Matthew Barakat

Read the latest stories and analysis from Matthew Barakat.

Ex-Marine tells lawyers not to fight death penalty

Matthew Barakat · April 21, 2014 9:46 pm

FILE - These undated family photos provided by the Zion, Ill., Police department show Krystal Tobias, 9, and Laura Hobbs, 8. Prosecutors seeking the death penalty against an ex-Marine began making their case to a federal jury Monday, saying he killed a fellow service member as part of a series of violent attacks against young women. Jorge Torrez, 25, is charged with premeditated murder in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, and could face the death penalty if convicted in the July 2009 death of Amanda Snell. DNA also linked Torrez to the 2005 killings of Hobbs and Tobias in Illinois, Torrez's home state. Laura's father, Jerry Hobbs, was originally charged in that case and spent five years in custody until the DNA evidence pointed to Torrez. Hobbs said he was coerced into a false confession. Illinois prosecutors are still waiting to put Torrez on trial. (AP Photo/Family photo via the Zion Police Department)

Ex-Marine guilty of murder, could face execution

Matthew Barakat · April 8, 2014 7:24 pm

FILE - These undated family photos provided by the Zion, Ill., Police department show Krystal Tobias, 9, and Laura Hobbs, 8. Prosecutors seeking the death penalty against an ex-Marine began making their case to a federal jury Monday, saying he killed a fellow service member as part of a series of violent attacks against young women. Jorge Torrez, 25, is charged with premeditated murder in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, and could face the death penalty if convicted in the July 2009 death of Amanda Snell. DNA also linked Torrez to the 2005 killings of Hobbs and Tobias in Illinois, Torrez's home state. Laura's father, Jerry Hobbs, was originally charged in that case and spent five years in custody until the DNA evidence pointed to Torrez. Hobbs said he was coerced into a false confession. Illinois prosecutors are still waiting to put Torrez on trial. (AP Photo/Family photo via the Zion Police Department)

Death penalty case goes to jury in sailor’s death

Matthew Barakat · April 7, 2014 6:49 pm

Jury hears death penalty case against ex-Marine

Matthew Barakat · March 31, 2014 10:04 pm

Few DC owners affected in flood-insurance debate

Matthew Barakat · March 24, 2014 9:26 am

Suspect in Va. slayings to be held in W.Va.

Matthew Barakat · March 17, 2014 4:08 pm

Swiss ex-banker pleads to helping US tax evaders

Matthew Barakat · March 12, 2014 4:53 pm

DC institution Ben’s Chili Bowl crosses into Va.

Matthew Barakat · March 6, 2014 3:30 pm

Races for open seats in Va. shaping up differently

Matthew Barakat · March 3, 2014 6:54 pm

Documents: Health exchange contractors squabbled

Matthew Barakat · February 8, 2014 12:06 am

Judge recuses himself in Delgaudio ouster attempt

Matthew Barakat · February 4, 2014 8:16 pm

Charles Town casino copes with Md. Competition

Matthew Barakat · February 1, 2014 3:44 pm