Murder

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

Judge Denies Defense Request to Disqualify Norfolk DA and Imposes No Sanctions in Karen Read Murder Case

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In Dedham, Massachusetts, Judge Beverly J. Cannone has denied a defense request to disqualify or impose sanctions on Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey regarding his extrajudicial comments and other decisions made in the controversial Karen Read murder case. The judge determined that no egregious misconduct had occurred that could substantially prejudice the defendant’s right to a fair trial, leading to her denial of the motion. Responding to the ruling, Read’s defense attorneys refrained from commenting. This recent decision follows another denial by Judge Cannone on Tuesday, concerning the defense’s request to dismiss the case. The … Read more

Man Indicted in Darlington County Killing Faces Murder Charge in Mechanicsville Shooting

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Darlington County, South Carolina – A man has been indicted by a grand jury and charged with murder in connection to a shooting that occurred in the Mechanicsville area in January. Billy Odell Powell was arraigned on Thursday and is currently being held in the W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center on related charges. The shooting resulted in the death of Herbert Lee Brown, according to Coroner Todd Hardee. The investigation is ongoing, with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division providing assistance to the sheriff’s office homicide team. No further details are available at this time. … Read more

Not Guilty: Jury Acquits Stacey Easley in Shocking 2023 Murder Trial

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AUSTIN, Texas – After a brief deliberation, a jury in Travis County reached a verdict of not guilty in the murder trial of Stacey Easley. The 52-year-old had been accused of shooting and killing Johnny Edmondson, the son of a Travis County Constable, back in 2023. The fatal incident took place on April 18 at The Hedge Apartments, located in the 8300 block of the southbound service road of North I-35 in North Austin. Edmondson was at his girlfriend’s apartment, a woman who had previously been involved with Easley. During the trial, prosecutors argued that … Read more