Parents of baby decapitated at birth get $2.25M in Georgia & 5 more legal cases
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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.
Exec steals $9M from CA company, buys 300 luxury bags and visits Paris, feds say
In California, Antonietta Nguyen, a former executive of ABS Seafood, was found guilty of embezzling over $9 million from the San Francisco company, federal prosecutors say. Nguyen used the funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including purchasing luxury handbags and vacations, according to prosecutors. She faces decades in prison, with sentencing set for Oct. 10. | Published June 16 | Read More
Cops shot at 30-year-old mom 23 times during mental health crisis in WA, suit says
In Washington, the city of Longview agreed to pay $2 million to the family of Katelynn Rose Smith, who was shot and killed by police during a mental health crisis, according to her family’s attorneys. A lawsuit filed by her mother says the officers’ actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. The settlement was reached before the case went to trial. | Published June 18 | Read More
Journalist hit by LA deputies’ round at ICE protest needed surgery, claim says
In Los Angeles, photojournalist Nicholas Stern filed a legal claim against the county sheriff’s department, saying he needed surgery after being hit by a projectile during an ICE protest. Stern’s attorney argues that the deputies’ actions were motivated by perceived political affiliations related to immigration. | Published June 18 | Read More
Postal worker caught stealing tax refund check from the mail in CT, feds say
In Connecticut, Ernesto Rodriguez Jr., a former postal worker, pleaded guilty to stealing a tax refund check worth nearly $5,000, according to federal prosecutors. Rodriguez was part of a mail theft scheme and is facing up to 10 years in prison, prosecutors said. He is set to be sentenced on Sept. 24. | Published June 18 | Read More
Captain hits sailor with knockout blow and opens fire on Florida boat, feds say
In Florida, boat captain Terry S. Carrington was sentenced to seven years in prison after federal prosecutors say he assaulted two deckhands during a fishing trip. Carrington’s drug use led to the violent incident, according to prosecutors. He attempted to shoot one deckhand and broke another’s jaw before the sailors overpowered Carrington and brought the boat to safety, prosecutors say. | Published June 20 | Read More
Doctor posted couple’s decapitated baby online, suit says. GA jury awards $2.25M
In Georgia, a jury awarded $2.25 million to parents whose newborn was decapitated at birth, according to their attorneys. Videos of the baby’s autopsy were posted online by Dr. Jackson Gates, who the couple sued for invasion of privacy and emotional distress after he shared the videos on Instagram, their attorneys said. A separate civil case against the delivering doctor is ongoing. | Published June 20 | Read More
McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.