Courts Reporter

Rafael Olmeda

Rafael Olmeda covers Broward criminal and civil courts for the Sun Sentinel. A graduate of Baruch College of the City University of New York, he worked for six years at the New York Daily News before joining the Sun Sentinel in 1999. He has served as president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and UNITY: Journalists of Color.

Terry Berger-Smith was just 14 years old when, according to investigators, he stalked a woman on her way to work and raped her, livestreaming his crime on the internet within walking distance of the headquarters of the Hollywood Police Department. Now he's 17 and about to find out how much of his life will be spent in prison.

Crime and Public Safety |
Teenage Hollywood rapist pleads no contest, faces lengthy prison term

August 15, 2024 at 9:06 a.m.

Terry Berger-Smith was just 14 years old when, according to investigators, he stalked a woman on her way to work and raped her, livestreaming his crime on the internet within...

A prosecutor told jurors Wednesday that Sherry Palmer, 63, died on April 13, 2018, a conclusion drawn not from expert medical testimony but from a handy piece of technology — the smartwatch on the victim's wrist that showed exactly when her heart stopped beating.

Crime and Public Safety |
Husband accused of killing owner of Pompano bar. Jury now weighing the case

August 14, 2024 at 6:03 p.m.

A prosecutor told jurors Wednesday that Sherry Palmer, 63, died on April 13, 2018, a conclusion drawn not from expert medical testimony but from a handy piece of technology —...

A Coral Springs woman who was convicted in June of second-degree murder in the shooting death of her friend after a night out was sentenced this week to life in prison.

Crime and Public Safety |
Coral Springs woman sentenced to life for murder of workout pal

August 13, 2024 at 6:07 p.m.

A Coral Springs woman who was convicted in June of second-degree murder in the shooting death of her friend after a night out was sentenced this week to life in...

Sunshine State Sonar, a team of volunteer divers known for solving missing persons cases across Florida, visited Broward County over the last few weeks to search for the remains of a missing mother and child, inadvertently locating two other cars owned by people missing from the area for years.

Crime and Public Safety |
Dive team looking for mother, child also find sunken cars with remains of 2 long-missing Broward men

August 13, 2024 at 9:35 p.m.

Sunshine State Sonar, a team of volunteer divers known for solving missing persons cases across Florida, visited Broward County over the last few weeks to search for the remains of...

A former Broward Sheriff's deputy accused of illegally leaking video of the 2017 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport mass shooting to the website TMZ pleaded no contest to charges of tampering with physical evidence and disclosure of confidential information.

Crime and Public Safety |
Former deputy pleads no contest to leaking Fort Lauderdale airport shooting video to TMZ

August 12, 2024 at 5:17 p.m.

A former Broward Sheriff's deputy accused of illegally leaking video of the 2017 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport mass shooting to the website TMZ pleaded no contest to charges of tampering...

Looks like Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will have plenty of time to prepare his defense against a woman accusing him of breaking her leg during what should have been a playful scrimmage at his Southwest Ranches home last year.

Crime and Public Safety |
Judge sets late 2025 trial date in Tyreek Hill civil injury case

August 12, 2024 at 5:11 p.m.

Looks like Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will have plenty of time to prepare his defense against a woman accusing him of breaking her leg during what should have...

First there was a carjacking after allegations of a sexual encounter. Then a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 through Broward County, ending in a fatal crash. A group of suspects, including several teens, were arrested. Now, the alleged driver wants to be bailed out.

Crime and Public Safety |
Broward teens face prison in case involving a carjacking, a high-speed chase, a fatal crash and sexual allegations

August 9, 2024 at 5:36 p.m.

First there was a carjacking after allegations of a sexual encounter. Then a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 through Broward County, ending in a fatal crash. A group of suspects,...

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Crime and Public Safety |
At least 1 arrest made in connection to Matthew Perry’s death, law enforcement source says

Rafael Olmeda

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