Trial

Chinese Rights Lawyer Lu Siwei Sentenced to 11 Months After Deportation and Closed-Door Trial

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CHENGDU, China — Lu Siwei, a prominent Chinese rights lawyer who faced international attention for his legal work, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison after a private trial concluded Friday, according to his wife, Zhang Chunxiao. The Chenghua District Court in Chengdu also imposed a 10,000 yuan ($1,370) fine on Lu, who was charged with illegal border crossing. Lu, 52, was apprehended in the Lao capital of Vientiane in July 2023 when attempting to join his family in the United States, despite possessing a valid U.S. visa and Chinese passport. He was detained … Read more

Jury Selection Concludes as Karen Read Faces Second Murder Trial for Boyfriend’s Snowstorm Death

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Dedham, Mass. — As the chilly New England spring persists, the atmosphere in Norfolk County Superior Court grows tense with the commencement of Karen Read’s second murder trial. Read is facing charges once again in the tragic death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, after the previous proceedings were declared a mistrial. With jury selection complete, the courtroom braces for opening statements slated for April 22. In January 2022, the gruesome scene unfolded outside a raucous house party in Canton, Massachusetts, where O’Keefe was found lifeless in a snowbank. Prosecutors assert that Read, … Read more

Jury Deadlocked After Week of Deliberations in Two-Decade-Old McDonald Murder Trial

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GOSHEN, N.Y. — The jury in the murder trial of Megan McDonald, a case that has drawn significant public attention, remains gridlocked after extensive deliberations spanning a week. The defendant, Edward Holley, 44, from Wawayanda, is accused of the 22-year-old’s murder which took place in Wallkill. Arrested in April 2023, Holley faces a sentence of 25 years to life if convicted. On Tuesday afternoon, the jurors communicated their standstill to Orange County Court Judge Hyun Chin Kim through a series of notes. Initially, they reported their deadlock at 3:55 PM, only to request additional information … Read more

Former Prosecutor Confident in Conviction Outcome for Rachel Morin Murder Trial

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The potential certainty of a conviction in the trial of Rachel Morin’s murder was highlighted by a seasoned legal expert. Commentary from a former felony prosecutor suggested a strong likelihood that the jury was leaning towards a guilty verdict based on the evidence presented during the proceedings. Rachel Morin, a 35-year-old school teacher, tragically lost her life, becoming a case that gripped the local community with concern and speculation over its implications on public safety and trust in local institutions. The incident that led to Morin’s death involved scenarios that painted a nightmarish picture of … Read more