May 18, 2012
Drew Peterson Trial Set for July
When the trial of a former Illinois policeman for the death of his third wife begins at the end of July, prosecutors will not be able to mention that his fourth wife may also be dead. After three years of court battles, the trial of Drew Peterson for the murder of Kathleen Slavio is scheduled to begin July 23. Former Bolingbrook police sergeant Peterson is also suspected, but not charged, in the death of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. Read more...
'Evil Spirits' Drove the Flint Slasher
Accused serial stabber Elias Abuelazam told a state psychologist that he felt possessed and had to attack people to get "soul-sucking demons" out of him, according to testimony. Both the defense and prosecution presented their experts to say whether Abuelazam was criminally responsible for the attacks. The prosecution expert said Abuelazam was, while the defense expert said he was not. Read more...
Trayvon Martin Shooting 'Ultimately Avoidable'
Prosecutors made public a trove of evidence used to justify murder charges against Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman, including a police report that concluded "the encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman." An initial review of the evidence, which was provided to Zimmerman's attorney early this week, uncovers documentation that will be helpful to both prosecutors and the defense. Read more...
$2.3 Million Armored Guard Theif Wants Free Lawyer
An armored car guard accused of killing his partner and making off with more than $2 million returned to Pennsylvania to face charges after his arrest last month in Florida. Kenneth Konias Jr., 22, appeared before a federal judge in Pittsburgh and asked for a public defender. He didn't enter a plea. Konias simply answered "yes" to questions from Judge Lisa P. Lenihan, who granted his request for a court-appointed attorney. Read more...
May 17, 2012
Steven Powell Convicted of Voyeurism
A 67-year-old Washington man has been found guilty of voyeurism in a case that was prompted by evidence found during an investigation into the 2009 disappearance of his daughter-in-law, Susan Powell. Steven Powell was convicted of 14 counts of voyeurism stemming from photographs he took of two little girls who were his next door neighbors. Susan Powell has not been seen since she disappeared from her Utah home in December 2009. Read more...
Closing Arguments to Begin in Edwards Trial
Closing arguments are set for Thursday in the corruption trial of John Edwards, after his defense team rested its case without calling the former Democratic presidential candidate's ex-mistress to testify. Attorneys for Edwards also chose not to call his eldest daughter, Cate, and prosecution star witness Andrew Young, a former Edwards campaign aide, before wrapping up their case. The government alleges Edwards "knowingly and willingly" accepted large amounts of money from wealthy campaign donors Fred Baron and Rachel Melon to hide former mistress Rielle Hunter and her pregnancy in an effort to remain a viable candidate in his 2008 presidential campaign. Read more...
May 16, 2012
Dougherty Gang Plead Not Guilty in Georgia
The three siblings accused of committing a cross-country crime spree that started in Florida and ended with a shootout in Colorado were hauled in to court in Georgia to face charges of robbing a bank for cash that helped fuel their escape. The three, 21-year-old Ryan Edward Dougherty, 26-year-old Dylan Stanley-Dougherty and 29-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty, pleaded not guilty to bursting into a Valdosta, Ga., bank and stealing $5,168 to fund their mayhem. Read more...
Doc: Zimmerman Had Broken Nose, Black Eye
A medical report compiled by the family physician of accused Trayvon Martin murderer George Zimmerman and obtained exclusively by ABC News found that Zimmerman was diagnosed with a "closed fracture" of his nose, a pair of black eyes, two lacerations to the back of his head and a minor back injury the day after he fatally shot Martin during an alleged altercation. Read more...
Trial Set for Man Charged in Teen's Death
An Arkansas man accused of killing a 16-year-old girl he met online is slated to go on trial this summer after authorities found her body in a blue, plastic barrel. During a brief hearing, court clerks say Lloyd Jones' trial is scheduled for the week of July 16. Jones has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Angela Allen's death this February. Read more...
May 14, 2012
Ex-Detective Sentenced in Murder Cold Case
A former Los Angeles police detective was sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for murdering the wife of her former lover 26 years ago. Stephanie Lazarus, 52, was found guilty in March of killing Sherri Rasmussen, a nurse who was bludgeoned and shot to death in the condo she shared with her husband of three months, John Ruetten. Rasmussen's mother, sister and widower spoke during the sentencing hearing about their pain and described the victim as a warm, caring and loving person. Read more...
Jurors Acquit Rapper Lil Boosie of Murder
Jurors have acquitted the rapper known as "Lil Boosie" in the 2009 slaying of a man gunned down in his home. They deliberated for an hour before returning the verdict Friday for the 29-year-old rapper, whose real name is Torence Hatch. Before the verdict was read, District Judge Mike Erwin warned those in the courtroom not to make any emotional outbursts. Still, many quietly sobbed after the verdict was announced. Hatch, who stood quietly, bowed his head and pumped his fist when he heard the decision from the 12-person jury. Read more...
May 12, 2012
Balfour Guilty in Hudson Murders
An hour after telling the judge they were split, a Chicago jury returned guilty verdicts against the former brother-in-law of Jennifer Hudson for murdering three members of her family in 2008. William Balfour was found guilty of killing her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Under Illinois law, Balfour faces mandatory life without parole sentences for the multiple murders. Read more...
May 11, 2012
Hudson Trial: Day 2 Ends Without Verdict
A second day of deliberations ended Thursday evening without a verdict in the trial of a man accused of killing three of Jennifer Hudson's family members. The 12 jurors received the murder case Wednesday afternoon and stopped deliberating about five hours later. Read more...
May 10, 2012
'Flint Slasher' Trial Underway
Defense attorneys offered no opening statement as the murder trial of a man accused in a series of stabbings in the Flint, Michigan area in 2010 got underway. Elias Abuelazam is on trial for the stabbing death of Arnold Minor on Aug. 2, 2010. Minor was killed in front of a motorcycle shop on South Saginaw on Flint's south side. Read more...
Jury Begins Deliberations in Hudson Trial
Jurors began deliberating Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing the mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew of entertainer Jennifer Hudson. Heated closing arguments set a tense tone in the courtroom before the judge sent the 12-person jury into deliberations. The singer-actress kept her head down during much of Cook County prosecutor Jennifer Bagby's dramatic closing argument. Read more...
John Edwards Called Liar at Trial
The speechwriter called him a liar. The campaign flack did, too. Even John Edwards's own defense attorney repeatedly told a packed federal courtroom that his client had lied. The one person, though, who struggled most to come to grips with Edwards's mendacity was a headstrong woman who could not be there as prosecutors neared the conclusion of their federal election law case against the former presidential candidate: his wife, Elizabeth, who died of cancer in December 2010. Read more...
Zimmerman's Not Guilty Plea Accepted
George Zimmerman's not-guilty plea on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin was accepted Tuesday afternoon at his Sanford, Fla., court arraignment, which the defendant did not attend. Judge Kenneth R. Lester set a date for a docket sounding 8:30 a.m., Aug. 8. That's when a trial date will be set unless Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, asks for a continuance. Zimmerman remains free after posting $150,000 bond. Read more...
May 07, 2012
Steve Powell's Porn Trial to Begin
The voyeurism and child-pornography charges Steve Powell is facing as his trial begins Monday in Tacoma have nothing to do with the horrific murder-suicide of his son Josh and Josh Powell's two young boys. Nor are they about the bizarre disappearance of Josh Powell's wife, Susan, from their Utah home in 2009. But Susan Powell's relatives hope the trial will shed light on those tragedies. Read more...
Judge Assigned Drew Peterson Case
Drew Peterson, a suburban Chicago police officer charged in the death of one of his ex-wives, left jail for the first time in almost two years for a court hearing in his long delayed murder trial. At the hearing, Peterson's case was assigned to Will County Associate Judge Edward Burmila. Brodsky said he expects to start the trial in the next 60 to 90 days. Read more...
May 04, 2012
Jury Selected in Flint Slasher Case
A jury has been selected in the first Michigan murder trial for a man accused of a deadly series of stabbings. After two days of screening candidates, lawyers and a judge returned to court Thursday and settled on 12 people and four alternates. Opening statements are set for Tuesday in the trial of Elias Abuelazam. The 35-year-old native of Israel is charged with killing Arnold Minor in summer 2010. He was the last stabbing victim before Abuelazam was captured at an Atlanta airport. Read more...
May 03, 2012
Balfour Asked Witness to Alibi Him
A witness in the Jennifer Hudson family murders trial said the accused killer asked her to provide him an alibi for the day of the shootings. Brittany Acoff Howard testified that William Balfour asked her to cover for him for Oct. 24, 2008, the day Hudson's family members were killed. Read more...
Edwards' Daughter Leaves Trial in Tears
John Edwards' daughter left the courtroom crying during testimony on Wednesday about a confrontation between her father and deceased mother over the one-time presidential candidate's extra-marital affair. Former Edwards aide Christina Reynolds was testifying about an argument Elizabeth Edwards had with her husband on the day in October 2007 that a tabloid published a story about his affair. As Reynolds was beginning the account about what happened at the Raleigh airport, Edwards turned to his daughter Cate, who was seated in the front row. Read more...
May 01, 2012
Dougherty Gang Gets Long Prison Terms
The three Florida siblings who launched a nine-day crime spree in an effort to help their sex-offender brother start a new life in another country will not be seeing daylight for many years. The 'Dougherty Gang' received long sentences in Colorado state court and will face even more jail time in Georgia and Florida. Lee-Grace Dougherty, 29; Dylan Stanley-Dougherty 27; and Ryan Dougherty, 22; were sentenced on multiple charges in Walsenburg, Colorado. Read more...
Drifter Heads to Trial in Michigan Stabbing Spree
An Israeli-born drifter goes to trial for the first time since Flint's shocking summer of 2010, when as many as 14 people were stabbed in the area, five fatally. Elias Abuelazam is charged with killing a 49-year-old man whose body was found in the middle of a busy street, one of three murders and six attempted murders he's accused of in Genesee County. Read more...
Zimmerman's Lawyer Wants to Delay Document Release
The lawyer for the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with second-degree murder for shooting Trayvon Martin wants to delay the release of documents in the case. Attorney Mark O'Mara said on his website Monday that he's concerned that making the documents public without certain protections for witnesses could pose a threat to their safety. Read more...
Judge Releases Jennifer Hudson's Sister's 911 Call
Moments after finding her mother's body, the sister of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson sobs as she pleads for help in a disturbing 911 recording released to the news media. "Oh my God.... Somebody's killed my mother," Julia Hudson says, while a dispatcher tries to get her to calm down and repeat her address. "She's on the floor and I see blood coming from her head." Read more...
April 26, 2012
William Balfour Appears to Cry in Court
William Balfour, on trial for the murder of Jennifer Hudson's family, appeared to cry Wednesday in court when prosecutors displayed graphic photographs of the youngest victim, Hudson's 7-year-old nephew. It was the third day of testimony in the trial and the first time Hudson's brother-in-law, William Balfour, has appeared to show any emotion. Balfour dabbed his eyes with a tissue in view of the jury as pictures of the blood-soaked body of Julian King appeared on a large courtroom screen. Read more...
April 24, 2012
Jennifer Hudson Testifies in Murder Trial
Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson broke down in tears as the first witness called in the trial of the man accused of killing her mother, brother and nephew. She told jurors that no one in her family wanted her sister to marry the defendant, William Balfour. Balfour is facing three charges of first-degree murder in connection with the October 2008 deaths. Read more...
George Zimmerman Back Into Hiding
George Zimmerman, who slipped out of jail on $150,000 bail in the early morning darkness, went back into hiding Monday and likely fled to another state to avoid threats as he awaits his second-degree murder trial for the killing of Trayvon Martin. Later Monday, the Sanford City Commission rejected by a 3-2 vote the resignation of Police Chief Bill Lee, who was roundly criticized for not initially charging Zimmerman and had stepped down temporarily in March he said to let emotions cool. Read more...
April 23, 2012
Video Shows Injuries to George Zimmerman's Head
Video purportedly shot minutes after George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin to death shows heavy bleeding on his scalp, lending possible credence to his claims he killed the teen in self-defense. ABC aired the exclusive video on "Good Morning America" hours before Zimmerman appeared before a judge who ruled he could be freed on bond while he awaits trial on a second degree murder charge. Read more...
Judge Sets Zimmerman Bond at $150,000
A Florida judge set bond at $150,000 for the release of George Zimmerman, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin. Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr. said Zimmerman would not be released immediately and that he would be monitored electronically via GPS. The terms of the bond include a curfew and no alcohol or guns. Also, Zimmerman must be in touch with authorities every three days. The judge wouldn't rule on whether Zimmerman would be allowed to leave the state. Read more...
Woman Going on Trial in 2009 Killings
Sneaky breast implants. Naked amputees. The Batmobile. There are plenty of bizarre elements in the murder case against Narcy Novack, 54, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. But they're unlikely to overshadow the grisly killings of her millionaire husband and his mother, which Novack allegedly orchestrated to get her hands on the family estate. Read more...
April 20, 2012
Judge Steps Down From Trayvon Case
Two judges have recused themselves from presiding over the murder trial of a Neighborhood Watch volunteer who is accused of shooting an unarmed teenager. Judge Jessica Recksiedler, who was assigned the case, stepped down citing a possible conflict of interest in the trial of George Zimmerman for the death of Trayvon Martin. The next judge in line to get the case, Judge John D. Galluzzo, also cited a conflict in recusing himself from the trial. Read more...
April 19, 2012
Judge Steps Down From George Zimmerman Case
The Florida judge who had been assigned to preside over George Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial announced that she would recuse herself from the proceedings. Circuit Court Judge Jessica Recksiedler issued a statement saying that she would step down from the case. Earlier this week, Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, made a motion requesting the judge recuse herself based, in part, on her husband's professional relationship with Mark NeJame, a CNN legal analyst who has publicly commented on the case and was previously approached about representing Zimmerman. Read more...
April 17, 2012
Sentencing Date Set for George Huguely
The fate of convicted murderer and former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely V will be decided in a formal sentencing on Aug. 30, a Virginia judge ruled. In February, a jury recommended that a judge sentence Huguely to 26 years in prison for the beating death of ex-girlfriend and classmate Yeardley Love. The judge can either confirm or lessen the sentence, but he cannot increase it. Read more...
Zimmerman Lawyer Asks for New Judge
The lawyer for George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with killing Trayvon Martin, has asked the judge in the case to step down, citing a potential conflict of interest. NBC News confirmed that Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara, filed the request on Monday to disqualify Judge Jessica J. Recksiedler in Seminole County Circuit Court. Read more...
April 11, 2012
Jury Finalized in Hudson Trial
The suspect in the killing of singer Jennfir Hudson's family members tried to get a former girlfriend to provide him with a false alibi for the day that the murders occurred. According to court papers, William Balfour solicited the false alibi from Brittany Acoff-Howard, who now lives in South Carolina. Read more...
April 10, 2012
Jurors Seated in Hudson Family Murder Trial
The first full day of jury selection in the Chicago trial of the man accused of killing singer and actress Jennifer Hudson's family ended without the seating of a full jury. William Balfour is accused of killing Hudson's mother, brother and nephew. The 30-year-old Balfour faces a maximum life sentence if convicted. Fourteen people were selected to be among the 12 jurors and six alternates after nine hours of interviewing potential jurors one by one. Read more...
April 09, 2012
Jennifer Hudson Plays Key Role in Murder Trial
To sit in judgment of William Balfour, would-be jurors must reveal everything they know about singer Jennifer Hudson, including whether they watched her on "American Idol," saw her star-making turn in "Dreamgirls" or read her new book. They even must say whether they belong to Weight Watchers, the diet program for which Hudson has been a spokeswoman for several years. About 150 prospective jurors were asked to make such revelations in a 26-page questionnaire that will help the defense and prosecution select the people to decide Balfour's fate. Read more...
Jurors in Hudson Case Asked About Singer
Jennifer Hudson takes center stage in a questionnaire that potential jurors are being asked to fill out to determine if they will be allowed to decide whether or not a man is guilty in the slayings of the singer's mother, brother and nephew. Nine of the 66 questions released to The Associated Press and other media outlets dealt with Hudson's career in movies, television and as an author. Read more...
April 04, 2012
O.J.'s Lawyer Trying to Get Paid
A Las Vegas lawyer who represented O.J. Simpson in the Nevada trial that led to the celebrity football star's conviction on armed robbery and kidnapping charges is suing Simpson's Florida-based lead attorney in the case, claiming he was stiffed on promised fees. Gabriel Grasso alleges in a civil breach of contract lawsuit that he was promised $250,000 to serve as local attorney following Simpson's arrest in September 2007. But he said Yale Galanter only paid him $15,000. Read more...
March 30, 2012
Judge Delays Sandusky Sex-Abuse Trial 3 Weeks
The judge overseeing former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky's child sexual abuse case delayed the start of the trial by three weeks to early June, and prosecutors filed a lengthy court document that said the case should not be dismissed. Judge John Cleland said the additional time was needed "to accommodate various logistical contingencies that have arisen," and the attorney general's office supported the postponement. Read more...
March 23, 2012
Killer of New Jersey Cop Gets Life
On the day a 20-year-old was sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing a New Jersey police officer, the slain patrolman's mother yearned for the kind of Old Testament justice New Jersey courts can no longer provide: an eye for an eye. "He should get the same treatment he gave Christopher," said Jane Calaio, whose son, Christopher Matlosz, was shot to death behind the wheel of his police cruiser on Jan. 14, 2011. Read more...
Lawyer Seeks Dismissal of Charges Against Sandusky
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky asked a judge to throw out the child sex abuse charges against him, arguing some counts are not specific enough, evidence is lacking in others and the statute of limitations may have run out regarding eight of the 10 alleged victims. The catch-all pretrial motion also sought to delay the May 14 start of Sandusky's trial, saying more time was needed to prepare a defense. Read more...
Teen Planned to Rob British Tourists
Jurors in the trial of a Florida teen accused of killing two British tourists watched the teen mumble his way through an interview with police detectives and insist that he hadn't left his home the evening of the April 2011 murders. Shawn Tyson, 17, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Defense attorneys have said there was no evidence tying him to the crime and that witnesses testifying against him were not credible. Read more...
March 21, 2012
Sandusky Prosecutors Must Turn Over Contacts
Pennsylvania prosecutors were ordered to turn over to Jerry Sandusky's lawyer the phone numbers and addresses of those who have accused the former Penn State assistant football coach of sexually abusing them as children. That includes their phone numbers and addresses back when the crimes are alleged to have occurred. It was a pretrial win for Sandusky's lawyer Joe Amendola, who argued in a filing late last week that it would be very difficult for defense investigators to locate and try to interview them without first getting contact information from prosecutors. Read more...
March 17, 2012
Rutgers Student Convicted in Webcam Spying Case
A former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate's love life was convicted of all counts in a case that exploded into the headlines when the victim of the snooping committed suicide by throwing himself off a bridge. Indian-born Dharun Ravi, 20, shook his head slightly after the guilty verdicts were read for all 15 counts, including bias intimidation, a hate crime, and invasion of privacy. Read more...
March 16, 2012
Gang Member Gets Death in Mistaken ID Killing
A San Gabriel Valley gang member has been sentenced to death for killing two people in Whittier, including a man who was stabbed in a case of mistaken identity. Thirty-nine-year-old Gabriel Ronquillo was sentenced for murder with special circumstances. Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Randy Fruto says the judge rejected a motion for a new trial. He says Ronquillo didn't make any statement to the court. Read more...
Trial Starts for NYC Cop Accused of Rape
Opening remarks have begun in the trial of an off-duty New York Police Department officer accused of raping a teacher in upper Manhattan. Prosecutors described how a drunken Michael Pena threatened the woman with his gun and sexually attacked her on the morning of Aug. 19. The defense admitted the assault happened, but said evidence did not prove that Pena had raped the victim. Pena is currently being held on Rikers Island on $500,000 bail. Read more...
March 14, 2012
Sandusky's Attorney Vows to Seek Dismissal
A lawyer for former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky vowed to seek a dismissal of child sex abuse charges against his client after a judge refused to force prosecutors to provide more details on the allegations. Judge John Cleland rejected attorney Joe Amendola's request for more information such as exact dates of the purported molestations, details that Amendola said were crucial to building a defense against 52 counts of sexual abuse. Read more...
March 13, 2012
Crime Boss's Companion to Admit Hiding Him
The longtime companion of James "Whitey" Bulger will change her plea to guilty and admit to helping harbor the alleged Boston crime boss as he evaded authorities for 16 years, according to court documents made public. Catherine E. Greig, 60 years old, is expected to say in court later this week that she helped Mr. Bulger avoid capture by using a variety of aliases and stolen identities, according to one of the court documents that was signed by Ms. Greig earlier this month. Read more...
March 10, 2012
Whitey's Girlfriend Rethinking Plea Deal?
The brother of one of reputed mobster James "Whitey" Bulger's alleged murder victims says he's been told by a representative for federal prosecutors in Boston that Bulger's girlfriend Catherine Greig is considering pleading guilty to helping Bulger evade capture. Steven Davis said a federal victim advocate told him that Greig's lawyers indicated she's considering pleading guilty without a plea bargain and prosecutors asked victims' relatives to meet with them Monday. Read more...
March 09, 2012
Ex-Detective Found Guilty in Cold-Case Murder
A former Los Angeles police detective was found guilty of the 26-year-old murder of the wife of her former lover in a case that hinged on a single piece of evidence — DNA from a bite mark on the victim's arm. The first-degree murder conviction came after a three-week trial that included testimony from a forensic expert who said the DNA was a match to defendant Stephanie Lazarus. Read more...
March 07, 2012
Casey Anthony's Civil Trial Delay Denied
A Florida judge has denied a request by Casey Anthony's attorneys to delay her upcoming civil trial for defamation. Judge Lisa Munyon rejected the delay motion and ordered the trial to begin on April 10 as scheduled. Anthony is being sued by a woman named Zenaida Gonzalez who claims her reputation has been ruined. Read more...
February 24, 2012
Judge Grants Gabe Watson Acquittal
Before the defense presented a single witness, a judge dismissed all charges against an Alabama man accused of killing his wife on a honeymoon diving trip to Australia. Judge Tommy Nail granted a defense motion for acquittal of the murder charges against Gabe Watson for the death of his wife Tina. In 2008, Watson pleaded guilty to Australian manslaughter charges and served time in prison in the same case. Read more...
February 23, 2012
Huguely Guilty of Yeardley Love Murder
Jurors deliberated about nine hours before finding a former University of Virginia lacrosse player guilty of murder. George Huguely V was found guilty of second-degree murder in the beating death of his former girlfriend Yeardley Love in her Charlottesville apartment. Love, a member of the Virginia women's lacrosse team, was found face down on a bloody pillow in her bed on May 3, 2010. Read more...
February 22, 2012
Jury to Get George Huguely Case
Jurors in former University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely V's murder trial will begin deliberations to decide the 24-year-old's fate and two legal experts have told ABCNews.com that it is possible that Huguely could be free by the end of the week. Huguely faces six charges, including first-degree murder, in the death of former girlfriend Yeardley Love. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Read more...
February 17, 2012
Dougherty Gang Takes Plea Deal
The two brothers of the former fugitive Dougherty Gang have joined their sister in pleading guilty to reduced charges in connection with their failed high-speed attempt to avoid law enforcement in Colorado. Ryan Dougherty, 21, and Dylan Stanley-Dougherty, 26, entered pleas in Huerfano County court. A week ago, Lee Grace Dougherty, 29, pleaded guilty to lesser charges after prosecutors agreed to drop attempted murder charges. Read more...
February 16, 2012
Gabe Watson Weeps at Diving Murder Trial
As Gabe Watson struggled to save his wife during their fateful Queensland dive he thought other divers in the vicinity would think "something odd was going on", Watson told Townsville detectives. The police interview was played to the jury on the third day of Watson's murder trial in Birmingham, Alabama. He wept in court as he listened to a portion of the police interview where he recalled the moment he was told attempts to resuscitate his wife failed. Read more...
February 15, 2012
Yeardley Love Died of Blow to Head
University of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love likely died about two hours after suffering a blow to the head that prosecutors say was inflicted by the young woman's former boyfriend, A brain expert testified. George Huguely V, 24, is accused of killing Love, 22, in 2010 in what authorities claim was the drunken culmination of a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship between the fellow senior lacrosse players at the university. Prosecutors said Love suffered brain trauma when Huguely slammed her head against a wall. Read more...
February 11, 2012
Rockefeller Impersonator Pleads Not Guilty
Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, a German-born man known for impersonating a Rockefeller, pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles County court to a charge of murder. He is accused of killing his landlady's son, who disappeared in the mid-1980s and whose bones were discovered nine years later in the backyard of what had been his mother's Southern California home. Read more...
February 10, 2012
Lee Grace Dougherty Pleads Guilty
One of three fugitive Dougherty siblings who were the focus of a nationwide search last summer will have to serve at least nine years in prison after pleading guilty in Colorado to reduced charges. Lee Grace Dougherty, 29, pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of attempted first-degree assault and two counts of felony menacing. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop 21 other charges. Read more...
February 07, 2012
Ex-Lacrosse Player Pleads Not Guilty
Jury selection is under way in the trial of a University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, who played on the women's team. tHE 24-year-old George Huguely V of Chevy Chase, Md., pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. Twelve jurors and three alternates are to be selected from 160 people. Read more...
February 06, 2012
Virginia Lacrosse Murder Trial Set to Begin
In the nearly two years since a University of Virginia lacrosse player was charged with killing his ex-girlfriend, it's become easier for possible abuse victims to get a restraining order and students must tell the school if they've ever been arrested. Those are the most concrete policy changes since the May 2010 death of Yeardley Love, who played on the women's lacrosse team. School officials and students also have tried to make the culture on campus one in which people look out for each other and aren't afraid to report relationship violence. Read more...
January 23, 2012
Katrina Officer Headed to Trial
Twenty New Orleans police officers have been charged in a series of probes by the Justice Department's civil rights division since 2010. A retired sergeant who was assigned to investigate deadly police shootings on a bridge after Hurricane Katrina will be the last of those officers to get his day in court. A trial is scheduled to start Monday for Gerard Dugue, who is charged with participating in a cover-up to make it appear police were justified in shooting six unarmed people, killing two, on the Danziger Bridge less than a week after the 2005 storm. Read more...
'Rockefeller' Jurors Hear About Bloodstains
A forensic scientist testifying in the murder case against a man who posed as an heir to the Rockefeller fortune said she found four bloodstains in the Southern California guesthouse where the suspect lived. Criminalist Lynne Herold gave the testimony in a preliminary hearing to determine whether Christian Gerhartsreiter should stand trial for the death of John Sohus, whose remains were found at his former home in San Marino in 1994, nearly 10 years after he and his wife vanished. Read more...
