Death
Derek Chauvin Convicted of George Floyd’s Murder
The prosecution left the jury with these final words Monday: “You were told George Floyd died because his heart was too big. But, he died because Derek Chauvin’s heart was too small.” Tuesday, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all three charges against the former Minneapolis police officer, including
Three Police Shooting Stories Collide Tuesday as Minnesota Reaches Boiling Point
Three stories collided Tuesday that cast a dark shadow on the state of policing in the U.S., especially as it relates to Black men. Each is a tragic example of the worst that can happen when law enforcement chooses to use force in lieu of deescalation or less lethal methods.
Lawsuit Takes Aim at Cop, Police Chief and Town of Danville for Killing of Tyrell Wilson
As the nation is gripped by the ongoing Derek Chauvin trial, we were sadly reminded that our local communities are not immune to police quick to pull the trigger. It was announced Tuesday that the family of Tyrell Wilson, who was shot and killed by a Danville police officer last
The Oakland Homicide Rate is Not All That Sudden or Unique
Oakland is experiencing an alarming spike in violent crimes. The city recorded 15 homicides in the first month of 2021, a stark contrast from the one murder in all of January 2020. Tuesday, the Oakland Police Department released ShotSpotter for the last week of January, reflecting a 137 percent increase
Biden and Harris Honor Lives Lost to COVID-19
Good leaders know that solidarity is the core of a nation’s strength. When the people suffer loss, those in power should suffer alongside them. It’s that show of compassion and humanity that builds bridges and trust. Hours before Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were set to be sworn in, the
David Misch: The System Failed to Protect Michaela Garecht From a Serial Killer in the Making
Michaela Joy Garecht was 9 years old and just four blocks away from home when she was abducted in broad daylight from outside Hayward’s Rainbow Market on Mission Boulevard. It was late morning on Nov. 19, 1988 when Michaela and her best friend rode their scooters together down to the
Why Are Religious Zealots So Willing to Spread COVID?
I was informed late last night that a direct contact of someone in my household was exposed to COVID-19. Each of my teens has been allowed to see one friend as part of a social bubble, but that one friend apparently has extremely religious parents who have been shirking health
Protest Pressure Leads to More Charges in George Floyd Murder
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will now face charges for second-degree murder in the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd. Three other officers serving with Chauvin during that fatal incident have also been charged for aiding and abetting in the murder. The new and elevated charges announced by Minnesota