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Chicago lawyer stands out for ability to overturn wrongful convictions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

CHICAGO — For the last 15 years, one Chicago lawyer has stood out for his ability to overturn wrongful convictions. Josh Tepfer is an attorney at the Chicago law firm Loevy & Loevy, where a team of lawyers, investigators, paralegals and case managers operate what’s known as the Exoneration Project. Over many years, Tepfer has established himself as the most accomplished exoneration lawyer around, responsible for almost 300 exonerations.Tepfer ultimately helped right wrongs that cost two men dearly.  From Melrose Park to Memphis: Native suburban boy’s Halloween costume pays homage to Cubs’ Harry Caray Terrill Swift, who was given a 30-year sentence for the rape and murder of a woman on Chicago’s South Side when he was 17 and Francisco Benitez, who was given a life sentence for murder on the West Side. Both were wrongly convicted and Tepfer helped set them free."Josh seems to overturn convictions," Jon Loevy, from Loevy & Loevy, said. "He does mass exonerations, where h...

Robert De Niro lashes out at former assistant who sued him: 'Shame on you!'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Robert De Niro shouted “Shame on you!” as he testified Tuesday in a New York courtroom, directing the comments toward his former executive assistant and vice president who seeks millions of dollars after accusing her onetime boss of being abusive.Graham Chase Robinson watched with her lawyers while De Niro's anger built as attorney Andrew Macurdy pelted him with some tabloid-style accusations his client made about De Niro's behavior toward Robinson as she served his needs, large and small, from 2008 until several months into 2019.Robinson, 41, seeks $12 million in damages for emotional distress and reputational harm that she claims has left her jobless and unable to recover from the trauma of working for De Niro. She was making $300,000 annually when she quit, frustrated by her interactions with De Niro's girlfriend and the effect she believed the girlfriend was having on the actor. ‘General Hospital' star Tyler Christopher dead at 50 The jury is also conside...

State girls soccer roundup: Edina stays unbeaten, will face Wayzata in Class 3A final

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

Edina 3, Andover 0: Izzy Engle scored twice in the first half to pace Edina as the Hornets (21-0) remained unbeaten and advanced to the Class 3A final.Disha Roy added a goal early in the second half for good measure.Wayzata 5, Maple Grove 1: The Trojans (20-1) secured an all-Lake Conference finale, as Tenley Senden scored twice for Wayzata. Grace Estby, Sarah Hyde and Davy Mokelke also added goals.All five of Wayzata’s scores came in the game’s first 50 minutes, with the first two coming in the opening seven minutes of action. Anya Gerlach scored for Maple Grove.Wayzata’s only loss of the season came in a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Edina in early October. It will get a chance to avenge that defeat Friday morning.CLASS 2AHoly Angels 4, Totino-Grace 1: Four different players scored for Holy Angels. The Stars led 2-1 at the half before Audrey Garton and Adeline Judson scored within a six-minute span in the second stanza to put the contest on ice.Elana Engum recorded T...

Inmates escapes county jail in southwestern Minnesota, sheriff says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

An inmate escaped from the Watonwan County Jail in southwestern Minnesota on Monday evening.Leonardo Lopez Jr., 36, escaped just before 7 p.m., according to a news release.Deputies searched areas in St. James with help from the St. James and Madelia police departments and a K-9 unit from New Ulm.Anyone who sees Lopez or knows of his whereabouts should call 911. Police say the public should not try to approach or apprehend him.Watonwan County Sheriff Jared Bergeman is requesting members of the public with installed security cameras to report any suspicious activity on footage recently filmed.The jail roster shows Lopez was booked in August on charges of failure to register as a predatory offender and fleeing a police officer.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Welcome to the second snowiest Halloween on record in the Twin Cities Crime & Public Safety | Mayo Clinic’s latest therapy animal? Why, a miniature horse, of course Crime & ...

Shaker boys soccer reigns supreme in Class AAA after outlasting Saratoga in overtime

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- For the second year in a row, Shaker and Saratoga boys soccer matched up in a section title game - this season in Class AAA. And for the second season in a row, the Blue Bison beat the Blue Streaks in overtime. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Early on, Saratoga scored off a goal from Ryan Farr, giving them a 1-0 lead. However, Shaker found some life in the second half. Owen Brant scored on a sliding goal, splitting two Blue Streak defenders, and tying the game at two. Neither team scored through the remainder of regulation, so fans in attendance were treated to overtime soccer. Just 30 seconds into overtime, Brant came through in the clutch, scoring the game-winner and securing the Class AAA title 2-1, over Saratoga.

Drivers may get rude surprise after alleged DMV fraud

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS – More than a hundred vehicle owners recently learned their license renewals are not legal. It’s not their fault, according to prosecutors who say they just dismantled a decade-long fraud scheme.People who visited DMV offices in four counties may not be driving legally, even though they paid the appropriate fees.An indictment out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, unsealed Tuesday, accuses four DMV contract workers of a fraud scheme that began in 2014.Gary Wilds is accused of fraudulently registering motor vehicles, paying other DMV contract workers up to $100 for each fraudulent transaction, and using tax exemptions meant for businesses with large trucks.“Our allegations are that he pocketed the sales taxes and led the individuals to believe that they were completely legal,” federal prosecutor Tracy Berry said.“The state of Missouri has already sent out tax assessment letters to the individuals that have been identified. Approximately 100 to 150 individuals had received lette...

St. Louis police investigate 6 sudden deaths

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating six sudden deaths in the city.The deaths all happened in under a four-hour span. The ages of those who died range from their early 40s to their late 60s.A spokesperson for the St. Louis Fire Department said the deaths are not related to carbon monoxide poisoning or a house fire.The police said none of the deaths appeared to be criminal.

Fairview Heights residents hopeful Savers will reopen after fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Debra King opened her garage door for a neighborhood Halloween gathering Tuesday night. She and other Fairview Heights residents shared sadness over news of a morning fire a few blocks away at the Savers thrift store on Lincoln Trail.“We were just all in shock that that happened to our community,” Alicia Tolle, Fairview Heights resident, said. Tolle donates items to the store because Savers donates a portion of their sales to local non-profits. Fire officials said the three-alarm blaze appeared to start in the area behind the store, where two trailers were filled with donations. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Residents are hopeful the store will be able to reopen because only a small amount of fire entered the ...

Refugee camp bombing underscores deadly day in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza's largest refugee camp headlines a dark day in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.Israel admits the strike on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza was targeted. The Israeli Defense Forces said they killed a Hamas leader who helped plan the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israeli soil.They claim IDF jets struck Nasim Abu Ajina, who was identified as the commander of the Beit Lahia Battalion of Hamas' Northern Brigade. Hamas denies that report.Pictures and video reveal the destruction left behind.Eyewitnesses and medics say many people, including children, died in the attack. Israeli officials said they repeatedly warned residents to evacuate the camp in recent days and blamed Hamas for operating in civilian areas.“Why was this Hamas battalion commander literally operating underneath a civilian area?” Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Doron Spielman said. “They have no concern for the civilians.”The United Nations publicly criticized the attack. ...

Disagreement over paying disabled workers minimum wages in Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:11:41 GMT

BREESE, Ill. – FOX 2 received an exclusive look at growing tensions over the issue of fair pay for disabled workers.Illinois House Bill 793, the Dignity in Pay Act, would require all workers to be paid the state minimum wage.The close to 70 developmentally disabled workers at the not-for-profit Community Link in Breese, Illinois, and their loved ones are actually against the proposal.Hourly wages at Community Link can range from $3 to $4 an hour to more than $16 an hour (well above the current state minimum wage of $13). The overall average comes out to about $6.“I like working with people—the people around us,” long-time worker David Richards said.“To lose this sense of productivity and this sense of pride, it would just be a crime,” said Rita Winkeler, whose brother, Mark, is also a long-time worker and lifelong friend of David’s. Missouri appeals court rules against ballot summary language that described ‘dangerous’ abortions Still, demonstrators gathered at the state capitol i...