Alex Murdaugh, a 54-year-old former lawyer from South Carolina, was found guilty of murdering his wife and son in June 2021 after a jury deliberated for less than three hours. He was also convicted of two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and prosecutors are seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
News Mash
Alex Murdaugh, a former attorney in South Carolina, has been found guilty of murdering his wife and son in 2021. The jury reached a verdict of guilty on all counts after just three hours of deliberations, and Murdaugh now faces 30 years to life in prison without parole for each murder charge. The verdict was met with emotion in the courtroom, bringing an end to a long and difficult trial for the Murdaugh family.
Two men on a motorcycle opened fire at an Unico branch in Rosario, Argentina, leaving a message threatening Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident has caused alarm among the public and sparked a debate about the increasing drug-related violence in the city. The police are currently searching for the two men on the motorcycle and investigating the incident, while the federal government is being called upon to take action and increase security in the city.
The Department of Justice has ruled that former President Donald Trump can be sued by Capitol Police officers and Democratic lawmakers for the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The lawsuits seek to hold Trump liable for damages stemming from the riot, and the ruling sets a precedent for future presidents and the limits of executive power. The Capitol Police officers and Democratic lawmakers are now able to pursue their claims against the former president, and the ruling is a reminder that no one is above the law.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the 89-year-old Democrat from California, has been hospitalized and is receiving treatment for shingles. She is currently in San Francisco and is expected to make a full recovery, though her absence from the Senate could have a significant impact on the Democratic Party's legislative agenda. Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and Feinstein's age puts her at a higher risk for complications.
Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz and Jessica Garth from the State’s Attorney’s Office have announced the arrest of College Park, Maryland Mayor Patrick Wojahn on 56 counts of child pornography-related charges. Wojahn has resigned from his position and is currently in custody at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections. The City of College Park has expressed shock and disappointment at the news and is working with the police department to investigate the allegations.
The Supreme Court is considering a major elections case from North Carolina which involves the question of whether the North Carolina Supreme Court had the authority to throw out Republican-drawn congressional districts. The North Carolina Supreme Court is now dominated by conservatives and if it reverses its decision, it could moot the crux of the case that the Supreme Court had been considering. The Supreme Court has asked the parties involved to file new court papers on the impact of the North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision, which could have far-reaching implications for election law nationwide.
President Joe Biden has signaled his support for a Republican-backed effort to rescind a Washington, DC, crime law, which has been criticized for being too lenient. The measure is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate next week, with Biden's backing and that of 31 Democrats in the House. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has also expressed his support for the effort. It is unclear if the measure will pass, or if Biden will make any further comments on the issue.