Riot

Former Capitol Riot Prosecutors Forge New Paths in Arlington After Sudden Dismissal

by

Arlington, Virginia—In a striking turn of events, a group of prosecutors who were dismissed from their posts at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington D.C. following the presidential inauguration have found themselves reunited in their commitment to public service. The four attorneys, including Monika Isia Jasiewicz, Carolyn Jackson, Jennifer Blackwell, and Sara Levine, now serve as assistant commonwealth attorneys in Arlington County, just a stone’s throw from the nation’s capital. Jasiewicz, reflecting on her unexpected journey, recounted the surreal moment she received an invitation to the inauguration from her former Yale Law School classmate, JD … Read more

New Russian Legislation Makes Searching for Pussy Riot Videos a Criminal Offense

by

Moscow, Russia — Russia’s parliament has enacted a controversial law that criminalizes searching for content classified as “extremist,” a move that significantly impacts access to certain videos by the activist group Pussy Riot. The legislation, passed on July 17, is set to take effect in September and intensifies the government’s control over online content. Under the new law, individuals who intentionally seek out materials designated as extremist will face penalties. The justice ministry has compiled a list exceeding 5,000 entries that defines such content, which includes various forms of media like websites, music, political slogans, … Read more

Man Ordered to Pay $500K Following Assault on Officer Linked to Capitol Riot Tragedy

by

Washington, D.C. — A jury has granted a sizable judgment against a man found liable for assaulting a police officer, an incident linked to significant trauma experienced by the officer following the Capitol riot. The jury ruled that the defendant must pay $500,000 in damages to the officer’s estate. The assault occurred during the chaotic events of January 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to overturn the presidential election results. In the aftermath, Officer Jeffrey Smith, who was among those responding to the insurrection, later took his own … Read more

$500,000 Verdict: Widow of Fallen Officer Seeks Justice Following Capitol Riot Trauma

by

WASHINGTON — A federal jury awarded $500,000 to Erin Smith, the widow of Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, who took his own life shortly after confronting rioters during the January 6 Capitol insurrection. This verdict, reached on Monday, includes significant punitive and compensatory damages against 69-year-old chiropractor David Walls-Kaufman, who was involved in a physical encounter with officer Smith during the violent unrest. The jury’s decision included $380,000 in punitive damages and $60,000 in compensatory damages directed to Erin Smith for the assault on her husband. An additional $60,000 was awarded to Jeffrey Smith’s estate … Read more