New York Paralegal Blog

The recent tragic murder of an immigrant woman on a train has, understandably, sparked outrage and grief. In the aftermath, some commentators have attempted to draw comparisons between this horrific act and deaths that occur at the hands of law enforcement. For example, Matt Walsh stated, "This is a greater outrage than the death of every BLM martyr combined times a thousand." However, to equate these two types of tragedies is to fundamentally misunderstand the core principles of justice, accountability, and the role of the state in a civilized society. While any loss of life due to violence is a tragedy, there is a crucial distinction between a murder committed by a private citizen and a death caused by a law enforcement officer, even if that death is deemed a murder. This distinction lies primarily in the power dynamics and the inherent trust placed in state actors. When a Random Person Murders Someone: When a private individual commits murder, it is an act agai...

NORFOLK, VA—Enid Albertha Collins, 48, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for her role in a murder-for-hire plot targeting her ex-husband.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment of PHILIP LEOPOLD, 76, for stealing more than $1.6 million from an 85-year old woman by withdrawing money from her bank and trust accounts without her authorization. LEOPOLD is charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Attempted Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.

MILWAUKEE – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that a federal judge has entered a $110,000 consent decree that resolves an EEOC race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought against Federal Insurance Company, doing business as Chubb & Son, a U.S.-based property and casualty insurance giant with business worldwide. The EEOC charged that Chubb refused to promote Kong Chee Vang, a Hmong employee, in its Milwaukee underwriting office because of her Asian race. The EEOC contended that Chubb failed to stop its managers from using stereotypes and negative assumptions based on race while supposedly considering Vang in 2006 and 2007 for a promotion to underwriter. The suit further asserted that Chubb retaliated against Vang after she filed a complaint with EEOC alleging that her Hmong national origin and Asian race were the reasons she did not get the promotion. The retaliation, the EEOC said, consisted of Chubb’s rejecting Vang for a second pr...

MEDFORD– A Medford woman has been arraigned on a charge of murder in connection with the stabbing death of her husband, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today. Shawntina Burston, 39, of Medford, was arraigned today in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn on the charge of first degree murder. Middlesex Superior Court Judge S. Jane Haggerty ordered the defendant held without bail. Her next court date is May 25 for a pretrial conference. According to authorities, on January 30, at approximately 10:36 pm, Medford Police were dispatched to 108 Exchange Avenue, for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, Officers discovered the victim, Troy Burston, 34, of Medford, outside lying in a snow bank and evidencing an obvious stab wound. The victim was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The defendant, who is the victim’s wife, was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities allege that the defendant and the victim began arguing...