News Roundup

Published for NC Criminal Law on January 31, 2025.

The lead story this week is the sentencing of former U.S. senator Bob Menendez on Wednesday to 11 years in prison, per this report from the Washington Post. Menendez, 71, a longtime New Jersey lawmaker, was convicted last year in federal court of bribery and extortion, among other charges. He is the first public official in the United States to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent. Menendez has given notice of appeal. Read on for more criminal law news. UNC Bagel Shop Gunman Sentenced. Mickel Harris, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday in Orange County to assault and firearms charges, according to this story from the N&O. In September 2023, Harris was working part-time as a UNC housekeeping employee. On September 13, 2023, he pulled a gun and threatened a supervisor at Alpine Bagel shop on UNC’s campus. No shots were fired, but campus was placed on lock-down while police investigated the incident. Harris was sentenced to 120 days in jail and ordered to participate in a Restorative Justice program. What a TV Dinner Feels Like. John Mathew Nigh, 37, has escaped from the Craven County Jail in New Bern, North Carolina, as reported by ABC News and NBC News. Neigh was arrested in June 2024 after allegedly shooting at officers in Onslow County. He was charged with three counts of attempted murder. Detention officers realized he was missing from his cell Sunday afternoon. Nigh had removed a ceiling grating and escaped through the ventilation system, leaving a stuffed mattress [...]