All articles tagged with #criminal proceedings
The Trump administration is rushing to deport Abrego Garcia before his criminal trial, despite previous claims that he would face trial in the U.S., raising questions about the timing and priorities of his prosecution and deportation.
Rapper Wiz Khalifa is under investigation in Romania for allegedly smoking a cannabis joint onstage during a concert at the Beach Please! Festival in Costinești. Romanian authorities have launched criminal proceedings for unlawful drug possession after finding more than 18 grams of cannabis on him. Khalifa acknowledged the incident on social media, expressing regret and promising to return without cannabis. Recreational cannabis use is illegal in Romania, and the investigation is ongoing.
Former President Donald Trump's "hush money" trial is set to begin in a Manhattan courtroom, making him the first former president in U.S. history to stand trial. The case revolves around a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, with Trump facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Jury selection starts today, with more than 500 potential jurors summoned. Prosecutors allege that Trump fraudulently falsified records to conceal an agreement to influence the election, while Trump claims the prosecutions are politically motivated. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks, and if convicted, Trump could face a maximum sentence of four years in prison.
The Turkish Football Federation has indefinitely suspended all league matches following a violent attack on referee Halil Umut Meler during a Süper Lig match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor. The president of Ankaragücü punched Meler in the face, and he was subsequently kicked while on the ground. Meler suffered a small fracture and bleeding around his left eye. The federation condemned the attack, initiated criminal proceedings, and vowed to punish those responsible. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the incident. The club whose president attacked Meler apologized, and Rizespor sent well wishes to the referee. Galatasaray called for a review of the growing issue of violence in Turkish football.
A federal appeals court panel has upheld most of the gag order on former President Donald Trump in his federal election-interference case, stating that some of his remarks pose a threat to the orderly adjudication of justice. However, the court ruled that the lower court judge's gag order was too broad and protected speech under the First Amendment. Trump can make public statements about the special counsel in the case but not other prosecutors, court staffers, or their family members if those remarks interfere with the ongoing case. The court emphasized that Trump, like other criminal defendants, does not have unfettered rights to speak. The ruling preserves restrictions on Trump and others from disparaging likely witnesses and court staff involved in the case.
The US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche offloaded approximately 18,219 pounds of cocaine, worth over $239 million, seized from drug transit zones in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Thirteen individuals have been arrested and are in US custody, with charges pending. The drugs were seized from six different vessels, including a self-propelled semi-submersible. The Coast Guard's successful interception of the semi-submersible is significant, as it is the first such seizure in over four years. The maritime counter-drug mission aims to combat transnational criminal organizations that traffic cocaine, which fuels violence, corruption, and instability in Central and South America. The drugs will be analyzed, stored as evidence, and eventually destroyed.
Former President Donald Trump is requesting live television coverage of his 2020 election interference trial in Washington, arguing that it would allow the public to witness the truth and expose what he believes to be a politically motivated prosecution. A coalition of news companies has also requested to record the trial, citing the importance of securing public confidence. However, the Department of Justice opposes the request, stating that the trial being open to the public and media satisfies the constitutional right of access. They also argue that in-court cameras could impact the truth-finding function of the court and potentially subject witnesses to threats and harassment. Trump is charged with four counts related to conspiracy and obstruction in connection with his claims of election fraud, which allegedly inspired the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who has been assigned to preside over special counsel Jack Smith's new case against former President Donald Trump, appeared in court for an unrelated criminal matter. Chutkan exchanged brief conversations with a public defender, expressing uncertainty and acknowledging the weight of her new assignment. Despite the gravity of the Trump case, Chutkan remained focused on the current proceeding, encouraging the defendant to actively participate in his defense.
Rapper Blueface, whose real name is Johnathan Porter, was arrested on a new charge of robbery while walking into a Las Vegas courthouse for a preliminary hearing on an attempted murder charge. His attorneys confirmed that the new charge involves taking a cell phone from a woman at the Palms casino. Porter remains in custody ahead of his hearing on the new charge. He is also facing at least two civil cases related to an alleged shooting outside a gentlemen's club in October 2022.
A federal judge has ordered the identities of the people who secured indicted congressman George Santos’ release from federal custody on $500,000 bond to be made public, but delayed the release of the names in case Santos wants to appeal. Santos' attorney had pleaded with the judge to keep the names sealed, saying Santos would rather be imprisoned than have the identities of the people who put up the bond for him revealed. Santos faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the top counts if convicted, and the potential forfeiture of his assets.