Deep fakes are images or videos digitally created used to depict someone falsely or make them appear as someone else. (Photo by Mdv Edwards/Adobe Stock)

Makers of inappropriate deep fake images could face penalties

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A bill that would punish citizens for creating and spreading inappropriate artificial intelligence images known as deep fakes passed unanimously in the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning. House Bill 353, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Wilmington, provides civil and criminal penalties for the wrongful disclosure of deep fakes that depict individuals in the nude or engaging in sexual conduct. Several …

The House will be the first chamber to consider the task force's bill redefining the term 'firearm.'

New ‘firearm’ definition bill heads to House 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The Delaware House of Representatives will be the first to take a look at a new bill that will redefine Delaware’s legal description of a firearm. The Firearm Definition Task Force, responsible for evaluating the state definition and its ramifications in lawmaking and criminal code, had a quick, 10-minute meeting Tuesday to take one last look at their work. The …

Vinson

Kent parents go to jail for life for torturing their children

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A Kent County couple who withheld food from their two children, then would force feed them and also violently and repetitively assaulted them should spend the rest of their lives in jail after receiving sentences of a combined 150 years. Mary Vinson, 46, and Charles Vinson, 37, were convicted in September of dozens of felonies for abusing their children, including …

The state Department of Justice is set to appeal a recent ruling on absentee and early voting in Delaware.

Delaware DOJ to appeal absentee, early voting ruling

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday it will move to appeal a Superior Court judge’s ruling on absentee and early voting. Judge Mark Conner ruled last week in favor of former state attorney general Jane Brady’s suit that laws passed by the General Assembly – over objections that they were not constitutional – were indeed “inconsistent with our Constitution and …

gavel rapist

Brandywine Park rapist Bryron Mayhan convicted on 22 charges

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A New Castle man convicted of 10 counts of rape, among 22 charges, faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five life sentences, plus 175 years at sentencing in early 2024. Byron Mayhan, 39, described by the Department of Justice as a habitual offender, was convicted Nov. 13 for his May 29, 2020, attack on a woman running in Brandywine Park. …

gang prosecution MSG

4-year gang prosecution ends with 100% conviction rate

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Twenty people have been convicted on charges of murder, shooting and other felonies following a four-year prosecution of a Wilmington gang that resulted in a 100% conviction rate. The push helped reduce the number of shootings in Delaware 30% since 2020, according to a statement from the Delaware Department of Justice. In essence, the press release said, the Wilmington Police …

Retail theft

Stores won’t get a break from rising theft through 2023

Betsy PriceBusiness, Headlines

  Retail theft in Delaware is causing concerns among local families and business owners. The economic impact, according to industry experts, could result in store closings. One mom posting recently in a Delaware moms’ Facebook group described how outraged she was as she stood in a store and watched people grab merchandise and run. A deluge of comments followed with …

New Castle County Courthouse

Townsend man: life in prison for murdering 4 family members

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Police & Fire

A Townsend man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of four family members.  On August 18, Donald Grier Jr., 41, was sentenced to life plus 25 years in prison in New Castle County Superior Court after pleading Guilty But Mentally Ill to one count of Murder 1st Degree and one count of Possession of a Deadly …

Glen Carrie, data privacy

Data privacy bill passes House committee

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A data privacy bill that will give consumers more rights went unanimously through the House Technology & Telecommunications Committee Tuesday, two in favor and four on its merits. House Bill 154, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Greenville, would give consumers the right to delete their personal data, change their personal data, know who is collecting their personal data and opt …

theft arrest

Retail theft continues to plague Delaware businesses

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

While retail theft continues to increase in Delaware, according to state police records, it doesn’t seem to be happening at the level reported in some cities. “I am not aware of any widespread looting or any type of cases where there’s just been storming, just an overpowering into an establishment,” said Jason Hatchell, public information officer for the Delaware State …