Across the United States, a series of high-profile criminal cases are unfolding, each revealing the complex and often tragic realities behind the headlines. From Idaho to South Dakota, Ohio to Florida, the justice system is grappling with cases that have left communities shaken and families searching for answers and closure.
In Canyon County, Idaho, the community is still reeling from the August 2025 killing of 18-year-old Onyx Cornish. According to Scripps News Boise, Onyx’s father, Delbert Cornish, was charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting his daughter in their Caldwell home. The charges don’t end there: Cornish also faces counts of assault with intent to murder, use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, and animal cruelty—police say he killed Onyx’s cat after taking her life.
On October 14, 2025, Delbert Cornish appeared in court for his arraignment, where his lawyer announced that Cornish plans to plead guilty to the charges. This announcement marked a significant moment for Onyx’s surviving family, especially her mother, Crystal Thompson, and brother, Lucian. Thompson, who spoke to Scripps News Boise reporter Victoria Rodriguez, described the emotional toll of seeing Cornish in court. “He just came out and my blood went cold,” Thompson recalled. “I started shaking, you know, and I just felt— I felt despair.”
The case has been particularly traumatic for Lucian, who police say disarmed his father and called 911 on the day of the shooting. For Thompson, the prospect of a guilty plea brings mixed emotions—relief that Lucian may be spared from testifying, but also the pain of everything her family has lost. “It’ll save Lucian from having to go through, you know, getting up on the stand, that’s what I’ve been really worried about,” she explained. “I just want my daughter to have justice. That’s why I’m here. I’m representing her because she can’t represent herself.”
Cornish is expected back in court on November 12, when he is scheduled to formally change his plea. Thompson told Idaho News 6 that she and Lucian will be present, determined to see the process through and to continue seeking justice for Onyx.
Meanwhile, in Rapid City, South Dakota, another courtroom is at the center of a tragic case. As reported by KOTA, Brian Vincent LeBeau, 47, made his first appearance in magistrate court on October 17, 2025. LeBeau is charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of 66-year-old Timothy Branch earlier in the month. An autopsy revealed that Branch died from a brain bleed consistent with injuries he received during an assault the day before his death. If convicted, LeBeau faces life in prison and a $50,000 fine. His next court appearance has not yet been scheduled, leaving the community and Branch’s loved ones waiting for the next steps in the legal process.
In Ohio, the aftermath of a 2023 campus shooting is finally moving toward resolution. According to WCMH, Franklin Grayson, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, pleaded guilty on October 17, 2025, to a string of charges tied to a shooting at Muskingum University. Grayson, a 2021 graduate of the University of Olivet, shot an Olivet College baseball player after a March 17, 2023, game against Muskingum University. The incident unfolded when the player returned to the dugout to retrieve a personal item and was shot by Grayson. Fortunately, the player survived after being treated at a hospital and released.
Grayson’s guilty plea encompasses charges of attempted murder, improper discharging of a firearm in a school safety zone, inducing panic, carrying a concealed weapon, tampering with evidence, and two counts of felonious assault. He also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of assaulting a corrections officer. No sentencing date has been set, leaving the victim, the university community, and Grayson’s own family in a state of uncertainty as they await the court’s decision.
While violent crime cases often dominate the news, another case in Preble County, Ohio, is highlighting issues of sexual misconduct and the protection of minors. WHIO-TV reports that Jenna Anderson, a 31-year-old woman from Eaton, Ohio, was indicted on October 6, 2025, on one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor or corruption of a minor, three counts of gross sexual imposition, and two counts of sexual imposition. The alleged offenses involved three victims, aged 15, 16, and 17, and reportedly occurred between July 1 and September 8, 2025.
Anderson pleaded not guilty on October 9 and remains in custody at Preble County Jail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 20, 2025. The case has prompted concern in the local community, as residents grapple with the disturbing nature of the allegations and the need to ensure the safety of vulnerable young people.
Each of these cases, while unique in their details, share a common thread: the profound impact of violent or exploitative acts on individuals, families, and entire communities. The legal system’s response—whether through plea agreements, ongoing investigations, or upcoming trials—serves as both a mechanism for accountability and a source of hope for those seeking justice.
For families like Crystal Thompson’s, the court proceedings are more than just legal formalities—they are pivotal moments in the long process of healing. As Thompson put it, “He’s going to have to face it, you know, and it’s not fair.” Her words echo the sentiments of many who find themselves caught in the aftermath of tragedy, searching for meaning and closure amid the complexities of the justice system.
As these cases move forward, communities across the country are watching closely, hoping that justice will be served and that lessons will be learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The path is rarely straightforward, but for those seeking answers, every court date, every hearing, and every verdict represents another step toward resolution.