Yet another New York prison worker is charged with aiding two convicted murderers in their escape. Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev apologizes to his victims. And the Confederate battle flag continues its long fall.
It’s Thursday, and here are five things to know for your New Day:
PRISON BREAK
Second prison worker: Convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat, who broke out of a New York maximum security prison, had a second helper, investigators believe. In addition to prison tailor Joyce Mitchell, who is accused of sneaking tools to them, prison guard Gene Palmer helped out in various ways, prosecutors say.
He was charged with promoting dangerous prison contraband, two counts of destroying evidence and one count of official misconduct, his attorney said. He was arraigned yesterday and appears again in court today.
BOSTON BOMBER
Admission and apology: Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ended his long silence yesterday to apologize to the people he injured and the loved ones of those he killed. “If there is any lingering doubt … I did it, along with my brother,” he said, bowing his head.
“Now, I am sorry for the lives that I’ve taken, for the suffering that I’ve caused you, for the damage that I’ve done. Irreparable damage.” He told them he is praying for the souls of those he killed and the recovery of those he hurt. Tsarnaev was sentenced to death.
CHARLESTON
Rising prayers, falling flag: Bible study was back on at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a week after nine African-American people were shot and killed in the same room.
“This territory belongs to God,” Norvel Goff Sr. told the roughly 150 people who came yesterday.
Meanwhile, the apparent demise of the Confederate battle flag marched on. In Alabama, all four at the Confederate memorial on Capitol grounds came down — permanently. And the National Park Service announced that it’s discontinuing items bearing the flag in its souvenir shops.
BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN
Hospice care: Her life “is in God’s hands now,” Bobbi Kristina Brown’s family said yesterday, as she was moved to hospice care. On the same day, Brown’s conservator filed a civil suit against her boyfriend Nick Gordon.
The suit claims Gordon caused “bodily harm” to Brown and accuses him of stealing more than $11,000 from her accounts since her hospitalization. Gordon was one of two people who found Brown, daughter of deceased singer Whitney Houston, unresponsive in January in a bathtub at her suburban Atlanta home.
BOBBY JINDAL
Long shot: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, once a Republican rising star, joined the swelling pack of his party’s contenders for president yesterday. In the meantime, his star has sunk considerably.
He polls at the bottom with just 1% of potential voters favoring him. In his announcement speech, Jindal sold himself as the successful governor of Louisiana, but the vast majority of his state disagrees with him. His approval rating there currently lies at 32%.