Court Cases in California and Arizona

May 12, 2026, 17:53
USSociety

Introduction

Two men have serious crimes. They must go to court.

Main Body

David Anthony Burke is in Los Angeles. He killed a 14-year-old girl. The police found her body in a car. The court date is now June 29. The police have too many computer files to read. Burke killed the girl because she wanted to tell a secret. He used a chainsaw to cut the body in a garage. He might die for this crime. Cudjoe Young is in Arizona. He robbed a woman with a gun in 2020. The police think he killed the woman later. He did this so she could not talk to the police. His court date is May 12.

Conclusion

Both men wait for their court dates in May and June.

Learning

📅 Talking about Time

Look at how we say when things happen in the text:

  • The Date: "June 29" or "May 12"
  • The Year: "in 2020"

Rule: Use 'in' for years and months. Use 'on' (though not in this text, it's the A2 way) for specific dates.

→ In 2020 → In June → On June 29

🛠ī¸ Action Words (Past)

To tell a story about the past, we add -ed to most words. This changes the action from now to before.

NowBeforeExample from text
KillKilled"He killed a girl"
RobRobbed"He robbed a woman"
WantWanted"She wanted to tell"

Watch out! Some words are "rebels" and change completely:

  • Find → Found
  • Do → Did

Vocabulary Learning

court (n.)
a place where judges decide on laws and disputes
Example:The court will decide if he is guilty.
police (n.)
people who keep the law and protect people
Example:The police searched the house.
date (n.)
a specific day on the calendar
Example:The court date is June 29.
car (n.)
a vehicle that runs on roads
Example:She found the body in a car.
body (n.)
the physical part of a person or animal
Example:The police found the body.
computer (n.)
a machine that processes information
Example:The police have many computer files.
file (n.)
a document stored on a computer or paper
Example:The files are on the computer.
secret (n.)
something kept hidden
Example:She wanted to tell a secret.
garage (n.)
a building to keep cars
Example:He cut the body in a garage.
crime (n.)
an illegal act
Example:He might die for this crime.
robbed (v.)
to take someone's property by force
Example:He robbed a woman with a gun.
gun (n.)
a weapon that shoots bullets
Example:He robbed a woman with a gun.
talk (v.)
to speak with someone
Example:She could not talk to the police.
wait (v.)
to stay in a place until something happens
Example:Both men wait for their court dates.