Amna Nawaz:
Adams was indicted last September on bribery and other charges. He’s pleaded not guilty and said in a hearing just yesterday that he hasn’t committed any crime.
Staying in New York, six prison workers were indicted today for second-degree murder in the fatal beating of a handcuffed inmate. Four others were charged with lesser crimes. Body cameras caught multiple officers beating 43-year-old Robert Brooks hours after he was transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility in December. He died the next day.
In a statement, Governor Kathy Hochul said — quote — “The brutal attack was sickening. The perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder.”
Even before this incident, a watchdog group had found rampant abuse by staff at the medium-security prison.
In South Korea, embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in two different courts today for hearings related to his imposition of martial law last year. In the first, his legal team contested his arrest on rebellion charges. The second was the latest hearing in his ongoing impeachment trial.
Yoon was greeted by a barrage of cameras in a silent, but tense courtroom. The constitutional court is deciding whether to remove him from office. Final arguments will be held next week with a possible decision some time in March. Yoon denies any wrongdoing.
In Spain, the former head of the nation’s Soccer Federation was found guilty of sexual assault today for kissing a player without her consent. Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after her team won the World Cup in 2023. Rubiales resigned a few weeks later amid fierce criticism.
His lawyers argued that the kiss was consensual, and even if it wasn’t, it shouldn’t be considered sexual assault. Hermoso said in her testimony that the kiss — quote — “stained one of the happiest days of my life.” The incident sparked debate among Spaniards, who remained divided over today’s verdict.
