Most Mysterious Verdict: Juror Slips Judge Letter Before Reaching Death Penalty Verdict, Causes Confusion
A federal jury decided to give Gary Lee Sampson the death penalty for killing a man during a carjacking. However, before announcing their decision, one of the jurors decided to put a note in an envelope intended for the judge. So reports WBUR.
Sampson’s attorneys are seeking to see the letter. The contents and purpose of the note were not known and the judge declined to open or read the letter. The defense speculated the letter might have been a compliant that “coercive tactics” were used to reach a unanimous death penalty verdict. Two previous sentences from Sampson's trial were overturned due to juror misconduct, according to WBUR.
Most Defamatory Verdict: Judge Denies Dismissal of First Lady’s Defamation Lawsuit
A judge ruled first lady Melania Trump may proceed with a lawsuit she filed against a blogger who proliferated rumors she worked as an escort. So reports the Associated Press. The blogger, Webster Tarpley, sought a dismissal in Maryland’s Montgomery County Circuit Court, but was denied.
Tarpley’s lawyer argued the blog accurately pointed out there were “rumors” the first lady worked as a high-end escort. However, Trump’s lawyer disputed the notion that Tarpley merely reported rumors. Judge Sharon Burrell said there is “no more defamatory statement than to call a woman a prostitute” before denying the motion to dismiss, according to the article.
Most Terrifying Verdict: ISIS-inspired Man Gets 20 Years, Swears at Judge During Sentencing
Emmanuel Lutchman was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to providing material support to ISIS, according an article from an NBC affiliate WHEC.
Lutchman was arrested in December 2015 after allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired attack at a bar and grill. Lutchman said during sentencing he expects more radicals to “rise up” and cursed at the judge. Prosecutors said the man initiated contact with a terrorist leader in Syria in December 2015, who instructed him to launch an attack on New Year’s Eve.
Prior to sentencing, Lutchman’s lawyer asked for a sentence of ten years and Lutchman penned a letter to a judge expressing he no longer wanted to hurt innocent people and was battling mental illness.
Most Bogus Verdict: NYC Settles ‘Bogus’ Summons Case, Will Pay $75M
New York City will pay $75 million after NYPD cops allegedly issued sham summonses in order to meet quotas, according to an article from The New York Post.
The class action suit cited close to 1 million “bogus” summonses. Some of the summonses, dating back to 2007, were dismissed due to “lack of probable cause.” Those ticked may receive up to $150 per summons issued.
City officials deny the NYPD has set quotas for summonses. It was revealed during the case that emails from former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly’s desktop that may have been related to the matter were deleted, despite orders to preserve them. The settlement is pending final approval from Judge Robert Sweet.
Most Fraudulent Verdict: Russian Immigrant ‘Married’ to Suspected San Bernardino Gun Buyer Faces 20 Years for Fraud
The “wife” of suspected San Bernardino gun supplier Enrique Marquez pleaded guilty to marriage fraud and other charges in a federal court, according to an article from The New York Daily News.
Mariya Chernykh, a Russian immigrant, was said to have been assisted by her sister, who is married to a sibling of one of the terrorists reported to have killed 14 at the Inland Regional Center in December of 2015. Marquez allegedly took $200 a month in order to play along with the rouse and was named a co-conspirator.
Chernykh faces 20 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines.