Teen found dead in gym mat, then organs went missing, suit says, & 5 more 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.
Armed ex-mayoral candidate robs Dollar General, leads FL cops on chase, feds say
Whitfield Leland III, a former Tallahassee, Florida, mayoral candidate, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison over robbing a Dollar General store at gunpoint in 2024, federal prosecutors say. Leland, described as a “13-time convicted felon,” fled the scene disguised as a store employee, leading police on a chase before being captured. He was convicted of interference with commerce by threat or violence, among other charges, according to prosecutors. | Published July 28 | Read More
Teen found dead in rolled gym mat. Then his organs went missing in GA, suit says
In Georgia, the parents of Kendrick Lamar Johnson are challenging the official ruling of their son’s death as accidental, saying new evidence contradicts this narrative, according to their amended federal lawsuit. An independent pathologist concluded Kendrick died from non-accidental blunt force trauma, and the lawsuit questions the disappearance of his organs after the initial autopsy. | Published July 29 | Read More
DA told coroner to rule baby’s death a homicide, PA records say. ‘Need it to win’
In Pennsylvania, a district attorney is accused of coercing a coroner to rule a baby’s death a homicide to bolster his election campaign, according to a nonprofit’s petition. The coroner says he was pressured to change the death certificate despite the original ruling being undetermined. | Published July 30 | Read More
Man jailed in frigid cell died of hypothermia, feds say. More AL guards charged
In Alabama, six Walker County Jail guards face charges related to the death of Anthony “Tony” Mitchell, who died of hypothermia and neglect in a cold jail cell, federal prosecutors say. The indictment accuses the guards of depriving Mitchell and other inmates of basic needs and subjecting them to physical abuse. | Published July 30 | Read More
Hotel pool with no chlorine gives woman ‘life-altering’ infection, MI attorney says
In Michigan, Alexis Williams is suing a hotel after contracting a severe MRSA infection from an unkempt pool, her attorney says. The lawsuit says the pool had no chlorine and high bacteria levels, leading to Williams’ infection that required multiple surgeries. | Published July 31 | Read More
Cop framed NC woman in 2005 robberies, bomb threats, judge rules. Now she sues
In North Carolina, Jodi Blanton is suing a deputy who a judge ruled framed her for bank robberies and bomb threats, violating her constitutional rights. The judge found the deputy falsified evidence to support her arrest, leading to the dismissal of charges against her. Blanton seeks accountability and damages for the ordeal. | Published July 31 | Read More
McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.
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