Verdict Watch

Cases resolved in court — sentencings, guilty pleas, convictions, and acquittals.

385 articles

Verdict Homicide

'I Have Her Ashes on My Chest': Kentucky Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing His 9-Month-Old Daughter

Syied Epps pleaded guilty to murder via domestic violence in the July 2023 death of infant Sykia Epps, whom he allegedly slammed down, causing fatal brain trauma.

Verdict Homicide

An 80-Year-Old Lyft Driver Picked Up a Passenger. He Had No Idea That Man Had Just Killed a Woman.

Joshua Gossett was sentenced to 150 years in prison for the murders of Shunish Baggett and Richard Skelskey, whose daughter found him dead on the kitchen floor.

Verdict Homicide

Washington Man Who Shot Sleeping Mother in Head as 7-Year-Old Son Lay Beside Her Sentenced to 25 Years

Christopher Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Irah Sok, a well-known photographer in Everett, Washington.

Verdict Homicide

Former Kansas City Police Officer Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in Fatal Walmart Parking Lot Shooting

A jury found Taquiza Johnson guilty of killing 71-year-old Ronald Barnett less than two minutes after their initial confrontation, recommending life imprisonment.

Verdict Homicide

That's Just Crazy to Me': Former KCPD Officer Found Guilty of Murdering 71-Year-Old Man Outside Walmart in Random Parking Lot Confrontation

Taquiza Johnson faces life in prison after jury convicts him of second-degree murder in the August 2024 shooting death of Ronald Barnett.

Verdict Homicide

'I'm Done': Washington Son Pleads Guilty to Fatally Stabbing Father With Steak Knife, Jumping Over Dying Body

Damian Eiffert called his ex-girlfriend moments after killing Robert 'Boby' Eiffert, saying he could not take his father anymore.

Verdict Trials

Mississippi District Attorney Pleads Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy, Resigns

Jody Owens admits to accepting $115,000 in bribes while Hinds County DA as part of scheme involving Jackson's former mayor.

Verdict Homicide

Wild Bodycam Video Shows LA Officers Open Fire on Knife-Wielding Suspect Who Threw Blades at Police

Robert Velasquez, a 40-year-old convicted felon with paranoid schizophrenia, allegedly lunged at LAPD Hollenbeck officers while armed with knives and a grilling fork before being shot twice and subdued.

Verdict Homicide

Fugitive Malibu CEO Flaunts Bavarian Lifestyle on Instagram While Dodging 15-Year Sentence; Actress Girlfriend Pleads Guilty to Aiding Escape

Bernhard Eugen Fritsch posts photos from Germany months after vanishing before sentencing in $20 million fraud case, as Lucinda Manera faces up to 5 years for helping him stay on the run.

Verdict Homicide

Victor 'Frito' Frieson III Convicted of Murder, Torture in Killing of California Artist Zoe Reidy Watts

Alameda County jury finds 30-year-old guilty of murdering ceramic artist after date night following two-week trial.

Verdict Homicide

California Woman Pleads Guilty to Spying on Ex-Husband Through Ring Cameras, Livestreaming Over 700 Hours of His Home

Rayna Bell accessed her ex's security cameras for approximately two months, viewing an average of 12 hours per day including footage of the fiancee breastfeeding their newborn.

Verdict Homicide

Michigan Father Sentenced to Life After Children Describe 'Good Morning' Before He Shot Them With .380, Killing Son

Jeffrey Smerer pleaded guilty to murder and assault charges in the September 2025 attack that left his 17-year-old dead and two other children critically injured.

Verdict Homicide

Idaho Man Allegedly Attacked Woman With Nunchucks After Being Forced to Walk Home From Hospital

Melvin Blackburn, 67, faces felony aggravated battery charges with a deadly weapon enhancement that could bring up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Verdict Homicide

Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann's Therapist Practiced Without License for Years, Charged With Fraud

Alison Winter allegedly received $60,000 in bogus insurance reimbursements while treating the convicted murderer who confessed eight killings to her.

Verdict Trials

Chinese Fraudster Miles Guo Sentenced To 30 Years For $1.3B Scam Targeting Thousands Of Supporters

Manhattan federal judge orders forfeiture of $889 million as more than 600 victims describe financial devastation while hundreds of loyal followers pack courtroom in show of support.

Verdict Homicide

Oklahoma Stepdad Sentenced to Life Plus 42 Years for Sexual Abuse of 11-Year-Old Who Gave Birth at Home

Dustin Joel Walker must serve 42 years for child neglect before beginning life sentence; DNA evidence showed 99% certainty he fathered the infant.

Verdict Trials

Supreme Court Rejects Trump Appeal to Overturn E. Jean Carroll Assault, Defamation Verdict

Justices turn away appeal, leaving $5 million civil judgment against the former and current president in place.

Verdict Homicide

Virginia Grandmother Sentenced to 12 Years for Killing Infant With Adult Prescription Medication

Alvetta Haskins pleaded guilty to felony homicide after giving her 3-month-old granddaughter Seroquel and cough syrup.

Verdict Trials

NYC Teacher Allegedly Suffocated Third-Grader During Decades-Old Sex Abuse at Brooklyn School; Victim Awarded $18M

New details emerge about how music teacher John Clark silenced his young victim as a jury delivers historic verdict under Child Victims Act.

Verdict Homicide

Canadian Gamer Sentenced to Life for Attempted Murder of California Couple After Posing as Amazon Driver

Devin Wolfgang Vanderhoef, 26, receives two consecutive life sentences for brutal November 2024 home invasion in Salinas that left victims stabbed and choked.

Verdict Homicide

Drunk Woman Fleeing Police Traffic Stop Kills Three in Lyft After Ramming Their Car at 100 MPH

Nakita Walker sentenced to 29 years for killing a Lyft driver and two passengers on Rock Creek Parkway in Washington, D.C.

Verdict Homicide

Maryland Teen Sentenced to Life for Burning Former Boss Alive in His Own Truck After Theft Scheme

Jonah Poole, 19, admitted he 'deserves whatever I get' when sentenced for the murder of Edward Koza, 67, a naturalist and garden center owner.

Verdict Trials

San Diego Father Pleads Guilty to Dosing His Children With Psilocybin Mushrooms, Running Drug Operation With Kids

Randal Vance admitted in federal court to giving his 9 and 11-year-old daily hallucinogenic doses while operating a mushroom trafficking ring with his wife and accomplice.

Verdict Homicide

Teen Squatter Sentenced to 20 Years-to-Life for Beating Manhattan Homeowner to Death with Frying Pan

Kensley Alston admitted at her sentencing Friday that she struck Natalie Vitels five times with a metal frying pan as her boyfriend held the 52-year-old victim down inside her own Kips Bay apartment.