Courts Coverage

The Latest | First 7 jurors seated at the end of the second day of Trump’s hush money trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Following a protracted questionnaire phase and hours of questioning on Tuesday, seven jurors were seated by the time the court adjourned on the second day of Donald Trump ’s hush money trial. Jury selection will resume Thursday morning.

By The Associated Press

Man appears in court for kidnapping, rape of 12-year-old Durham girl

Police arrested Preston Baker Saturday afternoon during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 near Jones Sausage Road.

Parents' conviction in Michigan school shooting could have implications in NC

A Michigan judge sentenced the parents of a school shooting to at least 10 years in prison. Will the ruling impact active-shooter cases in North Carolina?

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Crumbley parents' conviction may impact shooting cases in NC

Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. WRAL News spoke with an attorney to see if the case sets a precedence in similar cases in North Carolina.

Judge denies request for release of Raleigh police body cam video showing 2021 quick-knock warrant served

Amir Abboud and his family were mistakenly targeted by Raleigh police during a quick-knock warrant. The family wanted the body camera video released to the public, but a Wake County judge cited confidential information exemption under state and federal law.

Judge: Raleigh police don't have to release body cam video of raid of wrong house

Amir Abboud and his family were mistakenly targeted by Raleigh police during a quick-knock warrant. The family wanted the body camera video released to the public, but a Wake County judge cited confidential information exemption under state and federal law.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter and Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter

UNC law students fight for release of Raleigh police body cam footage of no-knock warrant execution

Law students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are advocating for the release of body camera footage taken by Raleigh police officers during the execution of a no-knock warrant in April 2021.

UNC law students ask judge to release Raleigh police body cam footage during 2021 no-knock warrant

Law students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are advocating for the release of body camera footage taken by Raleigh police officers during the execution of a no-knock warrant in 2021.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Court clerk accused of jury tampering in Alex Murdaugh's murder trial has resigned

The clerk of court accused of jury tampering in Alex Murdaugh's murder trial resigned Monday, almost two months after a judge questioned the Colleton County, South Carolina, official's credibility but ruled the allegations were not enough to grant Murdaugh a new trial.

Dakin Andone, CNN

Inside the deliberation room: Juror explains how group came to giulty verdict in murder trial

Jury member Cathy Nestor explained what led to the group's decision to convict Erick Hernandez-Mendez of murder in the 2021 stabbing of his wife, Christina Matos.

New Johnston Co. public defender A. Traynham Dorn expected to carry heavy caseload

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tom Lock appointed A. Traynham Dorn as the first public defender in Johnston County.

New Johnston County public defender expected to help carry heavy caseload

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tom Lock appointed A. Traynham Dorn as the first public defender in Johnston County.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

'It was lie after lie': Jury member shares what led to Erick Hernandez-Mendez's guilty murder verdict

Jury member Cathy Nestor explained what led to the group's decision to convict Erick Hernandez-Mendez of murder in the 2021 stabbing of his wife, Christina Matos.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Man sentenced to life in prison 3 years after NC State student murdered at Raleigh apartment

Erick Hernandez-Mendez was found guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday and faces life in prison for the death of his wife, Christina Matos.

Jury finds Erick Hernandez-Mendez guilty of murder; family of Christina Matos share feelings

Erick Hernandez-Mendez was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Christina Matos, on Wednesday. He faces a lifetime sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jury asks to see text messages, knife used in murder of Christina Matos

The jury reentered the courtroom on Wednesday morning to inspect evidence from the investigation of Christina Matos' death.

Erick Hernandez-Mendez awaits verdict; jury to decide if he stabbed wife to death

On Tuesday, Erick Hernandez-Mendez faced more tough questions about the stabbing death in 2021 of his wife, Christina Matos.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Closing arguments in murder trial of Erick Hernandez-Mendez

A judge and jury hear closing arguments in the murder trial of Erick Hernandez-Mendez. Christina Matos was found dead at an apartment on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh in April of 2021. Hernandez-Mendez was charged in connection with Matos' death.

Erick Hernandez-Mendez guilty: Stabbed wife 5 days after marriage, gets life in prison

Erick Hernandez-Mendez was found guilty of first-degree murder of his wife, Christina Matos, and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Civil rights attorney questions what role race played in death penalty conviction of Johnston County man

Esteemed civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson took the stand in a Johnston County trial that could have implications for more than 100 inmates on death row.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Johnston County Racial Justice Act hearing, March 6, 2024

Some said racism led to a man's death penalty conviction in Johnston County. Court proceedings continue in Smithfield on March 6.

Judges, attorneys feel eCourts system caused wrongful arrests, extended jail sentences

Clerks across the state spent hours pleading for help stating they are desperate and drowning in the work stemming from eCourts, the new virtual courthouse document system now live in 17 counties in North Carolina.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Frustration builds for attorneys, clerks, judges around eCourts system

Glitches in the eCourts system have caused citizens to be wrongfully arrested or kept in jail. Friday, the North Carolina courts commission heard from those using it and how they hope it will start to improve.

Man charged in 2021 murder of NC State student appears in court facing possible life sentence

On Wednesday in the courtroom, Christina Matos' brother recounted the day his family showed up at Erick Hernandez Mendez's apartment. If convicted, Mendez is facing life in prison without parole.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Suspect in deadly Raleigh shooting makes first court appearance

Pacheco Valentin was appointed an attorney from the capital defenders office. Valentin is due in court next on March 13.