Death

Veteran Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in Cousin’s Death Amid PTSD Defense in Converse County Trial

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DOUGLAS, Wyo. — A jury in Converse County delivered a second-degree murder conviction to a Douglas man, Mark Helms, aged 44, for the fatal shooting of his cousin last year. This verdict arrived after intense deliberations following a weeklong trial centered around the mental competency of Helms at the time of the crime. Helms, a military veteran with a substantial history of service and multiple deployments, was accused of killing Nicholas Velazquez, 38, on the night of September 13, 2023. Reports indicate that the cousins had been drinking together in Helms’ residence at the time … Read more

El Paso County Agrees to $1.5 Million Settlement Over Inmate Death Incident

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El Paso, Colorado – El Paso County officials have agreed to a $1.5 million settlement following a lawsuit over the death of a jail inmate, John Patrick Walter, in 2014. The settlement aims to resolve allegations of negligence against county officials and medical staff, highlighting critical issues regarding the health care and treatment given to prisoners under county supervision. The suit was brought by Walter’s family who claimed that the treatment he received while incarcerated at the El Paso County jail led to his untimely death. At the time of his death, Walter, who was … Read more

Chatham County Jury Decides on $3.5 Million Award in Tragic Case of Bernitha Vaughn’s Death

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Savannah, GA — A Chatham County jury has awarded $3.5 million to the family of Bernitha Vaughn, who died after a violent encounter with police officers during a traffic stop. The jury’s decision came after deliberations on the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Vaughn’s family, highlighting issues of excessive force and police accountability. Vaughn, a 34-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot by police on a routine traffic stop that escalated quickly. According to witness testimonies, Vaughn was unarmed at the time of the shooting. The lawsuit brought by her family argued that the officers … Read more

Former Mr. Bungle Musician Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Girlfriend’s Death

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Santa Cruz, Calif. – A former member of the rock band Mr. Bungle, Theobald “Theo” Lengyel, has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, following a harrowing trial that brought to light a disturbing audio recording from the victim’s phone. The jury delivered their verdict after one day of deliberation, concluding the intensive six-week trial with a decision that may send Lengyel to prison for life. The case centered around the tragic death of Alice “Alyx” Kamakaokalani Herrmann, who was last seen alive on December 3, 2023. Herrmann was later found … Read more