Verdict Watch
Cases resolved in court — sentencings, guilty pleas, convictions, and acquittals.
Woman Sentenced for Role in Murder of Her Child's Father While He Was Babysitting
Markeisha Burns-Cross drove her boyfriend to kill Devon L. Williams at his Michigan home, prosecutors said, describing the slaying as a 'cold-blooded, premeditated ambush.'
Verdict HomicideOhio Mother Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder of 12-Year-Old Son She Shot in Back of Head
Briasha Stroud admitted to shooting her son inside a parked garage before turning the gun on herself; boy survived but suffered life-altering injuries.
Verdict Homicide"That Day He Just Pushed Me Too Far": Man Sentenced for Fatally Shooting His Father During Argument Over Car Speakers
Jeffrey Young Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, telling the court his father had a history of violence and alcohol abuse that finally pushed him too far.
Verdict HomicideIndiana Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Stabbing Roommate During Fatal Argument Over Sleeping Arrangements
Draylon Crutchfield convicted of murder for killing Muhammad Williams, 18, after dispute about where to sleep in Fort Wayne apartment.
Verdict Missing PersonsShane McSwane Sentenced to 26 Years for Kidnapping Colorado Witness Who Saw His Traffic Crash
Grace Dotson was held captive for four hours after witnessing the crash in Aurora, with deputies ultimately rescuing her following a high-speed chase.
Verdict HomicideTexas Man Convicted in Death of 2-Month-Old Son After Keeping Infant's Corpse Wrapped in Blankets for Days
Miguel Angel Ortiz Jr. was found guilty of injury to a child by omission in the June 2025 death of his infant son; jury recommended 30-year sentence.
Verdict HomicideFormer Raiders Receiver Henry Ruggs Denied Parole Nearly 5 Years After Killing Las Vegas Woman in Drunken Crash
Nevada parole board upholds the three-to-10-year sentence for ex-NFL player who was convicted of DUI causing death and vehicular manslaughter.
Verdict HomicideElderly NYC Serial Killer Sentenced to Life After Dismembering Victim, Riding Around With Severed Arm
Harvey Marcelin, 88, convicted of murdering Susan Leyden and sentenced without parole after using a reciprocating saw on her body.
Verdict HomicideKentucky Woman Convicted of Manslaughter After Killing Man While Driving Over 90 MPH, Blaming Deer for Crash
Dusty Ratliff was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the 2022 death of James Kelly on a rural Kentucky road.
Verdict TrialsDid Implicit Bias Factor Into Karmelo Anthony's Guilty Verdict?
Legal analysts question whether the all-white jury and size disparity between defendant and victim influenced the 35-year murder sentence in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf.
Verdict TrialsQuestions Linger After Karmelo Anthony Receives 35-Year Sentence in Fatal Stabbing of Austin Metcalf
The jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison after rejecting a 'sudden passion' defense, prompting questions about implicit bias and jury diversity.
Verdict TrialsVance Boelter Changes Federal Plea to Guilty in Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings
The 58-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, wounding State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife under a plea agreement that includes two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years.
Verdict HomicideOklahoma Father Sentenced to 5 Years for Rollover Crash That Killed Teenage Daughter After Admitting to Drinking Vodka
Elliott Lincoln Binney pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, child neglect and leaving the scene of a fatal accident in connection with Shelby Binney's death.
Verdict Missing PersonsFormer Taliban Commander Sentenced to 42 Years for Journalist Kidnapping, Deaths of US Soldiers
Haji Najibullah pleaded guilty to providing material support for terrorism and conspiring to take hostages in a case that spanned more than seven months of captivity.
Verdict Homicide'I Had to Do It': Missouri Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing Father, Handing Rifle to Victim's Wife
Carter Joshua Curtis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the September 2024 killing of his father, John McMurphy, telling investigators he had no choice but to shoot.
Verdict TrialsNYC Landlord Gets 3 Life Sentences for Grisly Triple Slaying After Rejecting Plea Deal
David Daniel, 56, convicted of murdering his girlfriend and two tenants in Queens home was sentenced to three consecutive life terms.
Verdict HomicideMarine Combat Veteran From Arizona Convicted of Threatening to Kill President Trump With M-16 Rifle After VA Termination
Rene Ortiz allegedly told federal agents he would shoot the president-elect from 300 yards if his demands were not met, jury finds.
Verdict TrialsKarmelo Anthony Found Guilty of Murder in Texas High School Stabbing Case
Austin Metcalf, 17, was fatally stabbed at a Dallas-area track meet in April 2025; jury rejects self-defense claim.
Verdict HomicideCalifornia Woman Sentenced to 4 Years After Client Dies During Asphyxiation Sex Act
Michaela Rylaarsdam, an OnlyFans model and high-end escort, broke down in court as she received her sentence for involuntary manslaughter.
Verdict HomicideFlorida Mom Who Forcibly Dunked Other Child at Hotel Pool Avoids Prison Time
Tiffany Griffith pleaded guilty to child abuse after allegedly submerging a 6-year-old boy underwater for several seconds at the Gaylord Palms resort.
Verdict HomicideGeorgia Men Sentenced in Drive-By Shooting Death of 3-Year-Old Kyron Smith
Four men receive sentences ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment for the March 2024 killing that prosecutors say was intended to boost gang status.
Verdict HomicideArizona Woman Gets 21 Years for Killing Cousin With Claw Hammer, Attempting to Vacuum Up Blood
Brianna Zerth pleaded guilty to domestic violence manslaughter for the May 2022 slaying of Peter McKenna Jr. in Peoria.
Verdict HomicideVirginia Nurse Convicted of Breaking Bones of 9 Infants Could Serve Less Than 3 Years Under Plea Deal
Erin Strotman received the statutory maximum sentence of 45 years, but a judge suspended all but four months per count under a plea agreement.
Verdict Homicide'Oh, a Flashlight': 4-Year-Old Indiana Boy's Final Words Before Dying From Unsecured Gun on Bedside Table
Nathan Stanley pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent and was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the May 2025 death of his son Charlie.