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Man Wrongfully Spent 20 Years in Prison for Murder Runs for Office

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A Lynwood man who spent 20 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of murder has announced his campaign to represent California's 51st Assembly District. 

Francisco "Franky" Carrillo said in a statement Thursday that he aims to fill the seat formerly occupied by Jimmy Gomez, who was elected to Congress Tuesday. California Governor Jerry Brown has yet to set a date for the special election, NBC4's media partner KPCC reports

"I’m running because I believe that every family deserves an advocate who is dedicated to helping them triumph over the challenges and unfairness in their lives," Carrillo told KPCC reporter Matt Bloom. "I believe I will serve as a beacon of hope and optimism, but even more importantly, I will serve as a fighter for fairness and justice."

Carrillo's decision to run for office comes nearly a year after receiving a $10.1 million payout from L.A. County for his wrongful conviction for the 1991 drive-by shooting of Donald Sarpy.

In 2011, Carillo's conviction for Sarpy's murder was reversed by a judge after he had served 20 years in state prison, according to Carrillo's spokesperson Roy Behr.

Behr added that after a five-year investigation, witnesses of the 1991 murder admitted that they had been coerced to falsely accuse Carrillo.

After the new evidence was presented in court, a judge dismissed all charges against Carrillo and released him at the request of the prosecutors, Behr said.

Carrillo was initially arrested at the young age of 16 and later convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the Lynwood murder. 

While incarcerated, Carrillo taught himself law and maintained his innocence, Behr said.

According to Carrillo's statement, after coming home, he earned a college degree, started a family and became an advocate for justice and equal opportunity. 

"Because of my experience, I am uniquely positioned to represent families who are struggling to earn a living, find good schools for their children, and maintain faith in the face of adversity," Carrillo told Bloom. "I know firsthand what it means to face hardship, and how important it is to know you have an advocate in your corner.”

Read more at KPCC



Photo Credit: AP Photo

Avon Firefighters Help Bride and Groom After Fire

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Some Avon firefighters came to the rescue not once, but twice for a bride and groom on Saturday.

The Avon Volunteer Fire Department responded to the West Avon Congregational Church for a bus fire, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

When they arrived, they found a engine fire had damaged a trolley bus meant to take a wedding party from the church to the reception. The bus driver had already put out the fire with an extinguisher.

With no way to get to the reception, firefighters offered to drive the newlyweds to their reception in their fire truck. The couple accepted the offer and the firefighters made sure they got to the party on time.



Photo Credit: Avon Volunteer Fire Dept.

Two People Arrested for Burglary at Brooklawn Country Club

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Two people were arrested after police responded to a burglar alarm activation at the Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield early Sunday morning.

Police arrested 22-year-old Rayquon Davis and 22-year-old Ismael Quintero.

Police said when they arrived they found both suspects in the building. Both suspects then fled on foot but shortly after were taken into custody on Old Oaks Road.

Davis and Quintero are being held on a $5000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on June 22.


LGBTQ Pride Marchers Flood DC Streets for 'Equality March'

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In the nation's capital, supporters of LGBT rights mobilized for marches and rallies Sunday, celebrating their gains but angered over threats to those advances.

The centerpiece event, the Equality March in Washington, was endorsed by virtually every major national advocacy group working on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

Leaders of those groups have been embittered by several actions of President Donald Trump's administration, including the rollback of federal guidance advising school districts to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice.

The activists also complained Trump, although he campaigned as a potential ally of gays and lesbians, has stocked his administration with many foes of LGBT-rights advances, including Vice President Mike Pence, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

Capital Pride Parade 

Throngs of marchers, many thousands strong, paraded past the White House and toward the Capitol, trailing behind a giant rainbow flag near the head of the procession.

Protesters forced the Capital Pride parade onto a different route Saturday afternoon, as the official events of a political, pride-filled weekend kicked off in D.C.

The protesters stopped the parade at 15th and P streets before 6 p.m. In a press release, a group called No Justice, No Pride claimed credit.

The protesters were wearing shirts that read "Say Their Names" as they appeared with "No Pride" banner before the D.C. police branch that includes the special liason to the gay community.

On a loudspeaker, one protester shouted, "We are here today because Capital Pride refuses to end their dangerous relationship with the police, to stop supporting Wells Fargo." 

The press release says the group opposes Capital Pride sponsors including Wells Fargo and Northrop Grumman.

Police Chief Peter Newsham said the protest had been anticipated.

"We had an anticipated demonstration here on the street and so we had a plan to reroute the parade," Newsham said. "Everybody is still having a very good time, the crowd has been very cooperative."

The parade rerouted to 16th Street to avoid the protest.

Cathy Renna, of the Capital Pride, said the parade organizers have had a series of conversations over several weeks with the protesters.

"It's unfortunate that we've got several hundred thousand people that are now not able to see the parade unless they are moved by the police, which kind of breaks my heart," Renna said.

"We are all here as those who are willing to get in the streets for our community," she said. "I just don't know that doing it against our own community is a productive way to go."

Late Saturday, Capital Pride issued a statement that said, "We encourage a robust, civil, and healthy conversation within the community about all of the issues that impact us and look forward to having a mutually respectful conversation in the days, weeks, and months ahead."

The Capital Pride parade is one of the biggest events of Pride weekend.

This year, the theme of Saturday's parade and Sunday's festival is "Unapologetically Proud." And on Sunday, participants in the Equality March for Unity and Pride will take their voices past the White House and to the National Mall.

Capital Pride and the march aren't officially affiliated, but they support each other and have worked together so that participants in one can join the other.

Read on for the schedule of major events:

Capital Pride Festival & Concert: Sunday

The Capital Pride Festival will take over Pennsylvania Avenue this Sunday, bringing live music and dance performances to three stages. Miley Cyrus, Tinashe, the Pointer Sisters and VASSY will headline at the Capitol Concert Stage in front of the U.S. Capitol.

Attendees can explore 300 exhibitors, including restaurants and food vendors, local businesses and community groups, national sponsors and more. You can also check out the Family and Educational Activity Area and Fun Zone.

The street festival will run noon to 7 p.m., with the concert set for 2 to 8 p.m.; a sunset dance party will happen 8 to 10 p.m. See complete schedules here.

While attendance is free for the public, the Capital Pride Alliance encourages donations. For those who want an enhanced festival experience, tickets are available online. The VIP Festival Experience is $200 with an $11.50 service fee, and the Pride Concert Pit Pass for all ages is $35 with a $3.26 service fee. The Pride Concert Pit Pass (Beverage Garden) tickets are currently unavailable.

Pets are requested to stay home due to large crowds and the hot weather that's expected. Capital Pride Alliance recommends bringing refillable water bottles and sunscreen.

Equality March for Unity and Pride: Sunday

The march aims to address the current political climate and voice concerns of the LGBTQ+ community, organizers say. The march is not directly affiliated with the Celebration of Pride, but the Capital Pride Alliance supports it.

Participants will start lining up at 9 a.m. on I Street NW between 14th and 17th streets, with the march set to begin at 10 a.m. Marchers will start off down 17th Street and will pass the White House before ending at the National Mall at 3rd Street and Madison Drive NW. You can see the march route here.

Planners say speakers will include:

  • Sara Ramirez, actor, singer and activist
  • Asia Kate Dillon, actor
  • Mandy Carter, co-founder of the National Black Justice Coalition
  • Dr. Imani Woody, founding director and CEO of Mary's House for Older Adults
  • Aurora Lloyd, True Colors Fund youth fellow
  • Doug Kimmel, founder of SAGE
  • Sarah McBride, Human Rights Campaign national press secretary
  • Chase Strangio, staff attorney with the ACLU's LGBT & AIDS Project
  • Charlie Carver, actor
  • Jason Collins, NBA player, activist, NBA global ambassador
  • Noel Gordon, HRC senior specialist, HIV Prevention & Health Equity
  • Nicole Murray Ramirez, national co-chair, International Court System, U.S.A., Canada and Mexico
  • Javier Cifuentes, HRC youth ambassador
The march will happen a day before the one-year mark of the horrific mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, planners noted in a release Thursday. They say the march aims "to honor the victims and uplift the resilience of the Orlando LGBTQ+ community during the march and rally."

In addition, the Sacred Cloth project-Section 93 will lead the march with their Rainbow25 Sea to Sea flag, and the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington (GMCW) will partner with members of other GALA choruses (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses) from around the country to form a festival chorus known as L.O.V.E.: League of Voices for Equality.

NBC Washington is a partner of Capital Pride.



Photo Credit: NBC Washington

One person Dead After Motorcycle Accident in East Granby

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One person is dead after being involved in an accident late Saturday night in East Granby.

Police said 37-year-old Christopher Litchfield was riding his motorcycle westbound on Turkey Hills Road when he collided with a car by Metacomet Drive.

Police said Litchfield died at the scene.

The drive of the car was taken to Hartford Hospital and has minor injuries.

Police are asking anyone with information about this accident to contact Troop H at (860) 534-1000.


4 People Reflect on How Pulse Shooting Affected Their Lives

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On this week's "Today" show, NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez visited the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, one year after a mass shooting left 49 dead. He meets with four people who lived through the horror and explain how their lives have changed.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Special Olympics Athlete Dies After Medical Emergency

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A Special Olympics Illinois athlete suffered a medical emergency while competing in the State Summer Games and died on Saturday, the organization announced.

The athlete suffered a medical emergency during a swimming competition at the event, which took place in Normal. Lifeguards and EMT’s, who were already on scene in accordance with event protocols, immediately came to the athlete’s aid, according to a press release issued by Special Olympics Illinois.

The athlete, who is not being identified out of respect for the family’s privacy according to Special Olympics, was taken to Advocate Bromenn Hospital in Normal, where they were pronounced dead.

A cause of death was not announced by Special Olympics Illinois.

According to WRPW in Normal, the family of the athlete asked that the other athletes involved in the State Summer Games be allowed to continue competing. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Trump Calls James Comey ‘Very Cowardly’

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President Donald Trump called James Comey “cowardly” and said he thought any leaked information coming from the former FBI director could be “far more prevalent” than believed in his latest early morning Twitter jab, NBC News reported. 

“I believe the James Comey leaks will be far more prevalent than anyone ever thought possible. Totally illegal? Very 'cowardly!'” Trump tweeted Sunday morning. 

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The tweet was the second social media lash out from Trump towards the fired FBI director since Comey’s dramatic testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. 

It comes a day after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a letter that he would be appearing before the committee on Tuesday to answer questions raised by Comey’s recent testimony.



Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Temps Climb into the Middle 90s for Parts of the State

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NBC Connecticut Meteorologists are forecasting high temperatures to reach the middle 90s for inland Connecticut by Sunday afternoon.

Take a look at forecasted high temperatures around the state. Temperatures will be a bit cooler along the shoreline with a wind off of the water. 

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An air quality alert is in effect for the entire state. Those with respiratory issues are encouraged to remain inside. The air quality alert is in effect through 10 p.m. Sunday evening. 

Sunday is the first day of temperatures that are expected to climb above 90 degrees.


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Police Investigating After Person Shot Outside of a Party

'The Joker' Ride Gets Stuck at Six Flags New England

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"The Joker" ride at Six Flags New England was stuck for several minutes this afternoon with people on it. 

Jennifer McGrath, a media spokesperson for the theme park, said the ride experienced "a delay on the lift hill."

According to McGrath, ride operators were able to reset the controls and the ride was returned to the dock where guests were able to exit safely. 

The ride was closed for a full inspection, but was cleared for safety and has re-opened. 



Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of: Allie Velta

Pentagon Uses New Authority to Strike Somali Terrorist Outpost

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The U.S. military used the expanded authority President Donald Trump granted to the Pentagon in March to strike a terrorist outpost in Somalia on Sunday, officials said.

Together with Somali partners, the Pentagon used a drone to target a command and control and logistics hub 185 miles southwest of Mogadishu — the nation’s capital — to kill multiple fighters with al-Shabab, a terrorist organization aligned with al-Qaeda, according to the Pentagon.

According to Pentagon Chief Spokeswoman Dana W. White, the bombing was in response to al-Shabab’s recent attacks on the Somali military and used the new authority the Department of Defense received from Trump.

No civilians were reported killed in the U.S. drone attack, and the Pentagon described the operation as a success.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh

Ex-NBA Player Sebastian Telfair Arrested in New York: Police

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Former NBA player Sebastian Telfair was arrested early Sunday in Brooklyn on gun possession-related charges, police told NBC 4 New York. 

Telfair, 32, and another man, Jami Thomas, 18, were found with three loaded firearms, a semi-automatic rifle, ammunition and a bullet-resistant vest, police said. Two bags of marijuana and a burning marijuana cigarette were also allegedly found in the 2017 Ford F-150 pickup with Florida plates. 

They were parked illegally on the median on Atlantic Avenue near Classon Street, said police.

As officers approached, they started to drive off, according to the source. Police who pulled them over smelled marijuana and saw a lit "blunt" on the dashboard, authorities said. 

Telfair and Thomas were at the police precinct Sunday afternoon. It wasn't clear whether they had attorneys. 

Telfair, a Brooklyn native, was a standout high school player at Abraham Lincoln High School and bypassed college to become a first-round draft pick in 2004. He played for the Portland Trail Blazers and many other teams before finishing his career in China in 2014. 

He is a cousin of former Knicks star Stephon Marbury. 

Telfair and a friend were arrested in 2007 on a gun charge after a traffic stop. He was stopped for speeding on the Bronx River Parkway, then found to be driving with a suspended license. Police found a .45 caliber handgun under the passenger seat. Both Telfair and his friend said they didn't know how the gun got there. 

Telfair pleaded guilty in 2008 to criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to three years of probation. The NBA suspended him for three games. 

He is expected to be arraigned Sunday night, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office said.



Photo Credit: AP/NYPD
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Man Killed in Parachuting Accident in Ellington

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A 62-year-old man died after making a hard landing while parachuting at Ellington Airport on Sunday.

James Hansmann, of Springfield, Mass., was flown by Life Star to Hartford Hospital where he later died, according to state police.

The parachute was functioning properly and there is no criminal aspect to the incident, police said.

The death comes just one day after an incident in which a parachutist had to "cut away" a main parachute after some type of issue while skydiving.  That person was not hurt.

17-Year-Old Swimmer Missing in Connecticut River in Haddam

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Connecticut State Police and DEEP officers are continuing their search for a 17-year-old that was swept away from shore on the Connecticut River in Haddam. 

According to police, the call came in a little after 5 p.m. on Sunday and troopers responded to the Haddam Meadows boat launch.

The State Police Dive Team along with the state police helicopter, Trooper One, EnCon Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Haddam Fire Department, and Middletown Fire Department and Dive Team are a part of the search.

DEEP officials said the search will continue through the evening. 



DC, Maryland Officials Promise 'Major Lawsuit' Against Trump

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The attorneys general of Maryland and Washington, D.C., announced Sunday night that they plan to file a "major lawsuit" against President Donald Trump, NBC News reported.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh and D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said they will make a formal statement Monday afternoon.

While the attorneys did not disclose the focus of the suit, the Washington Post reported that the suit would allege Trump violated constitutional anti-corruption restrictions by accepting payments from foreign governments as president.

The lawsuit would be the first related to Trump's business interests brought by government entities.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Car Removed from Pine Creek in Fairfield

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A car had to be removed from Pine Creek in Fairfield after a driver trying to park in his garage inadvertently accelerated and landed in the water.

Police said it happened Friday around 3:30 p.m. The driver told police he was trying to park when he accelerated. The car went through the garage, out the back of the house, and into the creek. The driver and his dog were not hurt.

The Fairfield Dive Team responded to remove the car from the water.



Photo Credit: Fairfield Police Department

Some Norwalk Schools to Dismiss Early Due to Heat

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Norwalk will be dismissing some of its public schools early Monday due to the heat.

Cranbury Elementary School, Kendall Elementary School, Naramake Elementary School, Rowayton School, Silvermine Elementary School , Tracey Elementary School and Wolfput Elementary School, as well as all four of the city’s middle schools - Nathan Hale, Ponus Ridge, Roton and West Rocks - will all dismiss two hours early.

The NBC Connecticut meteorologists are forecasting temperatures in the middle 90s inland Monday and the high 80s along the shore. For more information and a detailed forecast, click here. 

Temperatures Climb Back into the 90s Monday

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Another day of temperatures expected in the 90s has people looking for ways to beat the heat.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued an air quality warning for high levels of ozone which are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups - such as young children and those with respiratory issues.

Experts urge residents to restrict outdoor activities, especially between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., when peak ozone levels occur, to avoid health effects.

Norwalk Public Schools announced an early dismissal Monday for some of their public schools due to the heat.

The Parks and Recreations Department in Meriden said they plan to open their splash pads Monday - a day early – because of the forecast.

The town of Simsbury has opened cooling centers. The Simsbury Public Library will be open from 9:30 a.m. through 8:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and the Senior Center at Eno Memorial Hall is open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

In South Windsor, the town pool has been open since Memorial Day weekend and offers a way to cool down during this projected heat wave.

"Years ago we used to not open until June and we had some residents that gave us their feelings that they wanted us to stay open later which was harder because all of our college kids were going back to school. So, we were able to meet their demand by opening Memorial Day weekend," said South Windsor Assistant Parks and Rec. Director Keri Apt.

Officials remind everyone to stay hydrated and to never leave children or pets unattended in a hot vehicle. 

The NBC Connecticut meteorologists are forecasting temperatures in the middle 90s inland Monday and the high 80s along the shore. For more information and a detailed forecast, click here.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Hartford Police Investigate Homicide on Enfield Street

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Hartford police are investigating a homicide that occured on Enfield Street Sunday.

Police said a man was found with several gunshot wounds around 10:30 a.m. at 91 Enfield Street.

The victim was taken to Saint Francis Hospital where he died of his injuries. His name has not been released.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Hartford Police Department at 860-757-4261.




Photo Credit: Hartford Police Department
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