Most Political Verdict: Flynn Gets Quick Turnaround On Jan. 6 Probe Challenge
Just one day after filing it, Michael Flynn lost his challenge to block a potential House select committee subpoena of his phone records related to the January 6 Capitol riots, according to an article from CNN. At press time, 11 other individuals whose phone records were subpoenaed have brought challenges against their inquiries. District Judge Mary Scriven said Flynn was unable to meet the “procedural requirements to make the case for emergency intervention,” but added he could refile the motion in the future.
Most High-Profile Verdict: Potter Guilty, Convicted in Same Courtroom as Derek Chauvin
Ex-police officer Kim Potter was found guilty of first- and second-degree manslaughter after fatally shooting Daunte Wright, according to an article from KCCI 8 Des Moines, a CBS affiliate. Potter said she had meant to fire her taser at Wright when she accidentally grabbed her gun instead. Wright, who was Black, died while resisting arrest during a chaotic traffic stop. The conviction took place in the same courtroom as the trial of Derek Chauvin, another police officer charged for fatally killing a Black man.
Most Hollywood Verdict: Jussie Smollett Guilty on 5 of 6 Charges, Plans Appeal
Jussie Smollett was found guilty of lying to authorities about a “racist, homophobic” hate crime, and the incident has sparked opinions and protest from all sides of the political landscape, according to an article from ABC News. The embattled actor was accused of hiring two brothers to stage an attack on him, and even fed them lines about then-president Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan to use during the alleged incident. Smollett is planning to appeal the decision and has maintained his innocence since the ordeal began three years ago.
Most Disturbing Verdict: Duggar Convicted on Child Porn Charges
A jury has convicted former reality star Josh Duggar of receipt and possession of child pornography, although the judge issued a procedurally mandated stay on the lesser charge,
according to an article from KNWA, a Fox affiliate. The trial included 12 witnesses and was conducted at the Western District of Arkansas Federal Courthouse in Fayetteville. There were several members of the Duggar family on hand for the verdict, including Josh’s wife Anna and her father Jim Bob.
Most Eye Opening Verdict: Family Wins $301B Verdict Against Bar That Overserved Patron Leading to Deadly Crash
The family of two victims of a drunk-driving accident won a $301 billion settlement against the bar that overserved the driver who killed the pair, according to an article from KRIS 6 News, an NBC affiliate. The largely symbolic verdict against Beer Belly’s Sports Bar in Texas came in the wake of Joshua Delbosque, who also died in the crash, running a red light and killing Tamra Kay Kindred and her 16-year-old granddaughter Aujuni Tamay Anderson. Delbosque reportedly left the bar with a blood-alcohol level of approximately 0.263, which is more than three times the legal limit to drive a vehicle in Texas.