AP News in Brief at 12:04 a.m. EDT
On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued 16 people from the Pacific Ocean off Mexico’s Baja California coast after receiving a May Day call indicating their boat was sinking. Another 11 individuals were reported missing. The rescued individuals were Mexican nationals, though the boat's origin, destination and purpose remained unclear. The incident occurred in a region frequented by smugglers and leisure boats.
One survivor required medical attention for a possible shark bite, and two others were in critical condition. A rescue helicopter reached the scene approximately two hours after the call was made at around 1 a.m. The crew, including a rescue swimmer, took about 90 minutes to pull the 16 people from the water.
Meanwhile, in Lexington, South Carolina, defense lawyers for Alex Murdaugh secured permission to conduct their own tests on unidentified DNA found under his wife’s fingernails. The DNA, not belonging to any member of the Murdaugh family, has not yielded a match. However, the defense seeks to have this evidence analyzed at a private laboratory.
The judge ruled that Murdaugh's lawyers could test the DNA, following a series of motions raising concerns about prosecutors' delays in sharing evidence. Murdaugh, a once-prominent heir, is set to stand trial in April for the murders of his wife and son. He has admitted to being involved in theft and insurance fraud but denies the killings.
The case has garnered attention due to its elements of treachery, corruption, and Southern legal drama.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
