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Car thief found guilty after running over young "hero" cop

<p>A man high on methamphetamine who killed a young police officer during a chaotic pursuit in Perth has been found guilty of manslaughter, bringing a painful but long-awaited moment of justice for a grieving family and police force.</p> <p>Reagan Ainslie Chown, 25, was convicted in the Supreme Court on Tuesday for the death of Constable Anthony Woods, 28, who was fatally injured on June 8, 2023, after being dragged under a stolen vehicle in the Perth suburb of Ascot.</p> <p>Constable Woods – described by colleagues and loved ones as a rising star and a true hero – had only just completed his probationary training when he was killed in the line of duty.</p> <p>The courtroom was heavy with emotion as the jury returned its guilty verdict after less than three hours of deliberation. Woods’ family members sobbed openly, clinging to each other as the decision was read.</p> <p>“We’re just overwhelmed. We’re absolutely so happy with the verdict,” said his mother, Natalie Woods, fighting through tears outside the courthouse. “It’s been a huge year-and-a-half and I just want to thank all the police and detectives and everyone that’s been there for us. Now we can let him rest and start just living his memory the best way we can.”</p> <p>Chown had tried to shift the blame, claiming Constable Woods had “put himself in a dangerous position” and that he had lost control of his body during the incident. But police leaders and prosecutors strongly rejected the defence.</p> <p>“Anthony was a hero to all of us,” said WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch. “I reject any notion that Anthony should not have done what he did. He did his job. He never got to go home from his shift that night.”</p> <p>Blanch called the suggestion that Constable Woods was at fault “offensive and disgusting”, adding that the entire police force – often referred to as the "blue family" – had been mourning deeply since the tragedy. “But today is a small piece of justice,” he said.</p> <p>The court heard that Chown and two accomplices were fleeing police in a stolen Holden Cruz when they entered a cul-de-sac. As Constable Woods opened the driver's side door and attempted to arrest Chown, the officer deployed his Taser. In the chaos that followed, Woods fell and was dragged under the vehicle. He died days later from cardiac arrest caused by mechanical compression injuries.</p> <p>Prosecutor Justin Whalley said Chown had meth in his system at the time and was still in possession of the drug. Chown had earlier admitted to stealing the car and reckless driving, but pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.</p> <p>Constable Woods was laid to rest in a funeral attended by more than 2,000 mourners at Optus Stadium, including officers from around the country. The service was a solemn tribute to a man whose bravery and dedication touched the lives of many.</p> <p>“We will never stop missing him,” Constable Woods' mother said. “But today, we found a little bit of peace.”</p> <p>Chown is due to be sentenced on July 3. </p>

Legal

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Prince Charles describes relationship with Diana as “Greek tragedy”

<p>It’s no secret that their relationship was a tumultuous one, but a series of unearthed letters have revealed just how fractured Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship really was. In one of the letters, obtained by the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4569560/Prince-Charles-s-hand-written-letters-Nancy-Reagan.html" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Daily Mail</span></strong></em></a>, Charles vented to former US First Lady Nancy Reagan about his marriage just six months before they announced their separation, referring to it as a “Greek tragedy”.</p> <p>“One day I will tell you the whole story,” he wrote. “My problem is it is so awful and so extraordinary that very few people would believe it... It is a kind of Greek tragedy and would certainly make a very good play!”</p> <p>However, it wasn’t always heartbreak for the couple, with Charles gushing in a letter written in 1985 about what an enjoyable time he and Diana shared at a gala hosted by the Reagans. “Diana still hasn't got over dancing with John Travolta, Neil Diamond and Clint Eastwood in one evening, not to mention the President of the United States as well!”</p> <p>In a 2002 letter, Charles also opened up about the impact of the Queen Mother’s death on him, confessing her death left “an enormous chasm” in his life. “However, she also leaves behind the most wonderful legacy of unbelievably happy memories… Oh, how we shall all miss her and everything she stood for...”</p> <p>The Prince maintained a close friendship with Nancy up until her death last year at the age of 94. “The President and Mrs Reagan really valued their friendship with the Royal family, especially The Prince of Wales,” ex-President Reagan’s former chief of staff, Joanne Drake, said.</p> <p>“They shared the ups and downs of their lives and always wrote the other with strong words of personal support, especially if the situation had become public. Mrs Reagan was extremely touched that he attended President Reagan’s funeral in 2004. She felt a special closeness to him.”</p>

Relationships

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Duchess of Cambridge takes control during high speed yacht race

<p>The Duchess of Cambridge recently showed her sailing prowess when she took to the water with Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie and his America's Cup team.</p> <p>Kate went sailing on the team’s test boat T1 – a foiling AC45 catamaran – and was not afraid to pitch in to man the boat. In fact, Kate took control at one point and steered the boat during a high speed yacht race.</p> <p>Sir Ben was impressed with how well Kate had taken to the helm.</p> <p>"It was fantastic to take our royal patron onboard T1 during our training session on the Solent today,” he said.</p> <p>“The Duchess was steering the boat for about half of the session and I think the guys were all really impressed with how well she had sailed. She had done a bit of sailing before.</p> <p>“We had a great sail, it was a blast and she thoroughly enjoyed it.”</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/04/prince-harry-response-when-asked-if-he-will-be-king/"><em>Prince Harry’s perfect response when asked if he’ll ever be king</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/04/royal-home-videos-shows-prince-george-like-young-charles/"><em>Rare home videos show Prince George’s uncanny likeness to young Charles</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/04/royals-announce-health-initiative/">Royals announce major health initiative in fun video</a></em></strong></span></p>

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Former First Lady Nancy Reagan dies aged 94

<p>Nancy Reagan, who had been living in Bel Air, Los Angeles, has died of congestive heart failure.</p> <p>The small time actress’ 52-year marriage to Ronald Reagan was once describes as "the US presidency's greatest love affair".</p> <p>She wasn’t always well liked. Her penchant for lavish balls and dresses as well as her costly renovation of the white house were initially criticized. Many also felt that the Reagan’s relationship was staged and there was unease about the way Mrs Reagan visibly prompted her husband, leaving many to believe she had too much say in political affairs.</p> <p>However, when her husband revealed he had Alzheimer’s, her supportiveness was not only understood, but revered, and she became one of the most influential women in US history. Nancy Reagan's best-known project as first lady was the anti-drugs "Just Say No" campaign.</p> <p>After her husband died of Alzheimer's in 2004, she became a champion for Alzheimer's patients, raising millions of dollars for research and breaking with fellow conservative Republicans to argue for stem cell studies.</p> <p>US President Barack Obama said Mrs Reagan "redefined the role" of First Lady.</p> <p>She will be buried next to her husband, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/2015/12/famous-quotes-about-marriage/">13 famous quotes about marriage</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/2015/12/soulpancake-what-is-love-video/">People aged 0 to 100 define what is love</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/2016/01/how-to-make-love-last/">The secret to make love last</a></em></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

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