345.73 – Criminal Law and Procedure

  • 18 Years, No Trial! How a Houston Man Got Lost in the System

    How does someone spend 18 years in jail without ever having a trial? That question is echoing across Harris County, Texas, after revelations that Edric Wilson — once accused of murdering the great-aunt of megachurch pastor Joel Osteen — spent nearly two decades in pretrial detention at the Harris County Jail, only to have his…

  • Family of Zareef M. Fawaz to File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Madison County Jail Over Alleged Medical Neglect

    The family of Zareef M. Fawaz has submitted notice of their intent to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Madison County Jail, alleging that officers failed to provide him with life-saving medication. This failure, according to the family, resulted in Fawaz’s death on May 31, 2023. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, condemned…

  • Former Officer Charged in Major Drug Smuggling Scheme At Rikers Island

    In a disturbing breach of trust, former corrections officer Ghislaine Barrientos has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses for allegedly orchestrating a drug smuggling scheme at New York City’s Rikers Island. The 37-year-old was taken into custody on Wednesday and now faces serious charges, including conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to distribute…