A decorated soldier has been left penniless and jobless after being repeatedly hounded by 'ambulance-chasing' lawyers over the death of an Iraqi man 12 years ago. Sergeant Kevin Williams shot Hassan Abbas Said because he believed he was going to shoot him after he grabbed his rifle during a violent struggle in Iraq in 2003. The soldier, then 21, was cleared by two military investigations only to then face a murder charge in a civilian court, where he was once again cleared. Sergeant Kevin Williams has been left penniless and jobless after being repeatedly hounded by 'ambulance-chasing' lawyers over the death of an Iraqi man 12 years ago . He went on to be praised for his heroism after saving seven lives in Afghanistan – but in a worrying display of how lawyers are profiting under the Human Rights Act, Mr Said's family could now be awarded compensation. In a blistering attack on the system which has forced the Ministry of Defence to spend millions in British courts defending actions of soldiers on the battlefield, Mr Williams said: 'I feel like I've been on trial for 12 years. 'It is a disgrace that soldiers are having to explain their actions so ambulance-chasing lawyers can abuse farcical rulings and line their pockets on the death of Iraqi civilians.' Mr Williams, who joined the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in 1999 aged 16, said he was angry that Mr Said's family could receive compensation after pursuing their case with controversial lawyers Leigh Day & Co. It is understood they could receive thousands of pounds. The soldier, then 21, was cleared by two military investigations only to then face a murder charge in a civilian court, where he was once again cleared, pictured with his partner Rachel Lord . He went on to be praised for his heroism after saving seven lives in Afghanistan, but said it feels as though he has been on trial for 12 years . Waiving his right to anonymity, Mr Williams said: 'I was just doing my job as a soldier fighting for my country and defending a comrade. It is disgusting and completely unfair that [Mr Said's] family could now receive compensation and I've lost two jobs and am struggling to support my family.' Mr Williams, now 32, was on a random patrol during his second tour of Iraq in 2003 when he came across up to nine men pushing a cart filled with ammunition. When the soldiers moved to arrest them, Mr Williams chased one to a nearby village and into his home. August 2003: Sergeant Kevin Williams kills Hassan Abbas Said in Iraq after he attempts to grab his rifle and resists arrest . Sept 2004: Mr Williams told military investigations have finished and he had been cleared of wrongdoing . Sept 2004: Charged with the murder of Said and case put before civilian court . April 2005: Murder charge dropped weeks before trial as there is no prospect of conviction . Aug 2013: Mr Williams decides to leave the military and in January 2014 gets a private security job in Iraq . July 2014: Sacked after Sir George Newman begins fresh inquiry into the death of Said . October 2014: Mr Williams manages to get a second private security job in Iraq . Jan 2015: Mr Williams told he could face war crime charges in The Hague . Feb 2015: As a result, he loses his second job and flies back to the UK . March 2015: Sir George Newman attributes no wrongdoing to Mr Williams for the death of Said. But MoD says Said family could still get compensation . Mr Said refused to leave peacefully and after trying to grab Mr Williams's gun, he was shot dead by the young soldier as the Iraqi was said to have reached for his colleague's pistol. Mr Williams said: 'I was only a young boy and I was very scared. I felt both mine and my colleague's life were in danger. I didn't think, 'I'm going to shoot to kill him', but I wanted to shoot to stop him.' He was initially subjected to two internal military investigations in 2003 and 2004, which cleared him of any wrongdoing. But with the civilian police unhappy with the decision, he was arrested on suspicion of murder by officers from the Metropolitan Police while on leave in Burnley where he lives with his partner Rachel Lord, 29, and his daughter. After a two-year investigation in which he suffered from depression, his trial collapsed in 2005 when the Crown Prosecution Service eventually accepted there was no realistic prospect of a conviction. The judge said that many people felt Mr Williams had been 'betrayed'. In 2009 he deployed to Afghanistan, saving the lives of seven comrades by pulling them from an armoured vehicle submerged in a river. He was later awarded a Joint Chief's Commendation after trying to save the life of a colleague when their vehicle was hit by an IED. He left as a teaching sergeant in 2013 and moved back to Iraq to work in private security last year. But then he was told about an official inquiry by ex-High Court judge Sir George Newman who was investigating the deaths of Mr Said and another Iraqi, Naheem Abdullah, who died as a result of injuries sustained at a road block in May 2003. Seven paratroopers were cleared of murdering Mr Abdullah in 2005. Mr Williams lost his security job after the inquiry was announced. But on Friday a report by Sir George again attributed no blame to Mr Williams for Mr Said's death. However, the MoD said it could still be forced to pay compensation to Mr Said's family. After a two-year investigation in which he suffered from depression, his trial collapsed in 2005 . Mr Williams, who joined the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in 1999 aged 16, said he was angry that Mr Said's family could receive compensation . They are represented by law firm Leigh Day & Co, who were criticised last year along with Phil Shiner's Public Interest Lawyers firm after another inquiry demolished their claims that UK soldiers tortured Iraqi detainees in May 2004. The International Criminal Court then announced it examining claims of mistreatment by British troops after being handed a dossier by Public Interest Lawyers. Mr Williams was told that he could face a war crimes trial in The Hague – which usually tries dictators who carry out genocide – over the death of Mr Abdullah. By this time he had found another security job in Iraq but he lost the post within hours of the ICC investigation being announced. He said: 'To possibly be investigated again by the ICC, it makes me feel sick.' Mr Williams said he felt 'abandoned' by the Army, adding: 'I went to war wanting to protect everyone I work with and you expect the Army to support you. They haven't. Nobody has.' An MoD spokesman said: 'The Government wishes to express its regret at the death of Mr Abdullah and is prepared to pay appropriate compensation to his family.' You can donate to Kevin Williams HERE .

Sgt Kevin Williams shot Hassan Abbas Said during violent struggle in 2003 . Soldier believed Mr Said was going to shot him when Iraqi grabbed his gun . Sgt Williams was cleared by military investigations and cleared of murder . But he was repeatedly hounded by 'ambulance-chasing' lawyers over death . He is jobless, broke and feels as though he has been on trial for 12 years .

 preparing to detonate a roadside bomb.
When Mr Abbas Said later died of his wounds, the Ministry of Defence blamed the SAS veteran for causing “excessive pain”. It then decided to take out a costly civil court battle to recover the cost of the claim made by his wife and two daughters.
The MoD, which has already spent £2 million on a legal action to stop Mr Abbas Said’s family being paid out, has now revealed it paid a further £125,000 to lawyers to defend the case.
The MoD told how it made the astonishing claim – to pay the $200,000 claim for the killing and injury to three women, including an unborn child, in 2004. It was the first ever decision to take the MoD to court over compensation and the family are expected to sue the MoD for the cost of their own legal action.
An MoD spokesperson, said: “Our original legal costs to defend this claim are approximately £125,000. We have paid no costs to the claimant’s lawyers.”
Sgt Williams, from Stafford, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in Iraq. The MoD’s legal case has been handled by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The MoD said the incident happened near Basra “in response to hostile action against British forces”. The MoD was defending its handling of the case, saying it had made “serious attempts” to settle the claim with a reduced amount but this “wasn’t possible”.
A spokesman said: “The Government’s policy is to pay no compensation for injury or death caused by its actions in conducting overseas operations.”
Mr Abbas Said’s widow, Azemah Salih, 35, the mother of three, died of injuries sustained in the incident in 2004. She was also wounded by shrapnel from an explosion when her car was sprayed by gunfire.
The MoD paid for Azemah to be sent home from the Middle East to be with her husband. The MoD also admitted in court papers that it had “no documentary evidence” to prove she wasn’t planning to set off the bomb.
Azemah – whose claim was rejected because of a failure to prove her husband’s intentions – was never told the UK had launched a legal fight over the death. She died of breast cancer in 2008.
The MoD said in a


An Illinois man who spent nearly two decades in prison for a 1992 rape and murder of a girl, 11, he did not commit has received a $20million settlement. Juan Rivera, 42, was awarded the money in the highest individual settlement given in a wrongful conviction case in U.S. history, his attorneys said on Friday at press conference in Chicago. Rivera was tried three times, the first time when he was 19 years old, and was finally cleared in 2012 when his 2009 conviction was reversed for the rape and murder of Holly Staker of Waukegan. Attorney Jon Loevy said there has never been a wrongful conviction case where the defendants agreed without a trial to pay compensation in such a large amount, according to ABC. Scroll down for video . An Illinois man who spent nearly two decades in prison for a 1992 rape and murder of a girl, 11, he did not commit has received a $20million settlement (above Juan Rivera, center, stands with attorneys Jon Loevy, left, and Locke Bowman, during a news conference Friday, March 20, 2015, in Chicago) Juan Rivera (left), 42, was awarded the money in the highest individual settlement given in a wrongful conviction case in U.S. history, his attorneys said on Friday . One of the critical factors in his successful appeal was the 2005 DNA testing that proved the semend found in Staker's body did not belong to him, according to the Chicago Tribune. Rivera was coerced into a false confession and his conviction was not an accident or a mistake, said his attorney Locke Bowman. 'This was a deliberate frame-up,' said Bowman. 'This is a terrible travesty.' Prosecutors claimed that Rivera had worn a pair of shoes stained with the girls' blood, according to his attorneys. Rivera was tried three times, the first time when he was 19 years old, and was finally cleared in 2012 when his 2009 conviction was reversed for the rape and murder of Holly Staker of Waukegan (above, Rivera hugging his family after being awarded $20million) Rivera, who now works at a medical research facility at Northwestern, said he was not angry, but 'hurt, resentful, disappointed and upset' for what he had to go through in prison . Rivera was coerced into a false confession and his conviction was not an accident or a mistake, said his attorney Locke Bowman (left). As he looks forward to a new future, Rivera (right) plans to go to college and study business management and accounting, and help pay for his mother's medical bills . However, it was later revealed that the shoes were not available for purchase at the time of the murder, and his lawyers said police had tampered with them. It was also discovered that a knife found near the steps of the crime was destroyed by Waukegan police. Rivera was released from prison on January 6, 2012, a day he has declared as his new birthday, according to NBC. One of the critical factors in Rivera's successful appeal was the 2005 DNA testing that proved his semen was not the sperm found in Staker's body (above Holly Staker, 11, who was raped and murdered in 1992) Last year, cops linked DNA from the semen found in Staker with DNA obtained from a two-by-four used to brutally beat a man, Delwin Foxworth, eight years later in 2000. Failure to identify and arrest Staker’s real killer allowed the real killer commit a second murder, according to Rivera's lawyers. 'While Mr. Rivera fought to clear his name and officials fought to keep him in prison, the man who really committed the crime was free to commit this additional crime,' said Steven Art, one of Rivera’s attorneys. The law enforcement officers who were sued in the federal case are being dismissed as defendants, and will not have to pay damages, according to the Chicago Tribune. Rivera, who now works at a medical research facility at Northwestern, said he was not angry, but 'hurt, resentful, disappointed and upset' for what he had to go through in prison. He also said that while $20million is great, he would have preferred 20 years spent with his family. Rivera said: 'To say that $20 million is a wonderful thing, of course I can live more comfortably now, my family can, I can go to college and get my education the way I've always wanted, but I still would prefer my 20 years with my family.' As he looks forward to the future, Rivera plans to go to college, study business management and accounting, and help pay for his mother's medical bills. He thanked his attorneys, and noted that other unjustly accused people are still incarcerated in Illinois and around the world. Rivera was released from prison on January 6, 2012, a day he has declared as his new birthday (above Rivera is greeted after exiting Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois on January 2012 after spending 20 years in prison) Rivera said: 'I just want to say thank you and live life with my family as best as we can and look forward to a beautiful future.' Despite the DNA matches, the identity of the potential suspect in both murders remains unknown. Authorities have entered the genetic profile into DNA databanks but have not obtained a match with a known suspect. Last year, cops linked DNA from the semen found in Staker with DNA obtained from a two-by-four used to brutally beat a man, Delwin Foxworth, eight years later in 2000. Despite the DNA matches, the identity of the potential suspect in both murders remains unknown (above a map of where Staker and Foxworths' murders took place)

Juan Rivera, 42, was awarded money in highest individual settlement given in a wrongful conviction case in U.S. history, his attorneys said on Friday . Rivera was tried three times,  first time at 19, and was cleared in 2012 when conviction was reversed for rape and murder of Holly Staker of Waukegan . He plans to go to college and study business management and accounting, and help pay for his mother's medical bills .

 wake of an Illinois Supreme Court ruling that determined that prosecutors withheld evidence in his original trial.
The case is another in a long line of wrongful convictions and prosecutorial misconduct across the US, which has caused the courts to take a closer look at the legal system in the state.
Juan Rivera was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 11-year-old girl in Chicago. The girl was attacked by a man who entered her home through an unlocked door, tied her up, sodomized her and raped her.
The victim, who was later identified as 11-year-old Tysheena Johnson, was tied up on the day of her disappearance. She was sexually assaulted and left behind for her dead body to be found two weeks later, on May 3 1992.
Authorities claimed that the evidence obtained from the 11-year-old victim led to the police and prosecutors to quickly zero in on the defendant Juan Rivera as a person of interest.
The victim’s father, who was a drug addict, had previously stated that Rivera would “rape me in front of my daughter” because he was mad at him about some business deals.
The authorities believed the girl was targeted by Rivera, after they had questioned the victim’s father. But the victim’s father and police sources also told the Chicago Sun-Times that Rivera did not know the child and had no reason to attack her.
At the time, a DNA test was used to tie Rivera to the sexual assault and murder of the 11-year-old girl. The DNA used in the case originated from the victim’s body.
Rivera was arrested and charged with Tysheena Johnson’s murder, however he was later convicted, sentenced to death and served 23 years in prison for the crime.
In the 23 years Rivera was in prison, he wrote a letter to the Illinois Supreme Court, detailing how he had not raped and murdered the little girl.
The then 34-year-old wrote “I was at work when the body was found and no one knows who I am.”
The court’s ruling
In the 1994, Rivera was tried and convicted of first-degree murder and rape. At trial, prosecutors concealed evidence that the child had sexual intercourse with the defendant the night she was killed.
The child’s father had testified that the victim, his daughter Tysheena Johnson, had had sex with the


The family of the six-year-old Oregon boy publicly shamed for being late to school thought they were simply getting their car repaired when they were surprised with a newly refurbished minivan. Hunter Cmelo's parents Nicole Garloff and Mark Cmelo were told their Dodge Durango had been repaired after local Medford businesses heard he was late because their car was old and unreliable. But when the family arrived at Kelly's Automotive, they was presented with a 2001 Chrysler minivan, complete with a new windshield, two new tires and free oil changes for a year. Scroll down for video . The family of the six-year-old Hunter Cmelo, who was forced into eating his lunch behind a screen because his parents dropped him off one minute late to school, have been gifted a refurbished minivan (pictured) The photograph of the boy forced into eating his lunch behind a screen attracted global attention and shamed the school to change its detention policy for tardiness. But it was a local radio host who came up with the idea to get the family a reliable car. Bill Meyer saw the photograph of Hunter after Garloff posted it on her Facebook and immediately wanted to help the family tackle the 'root of the problem'. 'I saw the school policy as being unjust, but I saw the root of the trouble was car trouble,' he told ABC News. Meyer initially enlisted the help of Kelly's Automotive owner Lisa McClease-Kelly to repair the family's Dodge, but she soon realized the repairs would cost more 'than what the car was actually worth'. That's when local company Rapid Repo and Collections stepped in and offered to donate the Chrysler. Fellow businesses in the Medford and Grants Pass neighborhood chipped in to outfit the car with updated parts. They also gave the family a $100 gas card and two $60 gift cards, according to OregonLive. McClease-Kelly, who contributed an additional $1,400 worth of repairs, said the family was completely taken by surprise with the gift. Local radio host Bill Meyer saw the photo of  Hunter eating alone behind this cardboard divider and said he saw 'the school policy as unjust' and wanted to get to the root of the problem - the family's frequent car trouble . The school district said that the system is supposed to give children the chance to catch up on work they have missed by being late - but staff have now agreed to stop using the screen . 'When I handed dad Mark the key to the minivan, he was speechless and extremely grateful,' she told OregonLive. Meyer said all it took was a little 'nudge' to help the deserving family. 'The family never asked for the help. All they ever wanted was to change school policy' he told ABC News. 'Everyone else came in with their time and generosity.' As for Hunter's family, they said the outpouring of community support still 'doesn't seem real'. 'I'm trying to tell Hunter that this doesn't just happen to you,' Garloff said. Last month, Hunter's picture was shared around the Internet as Nicole and Mark shared their outrage at their son's treatment. In the photograph, Hunter can be seen sitting alone behind a cardboard divider at a cafeteria table. Close by is a cup with a large letter 'D' for 'detention'. His grandmother, Laura Hoover, shared the image to her Facebook page. As for Hunter's family, they said the outpouring of community support still 'doesn't seem real'. His mother Nicole Garloff said: 'I'm trying to tell Hunter that this doesn't just happen to you' 'This is my grandson, Hunter. He's a little first grader,' she wrote. 'His momma's car sometimes doesn't like to start right up. Sometimes he's a couple of minutes late to school. 'Yesterday, he was one minute late and this is what his momma discovered they do to punish him! They have done this to him six times for something that is out of his control! 'They make a mockery of him in front of the other students.' She said that his mother found Hunter crying and took him home. His parents said they were devastated when they found out what their son was going through. 'They are shaming him for something that's not in his control,' Cmelo told KOIN6. 'It is our fault that he is late.' Principal Missy Fitzsimmons immediately reached out to the parents after receiving complaints and agreed to stop using the partition as a punishment. 'As a result of the concerns raised, the district ended the learning catch-up location at Lincoln Elementary School,' the Grants Pass District said in a statement. 'Going forward, a separate, supervised classroom has been designated for necessary catch-up work.' Lincoln Elementary School in Grants Pass, Oregon has agreed to stop using the partition as punishment and have designated a separate, supervised classroom for 'necessary catch-up work'

Hunter Cmelo's family were told their old Dodge Durango had been repaired . Were surprised with a 2001 Chrysler minivan with a new windshield and tires . Radio host Bill Meyer came up with the idea to help family get a reliable car . Saw photograph of Hunter's punishment for being late to school . Community pitched in to get the family a different car after mechanic realized repairs would cost more than the car . School ended detention policy, said they have designated a new  separate room for late students to complete 'necessary catch-up work'

 David Cmelo were late for his kindergarten class at Lincoln Elementary School in Salem, and a "school angel" notified the police.
The school then began to receive a stream of donations, including a 2013 Chevy Express 3500 van worth $20,000 and a $1,600 iPad, reported NewsNet5.com. They also received a $5,000 gift card to an Oregon toy store, a $4,000 gift card to a local department store, and a $3,000 gift card to a gym.
On top of that, Garloff wrote on Facebook, "We now have 3 vehicles including this brand new van to get us to work with only 2 seats because it was too big for the space on our current minivan, and my husband was able to get his work truck back from repairs faster than expected (they worked on it over the weekend and did an amazing job)."
"The amount of kindness shown to my son, my husband and I was overwhelming," Garloff told KGW. She added to KATU, "We wanted to just have enough money to have him on the bus, and instead he is getting this van."
Oregon Live reported the family had been struggling to afford a new car:
In late July, Garloff posted a message on Facebook asking if anyone knew someone in the community who could do free car repairs. But she said she didn't expect anything like the outpouring of support. "It's been really wonderful, and we're so grateful," she said.
Her post described how her husband David, 26, was late to work one day and was pulled over. A kind officer who was also a Lincoln School parent noticed that her car smelled of marijuana. At first, the officer believed the car had been stolen, but the couple told him that they had simply taken their three children and the dog to visit the dentist, and that David Cmelo, 26, had fallen asleep. The officer found that the Cmelos were unaware that they had fallen behind on car payments and were unable to pay the $800 to catch them up, which was the reason he issued a citation.
The couple said they were only given five minutes to gather enough cash to avoid going to jail. Garloff posted the story online to ask for help and to show gratitude for the kindness shown to her family. When people on social media started donating


Hundreds of koalas have been killed in secret by wildlife officials in Victoria due to concerns over starvation in a key habitat. The Victorian government euthanised 686 koalas  at Cape Otway, about 230km southwest of Melbourne, in 2013 and 2014 in response to overpopulation in manna gum woodlands in the area. The koalas, many of which were starving, were killed via lethal injection after being captured in trees. Animal activists are furious and have condemned the government for their 'cruel' treatment of koalas and questioned why the program was conducted in secret. Hundreds of koalas have been killed in secret by wildlife officials in Victoria due to concerns over starvation . The Victorian government euthanised 686 koalas at Cape Otway, about 230km southwest of Melbourne . During three separate operations, veterinarians captured and sedated koalas to assess their health. Koalas suffering starvation were euthanised, while healthy koalas were released back into the wild and healthy females were treated with control hormone implants. The cull is said to have occurred in secret to avoid a backlash from activists and locals. Australian Koala Foundation chief Deborah Tabart OAM said she had heard rumours that koalas were being killed but had never had proof until now. 'I want somebody charged,' Ms Tabart said. 'The Australian government over my whole career has said there will never be a cull in Australia ever. 'It's cruel and mean to koalas and pays no respect for the role they play in tourism - how dare they treat this animal with that sort of level of disrespect. Australian Koala Foundation chief Deborah Tabart OAM questioned why the program was conducted in secret . 'And if they are so proud of what they were doing why was it done in secret?' Koala expert Dr Desley Whisson, who advised the government on the euthanasia program, said that the objective was to humanely deal with suffering koalas rather than reduce population size. Ms Tabart said more should have been done in previous years to stop the problem from escalating . 'Watching an animal starve to death is a horrible thing,' Dr Whisson, from Deakin University, told Daily Mail Australia. 'For every one koala that was euthanised there were probably two or three that starved without intervention. 'It at least was a good thing to put them out of their misery.' Dr Whisson said moving the population to other areas or conducting fertility control programs were expensive options. 'A lot of people ask why we can't just move the koalas somewhere else, but I think it's important to recognise the translocation koalas often has a negative impact,' she said. 'A large number would die, and they don't want to move from manna gum. 'It's sort of a lose-lose situation all round.' Dr Whisson said the problem in the manna gum woodland at Cape Otway was caused after koalas were introduced to the area in the 1980s from French Island. 'Manna gum is a very good food source for koalas, it's low in toxins and high in nutrients so koalas love it,' she said. 'To the point where they don't move for the food supply. 'Koalas can move one or two kilometres in a night but in this population, they stay in these manna gum areas and numbers build up.' Ms Tabart said more should have been done in previous years to prevent the problem from escalating. The problem in the manna gum woodland at Cape Otway was caused after koalas were introduced to the area in the 1980s from French Island . The koalas, many of which were starving, were killed via lethal injection after being captured in tree . 'Instead of doing this why didn't they plant trees all those years ago?' she said . 'They could have taken young ones out and relocated them. 'They've done nothing – they've watched until the problem becomes immense and then gone "Oh we better do something let's kill them." 'It's easy to say we had to put them out of their misery – they shouldn't have got to that misery in first place.' At Cape Otway there are up to 11 koalas per hectare, but the sustainable density is less than one koala per hectare. The cull is said to have occurred in secret to avoid a backlash from activists and locals . Koala expert Dr Desley Whisson, who advised the government on the euthanasia program, stressed that the objective was to humanely deal with suffering koalas rather than reduce population size . Victorian Environment Minister Lisa Neville said she was putting in place a koala management program to deal with the 'a very challenging and complex issue'. 'It is clear it's an overpopulation issue and it is clear that we have had koalas suffer in that Cape Otway area because of ill health and starvation,' Ms Neville told ABC. 'That's just not good enough and that's a terrible way to treat koalas. 'I'm wanting to make sure that we're taking the best action we can in this terrible situation of overpopulation. 'I don't want to see koalas suffer.' The koala is listed as 'vulnerable' in New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT and as 'rare' in South Australia but it has no official listing in Victoria.

Hundreds of koalas have been killed in secret by wildlife officials . The koalas were culled near Cape Otway, Victoria in 2013 and 2014 . The animals were euthanised in response to overpopulation in manna gum woodlands in the area, about 230km southwest of Melbourne . Animal activists are furious  and have slammed the government .

 a bid to boost their numbers.
However, the cull – described as “precautionary” – has been criticised as evidence emerged of a long-term drought at the site that some say could have been a factor in driving the species into the danger zone.
“These [koala] numbers have declined over three consecutive years and this means the animals are likely to suffer and die from starvation,” said Chris Daniels, the head of a state wildlife agency, in a press release at the time of the cull.
Australia’s koala population is thought to have collapsed by as much as 30-40 per cent in the past decade and conservation groups are warning that the species may well become extinct in the near future.
The government’s actions come just days after the Australian government unveiled an estimated $120 million (£78 million) plan to protect the koala and save Victoria’s endangered species, in a bid to prevent the extinction of the native animals.
But some are warning that koala numbers have not plunged as significantly as the state has claimed.
Nick Peden of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), which has been involved in koala counting, has said that the Victorian government’s action will lead to “disaster” by increasing the already high mortality rate.
He said the group had carried out extensive studies in the affected area and had determined the koalas were not malnourished and they were dying of other reasons, including disease.
“If that trend continues, you get to a point where it will be more common to have dead koalas on road,” Mr Peden told The Guardian in the UK.
“Some might survive the cull and it takes a long time for them to recover [after death],” he said.
The Australian Koala Foundation has previously warned the animal will be extinct within 25 years unless a drastic decline in habitat is halted.
But the Victorian government maintains the numbers killed are high enough to warrant action – even though they are well below the thousands claimed by Mr Peden.
It is estimated that only 41,400 koalas are roaming Australia, compared with an estimated 80,000 between 1910 and 1980.
An adult koala – the only species in the world with a pouch for a mother to carry it – typically gives birth to one joey every two years and spends just 20 minutes at a time on the ground


She was everything to me: David Robb with wife Briony McRoberts at a social event in 2012 . Nestled with the many photos and mementos of his 35-year marriage lies a letter that Downton Abbey actor David Robb wishes he had never had to read. Written by a stranger, its contents are unimaginable to most of us. Yet for David it has provided some small semblance of comfort following the suicide of his wife Briony McRoberts, recounting, as it does, the last minutes of her life. For, while on screen the distinguished actor has become a global star as Downton's Dr Richard Clarkson – keeping millions of fans guessing if his unrequited love for Isobel Crawley might end in marriage – in private, for the past 18 months he has been struggling to come to terms with Briony's death. On July 17, 2013, the woman he thought of as his rock left home and jumped in front of a train at Fulham Broadway station. She was 56. 'She was the most gentle of people – she hated it if I had even a minor altercation with anyone, so the idea that she could have done this, inflict that on herself, is something I cannot comprehend,' he says softly. Work and the close friendship of the Downton cast members – who have become like a second family to him during the past five years – has helped. 'A little squeeze on the shoulder from Maggie Smith as she leaves the make-up trailer is enough to show me I have wonderful support,' he says. 'Briony would sometimes come to Downton Abbey get-togethers with me, and became friends with the actresses Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery. People were attracted to Briony, she was such a vibrant person.' Like so many suicides, there was no note, no inkling of the tragedy to come. Two nights before her death she was at a drinks party swapping numbers with friends. There was even a holiday marked in the diary. 'I certainly don't believe that, when we were at the party, she was thinking she would be dead in a couple of days,' says David, who met his wife in 1975 when she was 18 and they starred together in a West End play. They married in 1978. The letter about Briony's death came from a woman who had witnessed the suicide. 'It was the most beautiful letter from a lady who had been standing beside her on the platform,' recalls David 67. 'She told me that Briony was calm, didn't seem distressed in anyway, looked almost serene. 'As the train came in it seemed as if Briony was looking over the track as if she had lost something, and then she was gone.' The actress's career had taken off when she was 19, playing Wendy Darling in a musical adaptation of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan starring Mia Farrow and Danny Kaye. She went on to star in a string of TV hits including The Professionals, Heartbeat, EastEnders and Scottish drama Take The High Road. On screen: David as Dr Clarkson in Downton Abbey with Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley . Briony suffered from anorexia as a teenager – something David attributes to the death of her mother from pneumonia when she was seven. But it wasn't until she turned 50 that her eating disorder returned. Ironically, as David's career flourished with the success of Downton, his wife felt hers was over, something he believes triggered the anorexia. 'It is like alcoholism,' he maintains. 'You can not touch a drink for 50 years, but you are still an alcoholic. It might have gone into mental remission for years but it was still there'. Her close friend, actress Joanna Lumley, warned Briony she would die unless she sought help when her weight dropped to six-and-a-half stone – severely underweight for her 5ft 7in frame. 'Briony felt washed up, that no one remembered her and no matter how much I reassured her she felt worthless, a failure,' David says. 'Of course she wasn't, but that is what this business can do to you, especially if you are a woman.' David admits relations between them had been strained the night before her death. 'We were meeting friends at a pub in Putney and when I arrived Briony had already had a drink,' he says. 'Being anorexic I knew she had to eat before she had a drink otherwise the alcohol was fast-acting so I was policing her for the rest of the evening. 'Walking back home later that evening, she pressed me, trying to have an argument and I wasn't having it so we were a bit sniffy with each other, but it was nothing more serious than that. 'We got up a bit earlier than usual because we had the decorators in, but Briony was doing her usual morning exercises. As she did her sit-ups, I even remember stepping over her at one point to get ready in the bathroom. 'I heard the front door close and assumed she'd gone for a long walk to clear her head. I knew she was going to meet friends to see a matinee performance in Chichester.' David, who recently played Sir Thomas Boleyn in the BBC's adaptation of Wolf Hall, admits he initially became concerned when he heard Briony's mobile phone ring. 'I'd no idea she hadn't taken it with her until I saw a text saying, 'Darling, where are you, we are in the bar?' ' he continues. Then at 4pm the police arrived with the news that Briony was dead. Warning: Briony with close friend and actress Joanna Lumley, who was worried about her friend . 'All she had on her was her wedding ring and my Oyster card [for the Underground],' he recalls. 'I understood what had happened but my heart just couldn't believe she'd done it. I remember thinking who the hell was I living my life with all these years.' The days and months that followed were a blur. 'Initially you are on auto-pilot, my friends and neighbours looked after me – every morning at 8.15am one would arrive with a coffee and a croissant,' David admits. 'Then I began to over-socialise and drink like a fish. Luckily I don't have an addictive gene and I stopped that. There were also days when I had the feeling that I just didn't want to wake up. 'Somehow you settle into a kind of rhythm and you just stagger on.' With his on-screen success, the couple were more financially secure than they'd been for years and David believed they had reached a stage in their life where they could look forward to their future. The guilt, however unwarranted, is relentless. 'It doesn't matter how much I know intellectually that it was not my fault, there is something at the heart of me that believes if I'd maybe told her I loved her more or noticed some small sign, anything...' Sweethearts: David and Briony had starred in a West End play together and were married for 35 years . Slowly David's life is changing to accommodate the new normality forced upon him, and the loss of equilibrium in his life which he is not sure he will ever get back. He is anxious not to be defined by Briony's death and the normally private actor agreed to speak to The Mail on Sunday only to highlight a moving BBC documentary which shows the devastating aftermath for family left behind after a suicide. David, who has volunteered with the Samaritans since 1987, had no doubts about returning to work there six months after Briony's death. 'Initially when I went back I wasn't on the phones, but gradually I started dealing with calls again,' he reveals. 'Maybe I have a greater understanding when someone calls to talk now, I am perhaps more aware of the little triggers.' Sadly, many of his memories of the woman who captured his heart with her charismatic personality and sparkling laughter have started to fade. 'I can't imagine cuddling her any more and I don't feel her presence anywhere – that spiritual connection, it's gone,' he says. David admits to missing the intimacy of a relationship – 'I hate the idea of being a single, old bloke' – but says Briony is an almost impossible act to follow, adding: 'She was everything to me.'

Actor David Robb and actress Briony McRoberts were married for 35 years . David clinched key Downton role and also recently in BBC Wolf Hall series . As his career flourished, EastEnders and Heartbeat star felt hers was over . Her feelings of being 'a failure' triggered anorexia she suffered as a teen . Joanna Lumley warned Briony would die when weight dropped to 6st 7lbs . On July 17, 2013, Briony jumped in front of a train at Fulham Broadway . David later received note from witness saying she 'looked almost serene' David, 67, said: 'Somehow you stagger on... She was everything to me' Life After Suicide is on BBC1 on Tuesday at 10.45pm.

 star David Robb used to write to his first wife on the day they were wed. The actor married Briony McRoberts, then 16 and a student nurse, in September 1971 at The Scots Kirk in Edinburgh.
But 24 years later, the man in the famous car park scene with the American socialite who was found dead from suspected heart failure in a Dubai hotel room just before Christmas was forced to admit his marriage had been an unhappy one.
Told by his solicitor that he was now at “a turning point in his life”, the actor said: “We are separated.”
The marriage ended in 1995 and it was only after the death of his second wife, Sheila Dixon, on December 29, 2009 – just 18 days before their 40th wedding anniversary – that he felt he could find the happiness he sought.
The letter – written on August 29, 1971, three days after the couple were wed – was found among the belongings of his third and current wife, actress Briony McRoberts. The writer, a former RAF radio operator, confessed the marriage was “a great mistake”.
He wrote: “In just under a year I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. To be honest, I find myself rather amazed at my good fortune. I am sure you will never be able to believe how lucky I have been to have met you.
“I have thought a lot this week about our marriage and am now at a turning point in my life. I have never felt it more keenly than I do at present.
“To be honest with you, I am in a mess. I have been for some time.
“At times I have felt quite sure our marriage was at an end.
“My love for you, my darling, has not diminished nor has it ever been a failure. I only want you to know I know now what a mistake it all was.
“It may sound unkind and selfish but I am only trying to spare you the pain I have gone through these last two years.”
Mr Robb, 67, said: “I wrote the letter the day after we got married. I put it with some other bits and pieces as I was going away with Briony.
“That night, we had champagne with a meal. I don’t know if you know, but we were married in a church in Edinburgh and it was the first


As the second Republic of Ireland training session of the week wound down on Tuesday, a number of giddy international footballers lined up at the edge of the penalty box for a bit of shooting practice. Robbie Brady, showing no ill-effects from the thigh injury which had threatened his involvement, made a beeline for the head of the queue, while Wes Hoolahan, Jonathan Walters, Shane Long, Anthony Stokes, Stephen Quinn and Kevin Doyle all waited their turn to receive a pass from Steve Guppy and fire a volley at one of the four goalkeepers in the squad. Taking his place at the end of the line was new boy Harry Arter. Arter celebrates his goal against Middlesbrough during Bournemouth's 3-0 victory on Saturday . The 25-year-old has bided his time to reach this juncture in his career, so he could wait another few moments to take on Shay Given between the sticks. Up he stepped and, with his new teammates watching on, the Bournemouth star found the net. It was greeted with roars of delight and the shots kept coming. Arter may have been happy to take his place at the back of the queue but he will put his best foot forward to earn a place in Martin O'Neill's plans for Poland on Sunday. 'I've been picked because the manager was impressed with the way I play and if I come here and I'm not confident, then I won't show the best of my ability,' explained Arter. 'So be yourself, that's what you're picked for. 'It was a little bit nerve-wrecking meeting the lads for the first time but I've settled in really quick and they made me feel welcome. As much as it's daunting the first time, as soon as you find your feet and introduce yourself it's normal really.' Sunderland defender John O'Shea competes for the ball with Everton forward Aiden McGeady in Dublin . Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane watches on during his side's session on Monday . Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill (sixth left) addresses his squad in Malahide on Monday . O'Neill had a brief chat with his latest recruit before the session to see if he knew any of those involved in the squad, but Arter is coming in with no previous relationships built up. He isn't a total outsider, though. The English-born midfielder, whose grandparents hail from Sligo, represented Ireland at Under 17 and U19 level and always pined for the green jersey over the three lions, despite advances from England to join their underage set-up when he was a promising academy player at Charlton Athletic. 'I chose my country then and that was to stay with Ireland. They gave me the opportunity to play at international level at 15 and I was really thankful for that. I learned a lot from that experience and from then on I was always going to stick with Ireland.' On his last appearance for the U19s in 2007, he was sent off against Portugal, and his club career also took a nose dive when he was released by Charlton and dropped out of the Football League to rebuild his confidence with Woking. 'Playing international football was out of the question. In my head, it wasn't even something I spoke about,' Arter, who has a solid sounding board in brother-in-law and former England international Scott Parker, remembered. Then he signed for Bournemouth five years ago and the club have risen to top of the Championship with Arter a key component of their midfield. Bournemouth midfielder Arter (left) holds off the challenge of Middlesbrough's Lee Tomlin on Saturday . 'Realistically, I think this is the best time for me to come. It's the best time I've been ready for the opportunity. As much as it was at the back of my mind a few years ago, it was something I was hoping for in the recent months.' Arter's experience of life in the doldrums has helped shape his current outlook on the game and fighting his way back from obscurity means he is now relishing rather than fearing the next stage in his career. 'There are probably loads of players who go to non-league and end up staying there. 'It's easy, when you're down at that level, to blame other things or point the finger at other people as to why you are there, but there's a reason for it, you have failed at the level you were at and you have to prove yourself again. 'One thing I felt I had to do was work hard, and I am doing that now, working hard to try and achieve my goals. The key to success is working hard.' 'James McCarthy is a top player and he's at the level that I want to eventually get to,' he continued. 'These players have earned the right to play in the Premier League and have the international experience which I haven't had yet. I still have a bit of learning to do.'

Harry Arter has been in superb form for Bournemouth this season . The Republic of Ireland face Poland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday . Arter represented Ireland at Under 17 and U19 level .

 minor knee problem that forced him to pull out of training at the weekend, sent a left-foot shot arcing high over the net. Shane Duffy, the centre half from Derry, was less accurate but more impressive.
This is the moment, as the Ireland team headed back to the team hotel to prepare for their match against Wales on Wednesday night, that the scale of the task that faces Giovanni Trapattoni’s side really began to sink in.
The trip to Cardiff has become more difficult than they imagined and Ireland, the Republic, the Republic of Ireland and Eire, are still only ranked 63rd in the world and Wales, Wales, the Welsh and the Welsh are 11th.
They’ve been given little chance of progress in this competition but their performance so far has indicated that, rather than being the ‘Narrow Channel’, this is actually a pretty wide one.
Wales have had three days’ rest and should, theoretically, be fresher but, for the opening 20 minutes of the match at the Millennium Stadium, it was Ireland who looked the more confident and assured.
It helped, of course, that the visitors took the lead through a stunning goal from Daryl Murphy which brought a roar of approval from the watching spectators in the Leckwith End, but the signs were encouraging.
Ireland created a number of good opportunities for themselves but, unfortunately, also had a couple of decent Welsh chances of their own, so it was a surprise when, with 21 minutes gone, a long ball down the middle gave the hosts the advantage and led to an unfortunate own goal from John O’Shea to bring their lead.
This wasn’t what Ireland would have wanted and, unfortunately, they’d gone in at the wrong end. It didn’t do Ireland’s spirits much good and, as the sun went down over the M4 on their way back to their temporary home, they would have been forgiven for wondering about their chances in the tournament.
That thought was reinforced as their next opponent was confirmed. On Sunday evening, in San Siro, Spain hammered Italy 4-0 and, on Wednesday, England will return to Cardiff to face Fabio Capello’s side and, whether they believe it or not, Ireland have to fear no-one in the group.
They will need to play well on Wednesday but, after that, their hopes of progress rest on the shoulders of the Azzurri, although even if Capello’


Ever thought about switching your tampons for something a little more...sustainable? Since the menstrual cup - a reusable silicone cup that collects menstrual fluid - is rarely advertised, most women find themselves reluctant to try it. Writing for Healthista.com, I gave the Mooncup (or MCUK, as it is known in the US) a try - to work out what it is, how to use it, and what it actually feels like. WARNING: This is one graphic blog. If you are of the male persuasion, it’s best you move on, because I’m going to be talking about (gasp) menstruation. Specifically, menstrual cups which collect  menstrual fluid, unlike tampons and sanitary pads that absorb it. Scroll down for video . The Mooncup (or MCUK, as it is known in the US) is a reusable silicone cup that collects menstrual fluid . What draws most women to re-usable menstrual cups is that they are economical, eco-friendly and more comfortable as they don’t cause dryness or irritation -  a common bugbear of tampon users. ‘I just feel better about having a Mooncup in my body than I do a tampon,’ one menstrual cup devotee told me. Menstrual cups aren’t new - they were patented in 1932 by a group of U.S. midwives. But not many women use them or even know about them - perhaps due to the fact that menstrual cups aren’t widely promoted – or sold. Conglomerates such as Procter & Gamble are unlikely to throw big money into a product that only sells once every five years, when they can sell multiple products to one woman every month. Mother-of-four Genny Wilkinson-Priest says she was initially sceptical about menstrual cups - but was surprised at how effective hers was . With the global tampon market projected to top $2.6 billion in 2015, according to market research firm Global Industry Analysts, why would they put their money anywhere else? There are many menstrual cup brands on the market - the Femmecup, the Diva Cup, the Intimina and more. I tried the £18 ($27.50) Mooncup, which like most menstrual cups comes in two sizes: one for women who have given birth before, and one for women who haven’t or are under 30 years of age. This struck one friend as slightly odd: ‘I was 29 when I tried the Mooncup, which made me rather concerned as to what the hell was going to happen to my vagina on my 30th birthday? 'Was it going to expand that much?’ When I first opened the package and saw the Mooncup, I thought no freaking way am I putting that up my hoo-ha. And then I remembered I’ve given birth multiple times. If I can push a 7lb baby out four times in a five year period, surely I can handle a squishy piece of latex that's two inches in diameter . When I first opened the package, I thought no freaking way am I putting that up my hoo-ha. Whether or not you’ve had a baby, it’s dead easy - you fold the latex cup in half, then in half again. At that point it’s only slightly bigger than a tampon and a whole lot more malleable. Inserting the Mooncup was a lot easier than I thought. It should sit low in the vagina, with the tip of it sitting just outside your body. This took some getting used to as a tampon is inserted higher up in the vagina toward the cervix. Getting it out however, was another matter. I’ve heard some women reject the menstrual cup on the grounds that it’s the new toy of vintage-shopping, tree-hugging, flat-white drinking, vegan hipster,' says Ginny. 'Please. This isn’t a political statement' The Mooncup has a tendency to migrate upwards - especially if you inserted it too far up to begin with. If this happens, you have to do a fair bit of rooting around to pull the darn thing out. Using what is essentially a suction cup is a much more hands-on experience than using a tampon or pad. A handful of women I spoke to said they found menstrual cups uncomfortable with the edges of the cup digging into their vaginal wall. ‘I spent the day walking like a duck. My friends knew when I was on as I would sit in a slightly odd manner,’ said one. This, however, wasn’t my experience. I barely noticed it. You can leave a menstrual cup in for up to eight hours - that’s handy for overnight use. When it’s time to change, you just tip the fluid into a sink and wash it out before re-inserting. Many women I spoke to said this was one of the most fascinating aspects of a menstrual cup — you can actually see how much you bleed (the Mooncup is marked with measurements!) While some women might be put off from witnessing their period up close and personal like this, I found it connected me closer to my body. I felt as if I was more fully experiencing an aspect of my womanhood that I had in the past treated as a nuisance. For some women, it’s a matter of safeguarding their sense of what makes them a woman. 'What draws most women to re-usable menstrual cups is that they are economical, eco-friendly and more comfortable as they don’t cause dryness or irritation - a common bugbear of tampon users,' says Ginny . As one friend said, ‘After having a baby, something makes me want to protect my vagina more vigilantly, so I don’t want to put anything up there that could be potentially hazardous to my feminine health.’ As a life-long user of tampons I was distrustful of the Mooncup. But there was never a problem. So, does it actually work? I was a bit fearful of leaks at first; as a life-long user of tampons I was distrustful of the Mooncup. But there was never a problem. I went swimming with it, I did dynamic yoga with it (think splits and handstands), and I went to the movies with it. I am a convert, even as the Mooncup took a fair bit of getting used to. I’ll probably supplement the Mooncup with tampons when I’m traveling, or on a night out when I know there will be no private sink to sort out your business. Some women I spoke to said they bring a bottle of water into a public toilet in order to clean out their menstrual cup but this strikes me as more trouble than it’s worth. I’ve heard some women reject the menstrual cup on the grounds that it’s the new toy of vintage-shopping, tree-hugging, flat-white drinking, vegan hipsters. Please. This isn’t a political statement. It’s just a feminine hygiene product. One that works, too. Genny Wilkinson-Priest is a yoga teacher and journalist who lives in London with her four sons. gennyyoga.com . www.healthista.com .

The Mooncup, or MCUK,  is a reusable cup that collects menstrual fluid . The silicone funnel device is often thought of as the preserve of hippies . But advocates claim they are economical, eco-friendly and comfortable . Intrigued, one sceptical mother-of-four put the device to the test .

com, Amy Hunt explains all you need to know about them and how to get the most out of them.
They're not a new thing, but the menstrual cup has become a lot more popular in the past few years as women start to appreciate that they offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative to tampons.
But if you haven't yet made the switch, there's a few things you should know before you decide whether or not a menstrual cup is right for you.
How to use a menstrual cup
Most menstrual cups come with a small box of sterilising tablets and a specific bowl, which you boil and fill up with hot water in order to sterilise it. Once it’s completely cool, the cup gets ready to be inserted into your vagina.
Most cups use suction to create a seal and prevent leakage, and come in different sizes. Most menstrual cups can be worn for 10 to 12 hours, making it ideal for overnight protection, but some can be worn for up to 18 hours for lighter or unpredictable flow.
How to insert a menstrual cup
While you can insert a cup without a specific method, most cups come with specific instructions. This guide is for a ‘cupping technique’, which is generally considered to be the most effective.
- Fold your chosen cup in half so that the curved end is on the outside of your body.
- Squat slightly, or sit on a toilet, keeping your legs apart.
- Hold the base of the cup in place with one hand, while using your other hand to insert the open end into your vagina.
- Release the base and let the cup open itself, following the shape of your vaginal walls.
- Once the cup is fully inserted, check to make sure it’s not twisted or turned, and that the rim is not sitting inside your vagina.
- If you’re still uncomfortable, use your other hand to adjust the positioning of the cup.
The cup should be comfortable and easy to remove, and may or may not leak depending on your flow. If the cup is leaking, you can add more lubricant.
After it’s been removed, you can rinse the cup with warm soapy water and then wipe it with a tissue before reinserting. The process can be repeated after you remove the cup if necessary.
How to remove a menstrual cup
- Sit on a toilet and extend one finger into your vagina to check that the cup is properly positioned. The cup should


The family of black teenager Tony Robinson, who was shot and killed by a white police officer on Friday, have demanded justice in the wake of his tragic death, while court documents have revealed the health problems he was experiencing. A report by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections suggests the 19-year-old was an impulsive risk-taker who had ADD and experienced anxiety and depression. It stated the teenager also faced a choice between a middle-class lifestyle and that of a gangster after being exposed to a 'chaotic' family situation. The revelations were announced as close to 2,000 students marched in Wisconsin's capital to protest the fatal police shooting, while the police chief apologized. Students crowded into the rotunda of the state Capitol in the morning, chanting, waving signs and demanding justice. Scroll down for videos . Demanding justice: Demonstrators protest the shooting of Tony Robinson at the state Capitol in Wisconsin on Monday. The 19-year-old was gunned down by a white police officer in Madison on Friday . Symbolic: Students held up signs saying 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot' and raised their hands into the air as they stood on the rotunda of the building . Deadly incident: Robinson, 19, was shot by officer Matt Kenny at an apartment in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday evening. The teenager's family have demanded that a full investigation be launched into his death . Madison police officer Matt Kenny shot Robinson on Friday evening while investigating a call that the young man was jumping in and out of traffic and had assaulted someone. Turin Carter, Robinson's uncle, said his family was calling for a thorough investigation and was concerned about the 'systematic targeting of young black males,' but did not endorse blanket anti-police sentiments. 'We are not proponents of anti-police (attitudes)... We understand that law enforcement is necessary and mandatory and we need to change our mindset about the police,' Carter said at a news conference outside the house where Robinson was shot. Standing near a memorial of candles and balloons, Carter said it was simplistic to call Robinson African American, saying he had a mixed heritage and his racial ambiguity was a central issue in his life. Many teenagers at the morning protests were from Robinson's alma mater, Sun Prairie High School. 'There is an indifference between people and police. We all need to come together,' said Ali Asafford, 15, after leaving class at Madison's East High School. The march was orderly and police presence was minimal. Plea: Turin Carter, Tony Robinson's uncle, tells the media there should be a thorough investigation into his nephew's death and is concerned about the 'systematic targeting of young black males, . Issues: Court documents revealed that Robinson suffered from mental health problems - such as anxiety and depression - and had a choice between a middle-class lifestyle and that of a gangster . Powerful image: Angelica Alv holds up a sign which reads 'Our Lives Matter' while using paint to signify blood . Gesture: Demonstrators raise their fists in unison inside the government building. Earlier on Monday the Madison police chief apologized for the deadly shooting . Officer Matt Kenny, the 12-year police veteran who shot Robinson, is on paid administrative leave while the Wisconsin Department of Justice investigates the shooting. In 2007, Kenny was involved in a fatal shooting that was found to be justified. Police Chief Michael Koval apologized on Monday after praying with Robinson's grandmother over the weekend and pledging transparency in the investigation. 'Reconciliation cannot begin without my stating 'I am sorry,' and I don't think I can say this enough. I am sorry. I hope that, with time, Tony's family and friends can search their hearts to render some measure of forgiveness,' Koval wrote in his blog. Attorney General Brad Schimel asked the public to be patient with the investigation, saying his office would not be able to disclose details since it could taint testimony from witnesses. Gathering: Madison Mayor Paul Soglin addresses a crowd of protestors on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Around 2,000 students descended on the city to protest the teenager's death on Monday . March: Demonstrators make their way down East Washington Avenue, approaching the State Capitol\ . Official efforts to be transparent, apologetic and light-handed with protesters followed months of heightened attention to police use of deadly force across the United States. Last year, the police shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, set off weeks of protests that sometimes turned violent. Police reaction was criticized as heavy-handed, and critics were outraged at the long delay in releasing the name of the officer who shot Brown. Madison, a city of 240,000 people about 80 miles (130 km) west of Milwaukee, has a mostly white population. The city is 7 percent African-American, U.S. Census figures show. Last year, Robinson pleaded guilty to armed robbery, and was placed on probation. Sentencing documents show it was his first brush with the law, and he was not the armed person in the group that committed the robbery. Heartfelt note: Most of the protesters who had walked out of their classrooms. One had scrawled a message on a lamppost . The robbery case file includes a letter from Robinson's grandmother, Sharon Irwin, to the judge. In it, she asks for her grandson to be sentenced to probation, saying he was just following his co-defendants' lead. Robinson 'is a great kid in between being a teen and a man,' she wrote. 'That is one of his issues. Impulsive. The other is being a follower.' His aunt, Loren Carter, wrote a note to the judge asking for mercy in sentencing. She said Robinson grew up poor without his father but was kind-hearted and intelligent. Robinson's defense attorney, Michael J. Short, wrote to the judge that Robinson had taken special-education classes and had never been in trouble with the law before. Studensts and some adults stood arm-in-arm as they made their way down the streets . 'He was an easy choice for the seasoned co-defendants to manipulate into participation,' Short wrote. 'He did not give any orders but just followed the instructions meted out by the other defendants.' Keith Wessel, a Madison family law attorney who said he was married to Robinson's grandmother for a time, wrote to Short in September and told him that he raised two of Robinson's uncles and knew Robinson from birth. Wessel wrote that some branches of Robinson's family exposed him to a 'chaotic environment.' He did not elaborate but said Robinson faced a choice between a middle-class life and the 'gangsta' path. He warned if Robinson went to prison on a felony charge he would continue toward the gangster world. He said Monday he was shocked at the shooting. He said Robinson stood 6-foot-5 but was a 'teddy bear.' Remembrance: A memorial for the teenager was set up outside the apartment where he was shot. It has gradually built up with flowers and tributes . Laid down: Flowers, balloons and candles line the road near the location where officer Matt Kenny gunned down Robinson on Friday . Emotional: Destiny Marshall of Atlanta, Georgia, is consoled by friends during a protest . 'I can't imagine Tony is going to fight a cop breaking into his house,' Wessel said. 'I just don't see that as likely ... I really think we need to examine our police policies.' Concern about Wisconsin's own history of police use of deadly force prompted passage of a law last year requiring independent investigators to probe such incidents. The bill had support from police associations. The head of the local NAACP chapter said the Madison police department did not engage in the sort of racial targeting that the U.S. Justice Department found prevalent in Ferguson. 'I have observed what I think is a very effective community policing structure, and I think it makes a difference,' said Greg Jones, president of the Dane County chapter of the advocacy group.

The 19-year-old was shot dead by veteran officer Matt Kenny on Friday . 2,000 students marched on Wisconsin's capital to protest the fatal shooting . His family have demanded justice and the police chief has apologized . Uncle Turin Carter said there's a 'systematic targeting of young black males . Court documents on the teenager suggested he was an impulsive risk-taker . He faced a choice between a middle-class lifestyle and that of a gangster .

 of Justice indicates Robinson was in a diabetic coma before he was shot by officer Matt Kenny. His family insist that Robinson was never violent, and say they are "outraged" by the killing of the unarmed 19-year-old.
The report, which was released by the state Justice Department earlier today, claims that Robinson had "multiple health conditions" that were diagnosed on April 2 - a day before he was shot. The family's attorney Ben Crump is also demanding the release of any video footage showing the shooting incident, as well as all witness statements.
"The Wisconsin Department of Justice must immediately release the full investigative file and any available video in the Tony Robinson shooting," he said, according to the Grio. "The public has a right to know what happened to Tony and see for themselves why the officer who shot him was forced to shoot him seven times, one time in the back. We demand the full facts not only of what took place that day, but the internal investigation of Tony's death."
Meanwhile, police and witnesses are still trying to piece together the exact events of the shooting - which is reported to have happened at around 9:30 am outside Robinson's apartment complex. According to a statement by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, officers had been called to the area to investigate a report of a man pointing a gun at another person. A female resident reportedly said she witnessed her boyfriend pointing a "long gun" at the ground before leaving. This is when police "approached" Robinson, who according to Crump, was "already inside the apartment".
The DOJ report, however, reveals that Robinson had exited the apartment at the time police arrived. A female witness claims she saw the police officer "confront" him from around a corner, and "yelled out" at the man when she saw him come out of his door. She further alleges that she heard at least five gunshots before seeing the victim fall to the floor, bleeding from his torso.
After that, the police officer is said to have attempted CPR - but Robinson was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. Following the incident, Kenny was placed on paid administrative leave, while a special prosecutor was appointed to investigate the shooting.
Crump believes that the officer was negligent when he fired his weapon at Robinson. "Based on the DOJ report, it appears that Officer Kenny was negligent in his duty to prevent Mr Robinson from coming out of his apartment,"


(CNN)America used to be a place where we said, "Give me liberty or give me death." We live by a credo that "freedom isn't free," and that our Constitution is worth dying for. How inspirational it is to believe that this is the wind of thought that blows underneath the Eagle's wings. Unfortunately, whenever that wind becomes just a little too gusty for comfort, we find out just how little relationship our poetic credo has to our collective guts. The latest example:  Nine seconds of video of a number of boys singing an offensive song. Immediately, the University of Oklahoma expelled two of the boys for their speech. Forget whether you like the speech or not. That is not relevant. These boys got kicked out of a public school for singing a song, on their own time, in a privately rented bus, simply because the government didn't like the content of their song. Opinion: What's the right way to face racism? Censors overstepping their bounds is no surprise. What surprises me is how readily the public supported the expulsions, and how many supposedly intelligent people were willing to turn the First Amendment on its head, because of nine seconds of video. I don't like the song or its message either. I can't imagine anyone reasonable who would. But I want to live in a country where the government does not listen to my songs and then decide whether or not I should be punished, based on what words I used. That is not freedom. I understand that most of us hate racism. We are on a mission to eradicate it from all corners. But I am not willing to trade the First Amendment for a society where we don't need to hear racist words. In Abrams v. United States, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote a passage that ultimately became the cornerstone of a liberty-based view toward free speech, and which became the dominant theory in First Amendment jurisprudence. In Abrams, Holmes gave us "the marketplace of ideas." And what a brilliant theory it was. Holmes noted that if someone was completely confident in the belief that they were right, then it would seem logical that they would want to suppress dissenting views. "If you have no doubt of your premises or your power, and want a certain result with all your heart, you naturally express your wishes in law, and sweep away all opposition." Those who wish to eradicate racism are certain that they are right. I believe in a racism-free world.  I have marched in counterprotests against the Ku Klux Klan. I've stood up in places you don't want to be, against violent neo-Nazis. And I would do it again. But I feel no kinship with anyone who would harm the First Amendment to fight racism. Some things are worse than racism -- like a loss of the right to speak your mind and think your own thoughts. Unfortunately, that is a price that too many of us are willing to pay. I am not. As certain as I am that my views on race are correct, I cannot shake Holmes' wisdom from my mind. He wrote: . "But when men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas -- that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon which their wishes safely can be carried out. That, at any rate, is the theory of our Constitution." For that reason, I would gladly protest against the KKK, but I would never abide any government official denying the KKK its right to speak. I understand those who would wish to do so. They want to eradicate racism, and the end will justify the means. However, we have slowly been descending into a place where we are trading this for freedoms that are far more precious than the freedom to avoid having our feelings hurt by offensive statements. Of course, some say that these were more than "offensive." The song was a "threat." After all, it did mention lynching black people. But was that really a threat?  An idiotic ditty in an all-white bus? To call it a threat is disingenuous. What about the disruptive nature of the song? Should other students have to go to school with people who clearly despise them, and who carry these offensive racist thoughts? Yes. They should be free to have these thoughts, they should be free to say these things. If it crosses the line into action, or even imminent incitement to action, that's another story. In this case, that never happened. The First Amendment prevails here. Opinion: The danger society doesn't talk about . It is easy to claim that these Sigma Alpha Epsilon boys did not deserve First Amendment protection. Many have said so. But, when you hear that, your immediate reaction should be one of skepticism. The First Amendment is not there to serve as a comforting blanket of civility. In fact, it is there precisely to protect the sharp edges. It is there for the KKK, the Nazis, SAE, and you alike. It is there for words that shock us, challenge us, and that bother us. You should want to protect the SAE boys -- not that they deserve it. You should do so because the day will come that your speech is unpopular. Once, speech in favor of racial equality was considered to be "bad speech." Once, professors were kicked off campus for not being "anti-gay enough." But, today, the thought of equality and tolerance have won out in the marketplace. Let that victory stand, without trying to cement it with the force of law, and without destroying the very liberty that allowed these "good thoughts" to flourish in the first place.

University of Oklahoma students were expelled after video surfaced of racist song . Marc Randazza: Those willing to weaken First Amendment should realize their free expression is also at risk .

 once was when American presidents led a nation to war.
But in the past decade we've fallen into a trap of believing that freedom can be granted, not fought for. We've lost an understanding that it must be sought and that it can be earned, but not "delivered." That means Americans should lead a life of action to attain it, not just a life of consumption. That's why we should celebrate Independence Day with a pledge that we will not stand by while our country's fundamental freedoms are threatened by the federal government or anyone else.
Americans do not give up their freedom to anyone. That's what they signed on for 230 years ago in the Declaration of Independence. And that's how they should expect their government to behave.
This is a time for all of us to pause and ask if our government remains worthy of our trust, just as people must question their own behavior when things start to go wrong in their personal lives. If we've learned anything, it's that freedom is not the default state of mankind. Freedom, like all other rights, is a gift that must be sought and defended.
The best hope we have of preserving freedom is to stand behind it when others challenge it and to understand the true extent of its value. That's why we must reject the notion of giving the government license to spy on us without warrants; why we must insist that our government prove that our security will be enhanced when it uses military force; and why we should stand together to challenge the notion that freedom can be given in order to receive the blessings of government.
Today, when some Americans are celebrating, while others are in pain, it's time to ask a sobering question: Would the founders be happy with what we've become?
Freedom for all
The Declaration of Independence, after proclaiming that our country is dedicated to the proposition that all are created equal, ends in a declaration of purpose: "To support these ends, and shorten and easy these Declaration: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
The framers of the Declaration did not consider themselves, as many Americans now consider them, heroic visionaries who changed a country's destiny. They saw themselves in the words of the Declaration as people who pledged to make things better for themselves and their posterity. They were saying, "Enough is enough. We must no longer be deprived of what God has given us,


England produced an error-strewn display which promised so much but ultimately delivered less than it should have done as Stuart Lancaster’s men developed a severe case of white-line fever. The 12 point win means Lancaster’s side have an excellent chance of claiming an unlikely Championship title if they can see off France more convincingly than Ireland beat Scotland or Wales beat Italy. But they will be kicking themselves at an incredibly wasteful display which saw no fewer than six gilt-edged try-scoring opportunities wasted as passes went astray and support runners were ignored. England captain Chris Robshaw lifts the Calcutta Cup after England beat Scotland 25-13 at Twickenham in the Six Nations . The England squad smile for the cameras having defeated Scotland 25-13 to win the Calcutta Cup in their Six Nations clash . Jonathan Joseph (centre) is congratulated by his England team-mates having scored an early try at Twickenham . George Ford got England off to a perfect start in the second-half with this early try to put the home side back in front . Exeter wing Jack Nowell crosses over to score England's third try of the evening at Twickenham to send them top of the table . ENGLAND XV: Brown, Watson, Joseph, Burrell, Nowell, Ford, Youngs, Marler, Hartley, Cole, Attwood, Lawes, Haskell, Robshaw, Vunipola . Replacements: Youngs, M.Vunipola, Brooks, Parling, Wood, Wigglesworth, Cipriani, Twelvetrees . Tries: Joseph, Ford, Nowell . Conversions: Ford (2) Penalties: Ford (2) SCOTLAND XV: Kearney, Bowe, Payne, Henshaw, Zebo, Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best, Ross, Toner, O'Connell, O'Mahony, O'Brien, Heaslip. Replacements: Cronin, Healy, Moore, Henderson, Murphy, Reddan, Madigan, Jones . Tries: Bennett . Conversions: Laidlaw (1) Penalties: Laidlaw (2) England did score three tries to Scotland’s one, leaving their points difference four points to the good over nearest title rivals Ireland, but they could so easily have been out of sight if they’d kept their composure with the line at their mercy. Jonathan Joseph, George Ford and Jack Nowell all crossed for Lancaster’s men, with Nowell’s late score adding some gloss to the scoreline. But Lancaster and his men will know this should have been so much more convincing. The Calcutta Cup may be theirs, but this was far from the dominant, clinical performance England craved after the no-show in Dublin a fortnight ago. Rarely can a side have dominated an opening 20 minutes of international rugby so completely but to so little effect. Time after time Scotland’s defence was torn to ribbons only for the England player in possession to run clumsily into contact, seemingly without any awareness of support runners or the need to shift the point of attack. Luther Burrell started the pattern after just two minutes when he completely ignored Anthony Watson on his right to blunder head down into Scotland full back Stuart Hogg, who pulled off the first of three fine tackles. In truth, England should have scored with something to spare. With five minutes on the clock, and Scotland seemingly on the ropes already, England piled into Scotland territory again and fly half George Ford whipped a cleverly delayed pass to Jonathan Joseph and the Bath centre hot-stepped his way over. Ford added the extras to make it 7-0 and it looked for all the world as if England were set to take the visitors for a cricket score. After three slow starts in succession, finally Lancaster’s men had the momentum early in the game. No excuses now. But, despite their dominance and superior attacking edge, England were simply unable to convert chances. Tom Youngs (centre) leads an England breakaway with his team-mates sprinting to joining in with his venture forward . Ben Youngs hands off the tackle of Scotland's Greig Laidlaw as England recovered from a half-time deficit to win at Twickenham . Mike Brown, making a welcome return from the concussion he suffered against Italy a month ago, latched on to a smart break down the short side from Ben Youngs after sharp work from Jack Nowell. The England full back pinned his ears back from 20 metres but Hogg had his measure on an arcing run and again the chance was lost as the ball was turned over. Nowell – who looked sharp throughout – was at fault next when he made a powerful break through the middle of Scotland’s defence only to ignore support runners on both sides and slip ineffectively into Hogg’s grasp. It was another chance lost and England could hardly believe they were just seven points ahead after a first quarter that promised so much but ultimately delivered little. England's Mike Brown attempts to keep a run going whilst missing a boot at Twickenham during the clash with Scotland . Scotland attempt to clear their lines during the Six Nations clash at Twickenham with Courtney Lawes (right) trying to block . Anthony Watson runs clear for Stuart Lancaster's England side during the Calcutta Cup contest with Scotland at Twickenham . If England have serious pretentions to challenge the world’s top sides on a consistent basis they simply cannot afford to waste chances like this. As Scotland sensed they’d somehow weathered the early storm, centre Mark Bennett forced his way over the line after 23 minutes on his side’s first serious incursion into England’s 22. Greig Laidlaw kicked the conversion and somehow Scotland were level at 7-7. As the half wore on, Scotland’s confidence grew. Joe Marler was penalised twice for boring in with England’s scrum dominant while Dylan Hartley’s line-out radar was once again out of kilter. It came as no surprise when the England hooker was substituted early in the second half. England back-row Billy Vunipola evades the tackles of two Scottish opponents, hoping to kick start another attack . Ford and Laidlaw exchanged penalties before Brown was forced into emergency defensive action when Scotland wing Dougie Fife cut through England’s defence and look to be bound for a try. But Brown took him down, only for another penalty to be conceded, with Laidlaw kicked, as Scotland took a three-point lead in at half time. England again started the second-half brightly and Ford went over within two minutes of the re-start when Chris Robshaw passed behind England’s first line of attackers and the fly half scurried in behind the Scotland defence. Referee Romain Poite chose not to refer his decision to the video referee despite suggestions of crossing. Another penalty from the excellent Ford saw Lancaster’s men into a 20-13 lead on 51 minutes but old habits die hard and Tom Youngs, on for the ineffective Hartley, became the latest England latest player to qualify as a master butcher when he scythed through Scotland’s defence only to throw yet another pass to nowhere. England’s profligacy was astonishing to witness, for all the wrong reasons. Brown looked to have scored on 62 minutes but – you guessed it – James Haskell’s pass was rightly deemed forward and England had their second try chalked off for a forward pass. Watson had crossed in the first half only for Ford’s earlier pass to Burrell to be called forward. Nowell dotted down late on to make it three tries to one. England's Dan Cole (left), Dylan Harltey (centre) and Jaoe Marler (right) prepare for another scrummage during the Calcutta Cup . Joe Marler is hauled to the ground with team-mate James Haskell (right) watching on as England looked to build on their second-half lead . Joe Marler (centre) celebrates England's second try with scorer George Ford (left) as Lancaster's side recovered to win on Saturday . England and Northampton lock Courtney Lawes jumps highest to win the lineout for the hosts as Lancaster's side went on the attack . Whilst the England players celebrate Jack Nowell's late try, the Scotland players look devastated during the Calcutta Cup defeat . Battered and bruised England players Dan Cole (left), Joe Marler (centre) and the Youngs brothers (right) pose with the Calcutta Cup . The England squad pose together with captain Chris Robshaw (centre) looking after the Calcutta Cup after defeating Scotland 25-13 .

Jonathan Joseph put England ahead early on with a fifth minute try for Stuart Lancaster's side . After a pulsating start for England, Scotland recovered to lead 13-10 at half-time at Twickenham . A George Ford try early just after half-time put England back into the ascendancy and Jack Nowell went over late on . CLICK HERE - for the player ratings from Twickenham .

 chance of claiming the ‘Four Nations’ title but the truth is they were never in serious trouble on a night when Japan failed to fire in all departments.
England were always in control and while they gave it away with alarming regularity, in the end the Japan pack were no match for Lancaster’s powerful lineout engine. Japan did manage a try through Noa Nakanuma and Kazuki Himeno, but the fact that they couldn’t score two tries in the final 20 minutes when England had emptied their bench underlines the sheer superiority the hosts had on the night.
It was a decent start from an England team who were expected to dominate after a week of intense preparation against Wales. It would have been a perfect start had it not been for a couple of missed kicks from Ben Youngs who, by this point, looked like he was running on empty after another intense night against Wales. England were in trouble early on, though, as Manu Tuilagi and Mike Brown were both pinged for a high tackle inside their own 22. Thankfully the French referee had some control of proceedings, so England had a let-off.
The first 10 minutes of this match were typical of England’s start against Wales – they were in total control. Ben Morgan was the most prominent early on in the set-piece, as usual, though in a different role. It was one of England’s best mauls to date but it was the second ball, which was then quickly recycled, that took the sting out of Japan’s early intentions.
The move was started by Luther Burrell’s chip. Ben Youngs was first to get there and held onto the bouncing ball. The Gloucester fly-half had a couple of defenders in hot pursuit and needed some luck to ensure he made the line. In the end he managed to do so despite being hacked off his feet by Tetsuhiro Fukahori. Burrell’s kick was not in the best fielding position but the hosts worked the ball from the re-start and England were quickly back on the attack.
That Japan line had been worked to death throughout the night so it was a great shock when it was breached. Ben Youngs put a huge hit on Fukahori and his quick recycling got England into the 22. From here England were in command but Japan were struggling to get the ball out of the tackle. George Kruis had been making his presence felt and then Youngs turned the move on its


A prisoner who overpowered a guard at a Virginia hospital before escaping custody has been caught in Washington D.C. following an eight-hour manhunt. Wossen Assaye, 42, allegedly stole two cars in Virginia before he was recognized by a passerby and apprehended getting off a Metrobus  in southeast D.C.  at 11.30am on Tuesday. He was wearing a hospital gown under street clothes and still had on an ankle chain when he was taken into custody without incident, a source told WUSA9. Assaye had escaped the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church at 3am. He had been receiving treatment for a broken nose at the hospital after trying to hang himself in his Alexandria City Jail cell last week following his arrest for a series of of bank robberies on March 20. Scroll down for video . Found: Wossen Assaye, left, overpowered a guard at Inova Fairfax Hospital on Tuesday and a massive search was launched. He was tracked down in Washington D.C. about eight hours after his escape . Police had hired a private security company to guard the shackled 42-year-old while he was at the hospital,  but he managed to overpower a female guard while a male guard went to the restroom. During a scuffle, one shot was fired but it is not clear who pulled the trigger. No one was hurt. The hospital was put on lockdown as hundreds of officers searched for him. But the lockdown was lifted after a woman reported being carjacked several miles away around 7am. It emerged that Assaye had fled from the hospital to a nearby residential neighborhood and had broken into the trunk of her car, police said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. When she got in the car and started driving, Assaye kicked through the back seat and forced her out of the vehicle. Terrified, she crashed the car into a nearby home and got out. The man, who took off in the vehicle, was wearing a hospital gown, she told police after fleeing to a nearby gas station for help. Her car - a 2002 Toyota Camry - was later found on a street nearby with the female guard's stolen firearm inside, police said. Assaye then allegedly stole a second vehicle, a dark gray Hyundai Elantra with Virginia plate XTU-5024, which authorities are still trying to locate. Scene: Assaye had been at Inova Fairfax hospital (pictured) early on Tuesday for treatment after harming himself while in jail. He had been arrested on March 20 in connection with a series of bank robberies . Hunt: A Virginia State Police officer hunts for the accused bank robber in Fairfax after his escape . Dramatic: An officer from the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force hunts for Assaye on Tuesday morning . Crash: After carjacking a vehicle, Assaye allegedly drove across this resident's lawn on Cindy Lane in Annandale - near to the hospital - and smashed into this parked car, its owners said . Police said he also changed into regular street clothes - a dark colored jacket and blue jeans. As they searched for him, Fairfax Police called Assaye 'armed and dangerous'. They initially said he may be with his girlfriend and released her photo early  but later determined that was not the case. But when he reached Washington D.C., he was seen by a civilian who recognized him from media coverage and called authorities. Assaye was then apprehended. Police released this image of his girlfriend and said they may have been together - but they were not . Authorities said they continue to investigate how he managed to get out of his shackles. Assaye had been arrested on March 20 charged with a robbery at Apple Federal Credit Union in Alexandria. But in a court document, an FBI agent suggests Assaye is responsible for a string of 12 bank robberies in northern Virginia over the last year and a half. In court documents about the robberies, the FBI agent said the robber seen in surveillance photographs and video recordings is 'physically similar' in the dozen robberies and the one at the Apple Federal Credit Union. In all, the banks were robbed of approximately $32,000. In most cases, the agent said the robber entered the bank with a cellphone to his ear, demanded money and fled with cash on a bicycle. Following his March 20 arrest, Assaye was booked into the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in Alexandria and remained there until he tried to take his life on Friday. Alexandria deputy sheriffs maintained custody of Assaye for the first 24 hours before turning him over to security officers contracted by the U.S. Marshals, Alexandria Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Amy Bertsch said. Following his escape, police locked down the hospital and closed nearby roads to search for him and asked people in the area to call police with information about anything suspicious. The lockdown at the hospital, which is  10 miles southwest of Washington D.C., was lifted at 8am. Caught: Assaye, 42, has a long rap sheet and is now accused of robbing 12 banks of $32,000 . Armed: A Virginia State Police officer is pictured hunting for the accused bank robber before he was caught . Task force: Virginia State Police, U.S. Marshals and FBI agents searched neighborhoods after his escape . Search: Fairfax County Police stand guard outside the hospital as the manhunt got underway . Schools in the area are on spring break. Kent Knoff, a worker at a nearby Exxon, told NBC that police had swarmed the area. 'There are police cars everywhere,' he said. 'We've been having the door locked and got a message from police to stay inside.' Assaye has an 'extensive criminal record' and 'history of violence,' indicating a 'serious risk to the community', according to a 2012 Virginia Parole Board document seen by NBC. Records show he was convicted for snatching a purse in 1994 and given a recommended 12-month jail sentence and was accused of breaking and entering in 1998, NBC reported. His Facebook page says he lives in Arlington and studied at George Mason University in Fairfax.

Wossen Assaye has been caught  on a Washington D.C. street nine hours after he escaped custody and sparked a manhunt early on Tuesday . Assaye, who is a suspect in multiple bank robberies, overpowered an armed guard at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church around 3am . He took the guard's gun and fled wearing a light blue hospital gown . The hospital was placed on lockdown until a woman several miles away reported being carjacked by a man in a hospital gown . He later dumped her car and stole a second vehicle . He was caught in D.C. after a passerby recognized him and called police . Authorities say he has stolen $32,000 over a dozen robberies .

 as a fugitive by a citizen in the District.
Wossen Assaye is suspected in the murders of two people near the Virginia Tech campus and in the slayings of two Virginia Tech students and a Marine corporal. The Virginia State Police said in a statement that Assaye escaped Monday night after overpowering a security officer at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Assaye then escaped in an employee vehicle, said police.
Assaye is also believed to have stolen two other cars from parking garages before being apprehended.
“Assaye was later captured by U.S. Park Police and was arrested in Washington, D.C. This is an ongoing investigation and additional details will be released as they become available,” police added. The Virginia State Police are asking anyone who recognizes Assaye or may have other information concerning his whereabouts to contact the State Police at (540) 347-8636.
Assaye is being sought for three homicides and three non-fatal shootings. Virginia authorities announced a $100,000 reward in August for information leading to Assaye’s arrest.
“A fugitive, Wossen Assaye, may be armed and extremely dangerous. Assaye escaped from Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, Va., while handcuffed in an ambulance and is suspected of murdering three individuals near the Virginia Tech campus,” authorities said.
Assaye had escaped the custody of officers from the Virginia Department of Corrections. It was not immediately known whether Assaye was still on the run when he escaped the vehicle with the security officer.
Virginia authorities released the following statement in a press release earlier Monday afternoon:
Assaye escaped from an ambulance around 6:45 p.m. on August 19, 2019, while he was being transported to a hospital in Fairfax, VA. He was arrested around 8:30 p.m. for attempted abduction of a child. He was transported to the Virginia Department of Corrections Central Health Unit, where he escaped from an ambulance around 7:45 p.m. on September 3, 2019. His escape was discovered at 8:40 p.m.
He is currently being sought for escape from a Department of Corrections facility, one first degree murder and one second degree murder. Assaye is still being sought in three nonfatal shootings.
Assaye is described as a black man, 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 240 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and tattoos