FirstDegree

Former Gang Member Convicted of Gang-Related First-Degree Murder in Santa Cruz County

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SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A former Watsonville man was found guilty of gang-related first-degree murder by a Santa Cruz County jury this week after an extensive trial and nearly three days of deliberation. The 29-year-old, Jason Cortez, was convicted for killing his Santa Cruz County Jail cellmate, German Carrillo, on October 13, 2022. Cortez’s conviction follows the separate trial and guilty verdict of another cellmate, Mario Lozano, who was sentenced to multiple life sentences for Carrillo’s murder, as well as an unrelated 2004 slaying in Watsonville. During the trial, Cortez took the stand in his … Read more

Yakima Jury Delivers Swift Verdict in First-Degree Murder Case

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YAKIMA, Wash. – After just six hours of deliberation, a jury in Yakima County has swiftly reached a verdict in a high-profile first-degree murder case. Jonathan A. Hidalgo has been found guilty in the death of his stepfather, Charles Ellis Wade Mills. The trial, which took place in Yakima County Superior Court, began with closing arguments on March 22nd. Following these arguments, the jury wasted no time in deliberation before returning with a guilty verdict. Hidalgo had been charged with first-degree murder due to his involvement in the 2021 shooting of Mills. The incident occurred … Read more

Summerfield Man Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting: Charged with First-Degree Murder

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Summerfield, Florida – A man who fatally shot another man in late 2023 has been apprehended by local authorities. The suspect, Joseph Edward Horrighs, was taken into custody on Tuesday after law enforcement received a tip regarding his whereabouts. Deputies located Horrighs walking along the roadway in the 3300 block of Southeast 93rd Street. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder with a firearm and taken to the county jail. During Horrighs’ initial court appearance via Zoom, County Judge Robert Landt informed him that he would be held without bond. The 38-year-old stated his intention … Read more

Jury Delivers Death Sentence to Markas Fishburne for Gruesome First-Degree Murder and Kidnapping

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Jacksonville, Florida – Markas Fishburne has been sentenced to death by a 10-2 jury decision for the First-Degree Murder and Kidnapping of Aisha Levy, a 25-year-old woman. The case unfolded on December 20 when Levy’s boyfriend returned home to find blood throughout their apartment on Princeton Square Boulevard. The discovery was accompanied by a note indicating that Levy and Fishburne were dead, and the boyfriend feared for his own life. The apartment also reeked of bleach, and a missing firearm raised further concerns. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives made a horrifying discovery. Levy’s body … Read more