Crime & Justice News- October 11, 2020


Homicide

Utah police make arrest in decade-old Sherry Black murder case (Deseret News)

Sherry Black (Larry H. Miller Group of Companies)
Sherry Black | Larry H. Miller Group of Companies

He was booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary, according to a police affidavit. He is being held without bail.

Rivera said she was unable to offer further details about how Durborow was identified as a suspect in the case, including if DNA or other evidence gathered from the crime scene played a role or whether or not a tip from the public assisted investigators.

Rivera said the case will be screened for charges by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill on Tuesday.

According to the police booking affidavit, on Oct. 7 DNA was collected from Durborow and submitted to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services and a match was found with DNA collected from the scene of Black’s murder in 2010.

Texas Police Officer Fired, Charged With Murder In Fatal Shooting Of Black Man (NPR)

Hunt County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office via AP

Shaun Lucas, a white police officer facing a murder charge in the killing of a Black man in Wolfe City, Texas, has been fired.

Lucas is accused of killing Jonathan Price on Saturday after he responded to a call about a possible fight in the city, which is about 70 miles northeast of Dallas.

His termination, which city officials announced Thursday, comes amid intense scrutiny of cases in which law enforcement has used excessive force against communities of color. It also comes amid ongoing national protests sparked by other Black Americans being killed or severely injured by law enforcement, including George FloydRayshard BrooksBreonna Taylor and Jacob Blake.

“Mr. Lucas was terminated for his egregious violation of the City’s and police department’s policies,” the Wolfe City government said in a statement on its Facebook page.

The city’s statement did not provide details about what policies Lucas violated. It thanked the community for keeping protests peaceful following Price’s killing

Jason Van Dyke Drops Appeal Of Conviction In Murder Of Laquan McDonald (CBS-CHICAGO)

CHICAGO (CBS) — Former Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke has dropped his appeal of his 2018 conviction for the murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke and his attorney Daniel Herbert listen during Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago, for the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Van Dyke appealed his conviction, but on Friday, the Illinois Appellate Court agreed to dismiss his appeal, after his attorney filed a motion last month asking his appeal be dropped, according to Kane County State’s Attorney Joseph McMahon, who served as special prosecutor for Van Dyke’s trial.

“Mr. Van Dyke’s decision prevents additional years of litigation, bringing finality to the thorough prosecution of this case in which his rights were protected and justice was served. I wish to again thank everyone who diligently worked with us on this case from the time of our appointment as special prosecutor in August 2016 through today’s Appellate Court ruling,” McMahon said in a statement.

Van Dyke was the first Chicago police officer convicted of murder for an on-duty incident in more than 50 years.

War on Drugs

Western Colorado Drug Task Force seizes large amounts of illegal drugs near Utah border (KKCO)

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) – A two-day operation conducted by the Western Colorado Drug Task Force earlier this month along I-70 near the Utah border resulted in the recovery of a staggering amount of illegal drugs, along with several firearms and thousands of dollars of cash.

The Grand Junction Police Department says that the operation led to the seizure of 600 pounds of marijuana, 33 grams of Psilocybin Mushrooms, 1200 marijuana vape pens, 200 grams of marijuana concentrate, 2 AR pistols, 2 handguns, 2 bulletproof vests, approximately $19,000 in bulk currency, along with cocaine and ecstasy in the amount that’s consistent with personal use.

The operation led to the arrests of four people, whose mugshots and charges can be viewed below.

State police seize 128,500 bags of heroin, 5,700 fentanyl pills at Paterson drug mill (Paterson Times)

The New Jersey State Police Trafficking North Unit dismantled a drug production facility in Paterson, seizing 128,500 packets of heroin, nearly 5,700 fentanyl-based pills, and more than six pounds of raw heroin-fentanyl mix last week.

Seven men were arrested in the bust at a residence on West Railway Avenue, authorities said on October 2.

Javier Castro, 28, Leonel Creque, 31, Julio Vargas 37, Pedro Cortez, 48, all of Paterson; Adrian Rodriguez, 26, of Woodland Park; and Walter Gutierrez, 28, of Clifton, face numerous drug charges for allegedly operating the drug mill.

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