NEW YORK (AP) - The family of a Reddit co-founder who committed suicide in New York weeks before he was to go on trial on federal charges that he stole millions of scholarly articles is blaming prosecutors for his death.
Twenty-6-year-old Aaron Swartz hanged himself Friday night in Brooklyn. In 2011, he was charged with stealing millions of scientific journals from a computer archive at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in an attempt to make them freely available.
He had pleaded not guilty, and his federal trial was to begin next month. If convicted, he faced decades in prison.
Swartz's family said in a statement Saturday that his death "is the product of a criminal justice system rife with intimidation and prosecutorial overreach."
The U.S. attorney in Boston couldn't be reached for comment.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:02:22 GMT
WCS photo
Coney Island's famed New York Aquarium, devastated by Superstorm Sandy, will partially reopen Saturday, May 25, 2013. The Wildlife Conservation Society on Friday showed members of the media parts of
Coney Island's famed New York Aquarium, devastated by Superstorm Sandy, will partially reopen Saturday, May 25, 2013. The Wildlife Conservation Society on Friday showed members of the media parts of
Friday, May 24 2013 3:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:40:02 GMT
The mastermind of a botched robbery that resulted in the death of an NYPD officer has been convicted of murder. Nelson Morales was also convicted Friday of burglary in the December 2011 incident that
The mastermind of a botched robbery that resulted in the death of an NYPD officer has been convicted of murder. Nelson Morales was also convicted Friday of burglary in the December 2011 incident that
Friday, May 24 2013 1:59 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:59:43 GMT
Five people were injured when a van jumped a curb in downtown Brooklyn on Friday.
Five people were injured when a van jumped a curb in downtown Brooklyn on Friday. The van rear-ended a Taxi and Limousine Commission vehicle at the corner of Church Ave. and Utica Ave. at about 7:45 a.m., said police. One of the pedestrians that was struck by the van was taken to Brookdale Hospital. Four other victims were taken to Kings County Hospital.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:25:15 GMT
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:46:23 GMT
For the first time in 17 years, millions of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soil in the tristate region this summer. The bug-like creatures are harmless to humans.
For the first time in 17 years, millions of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soil in the tristate region this summer. The bug-like creatures are harmless to humans. Cicadas live in the soil and make a familiar buzzing sound.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
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