Cop shoots homeowner, woman kidnapped by hitchhikers: Read latest legal stories
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Thousands of legal cases reach U.S. courts every year. From accusations of mistreatment in prisons to fraud to sexual abuse and beyond, here are some of the latest from across the country.
Hat left near wife’s burned body links husband to her 2013 death in NC, feds say
In North Carolina, Ernest D. Pheasant Sr. was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of killing his wife, Marie Walkingstick Pheasant, according to federal prosecutors. DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene where her body was found in a burned vehicle, prosecutors say. | Published April 4 | Read More |
Pigeons, rodents infesting prison are sickening incarcerated women, NM suit says
In New Mexico, a lawsuit filed by women incarcerated at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility says unsanitary conditions, including infestations of pigeons and rodents, have led to a health crisis. The lawsuit says more than half of the inmates have been sickened by H. pylori due to “abhorrent and dangerous food safety issues.” The complaint names the state corrections department and contracted service providers as defendants. | Published April 7 | Read More |
Girl bitten by ants ‘slowly died’ due to hospital’s negligence, GA lawsuit says
In Georgia, the parents of a 2-year-old girl have filed a lawsuit against Piedmont Eastside Medical Center, saying their daughter died after the hospital delayed treatment for her allergic reaction to fire ant bites. The complaint says the hospital failed to administer epinephrine promptly and lacked pediatric intubation equipment. The family seeks damages for negligence. | Published April 7 | Read More |
Dartmouth student’s dream jeopardized as he’s at risk of deportation, suit says
In New Hampshire, a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of Xiaotian Liu, a Dartmouth College student, challenges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to revoke his student visa. The lawsuit says the revocation, which was done without notice, jeopardizes Liu’s doctoral studies and risks his deportation. The filing argues there is no legal basis for the visa termination. | Published April 8 | Read More |
Nurse swaps pain medicine meant for surgery patients with saline in CT, feds say
In Connecticut, Kristen Carotenuto, a former nurse, pleaded guilty to tampering with pain medication at a surgical center by replacing controlled substances with saline or water, federal prosecutors say. She stole hydromorphone and fentanyl intended for patients and faces up to 10 years in prison, according to prosecutors. | Published April 8 | Read More |
Cop shoots homeowner in head after he calls about intruder in Nevada, suit says
In Nevada, the family of Brandon Durham is suing the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after officer Alexander Bookman shot Durham, who had called for help against an intruder, according to their federal lawsuit. The lawsuit says Bookman shot Durham in the head and five more times while he was on the ground. The family seeks over $1 million in damages. | Published April 9 | Read More |
71-year-old kidnapped and robbed by hitchhikers she picked up in GA, feds say
In Georgia, a jury found Stephanie Miranda Neace guilty of aiding and abetting kidnapping after federal prosecutors say she and Jordan Nathaniel Hedden abducted a 71-year-old woman who offered them a ride. The woman was forced to drive to Tennessee, where she eventually escaped by running into a gas station for help, according to prosecutors. | Published April 10 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.