Even after repeated admonitions to obtain medical treatment for their daughter Marissa, Jeremy and Astrid Ikeler failed get her treatment, which led to the 15-year-old’s death of a seizure in January 2014. The father pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide and will serve up to four years in state prison. His wife, who pled guilty to attempted criminally negligent homicide, was granted a one-year conditional discharge. Click on the video above for my comments on the parents’ role and sentences.
While same-sex marriage is currently legal in 36 states and Washington DC and recognized by the federal government, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a ban on gay marriage, allowing states within that jurisdiction to not recognize these unions. Given this environment, the Supreme Court seems to be on the verge of creating a uniform national playing field for same-sex spouses. Click on the video above for my take on this polarizing topic.
Chad Kelly, the nephew of Buffalo Bill’s Hall-of-Famer Jim Kelly, was arrested outside a Buffalo bar last weekend after a fight with bouncers. Kelly, who just signed on with the University of Mississippi as quarterback, is charged with assault, criminal mischief, harassment, and other charges. WGRZ asked me for legal analysis of a 30-second video of the altercation. Click on the video above for my evaluation.
The recent failure of grand juries in St. Louis County, Missouri, and Staten Island, New York, to indict police officers accused of killing suspects has people across the country questioning whether the grand jury system needs to be changed. In both of these cases, race was an issue, as the officers were white, and the men who died were black. Do police receive special treatment from prosecutors, and what role does race play? I address these issues with WGRZ’s Claudia Ewing; click on the video above.
Iver Phallen, a retired Lewiston businessman, recently pleaded guilty to a 122-count indictment in Niagara County Court. He is accused of terrorizing young women in his home using a torture chamber he devised. The indictment covers only two alleged victims, but NBC news affiliate WGRZ reports that more victims may come forward. I spoke with WGRZ’s Mary Alice Demler about the charges against Phallen.
Jeffrey Basil, the former manager of Molly’s Pub in Buffalo, NY, stands accused of murdering Bill Sager, a local air national guardsman, after allegedly pushing Sager down the bar’s stairs in May. Sager suffered a severe head injury and died weeks later. With his attorney, Joel Daniels, Basil is trying to have the highest charged against him, intentional murder in the second degree, dropped. WGRZ’s Scott Levin asked me for an analysis of their strategy. Click the video above for the full report.
Two nurse assistants at Erie County Medical Center were recently charged with neglect of an elderly patient who suffered from Alzheimer's and dementia. There are reports of video evidence that support the charge of neglect by the two nurse assistants. WGRZ interviewed me for perspective on nurse neglect and abuse. Click on the video above for the full report, including my analysis.