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

Man pleads guilty to aggravated assault in 2022 North Side shooting that left 3 dead

4 days ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A man involved in a 2022 shootout between rival gangs on the North Side that left three people dead pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy. Charron Troutman, 21, of Pittsburgh, will spend at least eight years in state prison as part of the plea agreement. He also pleaded guilty to firearms charges and multiple counts of reckless endangerment. In exchange, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office withdrew a count of attempted homicide. The Oct.
Fired Allegheny County chief public defender sues for wrongful termination

1 week ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

Allegheny County’s former chief public defender is suing the county manager for wrongful termination. The complaint, filed by Lena Bryan-Henderson on Wednesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against John Fournier, seeks reinstatement and back wages. Bryan-Henderson, 60, of Forest Hills said she had no comment on the lawsuit, which alleges her termination was both procedurally defective and discriminatory. A county spokeswoman also declined comment.
Judge grants Fayette County woman new trial in 2016 death of daughter

1 week ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A Fayette County judge on Tuesday granted a new trial to a woman who was imprisoned for starving her young daughter to death. Andrea Dusha, who has been free on bail while an appeal of her conviction is pending, appeared in court expecting a hearing. Instead Fayette County Common Pleas Judge Linda R. Cordaro took no testimony and ruled from the bench.
Man pleads guilty to killing Uber passenger in Pitcairn

1 week ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A Wall man will spend at least 17½ years in state prison after pleading guilty Monday to third-degree murder in the death of an Uber passenger. Finel Javon Thompson, 23, was charged with killing Kaliq Dade, 20, of McKeesport as Dade rode as a passenger in the back seat of an Uber in Pitcairn in 2021. As part of a plea agreement entered before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kelly Bigley, Thompson will serve 17½-40 years in state prison.
Appeals court upholds decision to raze former Century III Mall

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A Pennsylvania appeals court Wednesday upheld West Mifflin’s decision to raze the former Century III Mall, a nuisance property whose demolition has been underway for more than a year. The owners of the long-dilapidated mall that once stood as the crown jewel of shopping in Western Pennsylvania had appealed the decision by borough officials in July 2023 to condemn the property.
Former Crafton man who dealt drugs smuggled from Mexico gets 23 years in prison

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a former Crafton man to serve 23 years in prison for his role in running a complex heroin and cocaine distribution operation in Western Pennsylvania. The sentencing concludes the long-running case against Andrew Beatty, 41, who was charged more than a decade ago. Beatty, 41, pleaded guilty on Aug. 22 to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Father of man killed in Penn Hills hookah lounge shooting files wrongful death lawsuit

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

The father of a man shot and killed last year at the Ballers Hookah Lounge and Cigar Bar in Penn Hills is suing the business and its operators. The plaintiffs — Nathaniel Smiley Sr., whose son, Nathaniel Smiley Jr., was killed, and Earon Chambers, who was wounded — filed the complaint Tuesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
Jury returns $5.25M verdict against Jefferson Hospital in wrongful death case

3 weeks ago | triblive.com | Paula Ward

A jury on Friday ordered Jefferson Hospital to pay the family of a Canonsburg woman $5.25 million after it found the hospital liable in her death following what was characterized as a routine bronchoscopy in 2021. The lawsuit filed by Steven Jury as the administrator of the estate for his mother, Darlene Jury, included claims for professional negligence and wrongful death.
Trial begins for 2nd drag-racing driver in crash that killed Serra Catholic student

1 month 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

1 month 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.