Our team has been keeping busy this April with the upcoming trial against Michael Colucci in the death of his wife Sara Lynn Colucci, as well as the rearrest of thrice accused rapist Bowen Turner in South Carolina.
While we cannot cover every tip received, we encourage submitting cases and information on our website here.
Selected cases are covered in this corruption watchlist and soon we’ll provide an update on our crowdfunded journalism platform. Keep an eye out for more details as we expose the truth wherever it leads.
Canton, Massachusetts
Karen Read’s jury trial in the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe has been steeped in community outrage and is set to begin Tuesday, April 16 at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts.
As the case accumulates more interest, many seek justice for O’Keefe while others are protesting against alleged corruption in the investigation against Read.
The most interesting aspect to Luna Shark Co-host and CEO Mandy Matney so far is the State’s alleged omission of internet search query data from discovery evidence provided to the defense.
Cup of Justice Episode 75 dives deeper into this with Brandi Churchwell or you can read more about the case against Karen Read here. The trial begins April 16, 2024 at 9:00 AM.
Prior to trial, presiding Judge Beverly Cannone heard 40 motions from the Commonwealth and defense. Some of these motions included:
- Motion to compel evidence
- Motion for Recusal and Disqualification of Justice Beverly Cannone with Certificate of Service
- Motion for Exhaustive DNA Testing
- Motion for Sanctions and for disqualification of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey
- Motion for Buffer Zone Surrounding Norfolk Superior Court
On April 4, 2024, Judge Cannone ordered that no individuals are able to demonstrate within 200 feet of the courthouse during the trial unless notified by the Court.
She also ordered that no clothing, buttons, photographs or signs pertaining to the case are permitted in the courtroom. There is also a strict list of rules that all members of the press must follow and those who do not may be found in contempt of court.
The court docket currently lists several interested parties, including The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.
Marion, Kansas
Following the August 2023 raid of local newspaper The Marion County Record in Marion, Kansas, the filed a First Amendment lawsuit in federal court against local authorities.
The complaint filed on April 1 lists Eric Meyer both individually and as executor to the estate of his mother, 98-year-old Joan Meyer, and The Hoch Publishing Co., Inc as plaintiffs.
According to the complaint, Joan Meyer told officers during the raid, “if I have a heart attack and die it’s going to be all your fault.”
Joan Meyer died from sudden cardiac arrest 24 hours after the raid. It is cited that the stress of the raid caused the heart attack.
The six defendants listed in the complaint include:
- The City of Marion, Kansas
- Former Marion Mayor David Mayfield
- Former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody
- Acting Marion Police Chief Zach Hudlin
- Board of County Commissioners of the County of Marion
- Marion County Sheriff Jeff Soyez
- Marion County Detective Aaron Christner
The 127-page complaint includes information about the newspaper’s history, reminding the court that the Marion County Record has been in the Hoch family since 1874, with the Meyer family buying the paper in 1998.
The defense states in the complaint that The Meyer family is entitled to over $3 million for damages and The Record is entitled to over $2 million.
Soak Up the Sun members can view the entire complaint document here.
Louisiana, Missouri
While Jones’ original jury trial date was March 11, it is now scheduled for June 10, 2024.
This date was determined after Jones’ defense team requested more time to allow for additional discovery. He is currently represented by Christopher Lozano. The prosecuting attorneys are Michael Scott Schafer and Corie Geary-Atkins.
Jones is facing six charges total including:
- Felony Murder, 2nd Degree
- Two separate charges for Trafficking Drugs, 2nd Degree
- Tampering with physical evidence in Felony Prosecution
- Possession of Controlled Substance (35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid)
- Stealing, Controlled Substance/Meth Manufacturing Material
Alexis Thone, who was originally scheduled for a March 5 hearing, is now scheduled to begin her trial on July 16, 2024.
Thone is facing four charges total including:
- Felony Murder, 2nd Degree
- Trafficking Drugs, 2nd Degree
- Two separate charges for Possession of Controlled Substance (35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid)
Read more about the case against Jones and Thone here.
Are you looking into a case?
Soak Up the Sun Members have access to various guides and helpful tips for investigating cases. Check some out here:
- How to Start Investigating Your Own Case
- How to Create a Timeline: Getting The Facts Straight and Keeping Track of your Information
- FOIA Requests: Where to look, who to ask, and how much we can find in the public records
- How to Take Notes in Court
Want more updates on these cases?
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We are diving deeper into the facts of this case and will keep Premium Members updated with any potential leads.
Thanks for your help as we continue to shine sunlight on corruption around the country.
Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky, and Stay in the Sunlight.
Sam Berlin
Sam is an award winning-journalist originally from Raleigh, North Carolina and currently living in Brooklyn, New York.
She graduated from Syracuse University in 2020 where she studied magazine journalism, photography, and sociology.
She joined Luna Shark Media in 2023 where she assists with research, producing, recording and editing for True Sunlight and Cup of Justice podcasts.
Through her detailed, ethical reporting and multimedia experience, Sam creates enterprise stories and works to unravel the truth around her.
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