Case Files
This Week in Court: October 19–23, 2026
A note before you read: this is a true account of real people and a real crime. We tell it with care — centered on the victims, grounded in the record, and without gratuitous detail.
Six cases are in court this week. One is a trial. The rest are hearings that set the path ahead. Here is who, when, and what to watch.
Some of these cases involve the deaths of children. All times are local court time, with Pacific time next to them. Courts can change dates and times at any time. Check the Court Calendar before you tune in.
Monday, Oct. 19 — Matthew Farwell trial continues (Boston, federal court)
Time: Monday morning; exact start time not publicly verified.
Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police officer, is on trial in federal court in Boston. He is charged in the 2021 death of Sandra Birchmore, 23, who was pregnant. He has pleaded not guilty. His defense says her death was a suicide. Prosecutors disagree. On Monday, an FBI agent is set to keep testifying about phone records. The judge said the trial could last about five weeks.
What to watch: More FBI testimony about texts and phone data.
Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/
Monday, Oct. 19 — David Anthony Burke (D4vd), status hearing (Los Angeles)
Time: Time not publicly verified.
Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, is charged with murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He has pleaded not guilty. A public defender now leads his defense after his private lawyers withdrew. Monday is a status hearing. The court may check on trial readiness and set the next dates. No trial date has been set.
What to watch: Whether the new defense team asks for more time.
Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/
Tuesday, Oct. 20 — Kimberly Sullivan, pretrial motion hearing (Waterbury, Connecticut)
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT), per the state court docket as of Oct. 2.
Police say Kimberly Sullivan held her stepson captive in their Waterbury home for about 20 years. She faces kidnapping, assault, unlawful restraint, and cruelty charges. She says she is innocent. In September she turned down all plea offers and chose a jury trial. Tuesday is a pretrial hearing on motions.
What to watch: Any rulings that shape a trial lawyers expect to start early next year.
Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/
Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Nick Reiner, hearing on grand jury records (Los Angeles)
Time: Time not publicly verified.
Nick Reiner is charged with murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70. He pleaded not guilty in February. Prosecutors say they will not seek the death penalty. Wednesday’s hearing is about his lawyers’ request to keep grand jury records sealed. The judge could decide if the public will see what the grand jury heard. A separate hearing on his request to use trust money for his defense is set for Oct. 23.
What to watch: Whether the grand jury records stay sealed.
Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/
Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Jeffrey Crum Sr., Spencer hearing (Hernando County, Florida)
Time: 8:30 a.m. ET (5:30 a.m. PT).
In August, a jury found Jeffrey Norman Crum Sr. guilty of kidnapping, sexual battery, and murder in the 1993 death of 12-year-old Jennifer Renee Odom. The jury then voted 12–0 to recommend death. That vote is not the final sentence. A Spencer hearing is the step where the judge hears more before deciding. In Florida, the final sentence usually comes at a later court date.
What to watch: Whether the judge sets a date for the final sentence.
Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/
Friday, Oct. 23 — Tyler Robinson, pretrial conference (Provo, Utah)
Time: 1:00 p.m. MT (12:00 p.m. PT), as reported by the Deseret News on Sept. 1.
Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and six other counts in the killing of Charlie Kirk. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Judge Tony Graf told both sides to come ready with trial dates and deadlines. His lawyers have also asked the judge to keep cameras out of the courtroom.
What to watch: Whether a trial date is set, and whether cameras are allowed.
Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/
Stay in the loop
Court dates move all the time. We track every hearing so you don’t have to. Follow the Court Calendar at https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/ and join our free newsletter on cassiancreed.com for weekly updates.
Everyone named here who has not been convicted is presumed innocent.
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