Latest Homicide News

Daunte Wright family calls for stiffer charge against ex-cop
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — Daunte Wright's family members joined with community leaders Thursday in calling for more serious charges against a white police officer in Wright's death, comparing her case to the murder charge brought against a Black officer who killed a white woman in...

Chicago releases video of fatal police shooting of boy, 13
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago’s police review board released body camera video on Thursday of a police officer’s fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy late last month. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, an independent board that investigates Chicago police...
Former Malmstrom airman pleads guilty to negligent homicide
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — A former airman at Malmstrom Air Force Base has pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the accidental shooting death of a fellow airman in February 2020, Cascade County prosecutors said. Christopher Domonic Contardo, 26, pleaded guilty...
Authorities: Cleveland officer fatally shoots murder suspect
CLEVELAND (AP) — A man was shot and killed by a Cleveland police officer Thursday morning when he pulled a gun from his waistband as officers tried to arrest him on a murder warrant, Police Chief Calvin Williams said. Officers initially responded to a resident's call...
Kent to pay $4.4M to family of Black man police killed
KENT, Wash. (AP) — The city of Kent has agreed to pay $4.4 million to the family of Giovonn Joseph-McDade to settle a lawsuit saying police unnecessarily shot to death the 20-year-old after a brief pursuit and attempted traffic stop. The family’s attorney, Craig Sims,...

Defense rests without Chauvin testimony at murder trial
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Officer Derek Chauvin chose not to take the stand as testimony at his murder trial ended Thursday, passing up the chance to explain to the jury and the public for the first time what he was thinking when he pressed his knee against George Floyd’s neck. ...

EXPLAINER: Here's why Derek Chauvin won't testify at trial
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in George Floyd’s death said Thursday that he won't testify in his own defense, invoking his right to remain silent and leave the burden of proof on the state. It was a high-stakes decision....
Court: Man entitled to new trial in killing of woman, 94
ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — A mentally disabled man convicted of killing a 94-year-old woman nearly 20 years ago is entitled to a new trial, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled. The court's unanimous opinion last week affirmed a 2020 ruling that vacated Andrew Royer's...

Son, father appear in court for hearing in 1996 killing
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former California college student charged with murder in the 1996 disappearance of classmate Kristin Smart and the defendant's father, who is accused of helping hide the young woman's body, made their first court appearance Thursday but did not enter pleas. ...

Daunte Wright, slain by police, known as jokester, young dad
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A few years ago, Daunte Wright was talking to a high school mentor about what to do if he was pulled over by police. “Make sure your hands are on top of the steering wheel, don’t reach for anything,” Jonathan Mason told him, given the long...
