Jury

New Jersey Grand Jury Declines Charges in 2022 Custodial Death Case in Paterson

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TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey state grand jury has chosen not to indict any police officers after considering the circumstances surrounding the death of 57-year-old Rosita Diaz while in custody of the Paterson Police Department. The decision came following an extensive investigation into her death on February 18, 2022, initiated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) under the provisions of the 2019 Independent Prosecutor Directive. The inquiry included intensive reviews of multiple forms of evidence, such as interviews with witnesses, analysis of body-worn camera footage, surveillance videos, and detailed examination of … Read more

Mecklenburg County Raises Alarm on Clever Jury Duty Scams Featuring Local Judges’ Names

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Charlotte, NC – Officials in Mecklenburg County are raising alarms over a new, highly sophisticated scam targeting residents under the guise of jury duty. Con artists are impersonating judges and court officers, using real names and positions to add legitimacy to their claims, in an effort to deceive citizens and steal their money. Authorities explained that the scam operates by callers accusing individuals of failing to report for jury duty, which they claim warrants a fine. These impostors then demand immediate payment over the phone through gift cards or other untraceable methods. This urgent and … Read more

$10 Million Verdict: Jury Holds Tobacco Giant Responsible for Massachusetts Woman’s Fatal Lung Cancer

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Springfield, MA — A jury in Massachusetts has found cigarette manufacturer R.J. Reynolds liable in the lung cancer death of a long-time smoker, ordering the company to pay over $10 million in damages. The verdict, issued after a four-day deliberation, includes $2.5 million in punitive damages and marks a notable decision on the accountability of tobacco companies in individual health crises. Jacqueline Penza, who passed away in 2018, had been a consistent smoker of Winston cigarettes, a brand produced by R.J. Reynolds, since she was a teenager. Despite being inundated with health warnings, Penza’s family … Read more

Utah Judicial Panel to Evaluate Potential Grand Jury on January 16 in Price Courthouse

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Price, Utah — The 7th District Courthouse in Price, Utah, will be the venue for an important judicial assembly on Thursday, January 16, 2025, where a panel of judges will convene to deliberate on whether there is sufficient evidence to summon a grand jury. Scheduled to take place at 120 East Main Street, this meeting stands as a critical juncture for various ongoing investigations pertaining to alleged criminal activities. During this session, the judges will review testimony provided under oath by individuals who claim to possess incriminating evidence warranting the convening of a grand jury. … Read more