Latest news with #involuntarymanslaughter
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
16 & Pregnant star Whitney Purvis granted bond in man's fatal overdose she's charged in
MTV star Whitney Purvis has been granted a bond of $15,000 by a Georgia court Thursday in connection with her involuntary manslaughter arrest in her friend's fatal overdose. It was not immediately clear if Purvis will be able to make bond, insiders told TMZ, who first reported news she had been granted bond in the case. Purvis, 33, who appeared on the MTV reality show 16 and Pregnant, was arrested earlier this month in connection with the fatal February 17 drug overdose of her friend John Mark Harris at 37. Authorities said the reality star, 33, provided him with the narcotics that led to his tragic end. As conditional to her bond, the court demands that Purvis keep a 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. curfew; stay at a residence in Bartow County, Georgia named by the court; and refrain from consuming drugs or alcohol, TMZ reported. Purvis is not permitted under her terms of release to initiate contact with any members of the family of the victim, the outlet reported after reviewing legal docs. Purvis on March 3 took to the site of the funeral home which handled arrangements for John Mark Harris, and penned a memorial in his honor. 'John mark, I hate that I found out what happened today and missed your funeral,' Purvis wrote on the Henderson & Sons Funeral Home site. She continued: 'I wish I could've found out sooner and attended your celebration of life.' The MTV star posted the message more than three months before she was arrested Monday in Floyd County, Georgia in connection with with involuntary manslaughter and distribution of a controlled substance, among other felony counts, TMZ reported July 7. Purvis 'distributed a substance presented as "Tranq," commonly known as Xylazine and Fentanyl, to the victim, which directly contributed in the victim's death due to a toxic overdose,' law enforcement officials said in an arrest affidavit reviewed by People. It's been an awful year for Purvis, who would later pen an emotional memorial for her son Weston following his death at the age of 16 on June 2; Daily Mail has reached out to Purvis via Instagram for further comment on this story. Purvis thanked her late confidante 'for being such a great friend to me and always making me feel beautiful and cared for.' Purvis said that her late friend had been a dear one, as they grew close over their passion for cooking: 'We bonded over being chefs, our love of cooking and our struggle.' Purvis penned an emotional statement in memory of her late friend - whose death she was subsequently charged in Harris had been employed as a chef at Barnsley Gardens, a popular North Georgia resort. She praised Harris for his candor and intelligence in their interactions over the years. 'I could tell you anything and you always knew what to say or give me your honest opinion and advice,' Purvis said. The MTV alum added 'You've came to my rescue on many occasions and saved me over the years. 'I am so very thankful for the times we had together.' Purvis - who's also charged with use of a communication device to commit a felony involving controlled substances - said that she was dealing with serious emotional trauma over the loss of her friend. 'My brain just can't process this happened,' she said. 'I don't want it to be true.' Purvis listed off a number of things she associated with Harris that she would miss in the wake of his passing. 'I'll miss waking up to your silly messages and pictures you'd send me,' she said. 'I'll miss marshal and lunchbox. I'll miss your amazing cooking. 'I'll miss snuggling on the couch watching tv with you. I'll miss sitting outside, smoking camel crush cigs w/ you how we talked about talked about life, gossiping and you telling me what movies/shows I need to watch next.' Purvis characterized her late friend as 'a truly good hearted, one of a kind man' who she would 'never forget.' Purvis, who has more than 17,800 followers on Instagram, wrapped up in saying: 'Rest in peace and my condolences to your family and friends. 'I pray they are able to find some kind of comfort during this tragic time. I love you forever, John Mark. Love, Whitney.' Following the death of her son last month, Purvis spoke on social media about how she was understandably struggling in the wake of her child's unexpected passing. 'This is so hard to write,' Purvis said. 'My beautiful son, Weston has passed away. He was only 16 years old. Life is so cruel and unfair. I just dont understand. 'Oh my baby is gone and I don't know what to do with myself. He was so perfect. This is really my worst nightmare come true. 'How do you go on in life after losing a child?' Purvis said she was 'in disbelief,' thinking that 'this cannot be happening' and that she didn't 'want it to be real.' She added of her late son: 'I love you so much, Weston Owen Gosa. I would do anything just to hold him. Words just can't describe the pain I am feeling. 'God, I love you so much. You are my heart. I was so proud of the young man you were becoming. I just can't go on without you. Rest in Peace, my angel. You are gone too soon. April 2, 2009 - June 2, 2025.'
The Guardian
7 days ago
- The Guardian
Police officer who killed bystander after Pennsylvania shooting sentenced to probation
An off-duty police officer who killed a bystander by striking him in the chest and knocking him to the ground as the victim tried to give Beaver county, Pennsylvania, investigators information about a shooting has been ordered to serve five years' probation. John J Hawk, 38, received the sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the November 2022 attack outside a Walmart that led to the death of Kenneth Vinyard, 48. Hawk also pleaded guilty to assault and reckless endangerment. At the sentencing, Vinyard's family described him as the family glue, according to Pennsylvania attorney general, Dave Sunday. 'This sworn officer's actions contributed to the death of a man who was not a threat to anyone at the scene of this shooting,' Sunday said in a statement. Hawk, an officer in Center Township, was in civilian clothing when he confronted Vinyard as the victim spoke to police, Sunday said. Vinyard died upon arrival at a hospital. Hawk apologized to the victim's family at his sentencing. His lawyer, Stephen Colafella, said his client had been 'grappling with' Vinyard's death before deciding to enter a plea. 'I think a lot of people got closure today,' Colafella said on Tuesday evening, noting that Hawk and the victim's fiancee embraced in court. Colafella said Hawk is no longer on the Center Township police force. The Pennsylvania news station WPXI reported that Vinyard's family settled a lawsuit against Center Township and Hawk for nearly $1m. 'I hope that he can move on and have a good life with his family,' Vinyard's fiancee, Marcy Beatty, told WTAE-TV. 'Ours is broken, and it will take a long time for that to heal.' One person suffered a gunshot wound in the 6 November 2022 shooting at Walmart for which Vinyard was trying to provide information to police, authorities said at the time. At the time Vinyard was mortally injured, he had approached an officer about potential evidence. Hawk, who was neither working nor in uniform, pulled Vinyard away from the officer, Sunday's office said. Hawk then struck Vinyard in the chest and performed a leg-sweep maneuver that caused Vinyard to fall and strike his head on the ground. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Vinyard later died at a local hospital. Authorities said Vinyard's death result from blunt force trauma and stress inflicted on him by Hawk. Hawk's trial in Vinyard's death was supposed to start on Tuesday when he instead pleaded guilty. Sunday's office said the sentence that Hawk received was at the discretion of state judge Richard Mancini, and there was no agreement as to the punishment between prosecutors and the defendant. The Associated Press contributed reporting
Fox News
15-07-2025
- Fox News
Illegal migrant enters plea in crash that killed boy one day before his 12th birthday
A woman who was in the U.S. illegally admitted to causing a head-on, wrong-way, crash that claimed the life of a young Missouri boy. The fatal crash happened on Dec. 20, 2023, when 33-year-old Endrina Bracho barreled down the highway the wrong way, going 75 miles per hour at the time of the crash, 35 miles above the posted speed limit, according to the Hazelwood Police Department. "1,700 feet is quite a big distance to travel at over 70 miles an hour on a 40-mile posted road. That's a long way to travel in the wrong direction and not realize it," Sgt. Scott Schnurbusch from the Hazelwood Police Department previously told FOX 2. Authorities confirmed that Bracho was a Venezuelan migrant without a driver's license, when she slammed into the family's car head-on. Travis Wolfe, the victim in the crash, was just one day away from celebrating his 12th birthday in December. He died at the hospital on March 6 after being taken off life support. On Monday, Bracho entered a blind plea, admitting guilt to one count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault, according to court records. A blind plea means the defendant pleads guilty without any prior agreement on sentencing with prosecutors. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped two charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and two misdemeanor traffic offenses. Bracho is set to be sentenced on Sept. 12. Prosecutors have suggested a 10-year sentence for the manslaughter charge and seven years for each of the assault charges, with all sentences to run concurrently. Wolfe's sister, Taylor Wolfe, expressed outrage following the arrest, telling "Fox & Friends" that Bracho should not have even been in the U.S. in the first place. "It makes me really angry," Taylor Wolfe said in the 2024 interview. "Everybody here has to get a driver's license, and we all have to learn how to drive, and we have to take a test to get our license. And she didn't do that, first of all. Second of all, she wasn't supposed to be here. And if she would have just came here legally, they would have had the documents on her to be able to get insurance." "Now my family is stuck with the loss of a child because she didn't know how to drive," she added. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo, reacted to the plea deal and called it "justice" for the Wolfe family. "JUSTICE - the illegal who killed Travis Wolfe in Missouri has pled guilty. She should never have been in Missouri in the first place, and never would have been, had Joe Biden not opened our borders," Hawley wrote in a statement on X. In January, Hawley introduced "Travis's Law" to honor Travis Wolfe's legacy and prevent other criminal illegal aliens from roaming free. "Under President Biden's open border, Missouri's 12-year-old Travis Wolfe was killed by an illegal alien, who was then released from jail. There's no legislation less controversial than protecting American citizens from dangerous illegal aliens—and preventing another death like Travis's," Hawley wrote. "My amendment, Travis's Law, would guarantee the detention of criminal illegals who commit a motor vehicle crime or victimize a minor." "Travis's Law" is an amendment to the Laken Riley Act, legislation which would ensure that ICE detains illegal aliens who commit burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Savannah man charged after fatal hit-and-run in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Savannah, Missouri, man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after fleeing from the scene of an accident that resulted in death. According to a probable cause statement, 28-year-old Steven M. Richardson was driving north on St. Joseph Avenue near the intersection of Broadway Street around 2:45 a.m. on December 1, 2024, when he drove off the east side of the road and hit a pedestrian, which led to the pedestrian's death. Richardson continued driving through a yard before striking a home and causing extensive damage and he then left the scene on foot. Additionally, historical cell phone data placed Richardson's cell phone in the immediate area of the crash at the time of the occurrence. According to a probable cause statement, Richardson has been charged with 2nd degree involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident involving death and property damage. His bond has been set at $25,000.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- CBS News
Trial for off-duty Beaver County police officer charged in man's death begins Tuesday
The jury has been selected for the criminal case against a former Beaver County police officer charged with a man's death. Former Center Township police officer John Hawk is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Kenneth Vinyard. The jury will be asked at trial whether his actions in 2022 caused Vinyard to die. The trial will start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. It is expected to last until Friday. "It's been absolute hell, torture," said Deborah Little, Vinyard's sister. "It's a lot of emotions. Relief in a way that we are finally to the point where we have been fighting for almost three years." In November 2022, Hawk was off duty and out of uniform when he was shopping at the Walmart store in Monaca. He was asked to help fellow officers at a shooting scene in the parking lot. The Vinyard family's civil attorney said a cell phone video shows Vinyard trying to give information to police about the suspect when Hawk sweeps Vinyard's leg, knocking him to the ground. He hit his head on the pavement and died at the hospital. The coroner ruled Vinyard's death an accident and said the cause was hypertensive and atherosclerotic disease, saying, "blunt force trauma of the head and associated stress that occurred during the confrontation contributed to his demise." Several sources who saw the police body camera video told KDKA they thought Hawk's actions were "unjustified." "Nothing that will happen this week will bring him back, and it won't take away the hurt and the tragedy it has done to our family," Little said. "But I promised him when he died that I would fight until I could fight no more, and that's what I intend to do." Hawk's attorney on Monday declined to comment on the case, which is being tried by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. But Little, who flew in from Georgia to attend the trial, had a lot to say. "We want the best outcome to be that he is found guilty, and hoping and praying that is what happens," she said. "What do you think would be a just punishment for former police officer John Hawk?" KDKA's Jennifer Borrasso asked. "He needs to go to prison," Little said. "To me, that's the only just form of punishment for him. He took my brother's life without reason." During the trial, prosecutors could call up to 15 witnesses, though no word on whether Hawk — who has been out on bond — will take the stand. Hawk's defense did get a major win before the trial. The judge threw out the aggravated assault charge earlier this year. Involuntary manslaughter could result in five years in prison.
