分类： society

Robert Morris, the 64-year-old founder of one of the largest megachurch congregations in the United States, pleaded guilty on Thursday to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Oklahoma during the 1980s. The former leader of Gateway Church admitted to felony charges of lewd or indecent acts with a child during a hearing in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. As part of a plea agreement, Morris was sentenced to 10 years but will serve only six months in jail, with the remainder on probation. He must also register as a sex offender and pay $250,000 in restitution. The victim, Cindy Clemishire, now 55, emotionally addressed Morris in court, stating that the abuse had profoundly impacted every aspect of her life. The abuse occurred over four years while Morris was living with Clemishire’s family in Hominy, Oklahoma, and working as a traveling evangelist. Clemishire first publicly accused Morris in 2024, prompting his resignation from Gateway Church. Morris, who founded the church in 2000 and once served as a spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump, acknowledged his actions as a ‘moral failure’ in a public statement. The case highlights systemic failures, as Clemishire revealed she had reported the abuse to her parents and church leaders in 1987, but no legal action was taken at the time.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the convicted rap mogul, has penned a heartfelt letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, pleading for leniency ahead of his sentencing on Friday. In the four-page letter, Combs attributes his past behavior to drug addiction and expresses deep remorse for the pain he has caused. He claims to have undergone a transformation during his 13-month incarceration in a Brooklyn jail, stating, ‘The old me died in jail, and a new version of me was reborn.’ Combs was found guilty in July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, charges that could result in up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors are pushing for a minimum sentence of 11 years, while his defense team is advocating for his release later this month. In his letter, Combs apologizes to his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra Ventura, and an anonymous woman who testified under the name ‘Jane,’ acknowledging his past mistakes and the impact of his actions. He writes, ‘I literally lost my mind,’ and describes his downfall as rooted in selfishness. Combs also highlights his efforts to reform, including teaching a class to fellow inmates on how to achieve business success, and emphasizes his newfound sobriety after 25 years. He appeals to the judge for mercy, citing his seven children and his 84-year-old mother, who recently underwent brain surgery. However, his accusers have also written to the judge, expressing fears of retaliation if Combs is released. Ventura wrote, ‘I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up.’ She believes Combs deserves a long sentence, stating, ‘He has no interest in changing or becoming better.’ Combs is expected to address the court on Friday, with his defense team planning to present a 15-minute video. The content of the video remains undisclosed. In July, Combs was acquitted of the most severe charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have resulted in a life sentence. Prosecutors argue that Combs remains unrepentant, describing his attempts to reframe his actions as the result of ‘mutually toxic relationships’ as disingenuous. They wrote, ‘There is nothing mutual about a relationship where one person holds all the power and the other ends up bloodied and bruised.’

As the US government shutdown continues, conservationists are urging visitors to steer clear of national parks, advocating for their temporary closure due to safety and resource concerns. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has highlighted the risks posed by skeleton staffing, warning that visitors may find themselves without essential services or support. The National Park Service (NPS), responsible for overseeing 433 sites, has opted to keep parks partially open while furloughing over half of its workforce. This decision has drawn criticism from conservation groups and former park rangers, who argue that reduced staffing jeopardizes both visitor safety and the preservation of park resources. Kristen Brengel, NPCA’s senior vice-president of government affairs, emphasized the lack of communication staff to inform visitors about available facilities, describing the situation as unpredictable. She advised against visiting parks during the shutdown, citing the potential for vandalism, environmental damage, and limited emergency response capabilities. The Trump administration’s approach during the 2018 shutdown, which kept parks open with minimal staffing, led to widespread issues, including off-roading, looting, and littering. Many parks are already under strain due to earlier mass layoffs, raising concerns about their ability to recover from any additional damage. In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, former park superintendents warned of the risks posed by keeping parks open, citing past instances of vandalism and habitat destruction. Bill Wade, executive director of the association of national park rangers, echoed these concerns, describing the decision as ‘dangerous’ and highlighting the potential for increased resource damage. The shutdown, which began after Congress failed to agree on a new spending plan, has sparked bipartisan efforts to keep parks open, with Senator John Hickenlooper emphasizing their economic and emotional significance during stressful times.

In a remarkable display of compassion, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have donated over $250,000 to support the family of Thomas Sanford, the man responsible for a devastating attack on a Michigan church that left four dead and eight injured. The incident occurred on Sunday when Sanford drove his truck into the Grand Blanc church during a worship service, opened fire, and set the building ablaze before being fatally shot by police. David Butler, a Utah-based member of the church and a fantasy writer, initiated the fundraiser on GiveSendGo to assist Sanford’s widow and children, who face financial hardship and ongoing medical challenges. Despite the tragedy, many donors identified themselves as Latter-day Saints, expressing empathy and solidarity. The attack has deeply shaken the local community and the church nationwide, prompting vigils and financial support for victims and their families. Investigators are still searching for a motive behind the targeted act of violence, which occurred during a service attended by hundreds. Sanford, a former Marine deployed to Iraq, had a history of arrests but no clear connection to the church. Amid the grief, one survivor shared a poignant letter of forgiveness, highlighting the profound emotional impact of the tragedy.