Shooting

Divided Jury Returns Compromise Verdict in Controversial Syracuse Police Shooting Case

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Syracuse, N.Y. — Jurors in a civil lawsuit deliberating the actions of a Syracuse police officer faced a challenging task as they weighed the complexity of a fatal shooting incident. After deliberating for about 30 minutes, the eight-member jury raised a question regarding whether their verdict needed to be unanimous, a sign that their views on the case might not align. Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes clarified that a unanimous decision was mandatory and instructed the jury to continue deliberations. After two days, the jury issued a verdict last Friday that legal representatives described … Read more

Michigan Supreme Court Upholds Immunity, Leaving Families of Oxford Shooting Victims Devastated and Seeking Accountability

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LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Supreme Court has decided not to hear a civil lawsuit brought by parents of victims from the tragic Oxford High School shooting in 2021. The decision has left many parents grappling with disbelief and despair over the court’s ruling. The lawsuit sought to hold the Oxford Community Schools district and its personnel accountable for the deaths of four students: Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling. In September, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a ruling granting the district and its employees governmental immunity, effectively barring the … Read more

Rage-Fueled Attack at Gas Station: Young Man Faces Trial for Fatal Shooting in East Chicago

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East Chicago, Indiana — A man is currently on trial for allegedly killing a 49-year-old man during a shooting that was reportedly intended for another individual. Maurice Berry, 22, is accused of fatally shooting Javier “Campa” Olvera while attempting to target his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend at a local BP gas station on March 30, 2024. Authorities state that while Olvera was at the gas station to purchase a few sodas, he was shot multiple times by Berry. The intended target was injured in the arm during the incident. Berry has been charged with murder, attempted … Read more

Federal Jury Delivers Mixed Verdict in Syracuse Police Shooting Case: Excessive Force Determined, But Family Awarded $10,000

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Syracuse, N.Y. — A federal jury delivered a nuanced verdict Friday in a civil lawsuit concerning a fatal shooting involving a local police officer, marking a significant moment for the city of Syracuse. While the jury found that Officer Kelsey Francemone used excessive force in the 2016 shooting of Gary Porter, they awarded Porter’s family only $10,000, a sum far lower than the city’s previously proposed settlement of $825,000. During the trial, a federal judge indicated that the determination of excessive force could be overturned due to the principle of qualified immunity, which often shields … Read more