News About Court Cases

Introduction

This report talks about three people and their court cases in the USA.

Main Body

In South Carolina, a court stopped the murder case against Alex Murdaugh. A court worker talked to the jury, and this was not fair. Murdaugh is still in prison for stealing money. In Utah, Kouri Richins killed her husband with a drug. She wanted his insurance money. The judge said she must stay in prison for her whole life. In California, Erik Fleming gave drugs to actor Matthew Perry. Perry died. Fleming was a drug counselor, but he broke the law. He must go to prison for two years.

Conclusion

Many people went to prison for bad crimes, but one man got a new chance in court.

Learning

🚨 The 'Action' Pattern

Look at how the text describes bad things using simple past actions. To reach A2, you need to move from 'He is bad' to 'He did something.'

The Pattern: Person \rightarrow Action \rightarrow Result

  • Example A: Kouri Richins \rightarrow killed husband \rightarrow stay in prison.
  • Example B: Erik Fleming \rightarrow gave drugs \rightarrow go to prison.

💡 Word Choice: "Must"

When the judge speaks, we use must. It is a strong rule. No choice.

  • She must stay in prison.
  • He must go to prison.

Quick Tip: Use must + verb (action) to show a requirement.

Vocabulary Learning

murder
the act of killing someone
Example:The murder case was very serious.
report (n.)
A written or spoken account of something
Example:She gave a short report about the meeting.
jury
a group of people who decide a case
Example:The jury listened to the evidence.
talk (v.)
To speak with someone
Example:They will talk about the new rules tomorrow.
fair
just and unbiased
Example:The judge wanted a fair trial.
people (n.)
Human beings in general
Example:Many people attended the event.
prison
a place where criminals stay
Example:He is in prison for stealing money.
court (n.)
A place where legal cases are heard
Example:The court decided the case after a long trial.
stealing
taking something that does not belong to you
Example:He was caught stealing money.
case (n.)
A legal matter or situation
Example:The case was very complicated for the lawyer.
insurance
money you pay to protect against loss
Example:She wanted the insurance money.
murder (n.)
The killing of a person by another
Example:The murder was investigated by the police.
judge
a person who decides court cases
Example:The judge gave a sentence.
stop (v.)
To end or halt something
Example:The judge told the judge to stop the argument.
life
the whole time a person lives
Example:He was sentenced to life in prison.
against (prep.)
Opposed to or in opposition to
Example:She spoke against the new policy.
actor
a person who performs in movies
Example:Matthew Perry was an actor.
worker (n.)
A person who works in a job
Example:The worker finished his shift early.
died
stopped living
Example:He died after the accident.
jury (n.)
A group of people who decide a case
Example:The jury reached a unanimous decision.
counselor
a person who gives advice
Example:The drug counselor helped him.
fair (adj.)
Just and not biased
Example:The judge made a fair ruling.
law
rules made by government
Example:He broke the law.
prison (n.)
A place where people are kept as punishment
Example:He was sent to prison for five years.
crimes
illegal actions
Example:Many people were convicted of crimes.
steal (v.)
To take something without permission
Example:She will not steal money from the bank.
chance
an opportunity
Example:He got a new chance.
money (n.)
Currency used for buying things
Example:He saved his money for a new phone.
court
a place where legal matters are decided
Example:The case went to court.
kill (v.)
To end a life
Example:The villain tried to kill the hero.
husband (n.)
A married man's partner
Example:She met her husband at college.
drug (n.)
A substance that can affect the body
Example:The doctor gave a safe drug for pain.
want (v.)
To desire something
Example:They want a new car for the holidays.
insurance (n.)
Protection against financial loss
Example:She bought insurance for her house.
judge (n.)
A person who decides legal cases
Example:The judge listened to both sides.
must (modal)
Indicates necessity or obligation
Example:You must finish your homework before dinner.
stay (v.)
To remain in a place
Example:They will stay at the hotel for a week.
whole (adj.)
Entire or complete
Example:She ate the whole pizza by herself.
life (n.)
The period of being alive
Example:He loves his life in the countryside.
give (v.)
To provide or hand over something
Example:Please give me the book on the table.
actor (n.)
A person who performs in movies or plays
Example:The actor won an award for his role.
died (v.)
To stop living
Example:The old tree died after the storm.
counselor (n.)
A person who gives advice
Example:The school counselor helped the student.
break (v.)
To violate or smash something
Example:He will break the rules if he can.
law (n.)
A rule that must be followed
Example:The law requires everyone to wear seatbelts.
two (adj.)
The number 2
Example:She has two cats at home.
year (n.)
A period of 12 months
Example:They celebrated their wedding anniversary after one year.
many (adj.)
A large number of
Example:Many students joined the club.
bad (adj.)
Not good or harmful
Example:He had a bad feeling about the job.
crime (n.)
An illegal act
Example:The police are looking for the crime suspect.
new (adj.)
Recent or not previously used
Example:She bought a new bike for her birthday.
chance (n.)
An opportunity to do something
Example:He had a chance to win the prize.