Free Republic

The man accused of killing University of Texas at Austin student Haruka Weiser has been found guilty of capital murder. It took the jury of seven women and five men a total of 10 and a half hours to come to their verdict. Since he has been found guilty, Meechaiel Criner, 20, will spend the rest of his life in prison. Because he was 17 years old at the time of Weiser's murder, he is not eligible for the death penalty. He is eligible for parole after 40 years in prison.

Day five of Meechaiel Criner's capital murder trial started with testimony from a forensic scientist who analyzed the hairs and fibers taken as evidence in the case. Criner, 20, is accused of killing University of Texas student Haruka Weiser in the spring of 2016... Prior to the trial starting, Judge David Wahlberg decided to throw out major DNA evidence in this trial because of procedural errors in analyzing it at the Department of Public Safety Lab. Instead, most of the evidence the court has heard for the case against Criner has been circumstantial, trying to tie Criner to Weiser's murder...

AUSTIN (KXAN) – In an article published in December 2014 by Texas High School in Texarkana, Meechaiel Criner, the suspect in the murder of UT freshman Haruka Weiser, said he was bullied his whole life and went through the foster care system as a child. In the story titled Voice of Hope, Criner said he was a victim of physical violence. He said one foster parent threw him to the ground and injured his back. The Department of Family and Protective Services confirms Criner was in the state’s foster care system and in August 2015 was enrolled at Killeen High...

A 17-year-old homeless man has been arrested in the on-campus murder of a University of Texas student, according to Austin police. The body of freshman dance major Haruka Weiser, 18, was found in a creek near the school's football field on Tuesday. On Friday, investigators said they plan to charge Meechaiel Criner, 17, with capital murder. Austin police Chief Art Acevedo said detectives arrested Criner at a homeless shelter Thursday evening.

Senator Julia Boseman’s behavior was described as “unbecoming a State Senator” by several members of the General Assembly, while attending an event hosted by Rep. Karen Ray. The event was held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Sen. Julia Boseman attended in her legislative capacity. Several of the legislators in attendance have spoken with The North Carolina Conservative and expressed their embarrassment and anger at being present while Sen. Julia Boseman and her partner (a younger woman) engaged in intimate physical displays while in the presence of others.Many of the legislators were accompanied by their children...