Murder Case Summary

On Thursday, February 2, 2017 I observed the Court of Common Pleas in Athens, Ohio for an hour and a half. Overseen by Judge Pat Lang in “Courtroom B.” I arrived to the courthouse around 8:55 a.m. I entered the building from the right side, underneath the stairs. To my immediate right, there was an officer and a metal detector I had to walk through before coming any further. I put the loose things I was carrying through the x-ray conveyor belt and collected them on the other side. I asked the officer where Courtroom B was and he kindly directed me to the 3rd floor. I took the elevator to the third floor and when the doors opened I walked out and to the left. There was one other person on the floor at the time and sitting by the doors of courtroom B. It was very quiet in the building, I walked through the

Everyone was subjected to security including the lawyers and employees of the court house. Everyone was either in some type of uniform or dressed extremely formal, even if they were just spectators. Few people were in the court room, but not many. The judge, lawyers and people that were being represented had not still entered the building. Moments later the plaintiff, Dawn-Evans Donahue, and the defendant Joseph Donahue with their lawyers Michael Morris and John M. Makowski, entered the court room. They had taken their place on each of the court room to make their cases in front of the judge. The bailiff then told us to all rise for their entrance of Judge Polansky. We all rose and took our seats. The court had now been set in motion for deliberation. The judge was wearing the standard gown that is portrayed in films and in real life, there was no jury because this was not a trial court, this was a family matters case.

In Nashville on September 8, 2016 a man has been found guilty for robbery and shooting of a drug dealer. According to the WSMV website, the man by the name of, Montrez E. Duncan, “was convicted for committing Hobbs Act Robbery, Robbery and carrying, and brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. A trial done in September 26, 2016, it was stated that Duncan and a few suspects followed the person home. They then entered the home, tied him up and threatened to kill him. The robbers stole some cocaine and cash from the victim and forced him to contact others to take more cash and drugs from them. When they felt the victim was of no value to them, they attempted to set him and the vehicle on fire. The victim was able

Author Steve Bogira wrote a book based on his experiences over one ear in Chicago’s County Criminal Courthouse. His book Courtroom 302 goes through numerous cases and trials during the book, and gives the reader an inside look at what really is going on inside of the courtrooms. The key player in this book are the defendants, deputies, prosecutors, attorneys, and jurors. However, the judge of the courtroom, Judge Daniel Locallo is the main character most of the book is around, because he handles all of these cases.

As I entered the court, the trial has already commenced so I did not really know how a real trial started. I sat in the back where the public sits, facing the judge bench. The courtroom was cold and quiet. Especially it was very small, much smaller and less impressive than I expected.. Everyone was in formal dressing code. There were just a few number of spectators and family members in the court room. There was a clerk who was typing everything what was happening during the court time. Judge Krocker appeared to have things under control and had the proceedings moving forward smoothly. She was a very friendly lady with short blonde hair. She was listening attentively. She spoke clearly and distinctly so that everyone in the courtroom could hear. Samuel Gallegos is a white man about 5 '8 tall. He looked quite nervous while some police officers were standing behind him. From what I understood, this case was really happening back in 2014 and the suspect has criminal history relating to assault of child and another related case to this case. On my left hand side were the bailiffs while some others stood observed

During this documentary, the viewers get an inside look at how criminal proceedings work. In the courtroom, the most important players are the prosecution, defense, and judge. The judge is in the room to make sure the proceeding runs smoothly and to settle any arguments that arise. The prosecution is there to accuse the defendant for whatever crime he or she has been convicted of. The defense is there to defend the person being convicted of the crime. There is also a bailiff who is there to oversee the court and make sure everyone there is safe. The bailiff will bring evidence form the defense or prosecution to the judge, as nobody is to approach the bench without the judge calling attorneys to the

Fifth Estate’s 40th episode, “the interrogation room”, essentially analyzes an open murder case that occurred on November the third of 2006; the murder case revolves the shooting and eventual death of a male attending named Mervyn “Mikey” Spence, at a birthday party. The case was investigated over the course of four years in which the Peel Police had made arrests, but through the use of controversial interrogation methods, were redirected to charge and imprison an innocent male named, Eric “Action” Morgan. To further justify his innocence, Morgan reveals his guests to the investigators at his party who were at the time of the shooting, ultimately be his alibi(s). However, after the witnesses being held for several hours, threatened and reprimanded, they recanted their statements and later stated that s/ he

The book Courtroom 302 by Steve Bogira is about one year in one courtroom in Chicago’s Cook County Criminal Courthouse. The Cook County Courthouse is the busiest felony courthouse in the country. In the book, we are given a behind-the-scenes look into the daily cases that are dealt with every day and into the highest profile case of the year. Bogira gives great insight into how the ethics of the criminal justice system are compromised and often ignored as justice is handed out swiftly and mindlessly.

Based on the experience from Professor Orlon’s intern Bandrea Bay, there are three individuals within the scenario that committed a possible crime for which there are possible convictions. The first individual that will be focused on is Cynthia Smith Kones, whom is the mother of the five-year-old child that died due to neglect. Mrs. Kones is the primary caregiver of John Jr. and according to the United States Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia “Parents have a duty to aid and protect their minor children.” CITE. Mrs. Kones left the care of her child in the hands of her husband, Charley Kones, who was the child’s stepfather. However, Mrs. Kones simply left a note at the residence instead of personally communicating to her husband of

Bogira paints a portrait of some of the more personal and nuanced day-to-day activities that go into courtroom behavior and decision making. Describe some of the often overlooked aspects of day-to-day court operations (i.e., judges background, public pressures, defense attorney and prosecutorial ambitions, etc.) and how they may affect court outcomes for defendants. Bogira paints a portrait of the real side of the law and after reading Courtroom 302 I’m applauded at the things I’ve read. Bogira’s showed a different side to prosecutors, detectives, and judges detailing the little to no interest they had in righting the wrongs caused by the court.

During this case, I watched a criminal court hearing for James King, the defendant, who allegedly threatened a judge, the plaintiff.

Murder, in the eyes of the law, comes in all shapes and forms. Murder could not just come in the form of the 3rd, 2nd or 1st degree, but identifying the factor behind the charge could determine whether the defendant will be acquitted or receive a reduction (“First Degree Murder Defenses,” 2013). When it comes to the Texas City disaster, there was clearly an act of negligence in their part that resulted in mass casualties. Before law enforcement begin to point fingers, an investigation must be conducted and sufficient evidence has to be obtained (“The Criminal Process, “ 2015). In order to prosecute an individual in the Texas City disaster successful, the proof of general intent has to be present. That being said, if the Texas City explosions occurred in the State of Florida, the evidence obtained must

“The accused needs to stand.” The tribunal judge’s voice echoed throughout the cavernous courtroom. Although he sat high upon his chair behind his raised bench, the lighting around him was dim, providing a sense of anonymity. To his right, a collection of citizens, too, sat shrouded in anonymity.

Studying abroad, for Meredith Kercher it would end in her death and a nightmare for her family. Meredith had come to Perugia, Italy from England to continue and complete her college education. When given her options of locations to study she chose Perugia where the University of Foreigners is located. Meredith would come to live in a small Italian rental home with three other college students, Amanda Knox, Filomena Romanelli and Laura Mezzetti.

I went to the court on October 13, around 10:30. When I first walked in there were a lot of people there I wasn’t expecting that at all. Security was higher than at the magistrate court. There were attorneys there but they stand next to there defendants at all times since it was still assembly justice so the trials didn’t go on for days if the most for about 30 minutes. The first case I had a chance was already on its way so I don’t know how long it had been going on for. The defendant was wearing a dark blue jump suit. As well as he had some chains aournd his waist