Gang

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

Brooklyn’s ‘Bully Gang’ Turns to Rap and Pot Dealing as a Means of Survival, Defense Claims in Trial for Murders

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BROOKLYN, NY – Moeleek Harrell, the alleged leader of the “Bully Gang,” currently on trial for three counts of murder, is being portrayed by his lawyer as a pot dealer and rap artist who simply sought to make ends meet after losing close friends to violence. Harrell and his associates adopted the name “Bully Gang” in an effort to reclaim the term, as they were frequently bullied growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. Their intention was to establish themselves as rap artists within the industry. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy … Read more

Veteran Prosecutor Resigns Amid Allegations of Witness Manipulation and Misconduct in Notorious Gang Leader’s Death Penalty Trial

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Miami, Florida – A veteran Miami prosecutor has resigned following allegations of witness manipulation in a high-profile death penalty case against a notorious gang leader. Michael Von Zamft, who has handled major criminal cases throughout his career, stepped down after a judge disqualified him and another prosecutor from the trial of convicted murderer Corey Smith. The judge found evidence of witness manipulation and severe recklessness by the prosecutors, stretching back to the case’s origins 24 years ago. The prosecutors’ actions were described as a “rabbit hole” that had lost sight of their responsibility to seek … Read more

Miami-Dade Judge Disqualifies Prosecutors Over Alleged Misconduct in Liberty City Gang Boss Case

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MIAMI, Florida – Two prosecutors have been disqualified from a high-profile case involving the John Doe gang boss in Liberty City after allegations of prosecutorial misconduct surfaced. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Andrea Wolfson signed an order on Wednesday removing Miami-Dade State Attorneys Michael Von Zamft and Stephen Mitchell from the case. The decision was made based on instances of witness manipulation tactics and over 20 years of alleged misconduct by Von Zamft, as cited by Wolfson. Additionally, Wolfson pointed to Mitchell’s decision to follow Von Zamft’s lead without considering the consequences, emphasizing the importance of … Read more