SUMMARY: A man faced felony harassment charges after calling a decades-old rape victim a liar on his podcast, “Chronic Chronicles.” The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged him with seven felonies, alleging direct contact with the victim and her family. He spent a week in jail before his public defender, Brendan Cotton Steady, uncovered that the evidence was solely from the podcast comments. Cotton Steady argued the case was a clear First Amendment free speech issue, persuading prosecutors to drop charges. The man credits his public defender and prosecutor for recognizing his rights and clearing his name, highlighting the legal victory stemming from free speech protections.

It’s an unusual case involving a very sensitive subject—a rape case from more than a decade ago that led to a conviction and sent a man to prison.

The convict is a friend of Oran Ambus, who produces a podcast called Chronic Chronicles. Ambus says he called the rape victim a liar and that later—25 cops broke down his door.

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SUMMARY: Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson charged Arel Dawkins, 36, of Blue Springs, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the killing of Braisen Cain, a pregnant teacher in Northeast Kansas City. Cain, Dawkins’ ex-girlfriend and mother of his unborn child, was found fatally shot after being run over by a Ford F-150, with surveillance showing multiple shootings. Dawkins reportedly confessed to the murder and was arrested Wednesday, held without bond. Kansas City has seen a rise in domestic violence homicides, with 2024’s count already surpassing last year’s 12 cases. A GoFundMe supports Cain’s children. Resources for domestic violence and mental health are available.

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The post Man accused of running over Kansas City teacher with car before shooting, killing her appeared first on fox4kc.com

SUMMARY: A 16-year-old teen was arrested twice within 48 hours by the same Saint Louis police officers for carjacking two rideshare drivers—a Lyft and an Uber—both incidents occurring in North Saint Louis. The suspect displayed a firearm during the first carjacking but no one was hurt. Police chased the teen after the second incident, apprehending him while others fled. Now held on multiple charges, including tampering and resisting arrest, the case highlights ongoing challenges with juvenile violent crime. Authorities are considering charges against the teen’s parents and emphasize the need for long-term community and justice system solutions.

“The 16-year-old knew that he had just been captured by the same officers,” police spokesman Mitch McCoy said Thursday. “He made statements to that effect.”

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