Man asleep at McDonald’s shot to death by cops, suit says, & 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.
Man breaks free from zip-ties, hurls racial slurs at flight attendant, feds say
In Colorado, David Leroy Carver Jr. caused a disturbance on a Breeze Airways flight by using racial slurs and making inappropriate comments toward a flight attendant, according to federal prosecutors. The flight, originally bound for Los Angeles, was diverted after Carver broke free from zip-ties used to restrain him, court documents say. Carver faces charges of interference with flight crew members and attendants, according to prosecutors. | Published Aug. 18 | Read More
Gender reveal party turned deadly when DC man opened fire, killing one, feds say
In Washington, D.C., Nyjell Outler was sentenced to over 24 years in prison after being convicted of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault, federal prosecutors say. Outler shot two people, killing a 21-year-old, during a 2021 gender reveal party, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. | Published Aug. 19 | Read More
Eric André can sue after cops stop him, ask about drugs at GA airport, court rules
Comedians Eric André and Clayton English can proceed with a lawsuit against Georgia police, who they say stopped and interrogated them about drugs at an airport, according to a federal appeals court. The court partly revived their lawsuit, which says the stops were unconstitutional and racially motivated, though racial-profiling claims were dismissed. The case will return to the U.S. District Court for further proceedings. | Published Aug. 19 | Read More
‘I’m screwed.’ Navy sailor caught spying for China while stationed in CA, feds say
In California, Navy sailor Jinchao Wei was found guilty of espionage over selling military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer, according to federal prosecutors. Wei, who was stationed in San Diego, exchanged sensitive naval information and was paid more than $12,000, prosecutors say. He faces significant prison time, including a potential life sentence, with sentencing set for Dec. 1, according to prosecutors | Published Aug. 21 | Read More
Veterans stole over $150K from Air Force base’s sports program in FL, feds say
In Florida, two military retirees, Keith Pilawski and Edwin Ortiz, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after they were accused of stealing over $150,000 from MacDill Air Force Base’s sports program, federal prosecutors say. The scheme involved falsifying invoices and overcharging for officiating services, according to court documents. | Published Aug. 22 | Read More
Man asleep at McDonald’s drive-thru was shot to death by DC police, lawsuit says
In Washington, D.C., the mother of Justin Robinson filed a federal lawsuit after her son was fatally shot by police at a McDonald’s drive-thru, according to court documents. The lawsuit says Robinson was asleep in his car when officers startled him awake and shot him, leading to his death. The lawsuit seeks $20 million in damages for claims including excessive force and wrongful death. | Published Aug. 22 | Read More
McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.
This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 9:21 AM.