Former Center Township police officer John Hawk has been sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. The charges stem from the 2022 death of Kenneth Vinyard, who was a bystander at a shooting scene. Hawk, who was off-duty and not in uniform, confronted Vinyard and struck him, causing him to fall and sustain fatal injuries. Vinyard’s death was attributed to blunt force trauma and stress inflicted by Hawk, and the officer did not identify himself or attempt to arrest Vinyard.
Read More
In Bakersfield, California, 20-year-old Maya Hernandez has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty after her one-year-old son, Amillio Gutierrez, died in a hot car. Hernandez allegedly left Amillio and his two-year-old brother locked in a parked car while she underwent a cosmetic procedure at a nearby med spa, where temperatures reached 101 degrees. Despite believing the air conditioning was running, the car had an automatic shut-off feature, and Amillio was found unresponsive after approximately two and a half hours and pronounced dead at the hospital. Hernandez admitted knowing it was irresponsible but offered no justification for leaving the children.
Read More
According to court records, Maya Hernandez, a California mother, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child after leaving her two young children in a hot car for over two hours. While the children were left in the vehicle, Hernandez was receiving lip filler injections at a spa. The police report indicates that Hernandez admitted it was irresponsible, and she left the car running with the air conditioning on. Tragically, the younger child died from the heat, while the older child survived.
Read More
A 1-year-old boy, Amillio Gutierrez, tragically died after being left in a hot car outside a Bakersfield med spa. His mother, 20-year-old Maya Hernandez, allegedly left Amillio and his 2-year-old brother strapped in their car seats while she attended a cosmetic appointment. Although the 2-year-old survived, Amillio succumbed to hyperthermia, suffering a body temperature of 107 degrees. Hernandez is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty and is being held on a significant bail amount.
Read More
Private Dewayne Johnson II received a 23-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of his pregnant wife, Mischa Johnson, and the subsequent obstruction of justice. He admitted to striking his wife with a machete after an argument, dismembering her body, and disposing of the remains. The sentence, the maximum allowed, includes a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of pay. Johnson’s actions led to the discovery of evidence in his home, ultimately resulting in his conviction.
Read More
Following the death of their 7-year-old son, Legend, who was struck by a vehicle while walking home from a store with his older brother, Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins were charged with involuntary manslaughter. The parents, who stated this was the first time the children walked home unaccompanied, allowed their sons to cross a four-lane road between crosswalks. Gastonia police determined the driver was not at fault, focusing instead on the parents’ alleged negligence in ensuring the children’s safety. The parents are currently being held on $1.5 million bond.
Read More
Hannah Gutierrez, the weapons handler on the set of “Rust,” was released from prison after serving 14 months of a maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins. Gutierrez’s conviction stemmed from reckless handling of firearms on set, leading to the accidental shooting. Alec Baldwin, also charged, was acquitted due to evidence suppression. Assistant director David Halls received a suspended sentence for negligent use of a deadly weapon. The criminal proceedings are now concluded, though civil lawsuits remain pending.
Read More
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the “Rust” film set, was paroled after serving 13 months of her 18-month sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins. Her parole, effective immediately, includes conditions such as electronic monitoring and a curfew. Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty in March 2024 and received the maximum sentence despite claiming naiveté. The charges stemmed from the accidental on-set shooting where Alec Baldwin discharged a prop gun containing live rounds.
Read More
Joseph Koenig was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Alexa Bartell, who was killed when a rock thrown from Koenig’s vehicle crashed through her windshield. Two accomplices, who had previously reached plea deals, testified against Koenig, placing him at the scene and implicating him in the act. While the defense argued for a manslaughter conviction due to Koenig’s mental health and lack of intent to kill, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution. Koenig faces a mandatory life sentence.
Read More
Four individuals have been charged in connection with the death of a 5-year-old boy in a hyperbaric chamber explosion. Three face second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges for negligence and disregard for safety protocols, including failure to conduct necessary maintenance and safety checks. The chamber operator faces involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records charges. The Attorney General stated the Oxford Center, where the incident occurred, operated the chamber beyond its intended lifespan and provided unproven treatments, prioritizing profit over patient safety.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker