Lakers forward Jordan Hill pleads no contest in assault of girlfriend in Houston

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill speaks to the media on March, 16, 2012, in Los Angeles, one day after the Houston Rockets traded him to LA. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

  HOUSTON -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill has pleaded no contest to assaulting his girlfriend in February and was sentenced to one year of probation.

Hill, 25, will also have to pay a $500 fine and undergo counseling. The assault charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Hill is charged with assaulting Darlene Luna on Feb. 29 at his apartment while the New York Knicks' former first-round draft pick was playing for the Houston Rockets.

Luna, 29, cried on the witness stand as she recalled the incident and claimed Hill still hasn't apologized. The two avoided eye contact while they were in the courtroom together.

The 6-foot-10 Hill played for Houston from February 2010 until March, when he was traded to Los Angeles.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Man accused of fatally shooting girlfriend

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It was a chaotic and frightening scene in one northeast Houston neighborhood on Monday. Police say a man shot his girlfriend, chased her down as she ran for help and threatened neighbors who tried to step in.

The victim's family is distraught over her murder and shocked over what her boyfriend is accused.

"It hasn't really hit me yet," said Curtis Cormier.

He says he and his family had no way of preparing for the news that his daughter had been violently murdered.

Neighbors in the 4000 block of Liberty Road near Russell heard it and watched it unfold.

"I heard two shots and as I turned around I seen then rushing and wrestling," said Aaron Jacob.

Houston police say the early morning commotion was coming from the house where an enraged boyfriend had just opened fire on his girlfriend, who family members identify as 31-year-old Shanelle Cormier. Police say a wounded Cormier ran next door for help. Emma Babino says the victim knocked on her uncle's door.

"He was just drinking coffee and he opened the door and she was right there, you know, bleeding and fell on him," Babino said.

But her uncle had no idea he was about to stare down the barrel of a gun. Police say the suspect aimed the weapon at the helpful neighbor.

"He pointed the gun at him and was like, 'Let her go! Don't touch her!' And he just pushed her off and hurried up and closed his door," said Babino.

Authorities say the suspect then aimed at another neighbor, even grabbing his cell phone, before forcing his wounded girlfriend back into his house. Then the house was surrounded by a SWAT team.

"They hear what's sound to be gunshots. Eventually the suspect comes out and said he shot her," said a representative with HPD. "He's basically saying right now that she made him mad."

The victim's father says he didn't always agree with his daughter's lifestyle.

"She struggled with some things in her life," said Curtis Cormier.

But he says this was not supposed to happen.

The only motive police have right now is that she made him mad. The boyfriend is in custody after he eventually surrendered to police, but his identity has not been released. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Richmond man accused of trying to set girlfriend on fire

The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office says Kerry Beal of Richmond was jailed Friday on charges of attempted murder, assault of a peace officer and fleeing.

  RICHMOND, TX -- Investigators say a Houston-area man has been accused of dousing his girlfriend with a flammable liquid and trying to set her on fire -- but the lighter failed.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office says Kerry Beal of Richmond was jailed Friday on charges of attempted murder, assault of a peace officer and fleeing. A spokesman had no information on an attorney for Beal, who faced arraignment Saturday.

The woman called 911 Thursday from the couple's home, then fled to a neighbor's place.

Deputies arrived to find the couple's home on fire as Beal ran from the scene. He was caught less than a mile away.

The woman, who was splashed with lighter fluid, was treated and released from a hospital. A deputy tripped and injured an ankle chasing Beal.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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ABC13 helps man propose to girlfriend at New Year's Eve Live

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Many people celebrated the stroke of midnight with a New Year's Eve kiss.

But for one couple in Houston, it was more than just a kiss.

Mike Nooney first met his girlfriend, Lori, at The Tasting Room. A year ago, he got up the nerve to tell her that he loves her.

At New Year's Eve Live in downtown Houston, he decided to pop the question before popping the cork on the champagne.

He asked us for help to do it publically.

Adding to the surprise, we had her believe she was on TV for a kissing contest.

"I want to see your kiss," ABC13 reporter Rebecca Spera told them.

"I think I can do a little bit better than that," Nooney replied.

That's when he got down on one knee and pulled out the ring.

A bit overjoyed and surprised, Lori did say yes!

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Local soldier surprises girlfriend with proposal at airport

A Houston soldier had a big idea when he popped the big question to his girlfriend.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local soldier made sure his proposal was one to remember -- even getting the help of other passengers on his flight home.

Each of his fellow travelers gave a rose to Army Lieutenant George Dalton's girlfriend, Lauren Raabe before Dalton came in to ask the big question.

"Will you marry me," he asked.

She replied, "yes."

Dalton worked with his parents back here in Houston to get permission from American Airlines to have the roses at the gate when the flight arrived at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Dalton says all the planning kept him on edge.

"I've been nervous for the past couple of hours," said Dalton. "I haven't been able to eat or think about anything else."

Dalton is home from a tour in Iraq for two weeks. The couple says they will get married when his tour is complete in a few months.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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