Beat: Criminal and Civil Court
Man convicted in fatal shooting of passer-by: Swissvale man faces life in prison
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 25, 2011
Leslie "Y" Brown was a toddler when his mother dropped him from a window into the arms of teenagers below, saving him from a blaze that killed five of his siblings and cousins. Eighteen years later, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, convicted of murder Thursday for a shooting in a Swissvale alley.
Old mandatory-minimum law lengthens Pittsburgh man's crack-cocaine sentence
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - May 23, 2011
Eric Brewer's troubles in West Virginia started with a noise complaint. Responding to a call in Harrison County in January 2009, police arrested the 24-year-old man and his cousin for disorderly conduct, searched their bodies and car and discovered, altogether, about 75 packages of crack-cocaine.
Tushon Brown pleads guilty in 14-year-old's death
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - April 15, 2011
A 36-year-old Sheraden man accused of stabbing, killing and trying to dismember a 14-year-old girl last year pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Murder trial hinges on reluctant witnesses
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - May 12, 2011
It took more than a decade to bring Nathaniel Levitt to trial. He is 36 years old now, with glasses and a slightly graying beard. But prosecutors claim he is the same man who shot Fred Sherrill dead Jan. 30, 1998, opening fire on his victim -- allegedly a rival gang member -- just before midnight.
Man found not guilty in 2008 Homestead slaying
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 2, 2011
As Marc Ferguson lay dying on his way to the hospital, wounded six times, he said it twice, witnesses testified: "Bear shot me."
State budget cuts endanger successful special courts
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - May 2, 2011
It is not unusual: Tired of waiting or simply tired, people fall asleep in court. Thursday, that person was Billy Ray Cash, steadily snoring in the gallery.
Second man found guilty in North Side shopkeeper's death: Michael Ross II was shot, killed in 2008 robbery
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 1, 2011
After the jury foreman read the verdict Monday -- guilty -- Edward Dixon left the courtroom with slumped shoulders, his relatives sobbing in the hallway.
Witnesses offer varying accounts in 2010 shooting
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - March 3, 2011
Brittany Perkins did not flinch at the first gunshot. It was a rainy May night, and she was relaxing in her Homewood row house; she often heard gunshots. Then she saw a skinny hand reach past her door with a gun, she testified.
Hafer named in estate lawsuit: Stepchildren say assets were shifted
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Oct. 13, 2011
The children of the late John "Jack" Pidgeon sued former state treasurer Barbara Hafer Tuesday, claiming that Ms. Hafer, their stepmother, took advantage of their father's declining health to shift more than $900,000 from his children and grandchildren to herself and her daughter.
Youth's uncontrollable rage blamed in woman's death
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 18, 2011
The fatal attack started after Johnie Washington asked to borrow his elderly neighbor's car, the young man told a psychiatrist.
Slain shopkeeper's family forgives killer at sentencing
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 16, 2011
Despite tears and a hefty prison term, Darnell Dixon's sentencing Monday for murder ended with an embrace.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 25, 2011
Leslie "Y" Brown was a toddler when his mother dropped him from a window into the arms of teenagers below, saving him from a blaze that killed five of his siblings and cousins. Eighteen years later, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, convicted of murder Thursday for a shooting in a Swissvale alley.
Old mandatory-minimum law lengthens Pittsburgh man's crack-cocaine sentence
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - May 23, 2011
Eric Brewer's troubles in West Virginia started with a noise complaint. Responding to a call in Harrison County in January 2009, police arrested the 24-year-old man and his cousin for disorderly conduct, searched their bodies and car and discovered, altogether, about 75 packages of crack-cocaine.
Tushon Brown pleads guilty in 14-year-old's death
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - April 15, 2011
A 36-year-old Sheraden man accused of stabbing, killing and trying to dismember a 14-year-old girl last year pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Murder trial hinges on reluctant witnesses
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - May 12, 2011
It took more than a decade to bring Nathaniel Levitt to trial. He is 36 years old now, with glasses and a slightly graying beard. But prosecutors claim he is the same man who shot Fred Sherrill dead Jan. 30, 1998, opening fire on his victim -- allegedly a rival gang member -- just before midnight.
Man found not guilty in 2008 Homestead slaying
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 2, 2011
As Marc Ferguson lay dying on his way to the hospital, wounded six times, he said it twice, witnesses testified: "Bear shot me."
State budget cuts endanger successful special courts
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - May 2, 2011
It is not unusual: Tired of waiting or simply tired, people fall asleep in court. Thursday, that person was Billy Ray Cash, steadily snoring in the gallery.
Second man found guilty in North Side shopkeeper's death: Michael Ross II was shot, killed in 2008 robbery
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 1, 2011
After the jury foreman read the verdict Monday -- guilty -- Edward Dixon left the courtroom with slumped shoulders, his relatives sobbing in the hallway.
Witnesses offer varying accounts in 2010 shooting
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - March 3, 2011
Brittany Perkins did not flinch at the first gunshot. It was a rainy May night, and she was relaxing in her Homewood row house; she often heard gunshots. Then she saw a skinny hand reach past her door with a gun, she testified.
Hafer named in estate lawsuit: Stepchildren say assets were shifted
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Oct. 13, 2011
The children of the late John "Jack" Pidgeon sued former state treasurer Barbara Hafer Tuesday, claiming that Ms. Hafer, their stepmother, took advantage of their father's declining health to shift more than $900,000 from his children and grandchildren to herself and her daughter.
Youth's uncontrollable rage blamed in woman's death
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 18, 2011
The fatal attack started after Johnie Washington asked to borrow his elderly neighbor's car, the young man told a psychiatrist.
Slain shopkeeper's family forgives killer at sentencing
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb. 16, 2011
Despite tears and a hefty prison term, Darnell Dixon's sentencing Monday for murder ended with an embrace.
