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Man dies in Saunders County custody

6-27-2010 Nebraska:

A month ago, Michael Ellis was arrested in Wahoo on suspicion of growing marijuana with intent to sell it.

Early Friday morning, Ellis, 46, died at Saunders County Medical Center after being taken there from the Saunders County jail.

Saunders County Sheriff Kevin L. Stukenholtz said in a news release that Ellis was taken from the jail to the hospital about 4:30 Friday morning and was pronounced dead about two hours later. Cause of death is unknown, Stukenholtz said in a news release, but a preliminary investigation indicated Ellis died of natural causes.

He was supposed to be in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing on the pot charges, but had asked earlier this month for a continuation until July 22, according to court records.

Ellis was on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry for life, based on a 1998 conviction in Lancaster County for first-degree sexual assault and sexual assault of a child.

Nebraska State Patrol troopers visited Ellis's home in Wahoo on May 27, in part, to check his compliance with sex offender registry rules, when they smelled pot. A search turned up 72 plants, grow lights, chemicals and a watering system, according to court documents.

Ellis and Michelle Crawford, 41, were arrested and both had been in jail since.

An autopsy will be performed, as is required by state law any time someone dies in custody or in the process of being apprehended. ..Source.. by the Lincoln Journal Star

Sex Abuse Suspect Leaps To Death From GWB

6-26-2010 New Jersey:

HACKENSACK, N.J. (WPIX) - A New Jersey man facing up to a 30-year prison sentence on charges that he sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl jumped to his death Thursday from the George Washington Bridge.

Stephen Gucciardo, 42, of Palisades Park, had taken the witness stand on Wednesday in his own trial in state Superior Court and was present when the alleged victim testified he sexually assaulted her four years ago.

Gucciardo, who was free on $125,000 bail had reportedly never missed a day of court since he was arrested. Officials said they grew suspicious when he failed to show up Thursday morning, but decided to resume the trial in his absence.

Gucciardo's attorney was later informed that his client had committed suicide. The judge then reportedly excused the jurors and told them the case had been resolved, but did not disclose how.

Port Authorities officials say Gucciardo jumped from the bridge around 8:50 a.m. and landed in a parking lot at the base of the bridge.

Gucciardo was arrested in 2006 and charged with sexually assaulting a child who was 6 at the time. According to prosecutors, Gucciardo was caught in bed with the girl during the time of his arrest.

The young victim claims Gucciardo touched her inappropriately on three separate occasions.

If convicted, Gucciardo would have faced up to 30 years behind bars. In addition, he would have been placed on lifelong parole and would have been forced to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law. ..Source.. by STEPHANIE BARISH

Defendant in child sex case shoots himself to death

6-16-2010 Ohio:

TROY — A convicted sex offender who was to be sentenced Monday, June 14, shot himself to death Tuesday, Union police said.

Michael P. Conrad, 35, formerly of West Milton, faced up to five years in prison.

Miami County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Welbaum waited 15 minutes before ordering Conrad’s arrest for failure to appear.

Initially charged with felony sexual battery involving a 13-year-old girl, Conrad used an Alford plea, in which the accused maintains innocence and admits to a lesser charge to avoid possible conviction on a more serious one.

Investigators said Conrad was acquainted with the girl and they corresponded via the Internet. The incidents occurred between October 2008 and July 2009.

Conrad shot himself about 2:20 a.m. in a grassy area near Old Springfield Road and Main Street, Detective Jeff Smith said. A note was left at the home of friends. ..Source.. by Nancy Bowman

Man caught having sex with chicken commits suicide

6-14-2010 Zimunya:

A 73-year-old man from Mafuke Village in Zimunya last week committed suicide out of shame after he was caught by his wife in an act of bestiality with a chicken in their kitchen hut.

Petro Maradze (73) of Mafuke Village in Zimunya could not stand the shame when his wife, Mrs Grace Maradze (61), caught him in the middle of fulfiling his sexual desire with a chicken.

Assistant Inspector Jethry Mudzembi confirmed the incident that has shocked the late Maradze’s relatives and neighbours.

“Petro Maradze of Chief Zimunya’s Mafuke Village decided to take his own life after the shame of being caught in the act of bestiality with a chicken by his wife,” said Asst Insp Mudzembi.

Police said that Petro was alone at his homestead in Mafuke village when he decided to give his sexual desires a different treat.

However, the treat did not last as his wife came into the kitchen, literary catching him with his pants down while the bird was stuck on his groin.

“His wife stormed into the kitchen during his intimacy with the chicken.

“He failed to give a satisfactory explanation as he was caught in the act,” said Asst Insp. Mudzembi.

After recovering from the shocking incident, Mrs Maradze chastised the hapless elderly man.

The old man is said to have quietly slipped out of the kitchen, only to be found dead two days later.

“He disappeared as his wife was hurling abuse at him and never came back alive.

“Relatives and neighbours tried to search for him but in vain,” said Asst Insp Mudzembi.

Police said Petro’s body was found hanging from a tree about 100 metres away from his homestead by one Lancelot ( aged 31).

The matter was reported to the police. ..Source.. by Susan Stima