Showing posts with label American Justice System. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Justice System. Show all posts
Friday, April 26, 2024
Woman Ordered to Pay $2.6M for False Accusation Against Brian Banks
A significant judgment has been ruled against a woman whose false accusation of rape led to the wrongful imprisonment of former prep football star Brian Banks. Wanetta Gibson has been ordered by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to pay a total of $2.6 million in connection to the case.
The judgment includes a sum of $1.5 million as well as an additional $1.1 million covering fees, which encompass costs associated with the false claim and court proceedings. This ruling comes as a result of Gibson's accusation against Banks, dating back to 2002 when they were acquaintances at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
Woman Falsely Accused Football Star Of Rape, She Was Awarded $1.5 Million
The California Innocence Project, an organization instrumental in Banks' exoneration, provided insight into the case, shedding light on Gibson's false allegations that resulted in Banks' wrongful imprisonment.
Georgia Driver Hit with $1.4 Million Fine for Speeding at 90 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone
A Georgia resident faced an astonishing $1.4 million ticket last month after being pulled over for speeding on a freeway. Connor Cato was driving through Savannah on September 2 when he was caught going 90 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone by the Georgia State Patrol.
Anticipating a 'super speeder' ticket due to exceeding the speed limit by 35 miles, Cato was surprised by the excessively high fine, far beyond the usual $1,000 maximum. Suspecting a mistake, he contacted the court, only to be informed that he must either pay the astronomical amount or appear in court on December 21 at 1:30 pm.
According to Cato, the court representative stated, '"$1.4 million," the lady told me on the phone. I said, "This might be a typo," and she said, "No, sir, you either pay the amount on the ticket or you come to court on December 21 at 1.30 pm."'
Later, Cato discovered that the exorbitant $1.4 million fine was merely a placeholder generated by e-citation software used by the local Recorder’s Court for 'super speeders.' The actual fine would be determined by a judge during Cato's mandatory court appearance.
Joshua Peacock, a spokesperson for Savannah’s city government, clarified that the intention was not to intimidate individuals into court. He explained, 'The programmers who designed the software used the largest number possible because super speeder tickets are a mandatory court appearance and do not have a fine amount attached to them when issued by police.'
Although the city has employed this system since 2017, they acknowledge the need to adjust the placeholder language to prevent confusion. Criminal defense attorney Sneh Patel expressed astonishment at the initial fine, stating that he had never encountered such a high amount for a misdemeanor traffic violation.
In Georgia, misdemeanor traffic violation fines cannot exceed $1,000, along with state-mandated costs. Patel emphasized that even for a misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature, the fine would typically be $5,000. He added that bond amounts exceeding $5,000 are usually reserved for more serious offenses, such as drug trafficking, murder, aggravated assault, or for individuals expected to evade their upcoming court date.
In Other SMH America News
According to the probable cause affidavit initially obtained by NBC DFW and reviewed by PEOPLE, Chad Christopher Stevens, 42, was accused of tampering with evidence and fabricating evidence by disposing of the dead body of his ex-girlfriend Heather Louise Schwab.
Florida House Approves Bill Restricting Social Media Access for Individuals Under 16
The Florida House of Representatives has approved a bill that aims to prevent individuals under the age of 16 from holding accounts on certain social media platforms. The legislation, known as House Bill 1 or Online Protections for Minors, received a vote of 108-7 and will now be sent to Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, for potential approval.
If signed into law, HB1 will mandate certain social media platforms to verify the age of account holders. Additionally, it will prohibit individuals under 16 from creating new accounts and require the termination of accounts suspected to belong to underage users. The Senate had already passed the bill with a vote of 23-14 earlier on the same day.
Governor DeSantis, known for his stance on parental involvement, expressed his views on the matter during a press conference. He acknowledged the potential harm of excessive social media use but emphasized the importance of parental supervision. DeSantis is actively working to incorporate a role for parents in deciding whether their children should have access to social media, suggesting that parents should have the option to opt in if they want their kids on these platforms.
The bill broadly defines the social media platforms subject to its provisions. It encompasses companies where at least 10% of daily active users under 16 spend a minimum of two hours per day on the platform, and those utilizing algorithms, push alerts, continuous scrolling, or auto-play videos.
The legislation, introduced on January 5, faces an uncertain future, echoing the challenges seen in other states. A federal judge recently temporarily blocked a similar Ohio law, deeming it likely unconstitutional. The Ohio law aimed to regulate children's access to social media platforms, requiring parental consent for accounts created for those under 16. This legal setback underscores the complex landscape surrounding attempts to regulate social media for young individuals amid concerns about its impact on mental health.
In Other SMH America News
Nicholas' death was entirely– excruciatingly – needless and avoidable. We will get justice for him, the other children and their families.” Authorities discovered a trap floor and drugs hidden in the Bronx day care center where a 1-year-old boy died of a suspected fentanyl overdose, the NYPD said.
Prisoner Creates Tunnel Through Wall, Allegedly Stabs Inmate in Adjacent Cell, According to Prison Authorities
In Fulton County, Georgia, a prisoner took extreme measures to target a fellow inmate in a neighboring cell, as reported by law enforcement officials. Kavian Thomas, an inmate at Rice Street jail, reportedly created a hole in a shower stall wall on May 17, allowing him access to an adjacent cell block. Subsequently, Thomas carried out an assault on Derondney Russell, stabbing him multiple times, according to a press release from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.
Inmate Digs Through His Cell Room Wall to Stab Another Inmate In Neighboring Cell
Russell suffered "superficial stab wounds to his upper body" and received medical treatment within the jail's medical unit for his injuries. Following the attack, authorities conducted a thorough inspection of both cells, revealing the presence of several weapons, some of which were fashioned "from parts of the dilapidated building infrastructure," as mentioned in the press release.
Interim Fulton County Jail commander Curtis Clark emphasized the challenges posed by the deteriorating condition of the facility, stating, "This jail has outlived its useful life." Clark highlighted the difficulty in ensuring a secure environment for both staff and inmates due to the aging infrastructure.
The sheriff's office indicated that Kavian Thomas would face additional criminal charges related to the assault. Thomas had previously been charged with offenses such as theft of stolen property, possession/transport of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of marijuana, according to court records.
In Other SMH America News
A Nevada rapper was arrested on murder charges after implicating himself in a music video by sharing details of the crime that only a killer could have known, police said.
Teenager, 15, Faces Murder and Terrorism Charges in Connection with Oxford High School Shooting
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has announced charges in connection with the tragic events at Oxford High School on Tuesday.
Fifteen-year-old Ethan Crumbley is facing severe charges, including one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. McDonald emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be brought based on the evolving findings.
15-Year-Old School Shooting Suspect Charged as an Adult with Terrorism First-Degree Murder
Crumbley is being charged as an adult, and during his arraignment on Wednesday, he stood mute, with a not-guilty plea entered on his behalf. Bond was denied, and he was ordered to be transferred from Children's Village to the Oakland County Jail. If convicted on all charges, Crumbley could face life in prison.
McDonald revealed that evidence suggests this was not an impulsive act, leading to the inclusion of a terrorism charge in connection with the school shooting. The prosecutor also mentioned that charges against both parents are under consideration.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of Tate Myre, 16, Hana St. Juliana, 14, and Madisyn Baldwin, 17, with 17-year-old Justin Shilling succumbing to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon. The shooter, a 15-year-old sophomore, reportedly used a 9mm pistol during the attack in the south end of the school.
Students recounted hearing an ALICE warning over the intercom following the initial gunshots. ALICE, an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate, is a training program designed for schools. Law enforcement responded swiftly to the incident, with the suspected shooter apprehended while still possessing seven rounds of ammunition. Over 30 shell casings were later recovered by the police.
Seven other victims sustained injuries, with varying conditions. Notably, a 14-year-old female is in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the chest and neck, undergoing surgery, and is currently on a ventilator. Another 17-year-old female is also in critical condition. Other victims range from serious to stable conditions.
The Oxford Community Schools District released a statement expressing profound grief over the loss of lives and injuries. The district emphasized the priority of student and staff safety and participation in the ongoing investigation. The focus remains on providing care and support to the affected individuals, while the district urges respect for the privacy of grieving families.
In Other SMH America News
A New Mexico family rushing to try and save their dog’s life was stopped and held at gunpoint by the cops. KRQE Investigates obtained the police videos from a traffic stop that still has a family in disbelief.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
