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USA Today
10 minutes ago
- USA Today
Brian Albert, Jennifer McCabe, more witnesses speak out after Karen Read verdict
In the hours since Karen Read was found not guilty of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, several key witnesses from both trials have broken their silence on the verdict. Michael Proctor, the former Massachusetts State Police lead investigator on the case, who testified in the first trial and was later fired for misconduct stemming from the case, spoke out in interviews on ABC's "20/20" and NBC's "Dateline" that aired on June 18 and 19, respectively. A group of O'Keefe's friends, including Brian and Nicole Albert and Jennifer and Matt McCabe, also shared their thoughts in an interview with ABC News that aired on June 20. The group earlier called the verdict "a devastating miscarriage of justice" in a statement released to USA TODAY. Both Proctor and the Albert and McCabe families were at the center of the theory presented by Read's defense team about a possible police cover-up in O'Keefe's death. They have consistently denied the allegations. A Massachusetts jury on June 18 found Read not guilty of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death. She was found guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence and sentenced to one year of probation. Karen Read timeline Key dates in John O' Keefe murder case Brian Albert says he 'would have taken a bullet' for John O'Keefe In an interview with ABC News that aired on June 20, Brian Albert, a retired Boston police officer who owned the home where O'Keefe's body was found on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, said he and his family "did the civic duty" in this case. "The criminal justice system has let us down at every turn, and yesterday was the final letdown," he said. Brian Albert also said the theories that he was involved in O'Keefe's death are "preposterous and silly." He responded to lingering questions about why he did not go outside on the morning O'Keefe's body was found, calling it "ridiculous." "I would have taken a bullet for John O'Keefe because he was a fellow cop," Brian Albert said. During the interview, Jennifer McCabe, who was with Read when O'Keefe's body was found, also spoke about the "hos (sic) long to die in cold" Google search she made that became a contentious piece of evidence in both trials. She has maintained that she made the search because Read asked her to after they found O'Keefe's body, while the defense alleged she made the search hours before he was found. "Doesn't matter how much I say about it, people will not believe it," she said. Michael Proctor says crude texts 'don't define me as a person' Proctor's personal text messages, many of which expressed crude comments about Read, came under scrutiny during the first trial. He was later fired for misconduct stemming from the case and broke his silence in a series of interviews after Read's verdict was announced, after he was not invited to take the stand in her second trial. He said in an interview with ABC News that he developed negative feelings toward Read "as the case went on." "When you have a fellow police officer around my age, two kids of his own, it generates emotion," he said. "And I expressed those emotions in a negative way, which I shouldn't've." Proctor added, "They are what they are, they don't define me as a person." In an interview on NBC's "Dateline," Proctor laughed at the theory that he was involved in a possible cover-up. "I laugh because it's such a ridiculous accusation," he said. "There's not one piece of evidence or fact to support that." Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
Deccan Herald
18 minutes ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Samsung to launch Galaxy M36 5G next week in India
Thanks to deeper collaboration with Google and Samsung, the Galaxy M36 will support advanced versions of Gemini AI features. It will be priced under Rs 20,000 in India.
CNET
25 minutes ago
- Business
- CNET
Pope Leo XIV Urges Tech Executives to Come Up With an Ethical AI Framework
Pope Leo XIV, who took over leadership of the Catholic Church in May, is revealing one area that he'll be focusing on: artificial intelligence. The Pope has called for tech companies to develop a "superior ethical criterion" against which AI should be evaluated. This message was delivered to tech leaders, including leaders from Google, Meta, OpenAI, and IBM, attending the second annual conference on AI and its ethics in Rome. The framework the Pope is asking for would ensure that AI takes "into account the well-being of the human person not only materially, but also intellectually and spiritually." In the Friday message, the Pope also points to AI's unprecedented and rapid access to information as potentially impacting children's development the most. "Our youth," he said, "must be helped, and not hindered, in their journey towards maturity and true responsibility." This isn't the first time the Pope has discussed AI; he mentioned it in his first papal address in May. He also recently spoke of the challenges that "call into question respect for the dignity of the human person" in a speech to Italian bishops. Artificial intelligence, biotechnologies, the data economy and social media were all included in that speech. He's not condemning AI outright. There is potential for good, he noted, saying that if used right, AI could "promote greater equality." However, the Pope notes that AI also offers the possibility of "misuse for selfish gain" to "foment conflict and aggression." The Vatican doesn't have any regulatory power, but that hasn't stopped it from being vocal about the ethics of AI. In 2020, the Vatican created the Rome Call for AI Ethics, a document about the ethical considerations of AI algorithms. IBM, Qualcomm and Microsoft all signed on, agreeing to abide by the principles. The Pope's firm stance on AI is similar to that of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, who urged that AI be used only to benefit humanity.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Character.AI taps Meta's former VP of business products as CEO
the Google-backed AI chatbot provider with tens of millions of monthly active users, announced on Friday that Karandeep Anand, the former VP of Business Products at Meta, is joining the company as CEO. Previously a board adviser to Anand is stepping into the CEO role at a pivotal moment for the chatbot provider, as the company tries to simultaneously grow its platform while combatting child safety concerns. In recent months, has added an array of new safety features in light of an active lawsuit, which alleges that one of the company's chatbots played a role in the death of a 14-year-old Florida boy. Anand comes to with experience running advertising products that reached billions of users on Meta's apps. Previously, Anand served as Microsoft's head of product management, overseeing user experience on the company's cloud platform, Azure. Most recently, Anand served as the president of the fintech startup Brex. Anand is taking over just over 10 months after Google hired away the startup's co-founder and CEO, Noam Shazeer, who had previously led core AI teams at the Mountain View giant. At the time, Google also signed a non-exclusive agreement to use technology. deal with Google prompted federal regulators to investigate the companies' relationship over antitrust concerns. It's one of many reverse-acquihire deals in the AI startup space that's received regulatory scrutiny, alongside Microsoft's deal with has raised more than $150 million in venture funding, largely from Andreessen Horowitz. In a blog post, Anand said one of his first priorities would be making safety filters 'less overbearing.' The new CEO noted that the company cares deeply about users safety, but that too often, 'the app filters things that are perfectly harmless.' Anand also said he plans to improve the quality of AI models on platform, innovate around memory features, and increase transparency around decision making. He says many of these features are coming in the next 60 days. Chatbots that are purely designed for entertainment, which specializes in, are growing into a massive market for generative AI — a trend that's been surprising to many. In 2024, 66% of the company's users were between the age of 18 and 24, and 72% of the company's users were women, according to data from Sensor Tower.
Auto Blog
30 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mazda Launches Killer CX-30 Lease Offer For June
A surprisingly sporty crossover gets even more affordable If you've been considering a compact crossover, Mazda just sweetened the deal. The automaker is now offering a compelling lease deal on the 2025 CX-30, a stylish and surprisingly fun-to-drive SUV that comes standard with all-wheel drive and a suite of upscale features. For June, lease prices start as low as $239 per month for 36 months, though exact pricing varies based on location and trim. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More What you get for the money Even in its base form, the 2025 Mazda CX-30 brings plenty to the table. The standard powertrain features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is included on every trim, something that's still rare in the subcompact SUV segment. Fuel economy is solid too, with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined. Mazda CX-30 In terms of features, even the entry-level 2.5 S comes well-equipped. A standard 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED lighting, and key safety systems like Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are all included. The Select Sport trim adds larger 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, and heated side mirrors, among other upgrades. The lease deals by city The most attractive deal this month is in the New York City area, where you can lease a CX-30 2.5 S for $239 per month for 36 months with $4,299 due at signing. In Miami, that same model goes for $279/month with a lower $2,999 down payment. Still, if you average out the payment due at signing across the length of the lease, the two offers are very similar: $358 a month in New York and $362 a month in Miami. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2025 Mazda CX-30 — Source: Mazda Other cities like Austin, Chicago, Charlotte, and Detroit see a price of $309 a month, also with $2,999 down. Over in Los Angeles, Mazda is offering the 2.5 S Select Sport for $286/month and $3,999 down, while Seattle and Denver residents will pay a bit more: $315/month for the same model and down payment. All of these offers are based on a 36-month lease with a 10,000-mile annual limit. Final thoughts With premium looks, engaging dynamics, and standard AWD, the Mazda CX-30 continues to punch above its weight class. With June lease offers like these, too, it's even easier to get behind the wheel of one. Keep in mind that advertised offers may vary by dealer, vehicle availability, and your credit history. These deals expire June 30th, so there's still time to compare pricing and make a move, especially if you're looking for a crossover that's both practical and fun to drive. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. About the Author Elijah Nicholson-Messmer View Profile
