Jury

Polk County’s Costly Fallout: Jury Awards $4 Million to Wrongfully Terminated HR Director Amid Political Turmoil

by

DES MOINES, Iowa — A jury in Dallas County has awarded former Polk County Human Resources Director Jim Niehaus more than $4 million in a wrongful termination lawsuit. The ruling opens the door for taxpayers to potentially shoulder part of this substantial financial burden. The jury found that several Polk County officials were liable for libel when they terminated Niehaus’s employment in 2020. The circumstances surrounding Niehaus’s firing are emblematic of a larger pattern of internal disputes among the Polk County Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Matt McCoy commented on the ongoing turmoil, acknowledging the challenges … Read more

Federal Jury Exonerates Former Norfolk Officers in Controversial Retaliation Case Following Car Crash

by

NORFOLK, Va. — A federal jury has ruled in favor of three former Norfolk police officers accused of retaliating against Brandon A. Williams following a serious car crash in September 2020. After two days of deliberation, the eight-member jury found unanimously that the officers did not conspire to infringe on Williams’ rights. The civil trial, held in U.S. District Court, concluded last week after four days of testimonies. Williams, 40 and the stepson of Hampton Deputy Police Chief Kenny Ferguson, had sought damages for the emotional distress he claimed resulted from the police officers’ alleged … Read more

$205 Million Verdict in Tragic Amusement Park Death: Jury Holds Glenwood Caverns and Ride Manufacturer Accountable

by

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. — A jury has awarded over $200 million to the family of a six-year-old girl who tragically died in a fall from a ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in 2021. The family had filed a wrongful death suit in October of that year, and the jury reached a verdict on Friday, determining that the family would receive $205 million. The lawsuit targeted both Glenwood Caverns Holdings, LLC, the parent company of the amusement park, and the ride’s manufacturer, Soaring Eagle, Inc. Wongel Estifanos fell 110 feet from the Haunted Mine Drop … Read more

Deliberations Begin as Jury Weighs Evidence in High-Stakes Ferry Crash Trial

by

A jury has begun deliberations in a case stemming from a ferry accident that occurred last year in New York Harbor, leaving multiple passengers injured and raising questions about safety protocols in the ferry industry. The incident, which involved a crowded vessel, prompted an immediate investigation and scrutiny of maritime regulations. Witnesses describe the chaotic moments following the crash when the ferry collided with a dock, sending passengers tumbling and prompting emergency services to rush to the scene. Several individuals sustained injuries, although no fatalities were reported. Eyewitness accounts paint a vivid picture of the … Read more