Legal Analysis of Verdict in Case of Man Found Guilty of Setting Ex-girlfriend on Fire

Barry Covert Interview by WGRZ for legal analysis on guilty verdict

Attorney Barry Covert was interview by WGRZ 2 On Your Side to provide legal analysis for their coverage of the case of Jonathan White. Jonathan White was accused of setting his ex-girlfriend on fire outside of a Tim Hortons in Tonawanda in December 2018.

A jury recently found Jonathan White guilty of attempted murder and assault.

As reported by WGRZ, the victim in this case, Jessica Cameron, took the witness stand during the trial. She provided testimony on her relationship with the defendant as well as the events of the day of the assault. Jessica Cameron suffered burns to her face, head, and hands. She spent several months being treated in ECMC’s burn unit and she is still recovering from her injuries.

The jury made numerous request for information as they deliberated the case. WGRZ reports that during deliberations, the jury sent three notes to the judge. The first note requested video surveillance footage. A second note asked for Jonathan White’s cross examination and redirect testimony. A third note requested images of the scene of the assault. In addition, the jury asked for clarification on the definitions of intent and the attempted murder charge. Shortly thereafter, the jury returned with a guilty verdict.
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Diocese of Buffalo Whistleblower Calls for Removal of Auxiliary Bishop

Image of WIVB's interview with Barry Covert regarding Diocese of Buffalo whistleblower calls for removal of Buffalo Auxiliary Bishop

WIVB News 4 recently interviewed Fr. Ryszard Biernat regarding Fr. Biernat’s call for the removal of Diocese of Buffalo Auxiliary Bishop, Edward Grosz.  Fr. Biernat was joined by his attorney, Barry Covert, for the interview with WIVB.

The Diocese of Buffalo has been the focus of extensive media coverage over the past year for its handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations.  Fr. Biernat has been featured in local and national media recently as a second whistleblower from the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.  Prior to taking a personal leave of absence in August, Fr. Ryszard Biernat served as Bishop Richard Malone’s secretary and diocesan vice chancellor for the Diocese of Buffalo.

As detailed in a previous post, Fr. Biernat was concerned about Bishop Richard Malone’s handling of allegations of misconduct against a priest within the Diocese of Buffalo. This concern prompted Fr. Biernat to record Bishop Malone to expose how the Diocese of Buffalo was handling the allegations of misconduct.
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Failure to Diagnose Breathing Problem Results In Structured Settlement of Over $1,000,000

Attorneys Joseph Manna and Lynn Bochenek recently obtained a structured settlement of over $1,000,000 for their client against a hospital that failed to diagnose and treat an intubation problem, which caused the death of a father. The patient had been intubated after sustaining non-life threatening burns in a house fire. He was rushed to a hospital where he was recovering while intubated.

What is Intubation?

Intubation is the use of a breathing tube to deliver oxygen to a patient’s lungs. Many times, a patient’s natural breathing is suppressed with medications in order to ventilate the patient more comfortably and efficiently. When this type of ventilation is done, the patient is unable to breath on their own and healthcare providers must be careful that there are no problems with the breathing tube. If problems with the intubation tube arise, they must be addressed immediately so that the patient is not deprived of life giving oxygen.
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