Most Reaction-inducing Verdict: Ex-Teacher Slits Own Throat in Court
A California man took a razor to his throat after being found guilty of rape, according an article in People. The former teacher, Jeffrey Scott Jones, was treated for non-life threatening injuries after being convicted of raping a relative when she was 13-years-old. He was found guilty of two felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one felony count of continuous sexual behavior. Jones had been free on $1 million bail since July of 2013. He faces 68- years-to-life in prison, when sentenced. It is unclear where the razor blade was from and the court is reviewing its weapons screening procedures. Prior to being arrested, he was an advanced placement English teacher with 27 years of teaching under his belt.
Most Terrifying Verdict: Man with ‘Genetic Personality Condition’ Sentenced in Plot to Blow Up Army Base
A Kansas man was sentenced to a year and three months in prison for his role in aiding aspiring jihadists attempting to blow up an Army base, according to an article from the Associated Press. Alexander Blair will also have two-years supervised probation after being accused of lending $100 to John T. Booker Jr. to purchase what he thought was an explosive device. Blair's attorney argued Booker was able to manipulate Blair due to an “unusual genetic personality condition” known as Williams syndrome and was planning to detonate the bomb outside Fort Riley “in support of the Islamic State.” The device, however, was a fake bomb crafted by FBI informants.
Most Photographed Verdict: Knicks' Rose Off the Hook in Civil Rape Suit
The woman accusing Derrick Rose, recently acquired by the New York Knicks, of rape was unable to prove her case and will not receive the $21.5 million she sought, according to The New York Daily News.
A Los Angeles federal court jury deliberated for nearly four hours before determining the accuser was unable to prover Rose and two friends gang raped her while incapacitated. Rose thanked each juror after the verdict, even taking photos with some. The accuser filed the suit after she claimed Rose and co-defendants Randall Hampton and Ryan Allen drank with her and possibly slipped her drugs at a rental home in Beverly Hills. After she blacked out, she claimed they let themselves into her apartment while she was “drifting in and out of consciousness, unable to consent.” Rose and the co-defendants acknowledged having had sex with the woman, but said it was consensual.
Most Journalistic Verdict: NYT Reporter Won’t Have to Testify in ‘Baby Hope’ Murder Trial
A Manhattan appeals court ruled The New York Times reporter who interviewed the man accused of murdering “Baby Hope” cannot be forced to testify at his upcoming trial, according to an article in The New York Times. The reporter, Frances Robles, will also have her notes protected as well, as they are not “critical or necessary” to the accused’s prosecution. The case stems from the 1991 murder of Anjélica Castillo of Queens, who was unidentified at the time her body was discovered. Her cousin, Conrado Juárez, later confessed on tape to the murder and attempted rape. He told police he and his sister dumped the body afterwards. Juárez, in the jailhouse interview with Robles, backtracked and said he did not kill the girl, but did help hide the body.
Most Delayed Verdict: Furniture Salesman Pleads Guilty to Killing Competitor
Sam Perone, of Arizona, pleaded guilty to killing a competing furniture salesman in 1992 and will serve 11 years in prison, according to an article in The New York Daily News. Perone originally pleaded not guilty to the Ohio murder of Richard Woods, who was found shot in the head in his store. After investigators were unable to connect Perone to the murder, the case was reopened two years ago and new technology allowed authorities to tie him the killing. Perone was extradited from Arizona after being taken into custody.