Most Spiritual Verdict: ‘Philly Jesus’ Guilty of Trespass, Cleared of Disorderly Conduct
Michael Grant, a recovering drug addict in Philadelphia who can often be found wandering the streets dresses as Jesus Christ, was found guilty of defiant trespass, but not guilty of a related disorderly conduct charge, according an article from philly.com.
The charges are related to an incident at an Apple store in May where Grant was accused of blocking an aisle at the store with a massive crucifix and then becoming “very aggressive” when asked to leave. Grant’s attorney argued Grant thought he was being targeted due to his religious convictions and he believed he was protected by the first amendment. Grant was sentenced to three months’ probation and is planning to appeal the case to a jury.
Most Targeted Verdict: Target Rolls Dice After $12k settlement Offer, Set to Pay $4.6M After Trial
Retail giant Target may have missed the mark deciding to go to trial after a woman was struck with a hypodermic needle in the store’s parking lot. The company was hit with a $4.6 million jury verdict, according to an article from the ABA Journal.
Target rejected a $12,000 settlement offer and responded with a $750 counter. Carla Denise Garrison, of South Carolina, was with her 8-year-old daughter, who found the needle, when the incident occurred in 2014. As she swatted the needle out of her daughter’s hand, she was stuck in the palm. Medication prescribed to prevent HIV caused Garrison to become ill and led to missed work for her and her husband. The defense argued there was no proof Target placed the needle in the lot or knew about the needled and failed to mitigate the matter. South Carolina’s punitive damage cap may impact post-trial motions or appeals.
Most Depressing Verdict: PrimCare Medical Hit with $11.9M Verdict in Prisoner Suicide Case
PrimeCare Medical Inc. and several of its employees were ordered to pay $11.9 million to the family of a pizza shop owner who committed suicide in jail, according to an article from The Washington Post.
Mumun Barbaros used a shredded T-shirt to suffocate himself at the Monroe County Correctional Facility in 2009. Barbaros allegedly vandalized competitors’ shops leading to his arrest. The lawsuit stated the medical staff failed to properly evaluate Barbaros’ suicide risk and made errors that may have kept him from taking his antidepressant medication.
PrimeCare’s attorneys argued that Barbaros did not accurately report his medications and blamed jail staff for not addressing Barbaros’ odd behavior shortly before his death. They are planning an appeal.
Most Disturbing Verdict: Ex-border Patrol Agent Guilty in Teen Sex, Drug Case
A San Diego courtroom found ex-U.S. Border Patrol agent Daniel Alfredo Spear guilty of performing sex acts on his daughter’s 17-year-old friend, according to an article from NBC affiliate 7 San Diego.
Spear was accused of giving the girl cocaine as well, and was found guilty of digital penetration of a minor, oral copulation of a minor and employment of a minor to perform prohibited acts. The victim testified Spear brought “cocaine, money, lingerie and a camera to the Dana Inn hotel on Mission Bay” in October, and after giving her drugs, allegedly took pictures of her performing sex acts with him.
Investigators found photos of the teen in lingerie on Spear’s phone. He faces four years and four months in prison.
Most Mysterious Verdict: Texas Man Guilty in Kidnapping of Still Missing Woman
A Texas jury found Enrique Arochi guilty of aggravated kidnapping after Christina Morris went missing two years ago. Arochi denies having anything to do with the disappearance of Morris, who has not yet been found, according to an article from CBS DFW.
“A black and white security camera video of the victim and him walking from a bar in Plano, DNA in his Camaro and cell phone signals unraveled a web of lies according to prosecutors during his two-week trial,” the story reads. As the verdict was read, Arochi reportedly showed no emotion and the judge banned those in attendance from audibly reacting. He faces a sentence ranging from probation to life in prison.