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Well-connected wife of prominent New Zealand businessman murdered in affluent coastal California town

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Well-connected wife of prominent New Zealand businessman murdered in affluent coastal California town

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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)

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“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.”

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. 

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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. 

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.

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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.”

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

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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. 

“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.”

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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. 

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San Francisco, CA

No tolerance for hate or crime at SF Pride this weekend, officials say

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No tolerance for hate or crime at SF Pride this weekend, officials say


San Francisco city and police officials said Wednesday that they want people to enjoy Pride festivities this weekend — including the popular parade on Sunday — and that they will be on the lookout for criminal activity.

“All of the leaders up here know how important this weekend is, and we are ready,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said while flanked by a host of officials at a news conference at San Francisco police headquarters.

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Lurie said his message is simple: “Look out for one another. Report anything concerning and know that every first responder, city worker and volunteer has one goal: to help everyone celebrate safely.”

Hundreds of thousands expected at SF Pride Parade

What we know:

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The annual Pride festivities and parade on Sunday are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to San Francisco. Police say they’re working with state and federal partners to monitor any potential threats while making sure people enjoy themselves.

“You’ll see many of our officers – including me – wearing Pride patches,” said Police Chief Derrick Lew, gesturing to a multicolored patch on his shoulder. “As always, we’re excited to showcase San Francisco, and our longstanding status as a safe haven for members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

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No tolerance for hate, DA says

What they’re saying:

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins says she and other city leaders will have no tolerance for hate. 

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Just last week, she charged a man with a hate crime for allegedly spray-painting a homophobic message outside a Castro District flower shop and punching a witness.

“There will be accountability if anything like that happens here, and so as much as we want to be joyous, we also have to take this occasion very seriously,” Jenkins said.

Suzanne Ford, executive director of SF Pride agreed, saying, “I think we all have the responsibility of demonstrating that we can work together to make sure that the LGBTQ community is centered for this weekend.” 

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Sheriff Paul Miyamoto said those who don’t behave will go straight to jail. 

“The one mode of transportation we want to make sure all of you avoid this weekend is the party buses that the sheriff’s department will have out there,” Miyamoto said.

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City officials are urging everyone to celebrate responsibly, don’t drink and drive or accept drinks from strangers and to report any suspicious activity. 

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on X @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan

The Source: KTVU reporting, San Francisco police and sheriff, district attorney’s office

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Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets draft Trevon Brazile in the second round of the NBA Draft – Denver Stiffs

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Denver Nuggets draft Trevon Brazile in the second round of the NBA Draft – Denver Stiffs


After making fans wait all through the first round only to trade back, the Denver Nuggets finally get their man as they select with the 35th pick in the draft: Trevon Brazile, the 6’9 combo forward from Arkansas.

So who is Brazile?

Trevon is a freak athlete at 6’9.5 barefoot with a wingspan of almost 7’4 and a 41″ vertical jump. He can fly, with transition dunks that amaze and helpside blocks that astound. He can also hit from behind the arc if you leave him open, and he has soft hands around the rims for lobs and finishes. He can also be a good perimeter defender using that wingspan and his quick feet to get in position and make life tough. As I said about him before the draft: “When he is playing hard and engaged, he looks like a first round talent who can spot up for 3 or kill you at the rim while hounding ball-handlers on the perimeter.”

He is 23 years old already, however, and he still hasn’t found the necessary motor to bring that explosion and game-changing play for the whole time he’s on the court. He only shoots 66% from the charity stripe and doesn’t have much of an in-between game, so if he’s not driving the hoop or taking open threes his creation bag is a little thin. He spent his freshman year at Missouri, the alma mater of both Michael Porter Jr. and Josh Kroenke, so Josh would obviously have some insight into him from early in his college career.

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But Denver has been in dire need of some size and athleticism and they just got both in the same package. Brazile at his best absolutely looks the part of an NBA player who can make an impact at both ends of the floor. Whether he can grow his game in shorter bench stints early in his career is certainly going to be intriguing to watch – and the Nuggets finally have a drafted player to pour some interest and effort into themselves.

Welcome to the Nuggets, Trevon Brazile!



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Seattle, WA

Council eyes street barricades in fight against violence, sex trafficking in north Seattle

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Council eyes street barricades in fight against violence, sex trafficking in north Seattle


The Seattle City Council is expected to vote next week on a plan that would give the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) the authority to close off street access for public safety reasons.

The proposal comes after months of outcry from residents in north Seattle who say sex traffickers and sex buyers are looping through the streets surrounding Aurora Avenue North.

The street-closure proposal passed the council’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday and is expected to be voted on by the full council next week.

“I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say the crime has gotten much worse, much more violent, and much more predator,” said District 5 councilmember Debora Juarez. “I think that we do have the authority to shut down a street for bullets flying and endangering the lives of those who live there.”

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Frustrated neighbors have installed their own homemade barricades after a spate of gun violence between sex traffickers in May.

RELATED | SDOT removes street barricades near Aurora Ave; neighbors doubtful of temporary measures

Councilmember Bob Kettle says street closures will help tamp down sex buying in certain areas, but he emphasizes it must be accompanied by an increase in outreach and enforcement.

“We have to have a sustained effort,” Kettle told KOMO News. “My concern is for every action, there’s a reaction. We need to take this flex and then really attack it … because if we do just a bit and our attention wanders, we could have this conversation three months from now and we’re talking about the same thing.”

A 15-year-old boy was shot near 95th Street and Aurora Avenue North around 10:45 p.m. last night. The teen initially claimed he had been shot while walking down the street, but investigators now say he was shot by a passenger in his car.

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RELATED | Seattle police say ‘drive-by’ on Aurora Ave. was actually passenger shooting teen driver

Kettle credited the city’s Real Time Crime Center cameras with helping investigators quickly piece together the events of the shooting.

“Just as important to finding out what happened, the cameras help police determine what did not happen,” Kettle said.

According to Seattle police data, reports of shootings and shots fired in the north precinct area are at their lowest levels since 2021.

Through the end of May, there were 48 total reports of shootings or shots fired, with one fatal shooting and seven nonfatal injury shootings.

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That’s down from 63 total reports of shootings and shots fired – one fatal and seven injuries – in 2025; and 64 shootings or shots fired reports – one fatal and 17 injuries – in 2024.

At Tuesday’s committee meeting, councilmembers pointed out residents are calling for a new police precinct to be built on Aurora Avenue.

Ten years ago, a new North Precinct building was slated to be built at 130th Avenue and Aurora Avenue North to replace the existing precinct building, which was decades old and did not have enough space for the department’s needs.

Led by former councilmember Kshama Sawant, the “Block the Bunker” movement successfully got the North Precinct replacement project killed in city council.

Kettle said the city’s current financial issues make it essentially impossible to bring back a project similar to the one the previous council defeated.

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“We have to connect the dots back,” Kettle said. “If we want to know why we are where we are today, we have to look at decisions made over the last two councils.”



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