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
3 Ways to Think Like a Businessman, According to Executive Walter Davis

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

The Best Black Fashion From Coachella Weekend 1

The Best Black Fashion From Coachella Weekend 1

We’re taking a look at how Teyana Taylor, Karrueche, and the festival crowd are showing off their style on and off the Coachella stage …
The Best Musical Biopics to Stream This Weekend

The Best Musical Biopics to Stream This Weekend

Grab your favorite microphone and get ready to sing along with our curated list of legendary music movies, from “The Jacksons” to “Purple Rain.” …
Zendaya's Character in 'The Drama' Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

Zendaya’s Character in ‘The Drama’ Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

There’s a lot of rightful online chatter about Zendaya’s character in her latest movie. But there’s an even bigger person we need to talk about! …
Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Black mothers are disproportionately affected by postpartum depression, but often go without proper diagnosis or care. During Black Maternal Health Week, we highlight the urgent gaps in maternal mental health support …
The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

Even after a death sentence forced former Congolese President Joseph Kabila back into exile, his story is not over yet …
Why Parents of the 'Black-ish' Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

Why Parents of the ‘Black-ish’ Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

As more parents rethink what college readiness looks like, historically Black colleges and universities are emerging as a preferred path in today’s shifting educational landscape …
Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Greg Mathis told his fans and followers that he was going to do whatever it took to get his wife back. Now, it looks like his efforts have finally paid off! …
NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

As President Trump’s approval rating continues to drop, there is a growing call for his removal from office from both sides of the aisle …
Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

The Las Vegas Aces guard made history as the league’s first seven-figure player …
Video of Black Houston Mom Wrongfully Held at Gunpoint by Police Will Make You Angry

Video of Black Houston Mom Wrongfully Held at Gunpoint by Police Will Make You Angry

A Black woman in Houston is raising alarms after she was wrongfully detained in front of her kids. Police, however, are telling a different story …
New Updates on Rapper Offset After FL Shooting Incident, Here's What We Know

New Updates on Rapper Offset After FL Shooting Incident, Here’s What We Know

We’re keeping our eye on the latest news about Offset, Cardi B’s Ex, who was shot at a casino in Hollywood, Florida …
The Real Story Behind Why Marques Houston Left 'Sister, Sister'

The Real Story Behind Why Marques Houston Left ‘Sister, Sister’

‘Go home, Roger!’ may be a beloved cultural phrase now, but for Marques Houston—it holds bittersweet memories. Let’s get into it! …
Meet the Black Women Responsible for Launching Artemis II

Meet the Black Women Responsible for Launching Artemis II

Black women have played “hidden” roles at NASA since the 1940s. Now, their work is finally being recognized with the Artemis II mission …
Coco Gauff Responds To The Hate She Received For Her 4c Hair In Viral Miu Miu Campaign

Coco Gauff Responds To The Hate She Received For Her 4c Hair In Viral Miu Miu Campaign

After receiving criticism for her hair in a recent Miu Miu campaign, Coco Gauff is calling out the haters for being insecure …
R&B Royalty Usher and Chris Brown Announce a Joint Tour, and Fans are Losing It!

R&B Royalty Usher and Chris Brown Announce a Joint Tour, and Fans are Losing It!

Is Usher or Chris Brown the King of R&B? We’re all about to find out thanks to their upcoming joint tour and fans can’t get enough! …
Trump Under Fire from Former Republican Allies as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens Call for New Leadership

Trump Under Fire from Former Republican Allies as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens Call for New Leadership

Former GOP allies Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens blast Donald Trump, calling for new leadership …
Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Alleged Racial Bias that Led to a Black Man on Death Row

Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Alleged Racial Bias that Led to a Black Man on Death Row

A now-retired Mississippi DA is at the center of the case before the Supreme Court alleging racial discrimination …
The Truth About the New Stage in Trump's Immigration Crackdown

The Truth About the New Stage in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Bombshell headlines surrounding DHS and ICE have quieted… But is that all a part of Trump’s greater plan? …
Professor: Why Jay-Z Is Wrong. Black People Need More Than Just A Seat At The Table.

Professor: Why Jay-Z Is Wrong. Black People Need More Than Just A Seat At The Table.

OPINION: Jay Z Says a business that Black people own 1% of should be called Black owned. That sounds good until you realize it buys you almost no power …
New Report Shows Less Support for Black Nonprofits Since 2020 Racial Reckoning

New Report Shows Less Support for Black Nonprofits Since 2020 Racial Reckoning

According to a new report, promised funding for Black-led nonprofits ended sooner than expected, and the consequences are alarming …