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Ellen Greenberg prosecutors say they can't prove crime in 'suicide' by 20 stab wounds

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Ellen Greenberg prosecutors say they can't prove crime in 'suicide' by 20 stab wounds

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A Pennsylvania district attorney made a major announcement in its outside investigation into the case of 27-year-old Ellen Greenberg, a Philadelphia teacher whose 2011 death was ruled a suicide after her fiancé found her in the kitchen during a blizzard with 20 stab wounds, half of them from behind.

Her parents, Dr. Josh and Sandee Greenberg, have been entangled in court battles with the government since their daughter’s untimely death. They have accused the medical examiner’s office of covering up their daughter’s homicide, demanded police turn over more evidence and tried suing to have the designation of “suicide” on her death certificate replaced with “homicide” or “undetermined.”

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The Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday morning that it has conducted its investigation, and prosecutors are “currently unable to move forward with criminal charges.” They are moving Greenberg’s case to an “inactive” status in Chester County but are leaving it open to re-examine if they get new information. 

After re-interviewing key people in the original Philadelphia investigation, consulting an independent forensic expert and taking other investigatory steps, “Chester County’s investigative team determined that, based on the current state of the evidence, we cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed,” the office said.

JUDGE TIED TO ELLEN GREENBERG’S FIANCÉ TOOK ITEMS FROM HER ‘SUICIDE’ SCENE BEFORE POLICE SEARCH

The knife found piercing the chest of 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg has never been fingerprinted, according to the attorney for her parents, who are suing city officials over an alleged cover up of her death.

The DA’s office noted that there is no statute of limitations for criminal homicide, said that the case would remain open and, therefore, investigators would “not be answering any questions about this matter.”

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The DA’s office met with Greenberg’s parents and their attorney on Thursday to share the news before announcing it to the public. 

“They didn’t go very deeply into the case…they really didn’t come up with anything new,” Dr. Josh Greenberg told Fox News Digital. 

“Our conviction about Ellen having been murdered does not change due to the announcement by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office,” Greenberg family attorney Joseph Podraza said in a press release he provided to Fox News Digital. 

“Admittedly, the investigation conducted by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office was extremely limited and constrained. The Office told us that they did not investigate the core issues which we have raised which establish Ellen was murdered, and that evidence remains unchallenged,” Podraza continued.

“The independent forensic expert who they said they consulted during the course of the investigation was similarly bounded by his own limited background, an undergraduate degree in entomology (the study of insects) and a masters in criminal justice, but no medical school training, nor any training in the specialty of forensic pathology, both of which are necessary in order to competently assess the evidence uncovered in this case to date.” 

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The Chester County District Attorney’s Office initiated an independent investigation roughly two years ago, after both Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and former Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, now the governor, both recused themselves from the case.

Krasner had previously worked with Greenberg’s parents as part of his private practice, and Shapiro previously denied having “an actual conflict” but acknowledged the “appearance” of one.

When Shapiro was the attorney general, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital that not only his office undertook “an exhaustive review and conducted new forensic analysis” – but also that new expert testimony and information had been withheld from investigators.

“These unfortunate limitations and constraints notwithstanding, we do appreciate the District Attorney’s professional courtesy of speaking with the family and candidly acknowledging all these limitations and constraints,” Podraza added. “We also point out that another highly experienced homicide prosecutor while employed at the Philadelphia DA’s Office conducted his own independent review of this case, thoroughly investigated all the issues surrounding Ellen’s death, and reached the opposite conclusion, that Ellen was murdered.

Ellen Greenberg in an undated family photo. (Greenberg family)

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“We now look forward to an upcoming trial where a full and forthright examination of the core issues surrounding Ellen’s murder may be publicly conducted before an independent judge and jury of our peers.”

In September, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments from the Greenbergs and their attorney.

“The Supreme Court is going to be deciding whether or not Sandee and I have standing. And that’s a real big thing … I mean, no one has ever gotten this far. … I know it’s taken almost 14 years, but it’s still a very important case,” Dr. Greenberg previously told Fox News Digital.

Greenberg was found on Jan. 6, 2011 with 20 stab wounds, including 10 from behind, at least one of which could have been inflicted after she was already dead, according to court documents. Her body was also covered in bruises in different stages of healing, which her parents say are consistent with abuse.

WATCH ‘TEACHER DEATH MYSTERY’ ON FOX NATION

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At the time of her death, Greenberg and her fiancé, Sam Goldberg, had recently sent out “save-the-dates” for their upcoming wedding. Her body was found in the kitchen near a half-made fruit salad on the countertop. 

After her death, a forensic pathologist with the city medical examiner’s office, Dr. Marlon Osbourne, ruled it a homicide, according to court documents. Then he reversed course after meeting with police behind closed doors and deemed it officially a suicide.

Greenberg’s parents and experienced outside investigators have raised concerns that police botched their response to her death and released the scene too early. They have also questioned why Goldberg’s uncle, James Schwartzman, was allowed to remove a number of items from the scene. 

TEACHER’S UNLIKELY ‘SUICIDE’ RULING CALLED OUT AS WEB SLEUTHS DIG INTO SURVEILLANCE VIDEO

This crime scene photo shows damage to Ellen Greenberg’s apartment door after her fiancé, Sam Goldberg, told police he kicked it in from the outside. (Tom Brennan)

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“Things were removed from the crime scene without our permission. The chain of custody was broken from the very beginning when Jim Schwartzman removed computers, electronics, my daughter’s handbag,” Dr. Josh Greenberg previously told Fox News Digital.

A representative for Schwartzman, a distinguished judge in Pennsylvania, responded to these claims on his behalf, saying police gave him permission to go in and take Greenberg’s belongings. He denied removing her handbag, but he admitted to removing her computers and cellphones. 

“The door was damaged and unsecure, and he took out items that he thought might be stolen,” the representative for Schwartzman previously explained to Fox News Digital on his behalf. He added that Schwartzman did not need the permission of Greenberg’s parents to take anything from the apartment once police released the scene.

‘SUICIDE’ RULING FOR TEACHER’S 20 STAB WOUNDS MAY BE REEXAMINED AS FAMILY SECURES POTENTIAL MAJOR WIN

WATCH: Melissa Ware discusses cleanup at Ellen Greenberg’s apartment

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Neither Goldberg nor Schwartzman have been charged with any wrongdoing in relation to Greenberg’s death.

Philadelphia police did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. They have previously declined to discuss the case, citing the open investigation in Chester County and the ongoing civil litigation. 

Goldberg and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond for comment. 

“I very much look forward to being able to have our voices heard,” Sandee Greenberg said. “Not only are we fighting now for justice for Ellen, but because there’s so much attention on these different lawsuits, it will set some precedent, hopefully, for other victims of heinous crimes.”

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New York

Video: Racing to the World Cup From New York

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Video: Racing to the World Cup From New York
Bus, train, bike or Uber: Which will get you to MetLife Stadium first? Four New York Times reporters raced from Midtown Manhattan to the first World Cup game there.

By Stefanos Chen, Maria Cramer, Christopher Maag, Wm. Ferguson, Sutton Raphael and Laura Salaberry

June 16, 2026

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Boston, MA

Two Things People Are Getting Wrong About Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Fit In Boston

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Two Things People Are Getting Wrong About Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Fit In Boston


While the veracity of the rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Boston Celtics continue to be debated, there are a couple of very important people are missing about all of this should this trade come to pass. 

Boston’s style of play will not change, and simply swapping Jaylen Brown for Antetokounmpo doesn’t change the trajectory of the team so significantly that Brad Stevens’ work will be done. 

For some reason, there is a school of thought that acquiring Antetokounmpo, a noted non-shooter, would materially change Boston’s offensive strategy. It won’t. It doesn’t mean things won’t be a little different, but this notion that Antetokounmpo will force Mazzulla to scrap his approach and try something new is false. 

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The Bucks have routinely been in the top five in three-point attempts beginning in the 2018-19 season, Antetokounmpo’s first MVP run. Beginning in that season, they have ranked second, fourth, eighth, fifth, fourth, fifth, 18th, and 10th. The last two seasons when they dropped out of the top were coached by Doc Rivers. 

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According to PBPStats.com, Antetokounmpo has assisted on more three-pointers than two-pointers in each of the past two seasons, with a low of 209 three created in in the 2023 season, and a high of 290 created the following year. Over his career, he has assisted on 2,325 three-pointers. That’s almost as many as Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have made combined (2,437) over their entire careers. 

It should be no surprise that Antetokounmpo is a three-point generating machine. His drives are massively effective, and they generally require a lot of defensive help. That opens up passing lanes to shooters, which Antetokounmpo finds regularly. 

If anything, we could see Boston’s three-point volume go up. Brown’s closest season generating that kind of three-point volume was this past season when he created 196 over 71 games. By contrast, Antetokounmpo created 135 over 36 games. So anyone pushing for the Antetokounmpo trade thinking it will force Mazzulla’s hand to change strategies is sorely mistaken. “Mazzulla-ball” will probably take off under these circumstances. 

Which brings us to the work Stevens will have to do once they theoretically acquire Antetokounmpo. 

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Giannis flirted with some volume three-point shooting a few years ago, averaging 4.7 attempts in 2020, his second MVP season, and 3.6 in each of the next two, but he’s a career 28.5% shooter from deep who peaked at 34.7% in his rookie season. Mazzulla is willing to go with one non-shooter on the floor, but generally not two. 

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So where does that leave Neemias Queta? 

How would the Celtics build an offense with Queta, a non-shooter, and Antetokounmpo on the floor at the same time? The drives that Antetokounmpo is known for would be clogged with defenders who already know to build a wall to prevent him from getting to the rim. What worked in Milwaukee was playing Brook Lopez at center and having him stretch the floor. Boston doesn’t have that element right now. The closest thing they had to that, Nikola Vucevic, never got his footing in his short stint in Boston and seems to be done here. 

A straight swap of Antetokounmpo and Brown will obviously upgrade a top 15 player to a top five player, but Brown led the NBA in two-point attempts per game last season with 16. At his peak, Antetokounmpo averaged 17 or 18 two-point attempts per game, but Brown’s three-point shooting does add an element of floor spacing that Antetokounmpo doesn’t. A straight swap of those two players creates a bit of a fit issue with the current starting center that would have to be addressed. 

This also doesn’t solve Boston’s need for a third scorer and some punch off the bench. Stevens will still have to use his mid-level exception to find that no matter which of the two stars is in Boston to start the season. 

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We can debate whether Antetokounmpo or Brown make Boston more of a favorite next season, but that debate is leading people down some wrong paths. Giannis isn’t some cure for the three-point-heavy Celtics offense. In fact, it might be more appropriate to call him Gasoline Antetokounmpo for what he might do for the shooting volume. And any notion that everything is fixed with Antetokounmpo in the fold is wrong. Stevens will have to solve some fit issues and still address needs that exist today. 

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh continues free summer meal program for children under 18

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Pittsburgh continues free summer meal program for children under 18


As schools close for the summer, many children lose access to meals they rely on during the school year. 

However, once again, CitiParks has teamed up with Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Turner’s, Monteverde’s, and the American Dairy Association to continue their free summer meal program. From now until mid-August, any child under the age of 18 can receive free breakfast, lunch and snacks at eight rec centers and more than 40 partner locations across Pittsburgh.

They announced the continuance of the program on Tuesday at the Super Playground in Highland Park, where kids enjoyed face painting, creating their own paintings on canvases, live music and a puppet show, among other activities. CitiParks’ Roving Art Cart hosted the event.

Last year, they provided more than 70,000 breakfast meals, more than 100,000 lunch meals, and more than 20,000 snacks, free of charge.

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“This program reflects what can happen when city government, schools, nonprofits and community organizations work together toward a common goal,” said Eric Sloan, the city’s Director of Parks and Recreation. “Together, we’re helping to ensure that children remain healthy, active and connected throughout the summer.”

“Our work does not end when the school year ends, and while the school year may end in June, the need for reliable access to nutritious food does not,” said Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters, who encouraged families to both take advantage of this program and spread the word to other families who may need it.

Kelsey Gross, director of child nutrition programs for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, said an average of nearly 54,000 children per day in Allegheny County rely on school meals. According to Feeding America’s research, 20,000,000 students nationwide were eligible for free and reduced-price school lunches a year ago. But fewer than 5,000,000 participated in summer meal programs. That’s a gap they hope to reduce.

“Because that’s exactly what this program is about: making sure every child has the resources they need to thrive all summer long,” said Sloan. 

“A healthy meal helps students to focus, to engage and succeed in the classroom, and that understanding guides our work every day,” said Walters. “It is why programs like Summer Meals are so important.”

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