5 Things to Know This Morning

5 Things to Know This Morning

ByABC News
September 12, 2014, 5:51 AM
Apple CEO Tim Cook presents the iPhone 6, Sept. 9, 2014.
Apple CEO Tim Cook presents the iPhone 6, Sept. 9, 2014.
ABC News

— -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. Where to Preorder the New Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Ready, set ... go!

The hotly anticipated iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are available today for preorder.

The phones officially went on sale at midnight on Apple.com and on the websites of various wireless carriers. Apple fanatics can also place their orders in-store at big-box retailers, including Best Buy, Walmart and Target.

Customers who visited the online Apple Store Friday were met with a message: "We'll be back," the message reads. "We're busy updating the Apple Store for you and will be back soon."

2. Notorious High School Shooter T.J. Lane in Custody After Prison Escape

T.J. Lane, who was serving three life sentences for a notorious high school shooting spree, escaped from an Ohio prison but was later taken back into custody, authorities said.

Lane, who is now 19, broke out of the Allen Correctional Facility Thursday along with two other prisoners, scaling the facility's main perimeter fence. One was soon captured, but the other still at large was identified as Clifford Opperud, 45.

Lane was taken into custody early Friday, captured about 100 yards outside of the facility's fence, warden Kevin Jones said.

"Obviously I am not happy that this happened," Jones said at a press conference. "No warden in my position would be happy that this happened, but the facts are that I am happy that he is back in custody."

3. Oscar Pistorius Guilty of Culpable Homicide, Judge Rules

A South African judge found Oscar Pistorius guilty today of culpable homicide in the 2013 shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He was also found guilty of discharging a gun in a public area, but acquitted of other charges, including murder.

Judge Thokozile Masipa had Pistorius stand before she delivered her verdict.

He was later taken into a holding cell beneath the courtroom during a break in court proceedings.

His bail was later extended ahead of sentencing on Oct. 13.

4. Miami Marlins Star Giancarlo Stanton Struck in the Face by Pitch

Miami Marlins star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was hit in the face by a pitch Thursday, crumpling to the ground in pain before being driven off the field in an ambulance.

Stanton, 24, was trying to get out of the way as the pitch sailed out of the strike zone. As the ball struck Stanton, the crowd groaned and Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers threw up his hands, visibly shaken.

Stanton suffered a laceration and was undergoing X-rays and a CT scan, the Marlins announced. Marlins manager Mike Redmond acknowledged that Stanton could miss the remainder of the season.

"It's devastating for us. Devastating. For his season to end like that, I mean, that's not good," Redmond said.

5. Saks $400,000 Shopping Spree Called Credit Card Fraud

Six Saks Fifth Avenue employees went on a months-long $400,000 shopping spree with customers' credit cards at the fashionable store, according to a criminal report.

The Saks employees worked out an elaborate scheme that fraudulently used the credit cards of at least 22 customers to buy hundreds of pairs of designer shoes and handbags, including many that were found by police last week in the alleged ringleader's apartment in Queens, N.Y.

The criminal complaint alleges that Tamara Williams, 36, stole customers' credit card data from the store computers and then shared the information with five sales associates. Williams allegedly gave her cohorts specific lists of what they should buy from the store with the stolen credit card information.