Ex-NFL Player Sentenced to Life For Doing The Unthinkable, Illinois Cafeteria Worker Exposed For $1.5 Million Chicken Wing Heist, Oklahoma City Will Pay Black Man Millions, Atlanta Searches For Street Racers Who Killed Young Mother And More Crime Stories

A roundup of The Root’s most important crime stories of the week.

Ex-NFL Player Sentenced to Life in Prison for Doing The Unthinkable

Cierre Wood, 33, and Amy Taylor, 31 Screenshot: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police

Five-year-old La’Rayah Davis was caught in the middle of an ongoing custody battle between her two parents. But before her father, Daunan Davis, could gain full custody, La’Rayah was found unresponsive in the Las Vegas home of former NFL running back Cierre Wood. After being taken to the hospital with several injuries, La’Rayah was pronounced dead on April 9, 2019, according to the Guardian. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour Kicked Off With This Viral Moment

Black Man Sentenced to Prison For Murder After Victim Spewed Racial Slurs at His Family

41-year-old Anthony Collins Screenshot: Ocean County Corrections

A New Jersey man will remain behind bars after he delivered a punch that killed a white man last year. Anthony Collins, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison, and in accordance with the state’s No Early Release Act, he is required to serve 85 percent of his term, according to VIBE. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Illinois Cafeteria Director In Trouble for Running a $1.5 Million Chicken Wing Heist…Seriously

Vera Liddell Image: Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; Stock Image

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, people everywhere took advantage of low gas prices and working from home. Vera Liddell, on the other hand, saw COVID as her sign to pull off the biggest scheme in chicken wing history, and now, she’s paying the price. – Phenix S Halley Read More

After 50 Years, Oklahoma City Will Finally Pay This Black Man Millions

Glynn Simmons poses for a portrait after the hearing where Judge Amy Palumbo ruled to approve his “actual innocence” claim at the Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on December 19, 2023. Image: Getty Images Nick Oxford

There’s not enough money in the world that can make amends for the five decades Glynn Ray Simmons spent in prison wrongfully convicted of murder, but Oklahoma City is trying to make it right by awarding him over $7 million. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Atlanta Family On the Hunt for Street Racers Who Struck and Killed A Young Mother

Shantea Reeves Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Eventbrite’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

It’s been almost two weeks since highway street racers allegedly hit a 32-year-old woman before leaving her to die on an Atlanta interstate. Now, her family is finally speaking out, and they want answers. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Zimbabwean Family Grieves After US Diplomat Allegedly Kills Young Girl in Car Accident

11-year-old Ruvarashe Takamhanya Screenshot: The Herald

Zimbabwean student Ruvarashe Takamhanya was walking to school with her best friend when she was hit and killed by a speeding car. The 11-year-old’s mother, Juliana Vito, found out about the June 3 accident from neighbors and quickly ran to the scene, according to BBC. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Stars Who Slayed at 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' New York Red Carpet Premiere

Black Stars Who Slayed at ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ New York Red Carpet Premiere

The Devil Wears Prada sequel is about to make its way into theaters soon, but before it does—the New York premiere gave us a good glimpse at some serious looks. Let’s get into it! …
Exclusive: Scott Evans, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

Exclusive: Scott Evans, More Black Leaders, Celebs Share Life-Changing Lessons

The Root Exclusive Series: Black History Month was established 100 years ago, in February 1926. To commemorate this momentous occasion, 100 Black thought leaders and creators share their collective wisdom and insight for the culture in this ongoing series …
New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren't Looking Good

New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren’t Looking Good

Things are steadily going on a downward spiral for Ivana Ortiz, the woman accused of shooting Rihanna’s LA home in March. Here’s the latest …
Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

In an exclusive interview, Scott Evans details his journey as an influential Black media figure and his ultimate duty to the Black community …
Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Critics are arguing with a movie that was never trying to be what they wanted …
Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

“Shopping while Black” strikes again after a Black woman went viral being chased out of a Zara store for alleged theft, which police later determined was baseless …
Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor's Recreation of One of Her Iconic '90s Looks

Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor’s Recreation of One of Her Iconic ’90s Looks

Teyana Taylor has paid homage to Janet Jackson before, but this time around she’s recreating yet another iconic look! And now Janet herself and fans all over are speaking out about it …
How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

16.5 million uninsured. Toxic air. Global famine. The high price of Trump’s 2026 budget is paid in American lives— and its only getting worse …
DOJ Indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center Sends Shockwaves Across the Country

DOJ Indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center Sends Shockwaves Across the Country

After the FBI severed ties with SPLC in October, an 11-count indictment against the civil rights nonprofit is now raising serious alarms …
No, Janet Jackson Isn't In the New Michael Movie and Here's Why

No, Janet Jackson Isn’t In the New Michael Movie and Here’s Why

Michael and Janet Jackson shared a close relationship, but she won’t be featured in his highly-anticipated biopic. We’re breaking down why! …
Exclusive: Scott Evans Spills the Tea on His Viral Interview with Mary J. Blige and That Infamous Burger King Ad

Exclusive: Scott Evans Spills the Tea on His Viral Interview with Mary J. Blige and That Infamous Burger King Ad

Scott Evans spoke with The Root about his viral interview with Mary J. Blige and why that infamous Burger King commercial is not a laughing matter …
Amid Recent Deaths of Black Women, Expert Details How to Support a Friend in a Harmful Relationship

Amid Recent Deaths of Black Women, Expert Details How to Support a Friend in a Harmful Relationship

In the wake of a number of devastating tragedies, Dr. LaNail Plummer, a mental health expert, breaks down how to safely help loved ones facing domestic violence—and how to support them when they need it most …
The Real Meaning of 'Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It' Song Was Just Revealed, and Some Black Folks are Not OK

The Real Meaning of ‘Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It’ Song Was Just Revealed, and Some Black Folks are Not OK

The real meaning of a popular dance song has finally been revealed, and Black people online are too stunned to accept it. Let’s get into it! …
Why Gerrymandering Efforts From Both Parties Are Targeting Black Voting Districts

Why Gerrymandering Efforts From Both Parties Are Targeting Black Voting Districts

On the surface, redrawing the maps– although unprecedented– seems like a purely political scheme. In truth, however, redrawing urban district lines has already led to consequences for Black folks …
Floetry's Long Awaited Reunion Tour Has Fans Emotional

Floetry’s Long Awaited Reunion Tour Has Fans Emotional

Fans of Floetry got more than they paid for when the concert turned into an unexpected yet moving moment between the two lead singers! …
Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Picks You Should Know

Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Picks You Should Know

The 2026 NFL Draft is set to transform the “Steel City” of Pittsburgh into the epicenter of the football world as the city hosts the event for the first time since 1948. Scheduled for April 23–25 at the iconic Acrisure Stadium and the scenic Point State Park, this year’s event …
Tracee Ellis Ross Reacts to Vogue's 'Cloud Bob' Controversy

Tracee Ellis Ross Reacts to Vogue’s ‘Cloud Bob’ Controversy

After a Vogue photo that described the Afro as a “cloud bob” sparked outrage online, the subject of the now-viral pic has entered the chat …
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for D4vd Following Discovery of Teen's Remains in Tesla

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for D4vd Following Discovery of Teen’s Remains in Tesla

Here’s more chilling details in the growing case against D4vd after being charged with the first degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas …
Why Black Women Face Higher Infertility Rates And What Real, Affordable Options Are Within Reach

Why Black Women Face Higher Infertility Rates And What Real, Affordable Options Are Within Reach

This National Infertility Awareness Week, The Root spoke with an expert who broke down early red flags, barriers to treatment and affordable options that can make a difference …
The Today Show's Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Death of Husband

The Today Show’s Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Death of Husband

TODAY Show cohost Sheinelle Jones is keeping it transparent when it comes to how she’s dealing with her first birthday since the death of her husband in May 2025 …