Taylor, Michigan, June 15th 2021: [911 call]: I had a bunch of lumber down in my yard. I had some guy at the end of the block that just helped himself to it. Gouged the hell out of my driveway. Gouged the hell out of my approach. Accused: Guilty or Innocent? s7e9: Impulsive Shooter or Terrified Neighbour
I represent Eddie Hicks. Eddie Hicks is in his mid-70s, retired, a family man. ibid. caption
Eddie’s neighbor Barry Bellestri lived 300 yards away. He was a 46-year-old married father. ibid.
Eddie claims that he saw Mr Bellestri holding a weapon near the tailgate of his pickup. ibid.
Guilty of homicide manslaughter … [and] possession of a firearm. ibid.
El Paso, Tecas, December 30th 2021: [911 call]: There’s people outside being real loud. They are getting into it really bad. Accused: Guilty or Innocent? s7e10: Deadly Ex-Marine or Family Defender?
I represent Luis Renteria. Luis is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. ibid. brief
After a few hours an argument broke out between the nephew and the girlfriend’s father. The father claimed Luis’ nephew had mistreated his daughter. ibid. captions
Six people entered Luis’ backyard including the father and his 16-year-old son. ibid.
When they immediately come into the back yard they immediately start attacking the nephew. They’re kicking him They’re stomping him. Luis tells them, Hey! Get away! Back off! And the father starts going after Luis with a knife. Luis shoots the father in the leg to stop the threat. All of a sudden the son starts shooting at Luis. Actually strikes Luis in the buttocks area. Luis then turns in his direction, returns fire, shoots the son, shoots him in the head. ibid. brief
During the incident Luis was shot once in the back. ibid.
The Prosecution is offering to drop the murder charge. But for me to get that, I have to say that I’m guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. ibid. Luis to mom
I am gonna take the deal. ibid. Luis to briefs
Somebody faces a verdict. Two separate cases. Two different verdicts. Jerry Mittelstadt was acquitted. But now he faces a new legal action. Accused: Guilty or Innocent? s7e11: After the Verdict: Stanley & Jerry, Channel 5 2026
They [towing and car storage company] are demanding the payment of $47,000 [case dismissed]. ibid. brief
Stanley Jensen was found guilty … Stanley is fighting for a retrial. ibid. captions
Nobody wants Stanley to be convicted wrongfully based on a mistake. ibid. brief
Stanley shot and killed his tenant, Marc Bruss. Marc Bruss had rented a bedroom in a trailer on Stanley’s property. Two weeks after moving in he stopped paying rent. ibid. captions
Stanley must serve 25 years in prison before being considered for parole. ibid. judge
Stanley Jensen’s appeal is not going to be granted. ibid. Brief
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, August 8th 2019: [Reverend’s 911 call]: 21st and Federal Highway. I heard it hit a man and I could see something fly through the air. Accused: Guilty or Innocent? s7e12: Hit & Run or Tragic Accident?
My client’s name is Heidi Bartels. And she’s been charged with a first degree felony of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death. She’s facing a maximum of 30 years in Florida State Prison. ibid. brief
There was no crosswalk. He was trespassing. It was dark. Heidi did not see him. ibid. brief
The victim was Steven Ludin. He was a 67-year-old father of four. ibid. caption
Heidi stopped on 23rd Street, about 1,400 feet from where police believe the impact happened. ibid. caption
In my opinion she did not have time to avoid an accident … She’s probably trying to figure out what happened … She goes 16 to 19 seconds and turns. If she wanted to leave the scene of the accident, she would have gone one block to State Road 84 … She’s not leaving the scene. ibid. expert
My intention was to stay on the scene and figure out what just happened. ibid. Heidi
She stops as soon as she could under the circumstances. ibid. brief
After 10 minutes they reach a verdict … The defendant is not guilty. ibid.
Birmingham, Alabama, April 1sth 2021: [911 call]: Hi, my name is Jasmine Drake. It’s my boyfriend. He’s shot! He’s shot! Please hurry … Accused: Guilty or Innocent s7e13: Killer Mom or Abuse Survivor? I *****
A domestic shooting. A mother charged. Killer mom or abuse survivor? ibid. caption
He has the gun to my head. He was going to kill me that night. ibid. Jasmine
The prosecution have a witness [previous cellmate] that says that Jasmine killed the defendant in cold blood. ibid. defence brief
Jasmine and Louis Bryant had been living together for over ten years. They were two weeks away from getting married. ibid. caption
Jasmine claims that Louis Bryant began physically abusing her more than three years before the shooting. ibid.
I begged him to stop. He wouldn’t stop. ibid. Jasmine
After an incident in 2019, Jasmine contacted the police and Louis Bryant was arrested. He was never charged with domestic violence. ibid. caption
I knew he was going to kill me that night. ibid. Jasmine
Those photos really speak a thousand words. That makes her account of what happened that night credible. ibid. brief
Alabama law permits the use of lethal force in self-defence. ibid. caption
A Stand-Your-Ground motion would be good to file in this case. ibid. brief
A dismissal motion rejected. Killer mom or abuse survivor? Accused: Guilty or Innocent s7e14: Killer Mom or Abuse Survivor? II *****
She was essentially under his spell. She didn’t see any options. ibid. expert
She had no other choice but to defend herself. ibid. defence brief
The Judge dismissed the motion as it did not meet the legal standard for Stand Your Ground. ibid. caption
The daughter describes some of the details of the abuse Jamine claims she suffered … [and] Jasmine had the gun first. ibid. brief
Under the plea offer, Jasmine’s charges would be reduced to Manslaughter. She would have to serve five years in prison and another five years on probation … She chose not to accept the deal. ibid. caption
The Defense has just received a call from the new Prosecutor on the case. Jasmine has been asked to return to the office. ibid.
The charges against you will be dismissed. ibid.
After reviewing the case and speaking to Bryant’s family, the Prosecution has decided to drop the charges. ibid.