Two months after her fiancé’s funeral, Kimberly Elkins pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Elkins, now 49, used fentanyl to deal with chronic pain. One day, she shared a fentanyl patch with her fiancé, Aaron Rost, and they overdosed. She woke up that night, but he didn’t. She was sentenced to four years in prison in Minnesota for his death, according to the New York Times. “I struggle really hard with this...trying to find my responsibility in it,” says Elkins as she sits in prison for sharing the fentanyl with him. The cases are more common … [Read more...] about Accidental overdoses prosecuted as felony-murder under new laws
Louisiana
Supreme Court grants new trial based attorney’s assertion of client’s guilt
The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered a new trial, despite evidence of the man’s guilt, in a case where the defendant testified he is innocent while his lawyer argued he is guilty. Robert McCoy was charged with three counts of murder in Louisiana. The three victims were his estranged wife’s family members. Lewinston police apprehended McCoy in Idaho a few days later. McCoy pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. Throughout the court proceedings, McCoy said he was out-of-town when the homicides happened and corrupt police committed the … [Read more...] about Supreme Court grants new trial based attorney’s assertion of client’s guilt
Louisiana prison reforms release 1,400 inmates
Louisiana has launched major prison reforms with the release about 1,400 inmates who were serving time for non-violent and non-sex offenses, reported the KLFY Newsroom. The releases on Nov. 1 came after Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a package of 10 criminal justice reforms to reduce the state’s prison population by 10 percent. The reforms will scale back the parole/probation population by 12 percent over the next decade, according to KLFY. “Ninety-five percent of people who are incarcerated will ultimately return to our communities,” … [Read more...] about Louisiana prison reforms release 1,400 inmates