New York Woman Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in Mother’s Death Amid Conflicting Evidence

CORTLAND, N.Y. – An Oswego County woman has been convicted of second-degree murder following a brief trial in Cortland County, authorities announced Wednesday. Ariela Thran, 33, from Granby, could be sentenced to life in prison after jurors found her responsible for the fatal December 2023 incident that claimed the life of her mother, Patricia Halverson, in Solon. The verdict, which concluded after only eight days of proceedings, has resonated throughout the community, coming on the heels of mixed expert testimony regarding the cause of Halverson’s injuries. “We are satisfied with the jury’s decision,” expressed Cortland … Read more

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Faces Appellate Court Over $208 Million Verdict in Landmark Case Involving Child’s Custody and Mother’s Tragic Suicide

TAMPA, Fla. — The future of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital hinges on whether the institution can be held accountable for the suicide of Beata Kowalski, who died three months after her daughter was placed under the hospital’s care. Legal representatives for the hospital sought to overturn a previous verdict at a hearing in the Florida Second District Court of Appeal on Wednesday. In 2017, Kowalski took her own life following the contentious medical care of her daughter, Maya, at the St. Petersburg hospital. Maya, a 10-year-old from Venice, had been … Read more

Virginia Mothers Lead Charge for Tougher Road Safety Laws After Tragic Losses

RICHMOND, Va. — After enduring the tragedies of losing their children in automobile accidents, two Virginia mothers are channeling their grief into advocacy, pressing for comprehensive changes in state driving regulations. Together with Virginia lawmakers, they are campaigning for legislation aimed at imposing sterner penalties for unlicensed youthful drivers, widening driver education in schools, and mandating seatbelt usage for all vehicle occupants. Driven by her son Christopher’s fatal crash in 2020, Christy King has become a vocal supporter of legislative change, advocating this week before a House Transportation subcommittee. Specifically, her efforts are behind House … Read more

Alabama Mother’s Triumph: Supreme Court Mandate Supports Breastfeeding Moms in Jury Duty Debate

Montgomery, Ala. — In a notable legal shift, the Supreme Court of Alabama has ruled that breastfeeding mothers who are summoned to jury duty can now seek exemption, responding to a longstanding concern among new mothers regarding civic duties and childcare. This decision underscores an increasing recognition of the personal obligations that can conflict with public service requirements. Breastfeeding mothers in Alabama have often faced the difficult choice of serving on a jury or ensuring they are available to tend to their infants’ nutritional needs. The new ruling provides them with relief that aligns with … Read more