Latest news with #RestorativeJustice
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Irish Independent
‘People who assault gardaí can expect prison. It's as simple as that': Judge to man who spat in garda's eye
Jordan Mallon (26), of Donomore Crescent, Tallaght, appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Tallaght District Court facing five charges arising from a series of offences on October 14, 2024. He pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda James Cullen, violent behaviour in a garda station, criminal damage to a bus stop and two public order charges relating to intoxication and threatening behaviour. The court heard that gardaí were called to Castletymon Road in Tallaght after Mallon was seen kicking and smashing a bus stop shelter. He was intoxicated and acting aggressively. Gardaí arrested him and conveyed him to Tallaght Garda Station. There, while in custody, Garda Cullen stood beside the accused when Mallon suddenly turned his head and spat directly into the garda's face and eye. Garda Cullen was brought to Tallaght University Hospital and a garda doctor was contacted to assess the risk of exposure. While the saliva contained no blood and the risk was deemed low, the court heard that the incident was highly distressing. Garda Cullen returned to duty after receiving medical attention, the court was told. The court heard Mallon was 'extremely aggressive' throughout the incident and that assistance was required to restrain him. He has 38 previous convictions, including multiple offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, with his most recent convictions recorded in March and June 2025. Defence solicitor Michael Hennessy said his client had already personally apologised to Garda Cullen and was 'shocked by his own behaviour' after viewing CCTV footage of himself. 'He regrets the incident profoundly,' Mr Hennessy said. 'It was disgraceful, and he's thankful the garda did not suffer lasting harm." Counsel submitted that Mallon failed to process the grief of his father's death in a mature way and fell into alcohol misuse. "He's now 26, and since March this year, he's been sober, attending AA, and is due to start a job on Monday," counsel said. Judge Aylmer, however, asked: 'How can an apology ring true at all, when it comes after this man's record of persistent offending?' 'This was a garda simply doing his job,' he added. 'To be spat in the face and eye is utterly unacceptable. Fortunately, no lasting harm occurred, but this court must mark the seriousness of the offence. People who assault gardaí can expect prison. It's as simple as that.' Judge Aylmer convicted Mallon under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, imposing a nine-month sentence, reduced to eight months to reflect the early guilty plea. He suspended four months for 12 months on condition that Mallon engage fully with the Probation Service, participate in a Restorative Justice programme and address alcohol misuse, violent and criminal damage behaviours. The court requested a final exit report. 'If he does not cooperate fully,' Judge Aylmer warned, 'he will serve the remaining sentence.' Mallon was also ordered to enter a €300 peace bond. The custodial sentence related specifically to the assault on Garda Cullen, with all other offences taken into account.
CBS News
25-06-2025
- CBS News
Graduation day for Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court
Wednesday was graduation day for a group of young people who are getting a second chance in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. They once were charged with non-violent felonies, but their hard work has paid off, and their records are about to be cleared through the Restorative Justice Community Courts system in Cook County. "This organization, this program, and these people in this room nurtured you," said Rodney Carr, first assistant at the Cook County Public Defender's office. More than a dozen people are leaving their past behind and have a new beginning, thanks to the help of the Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court. "The program been a lot of help keeping me on the right track, even though I already was, but it brought more out of me a little bit," said graduate William Thomas. Last summer, Thomas was arrested for carrying a gun without a concealed carry permit. He said he didn't know he needed one. "I now understand that owning a firearm carries great responsibility," he said. Thomas shared his story at the graduation ceremony on Wednesday. His mother, Stephanie, said she was moved to tears. "He gets it, and that's what made me cry, that letter he had to write. I didn't know he had wrote that. Baby, to hear it, coming from him, he took accountability," she said. Nineteen young adults graduated from the Englewood Restorative Justice Community Court on Wednesday. Cook County Judge Donna Cooper said, out of the 19 graduates, 17 of them had been facing gun charges. She said they all had valid Firearm Owner's Identification cards, but didn't have a concealed carry license. "We put them through the gun course so that they know how to carry a gun; how it's supposed to be carried according to this law, the statute; and that they need a conceal carry license," Cooper said. The program has been around for five years and in several locations. Xavier Smith said he's been in the program for the past three years. "To the younger generation, all I'll say is this: karma is real. What you do in the streets, it will eventually come up to you," he said. The program has four locations in Avondale, Englewood, North Lawndale, and Sauk Village. Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans wants to expand the program to three other locations.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. teen was stabbed more than 20 times. 18 years later, his killer walks free
Hoping to 'settle the score' a group of mostly Massachusetts teenagers fatally attacked another teenager, stabbing him more than 20 times. After years in prison, one of the teen's killers is walking free. On May 22, 2007, a group including 17-year-old Terrance Pabon decided there would be a 'one-on-one' fight between two groups associated with Havelock and Wilcock streets in Dorchester. Arrangements were made to get 16-year-old Terrance Jacobs to Wilcock Street in order to 'settle the score' after Jacobs slashed a 14-year-old boy face with a razor, prosecutors said according to the Boston Herald. Jacobs arrived on Wilcock Street along with many others. An argument quickly escalated and Jacobs was pushed, the parole board stated. One of Jacob's friends took out a gun and fired multiple shots. The gun shots didn't hit anyone, but the group began running. Pabon and his group chased Jacobs and then stabbed him over 20 times before fleeing. Jacobs was taken to the hospital where he died. At least six people were arrested in connection with the stabbing, although only five were indicted after a 16-year-old was found to have been an eyewitness but not a participant in the crime. On May 25, 2010, a jury trial in Suffolk Superior Court convicted Pabon of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Pabon first went in front of the parole board in 2023. Pabon said he was exposed to violence and crime from a very young age and was affiliated with a gang as an adolescent. He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 10 and left school in ninth grade, the board noted. In 2023, the parole board was 'troubled' that he was returned to higher custody after nine months in minimum. They noted his lack of maturity, recklessness and impulsivity. He was denied parole and asked to remain disciplinary report-free and continue to engage in vocational and rehabilitative programming. On Jan. 28, he returned to go in front of the parole board. They noted he was part of the NEADS program and Restorative Justice. Three people spoke in support of parole, while Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Charles Marshall spoke in opposition to parole. The parole board unanimously decided that Pabon has 'demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.' He will have electronic monitoring for six months and be supervised for drugs and is required to have mental health counseling. Markeese Mitchell, who was 16 at the time of the crime, was also released on parole in 2023. Jacobs' mother spoke against Mitchell getting parole. Parole granted to man once sentenced to die behind bars — but the board was divided Habitual offender sentenced to 2 life sentences in Mass. gets parole Parole denied for Mass. man who killed his wife, then pretended to help find her After 41 years, Mass. man to leave prison for crime he committed when he was a teen After nearly 44 years, nurse's family still waits for accountability from her killer Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Southern California authorities prepare for massive unsanctioned ‘Deltopia' street party
Authorities in Santa Barbara County are preparing for this year's Deltopia, a weekend-long unsanctioned street party notorious for arrests, citations and hospitalizations. The massive beachfront party takes place this coming weekend in Isla Vista, a community located immediately adjacent to the UC Santa Barbara campus. The party, which has taken many forms since its inception, has made national headlines as thousands of college-aged adults descend on the small community and fill all available space on Del Playa Drive. While no party has reached the chaos of the 2014 event that ended in violent riots, Deltopia usually results in several arrests and multiple hospitalizations for drug overdoses or alcohol poisonings. In 2023, more than 150 people were cited and dozens more were arrested. The year prior, authorities said they were 'inundated' with emergency calls, the bulk of which were related to acute alcohol poisonings. In the years since 2014, law enforcement has taken a more proactive role in monitoring and policing the unsanctioned party. This year is no different. On Wednesday, a joint press release from the Santa Barbara County sheriff and fire departments laid out the plans for this year's event, including safety tips and reminders about enforcement. Among the chief concerns for first responders is the dangerous bluffs along the Isla Vista coastline. Authorities routinely respond to reports of injuries, and occasional deaths, involving people falling off balconies to the ground below. While the views from cliffside decks might seem like the prime location for partygoers, officials warn it's among the most dangerous places to be during Deltopia. 'Falls occur nearly every year, sometimes with tragic results,' the joint release states. 'Stay behind all fencing or railings near the edge to avoid injury.' Officials stress that residential decks aren't equipped to handle the weight of hundreds of people piling on, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, warning that they've collapsed in the past and have resulted in serious, traumatic injuries. Drug use and overconsumption is another concern for first responders, and officials are reminding those attending the unsanctioned party to be aware of the Good Samaritan Law, which allows a person to report a drug or alcohol overdose without fear of liability, even if the reporting person is under the influence at the time of the call for help. 'This law was created to encourage bystanders to assist in emergencies and is one of the community's most powerful tools during Deltopia weekend,' officials said. Additionally, partiers are urged to make way for first responders during any emergencies and work with them to ensure lives aren't needlessly put into jeopardy. But cooperation and preventative action isn't the only tool authorities are willing to wield when policing Deltopia. Restorative Justice, a diversion program that allows certain citations to be dismissed through community service or attending an educational class, will be suspended during Deltopia. That means any tickets issued during Deltopia will be brought into the courtroom, leading to possible charges and permanent additions to a person's criminal history. Other methods meant to curb illegal activity during Deltopia includes alternative entertainment in the form of off-site concerts, parking enforcement and a new 'recovery center' with amenities like food, water and a momentary break from the festivities. In their joint release, the Sheriff's Office and Fire Department urged those attending the party to 'stay safe, act responsibly, and look out for one another,' adding that, while not approved or sanctioned by law enforcement or the university, those insisting on attending Deltopia should do everything in their power to make sure it 'remains a memorable experience for the right reasons.' And, as always, 'keep it safe, keep it local.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
