Most National Verdict: Ahmaud Arbery Murder Case Comes to a Close
The three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man who was seen running through a Georgia neighborhood, were found guilty, according to an article from ABC News. Travis McMichael, the white man who shot Arbery, along with his father Gregory and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan were each convicted in the February 2020, racially charged case. The men face a potential sentence of life in prison.
Most Debated Verdict: Rittenhouse Case Draws Criticism, Support from 'Armchair Pundits'
The “not guilty” verdict in the Kyle Rittenouse-Kenosha shooting case has sparked enormous debate among experts and non-experts alike, according to an article from Forbes. Notably, as the trial played out in the courtroom, many took to social media to hash out their opinions in what turned out to be one of the most contentious “trials of public opinion” in recent years. Further, some speculated it was nearly impossible to conduct a “fair” trial considering how intense the public reacted to the incident.
Most Overturned Verdict: Alice Sebold’s Convicted Rapist Cleared After Judge Finds Massive Flaws in 1982 Conviction
The conviction of the man who spent 16-years in prison for the rape of acclaimed author Alice Sebold was overturned after authorities identified “serious flaws” in his prosecution,” according to an article from Today. Anthony Broadwater was accused of raping Sebold while she was a Syracuse University student in the early 1980s. Sebold recounted the events of her attack in the 1999 memoir “Lucky.” She had not responded to inquiries about the news as of press time.
Most Split Verdict: Jury Hands Down Mixed Verdict in 2017 'Unite the Right' Rally Case
The nine individuals who were injured during the 2017 Charlottesville, Virginia “Unite the Right” rally will be eligible for compensation, according to an article from CNBC. However, the jury did not find the defendants, who have been described as “white supremacists” and “neo-Nazis,” engaged in activities that rose to the level of “conspiracy to commit violence” under federal statute. The defendants argued their case based on constitutional First Amendment rights.
Most Delayed Verdict: Real Madrid Forward Karim Benzema Set to Appeal Suspended Sex-tape Blackmail Verdict
Soccer forward Karim Benzema, who has played for Real Madrid and France, was handed a 1-year suspended sentence and a US$116,500 fine after being found guilty for his involvement in a 2015 sex-tape blackmail scandal, according to an article from the Nine’s Wide World of Sports. Benzema was accused of being involved in a plot to blackmail teammate Mathieu Valbuena. The star player’s lawyers said they are planning to appeal the verdict.