Judge Clifton Newman spoke out Tuesday about the trial and sentencing of Alex Murdaugh, a lawyer convicted of killing his wife and son and stealing over $8 million from clients. Judge Newman said he had "no doubt" that Murdaugh loved his family despite committing an "unforgivable, unimaginable crime," and discussed the series of objections he heard during the trial. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of justice and the need to ensure a fair trial for all defendants, hoping Murdaugh can find peace despite his conviction.
Posts published in “Crime”
On Monday, a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, left six people dead, including three nine-year-olds. The shooter, Audrey Hale, was killed by police at the scene. Witnesses reported that the head of the school, Katherine Koonce, had tried to protect the children from the shooter before her death. The Nashville community is coming together to support those affected by this tragedy, with the Covenant School setting up a memorial fund for the victims' families.
Mike Pence has signaled that he may drop efforts to avoid testifying in the Justice Department's criminal probe into former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. A federal judge ruled that Pence must comply with a subpoena and testify before the federal grand jury, and Pence has stated that he will obey the law. His testimony could provide important insight into the events of Jan. 6.
Prince Harry is suing the publisher of The Daily Mail for alleged phone tapping and other invasions of privacy, claiming the royal family withheld information from him and caused a delay in filing the lawsuit. In court this week, Harry said that “the Institution” had prevented him from learning sooner about the activity of The Daily Mail. The case is ongoing and could have implications for the royal family and the future of the monarchy.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs' press secretary, Josselyn Berry, has resigned after posting a meme on Twitter that some interpreted as advocating for violence against transphobes. This has sparked a debate about the use of social media by public officials, with some arguing for a higher standard and others advocating for free expression. Berry has not commented publicly on her resignation and it is unclear who will replace her.
Two men, Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky, have pleaded guilty to charges of cheating and unlawful ownership of wild animals in an Ohio fishing tournament last fall. As part of a plea deal, they agreed to three-year suspensions of their fishing licenses and to pay a fine of $1,000 each. The tournament director has not yet commented on the incident.
A Manhattan grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump's role in a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels is scheduled to take a break in April, halting the wave of anticipation of a possible Trump indictment. The grand jury is currently scheduled to break after April 5 and restart later in the month, with the outcome of the proceedings remaining unknown until the jury reconvenes.
Melissa Joan Hart, best known for her role in "Sabrina The Teenage Witch," recounts her experience helping children escape from the deadly shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Hart and her husband Mark Wilkerson jumped into action, helping a class of kindergartners across a busy highway and reuniting a mother with her children. Hart said the experience was especially difficult for her, as she and her family had previously lived in Connecticut, where the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School left 20 children dead.