Samuel Israel, the hedge fund founder who went on the lam the day he was supposed to start a 20-year prison sentence, told a judge he did try to kill himself two days ago. WCBS 2 reports that during this morning's hearing in a Manhattan federal court, Israel claimed "he swallowed 175 morphine pills and the rest of his painkillers for his bad back." However, when he woke up, he "realized God didn't want me to do that so I turned myself in."
Hedge Fund Swindler Actually Did Attempt Suicide
Wanted Virginia Man Surrenders in WABC 7 Lobby
A strange event unfolded at WABC 7's studios on Columbus Avenue near Lincoln Center. A man wanted for attempting to kill his girlfriend in Virginia decided to turn himself in to WABC 7. Terry Lavern Leathers called the assignment desk, saying he was "wanted for a crime I did not commit."
Murray Hill Madam's #2 Turns Herself In
Accused assistant to Murray Hill Madame Kristin Davis, Grace O'Toole, turned herself in yesterday, perhaps realizing that escape from both the NYPD and the NY Media was an impossible mission. After her alleged boss was arrested and jailed on $2 million bail for running a prostitution ring linked to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, O'Toole took off, although she was described very accurately by someone who witnessed her flight as wearing over-sized sunglasses, and carrying a travel tote and pet carrier. Cops had her Bronx apartment and her mother's NJ home staked out, and obviously the media weren't going to let the alleged call-girl ring back office operator evade attention, if not justice.
Jason Christopher Hartley, Soldier
Five years ago today, the U.S.-led "coalition of the willing" invaded Iraq. Some $600 billion later, with over 4,000 dead U.S. soldiers, more than 6,000 U.S. casualties, and some some 82,000 dead Iraqi civilians, the U.S. continues to occupy the country. A Nobel prize-winning economist has calculated that the war will ultimately cost the U.S. more than $3 trillion. On Monday, during Dick Cheney's visit to Baghdad, a suicide bomber killed 43 people in Karbala.
Jason Christopher Hartley, Soldier
Five years ago today, President George Bush announced the start of the Iraq War. Some $600 billion later, with over 4,000 dead U.S. soldiers, more than 6,000 U.S. casualties, and some some 82,000 dead Iraqi civilians, the U.S. continues to occupy the country.

