Cleveland, Ohio Criminal Attorneys

In a tragic incident, Samuel Sharpe Jr. was shot and killed by five out-of-state police officers from Columbus while responding to a disturbance in Milwaukee during the RNC. Dora Drake, Wisconsin's 11th Assembly District representative, demanded accountability and urged Congress to pass the George Floyd Act, highlighting ongoing issues of police brutality. Local officials question the presence of non-local law enforcement in community policing efforts. Chief Jeffrey Norman stated officers acted in response to immediate danger. Activists and family members stress the need for reform and justice for Sharpe's family.

Stephen Cothran was acquitted of rape and kidnapping charges in connection to an incident that happened in 1993.

Cothran, 56, became a suspect when his DNA linked him to evidence gathered during the incident.

However, a negative test had the jury dismissing the charges against Cothran.

Reuben Sheperd, a criminal attorney in Cleveland defending for Cothran, said that the victim had agreed to have sex with his client.

J. Kevin Kelley was handed a six-year prison sentence for his involvement in the Cuyahoga corruption case, considered as one of the biggest in the county.

Kelley was the first defendant to offer his cooperation to the FBI who was investigating the corruption issue.

He admitted to being the one who collects and pays off the bribes to county officials.

During his sentencing, Kelley issued an apology to his family as well as the taxpayers of Cuyahoga County.

Kelley has also been ordered to pay restitution of about $700,000.

Kelley's cooperation ensured the cooperation of other defendants in the case and the conviction of several people involved in the corruption.

Cleveland defense attorney John Gibbons said there is no excuse for Kelley's involvement in the corruption, however, his cooperation is the best way for him to make amends.

Cleveland councilor Zack Reed will be spending more than a week in jail for his third drunk driving conviction.

Aside from a 10-day jail term, Reed, who is seeking re-election, will be wearing a bracelet for two months which will monitor his alcohol use.

Cleveland defense lawyers Kevin Spellacy and Jeff Saffold, representing Reed, said their client is being treated for alcoholism and is addressing his addiction to alcohol, which has been going on for much of his life.

Reed's other drunk driving convictions were meted in 2005 and three years later in 2008.

Ariel Castro will be spending the rest of his life in prison and will never be getting a chance for parole after he admitted to kidnapping and abusing three women for about a decade.

Castro, who used to work as a driver for a school bus, submitted a guilty plea to more than 900 charges in connection with the decade-crime.

The Puerto Rican kidnapped Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry from the years 2002 to 2004, and held them as prisoners in his home until May this year, when they managed to flee.

He made the three women live in appalling conditions, sexually abused them several times which resulted to him fathering a boy with Berry.

Castro also assaulted them several times which also resulted to Berry miscarrying five times.

Despite his guilty plea, Castro had objected to being called a "sexual predator".

Cleveland criminal defense attorney Craig Weintraub said Castro has a mental illness but a forensic psychiatrist said otherwise.

Judge Michael Russo of the Cuyahoga County told Castro that he is not the victim but the victimizer.

A recent DUI incident at the Oregon Dune National Recreation Area near Coos Bay underscores the critical need for safety and sobriety on the coast. Driver Jamison Ellis, 43, faced allegations of intoxication after a high-speed crash on September 2 left him and an unnamed passenger with serious injuries. Coos County Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio confirmed that Ellis was cited for DUII, while the Coos County District Attorney may impose further charges. The swift actions of witnesses and the Hauser Fire Department helped save the trapped passenger. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of responsible behavior while enjoying Oregon's natural beauty.

Bridget McDermott, a former inmate at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Oregon, was wrongly imprisoned for an additional 21 months due to a clerical error by the Oregon Department of Corrections. Initially expecting to be released on October 4, 2024, McDermott’s release was recalculated to July 5, 2022, revealing the chaotic nature of recent prison releases. Sarah Bieri, an attorney for the Oregon Justice Resource Center’s Women’s Justice Project, is exploring potential legal avenues for her client, who now seeks employment as a counselor. The transitions from prison have proven challenging for McDermott, who aims to reintegrate into society amidst significant changes.

Chicago police are investigating a series of violent robberies that transpired early Tuesday across the Loop, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview, affecting five victims. Notably, a 22-year-old woman was attacked near the Lincoln Park Zoo, while four individuals were robbed in the Loop, including a 49-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman, both treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Officials report that robberies in these neighborhoods are on the rise, with Lincoln Park experiencing a 4% increase compared to last year. The suspects are described as Black males in hoodies, prompting heightened criminal defense measures in the area. Local authorities urge residents to remain vigilant amid this spike in violent crime.

Portland police have arrested 23-year-old Alex Brown-Golden in connection with the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Shepherd in Northeast Portland. The incident occurred on Beech Street, where witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before finding Shepherd collapsed on the sidewalk. Authorities are emphasizing the importance of legal representation in such severe criminal cases, highlighting the role of competent criminal lawyers in Oregon. This arrest underscores ongoing efforts to enhance public safety throughout the state. Further investigations are ongoing as the community seeks justice.

A Chicago man, Jonathan Byars, 26, has been sentenced to 25 years for orchestrating a series of armed robberies targeting cellphone stores throughout Illinois. In collaboration with several accomplices, Byars committed six robberies and attempted two more between 2019 and 2020, brandishing firearms to intimidate and assault employees. The crimes occurred in cities including Lansing, Rockford, and Joliet, prompting significant concern over community safety. U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized the danger posed by such delinquent conduct, as Judge Philip G. Reinhard imposed the sentence. Four additional Chicago men received sentences ranging from seven to 12 years for their involvement in these criminal acts.