News

News

Reviving the Biddeford Police Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Seeking Justice for Murdered Maine Couple

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Biddeford, Maine – The Biddeford Police Department is facing the possibility of a revived wrongful death lawsuit related to a high-profile murder case, according to reports. The lawsuit centers around the deaths of Derrick Thompson and Alivia Welch, who were murdered by their landlord, James Pak, in 2012. In 2020, a judge ruled in favor of the police department, stating that they were not liable for the deaths. However, a federal appeals court is now revisiting the case. Thompson and Welch’s tragic deaths occurred after an altercation with Pak over snow removal and parking issues. … Read more

Trial Begins for Hillcrest Man Accused of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child in Oregon

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Oregon – The jury trial for a Hillcrest man accused of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child commenced with the selection of jurors. Jody T. Willis, 47, is facing charges related to the assault of a girl under the age of 13 between 2006 and 2008. His arrest in March 2021 followed an investigation conducted by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department in August 2020. Since his arrest, Willis has been released on a $250,000 bond. Alongside the initial charge, he also faces two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, alleged to have occurred during … Read more

New Hawaii Law Requires Transparency and Accountability in Police Use of Force

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HONOLULU, HAWAII – A new law took effect on January 1st, requiring all police agencies in Hawaii to have accessible written policies on the use of force. This legislation, known as Act 190, also allows these policies and related training to be presented as evidence in legal proceedings. The law mandates that law enforcement officers report instances of excessive force by their colleagues and receive training aimed at reducing the use of excessive force. Act 190 was signed into law by Governor Josh Green in July of the previous year. The bill, Senate Bill 151, … Read more

Landmark Verdict: Jury Awards $5 Million in Sexual Abuse & Defamation Case Involving Prominent Public Figure

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NEW YORK CITY, NY – A federal judge in New York City has dismissed the defamation lawsuit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll against former President Donald Trump. This decision comes after a different jury awarded Carroll $5 million in May for Trump’s alleged sexual abuse in 1996, but found no evidence to support her claim of rape. In her 2019 memoir, Carroll revealed her allegations against Trump, prompting him to publicly deny the incident and accuse her of fabricating the story for personal gain. The former president’s comments led Carroll to file a defamation … Read more