Mangaluru: Two get life term in Shrimati Shetty murder case
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Sep 25: A court here has handed life imprisonment to two people involved in the gruesome murder of chit fund operator Shrimati Shetty in 2019.
On Tuesday, the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru sentenced Jonas Samson (35) and Victoria Mathias (47) to life imprisonment for their roles in the murder. The third accused, Raju (34), was sentenced to six and a half months of simple imprisonment for his involvement in concealing stolen property.
Judge Mallikarjuna Swamy HS pronounced the sentence based on the charges established under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Jonas Samson and Victoria Mathias were convicted under IPC Section 302 (murder) and Section 34 (common intent), resulting in life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25,000 each. If they fail to pay the fine, they will face an additional year of simple imprisonment.
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Further, under IPC Section 201 (causing the disappearance of evidence) and Section 34, they were sentenced to seven years of simple imprisonment and fined Rs. 5,000 each, with an extra three months of imprisonment in case of non-payment. Additionally, for extortion under IPC Section 392 and 34, they received a five-year term with another fine of Rs. 5,000, leading to six months of additional imprisonment if unpaid.
Raju, the third accused, was convicted under IPC Section 414 for aiding in the concealment of stolen property and was fined Rs. 5,000, along with six and a half months of simple imprisonment.
As part of the judgment, the court directed that Shrimati Shetty's mother be paid a compensation of Rs. 75,000, and the funds be facilitated through the legal services authority.
According to police, the 42-year-old victim, was a resident of Attavara in Mangaluru and ran an electronics shop while also managing a chit fund business. Jonas had two memberships in her chit fund but defaulted on his monthly payments. When Shrimati Shetty visited Jonas' residence on May 11, 2019, at around 9:15 am to collect the due payment, a heated argument ensued.
In a fit of rage, Jonas struck her on the head with a wooden object, leaving her unconscious. Along with his wife, Victoria, Jonas proceeded to rob Shrimati Shetty of her gold ornaments before committing the act of murder. They dismembered her body into 29 pieces, placed them in plastic sacks, and scattered them across various locations in the city at night. Her belongings, including a vanity bag and slippers, were burnt inside their house to eliminate evidence.
The crime came to light three days later when a body part was discovered near a shop in Kadri, eventually leading to the recovery of her body parts in Nandigudde. Raju had also played a role in assisting Jonas and Victoria in the crime, police said.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
