Results for: Sentencing

Former US president Donald Trump will remain free while awaiting sentencing for falsifying business records, and could avoid prison time entirely. Trump’s attorneys will likely appeal the conviction, arguing that the charges were politically motivated and that the judge made legal errors during the trial. If convicted, Trump could face a sentence of fines or probation, as imprisonment is rare for first-time offenders with no other criminal history. Despite the conviction, Trump remains eligible to run for president in the November election, as the US Constitution does not prohibit those convicted of crimes from holding office.

Dustin Walker-Hammond was sentenced to two years in prison and two years of probation for manslaughter in the August 2022 stabbing death of Justin Breau in Saint John, New Brunswick. Walker-Hammond, who originally faced a first-degree murder charge, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and has already served 427 days in jail. Justice Kathryn Gregory considered Walker-Hammond’s mental health issues and childhood trauma when sentencing him. He has been ordered to complete his education, stay away from the victim’s family and co-accused, and is prohibited from possessing firearms or weapons.

David Michael Moss, the Edmonton man found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2020 death of Bella Rose Desrosiers, faced a sentencing hearing on Friday. The Crown recommended a life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 20 to 22 years, while the defense was expected to present its stance on sentencing. Moss had previously been denied an NCR defense and admitted to killing Bella, but claimed no memory of the event.

Cornelius Jackson, a 35-year-old Waukesha man, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking. The sentence was announced on April 23, 2024, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Jackson was convicted of four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. In addition to the prison sentence, Jackson will serve 10 years of supervised release.

Samantha Peterson, a former Antioch community services officer, was sentenced to supervised release, community service, and restitution after pleading guilty to her involvement in a college degree scam that netted her $3,000 in ill-gotten pay and reimbursements. Peterson avoided jail time but lost her job and reputation due to the felony conviction. She expressed remorse for her actions and said she had let down her community and family. Prosecutors had requested house arrest, citing the breach of public trust, but the judge took into account Peterson’s lack of prior criminal history and her cooperation with authorities.

In February 2023, Houston attorney Mason Herring pleaded guilty to injury to a child and assault of a pregnant person after allegedly putting an abortion-inducing drug in his pregnant wife’s water in 2022. Herring was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years of probation. His request for early release after serving two months was denied by a judge. Herring’s wife, Catherine Herring, believes the sentence is insufficient, as their premature baby has developmental delays and requires weekly therapy. She also alleges that Herring has financially cut off her and their children. Prosecutors and Herring’s attorneys declined to comment.

In a surprising turn of events on ITV soap Emmerdale, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) delivered a powerful statement in court against her ex-husband Gus, resulting in his sentencing to eight years in prison. Rhona had initially intended to provide a statement that would reduce Gus’s sentence in the hopes of minimizing the time their daughter, Ivy, would spend without her father. However, as Rhona attempted to read her victim impact statement, she realized that she could not continue, acknowledging that her previous statement had not been truthful.

David Joseph Gietzen, a man convicted of assaulting police officers during the January 6th, 2021 Capitol riot, has been sentenced to six years in prison. Gietzen, who struck an officer with a pole and grabbed another officer’s gas mask, expressed no remorse for his actions and claimed he believed he was doing the right thing. Prosecutors argued that his prison term should be longer due to his lack of respect for law enforcement and the democratic process.

A Chicago man, Sheldon Bains, has been sentenced to three years in prison for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The gun, found under his mattress in October 2020, was custom-etched with Donald Trump’s image and the phrase ‘Keep America Great!’. Bains initially denied knowing about the gun but later tried to get his 15-year-old nephew to take the blame. The nephew testified that everyone in the house was aware of the ‘Trump gun’ due to its distinctive markings. Prosecutors granted immunity to Bains’ relative, Charles Johnson, who purchased the gun but later claimed it was stolen. Johnson’s credibility was questioned due to his changing story and his admitted involvement in gun trafficking.

A couple, Sophie Singer and Keith Byrne, have avoided prison sentences for neglecting their 14-year-old boxer dog, Bentley, to the point of starvation. Bentley was found at the foot of the stairs by a neighbor who entered their home through a broken front door the day after they left for a holiday at Center Parcs. Despite an untouched bowl of water and dog snacks nearby, there was no food in Bentley’s stomach. Instead, he had turned to eating food wrappers and a felt pen found in his stomach. Bentley was barely alive when an RSPCA inspector entered their home the next day. He was covered in scabs and weighed just 12.5kg, less than half the weight of an average boxer. Singer and Byrne, who are the parents of seven children, claimed they had left Bentley in the care of a family friend, but the judge rejected this claim and criticized their avoidance of court.