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Houston Crime: Suspect 'no-billed' In Murder Of Gas Station Clerk Over Bag Of Chips
Teen 'no billed' in gas station murder caseMurder charges are gone after a grand jury no-billed the teen accused of killing a gas station clerk after he stole a bag of chips, according to court documents. FOX 26's Abigail Dye reports on the update after talking with the teen's defense attorney.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - A grand jury returned a "no-bill" ruling in 17-year-old Mario Young's murder case.
The ruling means the teen's case is disposed and he's no longer facing a murder charge.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Houston crime: Suspect turns himself in, charged with murdering gas station clerk over a bag of chips
The Harris County District Attorney charged him on January 21 for the January 19 killing of 42-year-old Asif Maknojia.
According to court documents, Maknojia followed Young and another teen out of a Sunoco in Humble after they stole a bag of chips.
VIDEO: Humble store clerk tries to stop robberySurveillance video shows the moments before a Humble gas station clerk was shot and killed after attempting to stop two men who stole a bag of chips from the store.
Records say he got in his car and continued to follow the duo, then Young shot and killed Maknojia.
Lott Brooks, Young's attorney, says he believed Young's story that the shooting was in self-defense.
He decided to put the teen in front of a grand jury to get the case thrown out.
"I wanted him to be there with the grand jury, be honest and tell them exactly what happened," he said.
He says that Maknokjia had a gun the day the shooting happened, and he showed the guns to the teens threateningly. Court documents do not specify if Maknojia had a gun or not.
"When they left there was no danger anymore, when he came around the corner and confronted them again, I think they were afraid for their lives," he said.
He says his condolences go to Maknojia's family.
"It is just absolutely devastating, and I know my client is very upset about what happened."
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He says he doesn't know where Young got the gun, but thinks there are too many guns on the streets, and they lead to tragedies like this one.
It is possible for the DA to present the case to another grand jury and re-file charges, but there hasn't been any indication that that will happen in this case.
Earth Day: How One Grocery Shopper Takes Steps To Avoid 'pointless Plastic'
The global theme for Earth Day on Monday is planet vs. Plastic.
ALBANY, N.Y. — Nature wraps bananas and oranges in peels. But in some modern supermarkets, they're bagged or wrapped in plastic too.
For Judith Enck, that's the epitome of pointless plastic. The baby food aisle is similarly distressing for her, with its rows and rows of blended fruits, vegetables and meat in single-use pouches that have replaced glass jars.
Less than 10% of plastic is recycled. Most is buried, burned or dumped. Recycling rates for glass, aluminum and cardboard are far higher. And cardboard or paper packaging is biodegradable.
The global theme for Earth Day on Monday is planet vs. Plastic. Plastic production continues to ramp up globally and is projected to triple by 2050 if nothing changes. Most of it is made from fossil fuels and chemicals. As the world transitions away from using fossil fuels for electricity and transportation, plastics offer a lifeboat for oil and gas companies as a market that can grow.
The Earth Day environmental movement is calling for "the end of plastics for the sake of human and planetary health." People are increasingly breathing, eating and drinking tiny particles of plastic, though researchers say more work is necessary to determine its effect on human health. Millions of tons of plastic wind up in the ocean each year.
This week, thousands of negotiators and observers representing most of the world's nations are gathering in Ottawa to craft a treaty to try to end the rapidly escalating levels of plastic pollution.
Plastic is everywhere in modern society. That's evident whenever you go grocery shopping, said Enck, a former Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator who now heads up the advocacy group Beyond Plastics. There are things shoppers can do if they want to use less plastic.
On a recent trip to the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany, Enck bought almond butter and yogurt in glass containers. She asked that her fish be wrapped in paper and not placed in a plastic bag. She steered clear of bagged carrots and breezed past the lettuce packed in what she calls "plastic coffins."
She keeps reusable shopping bags in her car, a common practice in New York since the state banned plastic carryout bags several years ago.
"Even small steps make a difference because big supermarkets notice when people ask for less packaged material. Also, our kids pay attention. If they're shopping with us and you talk about why you're reaching for the glass jar rather than the plastic jar, it's an opportunity for education," she said.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: How do you avoid plastic packaging and products at the grocery store?
I tell everyone you're not going to be perfect, but do the best you can and focus on things you buy most often. I just could not keep buying those plastic orange juice jugs. So what I did on the juice was, I bought a really nice glass pitcher with a lid on it. And for juices and lemonade, I only buy the frozen concentrate. You avoid the plastic altogether. It takes a little bit of time to melt it and add three cans of water. But most people can manage that.
AP: Many shoppers start in the produce aisle. What are some tips?
I bring reusable cloth produce bags because I don't want to use those thin plastic bags. So if I need a couple of apples, a couple of avocados, I'll put them right into my reusable produce bag. I try to buy loose carrots rather than carved carrots in little plastic bags. I will never, ever buy bananas if they're in a plastic bag, which in my store they usually are not, but I have seen that sometimes. It's pretty easy to buy loose peppers. I never put broccoli into a plastic bag. You know, you don't need a lot of those produce bags.
The real dilemma is the fresh berries. Now they do come in number two plastic, which is supposed to be recyclable. I know that Driscoll's is starting to sell strawberries in a little cardboard box, which I am waiting for.
AP: What do you do when plastic is unavoidable?
For crackers, you can recycle the outside box if it's cardboard, but then there's usually a plastic bag inside or a waxy bag that you can't recycle. But you can use that waxy bag or those little plastic bags if you have pets. I don't have a pet, but my friends use bread bags and chip bags when they pick up pet poop. So why buy pet poop bags, you can just save those.
I do use regular trash bags. I don't knock myself out on that. I try not to fill it up. If you can reduce your waste generation, you're not buying as many bags. I think it's very important to compost at home if you have the space.
AP: Where have you seen improvement?
The household goods aisle. I am excited about the changes. For detergent you can get concentrates. I only use powder in the dishwasher. I strongly recommend that people avoid the plastic pods. And you can recycle the cardboard boxes from the powdered soaps. You don't have to get it in plastic. I also think the beverage aisle has some real opportunities for recycling. Better than most other aisles.
AP: What could be done so shoppers have more options?
The nice thing about paper, cardboard, glass and metal is it can be easily made from recycled content. And it actually is recyclable. You can put it in your recycling bin. And if it gets littered, the paper in the cardboard, in particular, doesn't stick around for centuries.
If we were to pass a strong packaging law to reduce plastic packaging at the state or national level, you would have packaging engineers thinking about what happens after the packaging is used. New York is considering a law right now that would reduce plastic packaging. Unless we adopt new laws, it's not going to change because the voluntary pledges by companies are falling short across the board. That's the only way to solve this.
The 25 Best Last-minute Mother's Day Gifts To Shop Now
Wow-factor alert! These picks will arrive faster than you can say "Happy Mother's Day." (Amazon, Target, Sephora)
Remember that vow you made to yourself in 2023 — that next year you'd have the perfect Mother's Day gift wrapped up well in advance of the big day? Well, of course you've procrastinated and now find yourself a nervous wreck frantically searching for the perfect little something with just hours to spare. Stress not, friend; there are plenty of last-minute Mother's Day gifts that will still warm her heart (and best of all, arrive by May 12).
That's right: Just because it's crunch time doesn't mean you should give your mom, mother-in-law, grandma, wife or other maternal figure in your life a generic gift that, well, feels like you bought it at the last minute. You might've missed the mark on personalized presents, but the following finds are just as special. The key: Take her hobbies, interests and needs into account while scrolling through these last-minute Mother's Day gift ideas. If she's been going nonstop, encourage her to make time for some self-care with a Spafinder gift card (which will arrive in her email within seconds of ordering!). Or if she's gearing up for a busy summer of travel, get her a new weekender bag or a Book of the Month membership to guarantee she always has fresh reading material.
Some of these picks are more practical than others, but all of them are packed with heart. Why should you take my word for it? Well, as Yahoo's gifting editor, I've been spending my days scouring the web for mom-approved Mother's Day gift ideas — and this selection includes the best of the best.
Find something for every type of mom (from great-grandmas to first-time moms), every budget ($9 and up) and different delivery windows. Amazon Prime and Walmart+ shoppers will score free one- or two-day shipping on most items (though keep in mind that shipping estimates may vary by location). And if you see something you like at Target or Sephora, sign up to become a Target Circle member or Sephora Beauty Insider to get free, fast shipping at no added cost.
Amazon
Think of this dainty dazzler as a kind of sentimental twofer. Not only is it a symbol of the love you have for the special lady wearing it, but it's also a sweet (and relatively subtle) way for her to put her heart on display. Choose from over 20 stones, including the all-too-fitting rose quartz (pictured).
$40 at Amazon
Amazon
The best Mother's Day gifts are the ones that come straight from the heart. Show her what's in yours by answering the 50 prompts in this fill-in-the-blank testimonial — some require vulnerability, others inspire a poignant stroll down memory lane.
$13 at Amazon
Amazon
Bonsai trees demand a lot of TLC. This Lego version, however, requires just a bit of attention during the assembly process, after which she won't have to do anything except bask in its beauty for years to come.
$40 at Amazon
Amazon
She's a queen in your eyes — and she deserves to sleep like one. These lightweight jammies will carry her through the hot summer months, and best of all, as one well-rested reviewer wrote, "They get softer and cozier with every wash." Pick from an array of pretty colors, including seasonal shades like bright pink and yellow.
$128 at Amazon
Amazon
A paper bouquet that comes with a matching Mother's Day card? Now we're talking! Snag the total package by picking up this blooming beauty from Freshcut Paper, which she can leave up long after the festivities wrap.
$13 at AmazonAmazon
Busy moms will always welcome a helping hand, especially in the kitchen. This handy gadget will slash her meal-prep time — it allows her to switch among eight interchangeable blades for instant chopping, slicing, grating and shredding. After, just throw 'em in the dishwasher and store in their (included) container.
$30 at Amazon
Amazon
Sure, you can shower her (get it?) with all manner of hair masks and hydrating treatments, but she'll find that this water filter will work wonders when it comes to attaining soft, luscious locks. It attaches to most fixtures in just three simple steps. The reviews speak volumes: "My hair was limp and lifeless, and my skin was very dry. I've been using this shower filter for a few months now, and the curl has come back to my hair," one shopper raved.
$165 at Amazon
Amazon
A regular old cuppa tea will get the job done, but Tea Forte's pyramid-shaped bags will take her experience to the next level. She can sample five fruit-forward varieties — white ginger pear, raspberry nectar, cucumber mint and more — in this 10-piece set.
$28 at Amazon
Amazon
Part watch, part bracelet, this top-rated pick from Anne Klein can be worn for every (and any) occasion, formal or not. The light-pink-and-gold combo is a real standout, but it also comes in neutrals like cream, ivory and black.
$29 at AmazonSephora
Winter is behind us, but that doesn't mean she should skimp on moisturizer. This hydrating, antioxidant-packed lip mask will make sure she has a smooth foundation for stains, glosses and other products. Get four minis in one box — she can rotate among berry, sweet candy, mango and peach iced tea, depending on her mood.
$20 at SephoraSpafinder
There's nothing like a spa day to bring a smile to a mom's face. Give her a gift card that she can redeem at thousands of spas across the country. Contribute to a treatment or give her enough money to cover a manicure, facial, massage or other full-body treatment.
$25 at SpaFinder
Walmart
Dangle this from a tree branch and they'll come flocking! The red base and flower-shaped drinking ports are intentional — both are said to attract the eponymous flying beauties. It also has a built-in ant moat to keep pests away, as well as a perch ring for her new friends to rest on.
$14 at Walmart
Amazon
If glass-clear skin is Mom's goal, then she needs to add snail mucin — yep, I'm talking about snail slime — to her self-care arsenal. This three-piece set includes a sample of retinol cream and two bottles of the bestselling serum, which over 60,000 five-star reviewers said brought their dull, aging skin back to life. "I used it when my skin was oily. I used it when my skin became combination dry/normal in my 30s. I used it throughout pregnancy. I used it while I was in chemo. I used it in swampy Midwestern summers and dry Southwestern winters. It does not fail me," one Amazon shopper wrote after calling it their "#1 Holy Grail."
$33 at Amazon
Amazon
It doesn't matter how many times you've told her that you're there to support her, this book will show her. When the going gets rough, she can flip through the pages to find expert advice, easy exercises and cartoons that sum up the hardships of new-motherhood.
$9 at AmazonRevolve
The perfect accompaniment to her carry-on, this canvas bag seriously eases air travel with a zippered shoe compartment, removable laptop case and key leash. And its trolley sleeve will be a godsend when she travels; she'll be able to attach the overnight duffel to her wheeled suitcase and stroll through the terminal with ease.
$98 at Revolve
Walmart
Air fryers aren't anything new, but have you ever seen one that also doubles as decor? Didn't think so. Feed up to seven people with the six-quart basket or go with the three-quart option if she has fewer mouths to feed. Either way, she'll find ways to use it daily, especially since it can also roast, dehydrate and reheat food with the touch of a button.
$69 at Walmart
Amazon
Consider this the sweetest way to spell out your love. Inside this (gorgeous!) box, there are 10 mini jars of Bonne Maman's finest — nine fruit spreads (ranging from tangy orange marmalade to decadent fig preserves) and one honey. Ooh-la-la!
$27 at AmazonBook of the Month
It's dang near impossible to read into (heh) the contents of someone else's bookshelf — even your mom's. Instead of guessing what she might like, let her select six new reads for her collection. Once a month, she'll be able to choose from a curated shortlist of new, buzzy hardcovers and audiobooks. If nothing strikes her fancy, she can skip that month and save her credit for an upcoming one.
$100 at Book of the MonthTarget
Sure, you can always splash out on one of those fancy eye massagers, but this lavender-infused pillow will get her to that tranquil place for a fraction of the price. It's filled with Himalayan salt beads that can be heated or cooled — pop it in the microwave to relieve eyestrain or headaches, or stick it in the freezer to reduce puffiness and dark circles.
$10 at Target
Amazon
Nonna always knows best — especially when it comes to pasta. She'll be transported to an Italian kitchen as she flips through the pages of this James Beard Award-winning cookbook, which is full of tried-and-tested recipes perfected by 85-year-old Lucia, 97-year-old Giuseppa and other actual Italian grandmothers. Who knows — maybe this will score you a dinner invite!
$23 at Amazon
Amazon
Out with the old, in with the new: She can swap her heavy-duty hand creams that got her through winter for these minis with floral-forward scents like Wild Rose & Berry. Leave them in their original packaging or add the trio to a curated gift basket with seasonal must-haves.
$14 at AmazonOlive & Cocoa
She's come to expect flowers from you on Mother's Day. That said, she'll be pleasantly surprised if she unboxes this inspired, exotic trio. They arrive pre-planted in a wooden tray, which she can reuse around the house when she eventually repots them.
$44 at Olive & Cocoa
Amazon
Although Swedish dishcloths may not seem like a particularly heartfelt Mother's Day gift, there's more here than meets the eye. These are not just practical, but also pretty enough to leave out to dry (with the three labeled clips) and will save her money in the long run with all the paper towels she won't have to buy.
$17 at AmazonTarget
Summer is fast approaching, which means her days will soon be filled with farmers' market runs, trips to the beach and so much more. Not only does this woven bag look the part, but it's big enough to hold her summertime essentials — beach towels, sunscreen, you name it. One Target shopper pointed out that the tote is made of a plastic material "so it's going to hold up more than regular, natural caning."
$35 at Target
Amazon
Freshly-squeezed OJ coming right up! This juicer takes a slow and steady approach to preserve as many nutrients and enzymes as possible. Stick whole fruits and veggies right into the chute (No cutting necessary!) and let it work its juicing magic.
$100 at AmazonThe reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — men, women, kids, you name it.
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