Samaritan

Deliberations Stall: No Verdict Reached in Trial of Alleged ‘Good Samaritan’ Killer

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Chicago – A mistrial was declared in the high-profile case of a man accused of fatally shooting an individual who was attempting to intervene in a violent altercation. The deceased, heralded by his community as a “Good Samaritan,” had stepped in to help a victim of assault when he was shot. The case, which had attracted considerable local attention, underscored the risks faced by bystanders when intervening in public disputes. Despite extensive deliberations, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision, leading to a declaration of mistrial by the presiding judge. According to … Read more

Woman Faces Trial for Alleged Murder of Good Samaritan Who Broke Up Fight

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The trial of La’Niha Banks, the woman accused of the murder of LaTionna Johnson in May 2023, commenced on Monday with the start of jury selection. According to police, Johnson was shot by Banks on May 20, shortly after she had intervened in a parking lot altercation between two acquaintances. As Johnson began to drive away, an assailant fired at her vehicle, striking her. She succumbed to her injuries several days later, leaving behind a 6-month-old daughter. The Wichita Police Department revealed that Banks was one of the individuals involved in … Read more

Good Samaritan Witness Testifies Against Man Accused of First Degree Murder in Moody County Chief Deputy’s Death

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BROOKINGS COUNTY, South Dakota – The man accused of Murder in the First Degree in the death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok is set to be arraigned in a court in Brookings County. Joseph Gene Hoek, a 40-year-old resident of Sioux Falls, faced charges before a Grand Jury on Friday. The Grand Jury heard from two witnesses – a law enforcement officer and a Good Samaritan who provided immediate aid to Prorok before apprehending the suspect. The Good Samaritan, Tyler Kills-A-Hundred of Flandreau, happened to be on the same stretch of highway … Read more

Families of Overdose Victims Rally for Good Samaritan Law in Kansas

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TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas is one of two states without a Good Samaritan law to protect people who call 911 for help during drug overdoses. The absence of such a law raises concerns about the potential legal repercussions for those who seek emergency assistance in these situations. Many believe that the state’s overdose deaths could have been prevented if the fear of arrest and prosecution was not a factor. Family members of overdose victims have been vocal advocates for House Bill 2487, which would establish a Good Samaritan law in Kansas. These families have shared … Read more