Detectives

Former Detective’s Surrender Update: Attorney Claims Court Bond is ‘Painfully Absurd’ as Client Remains at Large

by

TROY, Mo. — A former Lincoln County detective remains at large despite his attorney’s assurances that he would surrender to authorities on felony charges related to a high-profile murder trial. Michael Merkel, 44, is facing two Class A felony counts of perjury tied to the controversial conviction of Russ Faria in the murder of Betsy Faria. Merkel’s attorney, Joel Eisenstein, had repeatedly informed the court that his client would turn himself in on Thursday morning. As of that evening, however, prosecutors confirmed Merkel had not complied. The Journal has uncovered that Merkel is no longer … Read more

Philadelphia Jury Delivers Mixed Verdict in Perjury Trial of Former Homicide Detectives

by

Philadelphia, PA — A mixed verdict concluded the perjury trial of three former Philadelphia homicide detectives accused of misconduct in a historic re-trial case. The allegations included fabricating a murder confession and planting evidence associated with the Anthony Wright case from 2016. At the trial’s culmination, the jury presented a divided conclusion. While all three detectives were acquitted of perjury related to the alleged coercion and falsification of evidence, the results diverged on other serious charges. Martin Devlin, one of the accused, was exonerated on all counts, leaving the courtroom without any charges. His attorney, … Read more

Retired Philly Detectives Face Jury in Landmark Perjury Trial Over Decades-Old Murder Case

by

PHILADELPHIA — Jury deliberations are set to commence in the perjury case against three retired Philadelphia homicide detectives. The former officers, Martin Devlin, Manuel Santiago, and Frank Jaster-Zambesky, are accused of lying under oath during their investigation into the murder of 77-year-old Louise Talley in 1991. The prosecution claims the detectives rushed their investigative process, leading to discrepancies in their testimonies. The case, which has gripped local attention, revisits the events surrounding the brutal murder of Talley, who was found strangled and stabbed in her home. The subsequent investigation led by Devlin, Santiago, and Jaster-Zambesky … Read more

Las Vegas Detectives Seek Retrial Following $34 Million Payout in High-Profile Lobato Case

by

Las Vegas, NV – In a remarkable twist to a long-standing legal battle, Las Vegas detectives are pushing for a new trial following a jury’s decision to award $34 million to Kirstin Lobato. This case is rooted in claims of wrongful conviction and imprisonment for a crime she consistently argued she did not commit. Lobato was initially convicted for the murder of a homeless man in 2001, a conclusion she fought against, leading to her eventual exoneration in 2017. The sizable compensatory sum stems from a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Lobato, indicating serious … Read more