Virginia Bridges

1 week ago | newsobserver.com | Virginia Bridges

More than five years ago, a voter-approved constitutional amendment increased and expanded the rights of crime victims across the state of North Carolina. Many prosecutors opposed the change before the vote, saying they already aspired to best practices outlined in an existing law. They voiced concern about escalating costs and giving emotional victims of crimes too much say in what is supposed to be a process driven by evidence.

1 week ago | newsobserver.com | Virginia Bridges

Every six months, Gloria Williams searches for peace while standing at her son's roadside memorial, cars roaring past her on Durham's Interstate 40. On a still-dark February morning in 2022, a driver missed the curve on the Interstate 540 exit, launching his orange Dodge Challenger off the raised ramp. Timothy Hall Jr. was yanked from the passenger seat as the car flew down a wooded hill. Williams' youngest son was pronounced dead where he landed at age 32.

1 week ago | heraldonline.com | Virginia Bridges

One small town fired police officer Mark Oakley after people complained he’d used excessive force by shocking them with a Taser without cause. Despite that, another small town police force employed him part-time. Last week, federal officials revealed they’d indicted Oakley on excessive force charges. If convicted, he could spend time in prison. This recent development raises questions, including this: Can an officer facing such an indictment continue to carry a police badge in North Carolina?

2 weeks ago | newsobserver.com | Virginia Bridges

Federal officials have indicted a former Warrenton officer, charging him with three counts of depriving people of their U.S. constitutional rights by using excessive force. Mark Oakley is a former officer for the town of Warrenton who was fired on March 25, 2024 following an internal investigation related to his use of Tasers. Despite his termination, Oakley continued to work for the town of LIttleton as a part-time officer.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Virginia Bridges

Federal officials have indicted a former Warrenton officer, charging him with three counts of depriving people of their U.S. constitutional rights by using excessive force. Mark Oakley is a former officer for the town who was fired on March 25, 2024, following an internal investigation related to his use of Tasers. Despite his termination, Oakley continued to work for the town of LIttleton as a part-time officer.