Paula Ward

Pittsburgh

Courts Reporter at Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Courts reporter for @TribLIVE and author of #DeathByCyanide. Part of the Post-Gazette team that won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news in 2019.

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Articles

Trial begins for 2nd drag-racing driver in crash that killed Serra Catholic student

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

One witness testified the SUV passing him on the ramp to the Mansfield Bridge was moving so fast, it fishtailed and almost struck him. Another told the judge it looked like the driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk was in a road rage incident and chasing a white Volkswagen Jetta. A third witness said it appeared that the Jeep and Volkswagen were racing.
12 candidates secure nominations to run for Allegheny County Common Pleas bench

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

Twelve candidates will face off in November’s general election for eight open seats on Allegheny County’s Court of Common Pleas. In Tuesday’s primary, 22 candidates sought nominations to run in November, with six people cross-listed on both the Republican and Democratic tickets and the remaining 16 running solely as Democrats. The six cross-listed candidates earned Republican nominations.
Allegheny County fires chief public defender

3 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

Allegheny County’s chief public defender was fired Wednesday following a monthlong human resources investigation. Lena Bryan-Henderson was appointed by County Executive Sara Innamorato in January 2024, becoming the first Black woman to hold the position. Less than 18 months later, on April 7, she was placed on administrative leave. At the time she was escorted off county property. Bryan-Henderson and her attorney, Joe Pass, both declined comment Wednesday evening.
Jury finds argument over dirty dishes led to roommate's murder

3 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A jury Wednesday found a Pittsburgh woman guilty of third-degree murder in her roommate’s death — even though, police said, her boyfriend fired the fatal shot. Prosecutors said Destiny Jenkins drew a gun and tried to fire it at her roommate, Eddie Kimber. But when the gun jammed, Jenkins told police, she handed it to her boyfriend. That man, Lee McGinnis, then fired three rounds, investigators said, killing the victim.
Raids lead to charges against businesses run by onetime video poker kingpin

3 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A series of video gambling raids last year across Southwestern Pennsylvania has led to criminal charges against two companies linked to John “Duffy” Conley, Western Pennsylvania’s onetime video poker kingpin. Investigators seized more than 400 illegal video gaming machines from locations in a dozen counties, including Allegheny and Westmoreland. On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office announced that Buffalo Skill Games Inc. in Bridgeville and J.J. Amusement Inc.
Asphalt company says Pittsburgh Mills owners never paid them for filling potholes

3 weeks ago | triblive.com | Tawnya Panizzi |Paula Ward

Add an Eastern Pennsylvania-based asphalt company to the list of those frustrated by the owners of the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer. Jessica Jones, president of Patch Management Inc., said mall owner Namdar Realty Group hasn’t paid a $21,000 bill for the hot asphalt spray applied in recent weeks. “We fulfilled our contract for what they requested, but they haven’t responded to any communication,” Jones told TribLive on Tuesday.
Judge in Johnstown becomes first in U.S. to uphold use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans

3 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A federal judge in Johnstown on Tuesday ruled the government may remove Venezuelan citizens thought to be members of a violent gang under the Alien Enemies Act — but only if they are given 21 days notice and “an opportunity to be heard.”The 43-page opinion, written by U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines, is the first in the country to find that the gang, Tren de Aragua, has launched a “predatory incursion” in the U.S. as defined by the act.
DA blames South Side slaying on sloppy housekeeping

3 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

The prosecution says a jury should find Destiny Jenkins guilty of homicide because her sloppy housekeeping habits set in motion the events that led to Eddie Kimber’s death. But Jenkins’ lawyer said his client didn’t pull the trigger and should be acquitted regardless of what led up to the fatal shooting. Jenkins’ trial began Monday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court before Judge Elliot Howsie. Jenkins is charged in the Sept.
Pa. AG sues Pittsburgh interior designer for bilking customers out of nearly $200K

4 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

The Pennsylvania attorney general is suing a Pittsburgh interior designer for nearly $200,000, alleging that she and her company failed to follow through on jobs they promised and were paid for up front. Lauren Piasecki, 44, of Morningside, has already been charged with multiple counts of theft, home improvement fraud, receiving stolen property and deceptive business practices.
Ex-Hillandale Farms executive sentenced for embezzling $6.8M

1 month ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A Canonsburg man who embezzled nearly $7 million from Hempfield-based Hillandale Farms over more than 13 years is going to federal prison. Jonathan Weston, 60, was ordered to serve 27 months incarceration when he was sentenced Wednesday before U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy. Weston was indicted May 26, 2021, on charges of fraud conspiracy, filing false income tax returns and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He pleaded guilty more than a year later.