner Gabby Petito while on a camping trip around the US - died by suicide, according to an autopsy report.
Laundrie - who had been missing for weeks while a person of interest in Petito's murder - died of a single gunshot wound to the head.
KEEPING AN EYE...
Jury deliberations continue in the trial over the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
Three white men who are accused of murdering Arbery could face life sentences if convicted.
What is this case about? In February 2020, Arbery was shot and killed while out unarmed and jogging in Georgia. He was shot by Travis McMichael, with video of the incident emerging months later. The defendants have argued Arbery was a suspect in a nearby theft, and claim the incident was an attempted citizen's arrest - which was legal in Georgia - gone wrong.
Context about the jury: The make up of the jury has made its own headlines. The 12-person jury comprises of 11 white people one black person. As BBC News noted, the local community is 55% Black.
The men's defence lawyer also sparked outrage in her closing statements in the trial, by how she described Arbery. She said it was wrong to describe him as a victim, saying "in his khaki shorts, with no socks, to cover his long dirty toenails".
SOCIETAL SHIFTS
Anyone in England and Wales who kills an emergency service worker while committing a crime will receive a mandatory life sentence.
Harper's Law is set to be brought into law soon, following a two-year campaign by the widow of PC Andrew Harper.
Not familiar with this tragedy? In 2019, policeman Andrew Harper responded to calls of a burglary, where three men were attempting to steal quad bikes. While at the scene, Harper became entangled in a strap connected to a getaway car. His body was dragged along a country lane as the three men sped to get away. Harper's injuries were so devastating that his colleague did not recognise him.
PANDEMIC
The World Health Organisation has warned there could be another 700,000 coronavirus-related deaths in Europe.
The continent's combined death toll from the pandemic is currently around 1.5 million. Meanwhile, below is a fascinating look at data from the European Commission - highlighting the connections between a high vaccination rate and low number of deaths.
#HaveYourSay
A British MP has sparked debate after revealing her "well behaved" three-month-old baby was not allowed in the House of Commons.
Stella Creasy tweeted the letter, which included a link to the House of Commons rules of behaviour and and courtesies.
"While MPs are entitled to paid maternity leave for six months and a proxy vote, some have said it is difficult to obtain funding for adequate maternity cover." - BBC context
MOST READ
- BBC News: PC Andrew Harper's widow wins bid to change law
- The Guardian: Stella Creasy surprised after reprimand for bringing infant into Commons
- The Financial Times: The 'Tesla financial complex': how carmaker gained influence over the markets
- Al Jazeera: France, Germany latest countries to urge nationals to leave Ethiopia
- The Irish Times: State will not impose new restrictions this week amid 'tentative signs' Covid surge abating
TWITTER TRENDS
#KateandWilliam
Why? On Monday, part 1 of a BBC documentary - the Princes and the Press - aired, including a joint statement from senior royals criticising the documentary for giving credibility to "overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources".
What's new? The Sun published an exclusive report saying the pair have now "banned" the BBC from screening their Christmas carol concert in response. Instead, the event will be broadcast by ITV.
TODAY MARKS...
One year since Scotland became the first country in the world to vote to make period products free.
By August, the government had introduced the change - providing the free products for anyone who needed them. This meant there is now a legal obligation on local authorities and education providers to have free supplies.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE...
Don't get in the way of mama's treats.
