The Inquisitr » Arizona

Noor Almaleki, run down by father for being too “Westernized,” dies

Kim LaCapria — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:44:54 +0000

Noor Almaleki, a 20-year-old Arizona woman who was severely injured when her father deliberately rammed her with a car, has died of her injuries.

The tragic story made national headlines when it was revealed that the girl’s father, Faleh Hassan Almaleki, targeted the girl and deliberately attacked her for becoming too “Westernized.” The elder Almaleki ran his daughter and the mother of her boyfriend down with his Jeep Cherokee on October 20th. He then fled to Mexico and ultimately the UK, but was denied entry and returned to the US to face charges in what would later be classed as an honor killing.

Family members said that Almaleki became enraged when after Noor reportedly married a man in their native Iraq, she returned to the states to live with a boyfriend at his mother’s home. Prosecutor in the case Stephanie Low indicates that Mr. Almaleki does not deny that his actions were intended to harm and even kill Noor:

“By his own admission, this was an intentional act and the reason was that his daughter had brought shame on him and his family,” Low said. “This was an attempt at an honor killing.”

Bail for Faleh Hassan Almaleki was set at $5 million.

Organizer of sauna debacle in AZ tries to delete tweets, isn’t fooling anyone

Kim LaCapria — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:00:30 +0000

Motivational speaker and host of the “Spiritual Warrior” retreat Thursday at which two event-goers died and 19 others were hospitalized has deleted some tweets that may be of interest in the deadly incident.

James Arthur Ray, who charged attendees nearly $10K for the event, tweeted throughout the retreat and even while guests were falling seriously ill. Tweets from Ray on the night of the event can only be described as ill-advised and bizarre:

JamesARay: Day 5 of SPW. The Spiritual Warrior has conquered death and therefore has no enemies, and no fear, in this life or the next.

JamesARay: is still in Spiritual Warrior… for anything new to live something first must die. What needs to die in you so that new life can emerge?

After the deletion, Ray adopted a more somber tone:

JamesARay: I’m shocked & saddened by the tragedy occuring in Sedona. My deep heartfelt condolences to family & friends of those who lost their lives

JamesARay: I also offer my strongest prayers for a speedy recovery for those who were taken ill. There are more questions than answers at this time

JamesARay: I also offer my strongest prayers for a speedy recovery for those who were taken ill. There are more questions than answers at this time

A series of general “Spiritual Warrior” related tweets (in reverse chronological order) posted prior to the sauna incident were also deleted:

JamesARay: SPW day 4. Your actions often speak louder than your words. A life of honor is living you values above and beyond your moods.

JamesARay: Few quick pics from hike w/some World Wealth Society members to Hopi ruins @ Boynton Canyon, Sedona: http://bit.ly/4l2rxW (expand)

JamesARay: Is how you live a reflection of how you talk? Are the things you say are important to you glaringly apparent in your life? SPW day 4

JamesARay: Day 4 of SPW, What does it mean to live n honorable life? Is your word law?

JamesARay: Day 3 of SPW, It’s the illusion of separateness that breeds wars and enslaves mankind.

JamesARay: Day two of SPW “Ware must you be willing to give up to live the life you say is important to you?”

JamesARay: First day of Spiritual Warrior (SPW), “Who do you choose to be?” “How do you choose to live?”

JamesARay: http://twitpic.com/k59ew – Greg Hartle my Director of Biz Growth is ready for Spiritual Warrior!

JamesARay: http://twitpic.com/k1h3z – Megan my Director of Ops is ready for Spiritual Warrior!

JamesARay: I’m heading into the deep desert for Spritual Warrior I’ll not B around much for the next week but keep the conversation alive & stay strong

While the events at the retreat are tragic and incredibly sad, Ray’s Twitter deletion should serve as a reminder that anything posted on the internet is nearly impossible to retract. And while no one knows as of yet what caused the dangerous conditions, Ray’s deletion of the tweets certainly doesn’t look good. Public opinion is one thing, but legally, actions such as these could possibly be seen as an attempt to hinder an investigation.

2 dead, 19 injured in sauna at Angel Valley Resort

Kim LaCapria — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:43:49 +0000

A man and a woman, only described by police as “middle aged,” have died during a treatment at an Arizona resort.

Sixty-four people were in the outdoor “sweatbox,” a sauna-like tent, for around two hours when they reportedly were “overcome” and came filtering out, complaining of dizziness and lightheadedness. 19 people were transported to hospitals via ambulance and helicopter, and addition to the two who died, three are listed in critical condition.

The Angel Valley Resort was the site of a “Spiritual Warrior Retreat” hosted by motivational speaker James Arthur Ray. Guests reportedly paid up to $9,000 for the event, of which the treatment was a part. Police say that initial tests have indicated an absence of carbon monoxide and other contaminants, but that further testing is needed to determine what caused the incident. Police are investigating how the people may have become ill, but caution that such treatments can be dangerous, particularly combined with fasting. Yavapai County sherriff’s spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn told press:

“There are a lot of issues that may have led up to these injuries and deaths. It’s not something you would normally see at one of the resorts there, and it is unfortunate regardless of the cause.”

Arambula family sues after cop shoots homeowner, not intruder

Kim LaCapria — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:46:59 +0000

Tony Arambula is suing the police department in Phoenix, AZ for nearly $5.8m after an officer accidentally shot him, twice.

Officer Brian Lilly fired a total of four rounds at Arambula while responding to reports of an intruder in the Arambula home. The Phoenix PD released a statement yesterday acknowledging the mishap on September 17th of last year:

“…after entering the residence, one of the officers mistakenly shot the armed home owner.”

The press release goes on to say that the “department has been honest and forthright from the very onset of this incident. No attempt has been made to conceal the truth or the facts surrounding it.”

On the night of the shooting, Arambula and his wife say that they placed a 911 call, reporting that Arambula had cornered the intruder and was holding him at gunpoint. When officers arrived, his wife Lesley described the situation as such. Police entered and announced themselves, and Arambula was immediately shot in the back by Lilly. When he fell, he was shot at three more times and hit once again, in the arm. Lilly admitted to firing without warning.

Arambula says that he did everything he was supposed to in the situation:

“I would have loved if they would have told me to get on the floor and drop to my knees,” Arambula said. “To not have given me any opportunity to not get shot, it’s confusing. I pray that this never happens to another family.”

DMX in Jail, Getting Fodder for New Reality Show

Meieli Sawyer — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:08:32 +0000

DMX is in jail. . . again. Sigh. It looks like he’s going to have lots of material for his reality show, because he’s currently in police custody in Phoenix after being extradited from Miami. He pled guilty just two weeks ago to attempted cocaine and marijuana possession, after which he was fined $483 and sentenced to time served, but things aren’t over yet. The state of Arizona reclaimed DMX for an outstanding warrant after he skipped a court date, and he’s currently facing $25,000 bail.

Surely he’s getting low on bail funds at this point?

Image: WireImage

When Javelina Attack

Duncan Riley — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:45:36 +0000

Residents in Phoenix, Arizona have a new problem on their hands, attacks by Javelina, a native pig like animal. The Javelina apparently have a preference for people walking their dogs.