Verdict Watch
Cases resolved in court — sentencings, guilty pleas, convictions, and acquittals.
Anti-Gun Activist Sentenced to 51 Years for Murdering Man at Child's Birthday Party in Revenge Killing
Lumumba Sayers Sr. killed Malcolm Watson with a close-range head shot at his son's 5th birthday party in Commerce City, Colorado, prosecutors said, calling it retaliation for the shooting death of Sayers' own son nearly a year earlier.
Verdict HomicideMan Who Sparked 'Wild West-Style Shootout' That Killed 19-Year-Old Aspiring Nurse Sentenced to 12 Years
Earl Williams III pleaded guilty to felony murder in the death of Bre'nee Veasley, who was struck by stray gunfire during a 110-bullet exchange at a Milwaukee strip mall.
Verdict HomicideJesus Barraza Sentenced to Probation for Killing Aspiring Firefighter in Las Vegas Street Racing Case
Devin Heath, 17, was months from graduating high school when he was struck and killed while crossing the street; prosecutors had sought 28-72 months in prison.
Verdict Homicide'Want Me to Play You a Violin?': Florida Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder, Jury Recommends Death Penalty for Killing Wife in Front of Their Son
Jermaine Williams Sr. admitted stabbing his wife Yolonda 19 to 20 times after she rejected his reconciliation attempt and taunted him with the violin comment, prosecutors said.
Verdict TrialsOhio Father Sentenced to Up to 16.5 Years for Suffocating 4-Month-Old Daughter After Prior Death Threats
Marcellaus Nekie Malone pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in connection with his infant's December 2025 death.
Verdict Homicide'No Body, No Case': Two Men Sentenced in Death of Nebraska Teen Who Vanished on Alleged Day Trip
Floyd Coates received 35 years and Dennis Lawson 10 years despite no murder conviction; federal judge said he believed Coates intentionally caused Sunny Sramek's death.
Verdict Homicide'Lucky I Don't Kill You': Indiana Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Shooting at Repairman Over $70 Fee
Reba Wilson pleaded guilty to intimidation with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon after allegedly firing at appliance repair technician Nathaniel Baird.
Verdict HomicideCalifornia Daycare Owner Sentenced to 6 Years for Death of 5-Month-Old Baby
Roxanne Helus pleaded guilty to child abuse, involuntary manslaughter and DUI in connection with the death of infant Christian Olvera.
Verdict HomicideOregon Father Sentenced to 10 Years for Manslaughter in Death of 4-Year-Old Son Jhorden Clay
Marquavious Ware, who stomped and beat the boy over bed-wetting and sneaking Skittles into bed, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter.
Verdict HomicideFresno Serial Rapist Sentenced for Heinous Attacks on Five Women, Two Children
A Fresno man has been sentenced for a series of brutal sexual assaults spanning multiple victims including five women and two minors.
Verdict HomicideIowa Mother Pleads Guilty in 3-Year-Old Son's Death After Allegedly Napping While Boy Died in Hot Garage
Tiffani Huff Holmes, originally charged with child endangerment resulting in death, pleaded guilty to a lesser count of involuntary manslaughter and faces up to two years behind bars.
Verdict TrialsMexican Drug Kingpin El Mayo Gets Life Sentence, Issues Emotional Courtroom Apology
Ismael Zambada García delivers mea culpa before being sentenced for decades of Sinaloa Cartel operations that flooded the US with drugs.
Verdict HomicideCalifornia Teen Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Murdering Food Vendor in Broad Daylight Robbery
Demarcus Jaime Vega gunned down 45-year-old Lorenzo Perez after pretending to be a customer interested in ordering food from his cart.
Verdict TrialsPamela Smart, Convicted in Husband's 1990 Murder, Seeks New Trial From Life Sentence
The former Derry, N.H., woman has filed a motion seeking to overturn her conviction in the killing of her husband Gregg Smart.
Verdict HomicideFormer Teacher Gets 15 Years for Hammer Slaying of Wife After Telling Cops 'I Lost It' Over Alleged Affair
Terry Ogle confessed to killing 76-year-old Mary Ogle in a 911 call, saying 'Yeah, she's been down for a while,' but was convicted of voluntary manslaughter rather than murder.
Verdict HomicideAppeals Court Rules 28-Year Sentence Too Lenient for Libyan Militant Convicted in Attack
Court orders resentencing for defendant convicted in terrorist attack that left multiple victims dead.
Verdict HomicideAlex Murdaugh Case: New DNA Evidence Emerges in Murder Investigation of Wife Maggie, Son Paul
Forensic analysis reportedly reveals unidentified male genetic material under Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails, potentially complicating the convicted killer's prosecution.
Verdict HomicideSouth Carolina Woman Found Guilty of Killing Boyfriend in Front of Her 3-Year-Old Son
Zaria Owens sentenced to 21 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter after prosecutors said she shot Tyquirez Sims over a dispute about moving out.
Verdict HomicideAlex Murdaugh Case: Unidentified Male DNA Found Under Maggie Murdaugh's Fingernails
Forensic analysis reportedly reveals unidentified male DNA beneath Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails, potentially complicating the convicted killer's account of the June 2021 slayings.
Verdict HomicideMinnesota Man Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years for Shooting His Sleeping Mother in Her Recliner, Then Knocking on Neighbor's Door Covered in Blood
Nathan Davin was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of his 74-year-old mother, MaeDean Davin, whom he allegedly shot in the face and beat with a blunt object while she slept.
Verdict Organized CrimeLA Crips Gang Member Who Flagrantly Advertised $2.8M Bank Fraud on Instagram Sentenced in Federal Case
The Los Angeles-based gang associate promoted elaborate bank fraud scheme to his social media followers before federal authorities caught on.
Verdict Homicide'This Is All Going to Be Mine Soon': Michigan Man Convicted of Fatally Shooting Older Roommate and Boyfriend
Kayvon Briscoe-Hall, 21, found guilty of second-degree murder in killing of 63-year-old Roger Willie weeks before scheduled sentencing.
Verdict HomicideIllinois Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder After Shooting Neighbor in Stomach During Mother's Day Weekend Cookout
Willis Ellis, 58, was convicted for the fatal shooting of Lyndon Hunt, 60, who police say had challenged him to a fight while interrupting his grilling in Joliet.
Verdict Homicide'He Snapped': Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Stabbing Girlfriend to Death After She Refused to Make Rice
Jose Galan-Preval receives 14 to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for killing Yaimara Leyva-Cadet, whom he blamed for relationship tensions.