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The killing of a grandmother from New Zealand during a robbery in an affluent coastal Southern California town highlights the pressing need for tougher laws and enforcement to hold criminals accountable, something some lawmakers say has been lacking across the state.
Orange County prosecutors have charged three men, one of whom has prior convictions, with murder for the death of Patricia McKay, 68, who was visiting Newport Beach with her husband, Douglas McKay, a well-known figure in New Zealand who serves as a non-executive director of National Bank Australia, when they were visiting the Fashion Island shopping center on July 2.
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The suspects, Leroy Ernest Joseph McCrary, 26; Malachi Edward Darnell, 18, both of Los Angeles; and Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster, are charged with with special-circumstances murder. McCrary has prior felony convictions, raising questions by some about why he had not served any prison time.
A sailboat cruises through Newport Harbor, passing Balboa Fun Zone’s Ferris Wheel and a panoramic view of recently blanketed snow-capped San Gabriel mountains after a historic storm dumped heavy snow and rain across Southern California in Newport Harbor Thursday, March 2, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“We clearly have a disconnect between people who commit violent crime and need to be taken off the streets until they are rehabilitated,” California Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, who previously served as the mayor of Newport Beach, told Fox News Digital.
In addition to the murder charge, McCrary is also charged with second-degree attempted robbery and evading while driving recklessly. Darnell faces charges of second-degree attempted robbery, attempted murder, and personal use of a firearm and a felony enhancement of personal discharge of a firearm. Cunningham is also charged with attempted second-degree robbery.
CALIFORNIA HOMEOWNER SHOOTS HOME INVASION SUSPECT, ANOTHER DEAD IN TARGETED HEIST: POLICE
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A tourist from New Zealand was fatally run over by a group of suspects who were trying to rob her at gunpoint outside a California fashion mall Tuesday, sparking a wild police chase, which eventually saw the three alleged perpetrators arrested.(Fox 11)
The trio were arrested following a high-speed police chase in Los Angeles County. They could face the death penalty. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on carrying out executions.
McCrary has prior felony convictions for residential burglary in 2018, criminal threats in 2020 and robbery in 2023.
DANA PERINO: CRIME IN CA IS GETTING SO BAD, NEWSOM IS BEING FORCED TO TAKE ACTION
A shirtless suspect emerges and walks backwards towards police with his hands in the air as police have their guns drawn following a police chase after the killing of Patricia McKay, a tourist from New Zealand, in Newport Beach, California.(KTTV/Fox11)
“The case against Mr. McCrary had significant problems with proof, including witnesses who were unable to identify the suspects,” the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital. “As a result, the management team at the Airport Court authorized a plea offer that allowed Mr. McCrary to be placed on probation with a suspended state prison sentence.”
The DA’s office noted that the plea deal was approved by a judge but that McCrary’s alleged actions in Newport Beach were “reprehensible.”
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Current Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill railed against Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon during a recent appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“Do your job, and recognize who the actual victims are,” he said. “The victims are the McKays. The victims are all over your county right now, because you’re not doing your job.”
The McKays were outside a Barnes & Noble book store waiting for a ride when a Toyota Camry pulled up, and two men wearing masks got out. One of them put a gun to Douglas McKay’s head and demanded his watch before forcing him to the ground, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said.
When they were unable to get McKay’s property, Cunningham allegedly attacked Patricia McKay, who was holding several shopping bags. He then allegedly threw her to the ground and dragged her into the street in front of the getaway car being driven by McCrary as he stole her bags.
As she laid in front of the Camry, Douglas McKay tried to jump in front of the car. McCrary then drove over Patricia McKay and dragged her 65 feet, authorities said. Darnell is accused of shooting at a good Samaritan trying to catch Cunningham, who was running after the getaway vehicle. He eventually jumped in, and the three men fled, authorities said.
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CALIFORNIA CRIME REFORM GETS ‘UNHEARD OF’ SUPPORT FROM DAS, SMALL BUSINESSES, PROGRESSIVE MAYORS
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon is creating a Racial Justice Act Section within his office. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Cunningham was arrested after bailing out of the vehicle in the suburb of Cypress, and McCray and Darnell were arrested later after the police chase ended in Los Angeles County.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described McKay’s killing as “an absolute tragedy,” and extended condolences to family members, whom he knows personally. A spokesperson for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Fox News Digital that the agency was assisting the McKay family.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer put some of the blame for the killing on Newsom, a Democrat, and the Democratic-led state Legislature.
“Our shopping centers and malls have become hunting grounds for criminals who are stalking innocent shoppers to rob them blind because our governor and our Legislature refuse to hold anyone accountable for their actions,” Spitzer said. “Actions have consequences, and it shouldn’t have to result in the death of an elderly woman just enjoying a day of shopping with her husband for our elected leaders in Sacramento to realize that this is the product of their soft-on-crime policies, which encourage criminality while sacrificing public safety.”
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Because of a soft-hands approach to crime, criminals in California feel emboldened to steal and commit violent crimes, said California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones.
NEWSOM URGED TO HALT PROGRESSIVES’ ‘SCHEMING’ TO DERAIL POPULAR ANTI-CRIME INITIATIVE
The incident took place outside Barnes & Noble at Newport Beach(Google Maps)
“This is where we’re at in California,” he told Fox News Digital. “He (McCrary) was completely emboldened. He’s never paid any price for his prior crimes.”
Jones also cited a recently failed effort by Newsom and some Democrats to follow through with a proposed anti-crime ballot measure to compete against another initiative that would strengthen California’s controversial Proposition 47.
Prop 47, a 2014 voter-approved ballot initiative, downgraded some lower-level crimes to misdemeanors and put in place a $950 threshold for shoplifting felonies. Backers argue that the law has resulted in an increase in crime and retail thefts. Prop 36 would reform Prop 47 by raising penalties and sentences for some drug and theft offenses and increase punishments for convicted shoplifters with two or more prior theft-related convictions and adding fentanyl to the list of drug offenses.
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“We need to get back to some modicum of public safety that gives law enforcement the tools it needs to take care of violent criminals,” Dixon said. “If they can be in the process of their sentencing and their time in prison can be rehabilitated and returned to the community, OK, but these people who committed this murder, in Newport Beach, were never sentenced for their violent crimes.”
In a statement released shortly after Patricia McKay’s killing, California State Sen. Dave Min, a Democrat who represents Newport Beach, said he was committed to improving public safety.
“We cannot rest until we fully address the twin epidemics of gun violence and rising crime,” he said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Min’s office and the California Democratic Party.
ROCK SPRINGS – The National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) continues to dwindle down to the wire with the Wyoming team dominating the team roping event for the second go-round. There are four separate groups for Team Wyoming in the top ten claiming, first, third, sixth, and 10th place.
In total team points, the Wyoming Girls are in second place while Team Wyoming is 3rd overall.
For the local Sweetwater County kids, Jacob Cook is still awaiting his run for the second go-round. Morgan Watts is in 23rd place this go-round with a time of 8.1 in goat tying. This paired with her 10th place finish in the first go sets her up as a top contender in her event. For Connor Weese, he is currently in 41st place in the second go of steer wrestling but his 4.51 time in the first go is still second-best overall.
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Below you can find all the Wyoming Contestants in the top 10 for their events as well as the top 10 for all events below that.
Wyoming Contestants in the Top 10 for the Second Go-Round
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A crippling cybersecurity outage brought down computer networks globally, including at San Francisco International Airport, where dozens of flights have been canceled or delayed.
This has left many passengers waiting around for their next step.
MORE: CrowdStrike says widespread disruptions were not the result of security incident or cyberattack
According to Flight Aware, they had 33 delays and more than 50 cancellations by 3:30 a.m.
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Flight information display screens were down and frustrated passengers were seen waiting around, unable to even check a bag.
As of about 4:30 a.m., more than 540 flights across the country had been cancelled. The FAA said United, American, Delta, and Allegiant airlines had all been grounded.
ABC7 News talked to one passenger who was supposed to be leaving for a trip to Belize with a layover in Houston, when he wasn’t even able to check his bag.
“Pretty much just stuck here until we figure out what’s next,” he said. “Don’t know how long it’s going to be, it’s been at least a couple of hours that we have been waiting. We will see what’s next, I don’t know. Yeah, I’m stuck for a while.”
MORE: What is CrowdStrike, the company linked to the global outage?
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American Airlines said they are back up and running as normal. Other airlines haven’t been so lucky.
United said they are only resuming “some flights” and expect more disruptions throughout the day.
Both Delta and also United said they are working to issue travel waivers to help passengers to change their travel plans.
Friday is a day travelers will absolutely want to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.
Friday
Music in the Gardens — With Jaiele, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 17th Street Gardens, 1945 17th St., Denver; cpvmd.org/17thstgarden-events.
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Orchard ‘Til Dark — With Local artisan vendors, music, activities and more, 4-8 p.m., The Orchard Town Center, 14697 Delaware St., Westminster; tinyurl.com/23r9xu4m.
Alley Soundscapes Live Music Series — With Dzirae Gold, 5-7 p.m., Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St., Denver; dairyblock.com/events.
Vampire Weekend — With Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, 7 p.m., Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, $119 and up. Tickets: axs.com.
Meta Sarmiento — Launch concert or his new project: Jungle Rules & Other Poems – A Lyrical Lookbook, 7 p.m., The Savory Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St., Denver, $$20-$45. Tickets: tinyurl.com/525f63pb.
Montana of 300 — With Stevie Stone, 7 p.m., The Roxy Theatre, 2549 Welton St., Denver, $25. Tickets: theroxydenver.com.
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B-Side Music Fridays — With Dogtags and the Milk Blossoms, 7-9 p.m., MCA Denver’ Rooftop Café & Bar, 1485 Delgany St., Denver, $20. Tickets: mcadenver.org.
