Tortured Son Murder Trial Prosecutor: ‘Most difficult case I’ve ever had’
Describing work on the case as 'gut punch after gut punch,' prosecutor Matt Roberts reflected on trying Shanda Vander Ark's murder case. More
December 15, 2023
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Child Abuse
Child abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, and can result in serious harm or even death.
Shanda Vander Ark’s Lawyer: ‘This is the worst case I’ve ever handled’
Fred Johnson said that 'justice was done' after Shanda Vander Ark was found guilty of murdering her teen son with special needs. More
December 15, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Responding Officer Speaks to Court TV
Lt. Joel Hoeksema had to describe the video, rather than show it in court, because the judge deemed it too horrific. More
December 15, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Watch the Verdict
Shanda Vander Ark is found guilty of first-degree felony murder and first-degree child abuse in the death of her special needs son. More
December 15, 2023
Prosecutor on Shanda Vander Ark: ‘Timothy was no longer human to her’
State's rebuttal closing argument in the Tortured Son Murder Trial. Shanda Vander Ark faces charges related to the death of her son. More
December 15, 2023
Defense: ‘They caused this boy’s death but they didn’t intend to’
Shanda Vander Ark's defense attorney, Frederick Johnson, delivers his closing argument in the Tortured Son Murder Trial. More
December 15, 2023
Prosecutor: Imagine those being the last words you said to your child?
The very last words Shanda Vander Ark's special needs teenage son heard were: "See dummy! You don't need to open your mouth to breathe." More
December 15, 2023
Tracy Ferriter’s New Attorney Withdraws From Case
Tracy Ferriter's new attorney immediately withdrew from the case when he said he could not be ready in the timeframe mandated by the court. More
December 15, 2023
Tracy Ferriter comes to court with new attorney but leaves in need of another
After the judge refused to move Tracy Ferriter's trial date beyond March her attorney withdrew, saying he could not be prepared in time. More
December 15, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: ‘Medical Issue’ Keeps Vander Ark From Court
Shanda Vander Ark, the mom accused in the torture and death of her special needs teen son, will not be in court today due to... More
December 15, 2023
Shanda Vander Ark Blames Son For Child’s Abuse
Shanda Vander Ark told the jury that her older son was behind the abuse that led to the death of her son with special needs. More
December 15, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Day 2 Recap
Shanda Vander Ark took the stand in her own defense, blaming her son Paul for much of the abuse that led to her other son's... More
December 14, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Shanda Vander Ark’s Alleged Medical Conditions
During her testimony, Shanda Vander Ark claimed to suffer from various conditions that led to her losing her memory. More
December 14, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Shanda Vander Ark and Her Sons
Shanda Vander Ark and her son, Paul Ferguson's, testimony offer insight into what the family dynamics were like in the home. More
December 14, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Vander Ark Vomits on the Stand
Shanda Vander Ark became violently ill during cross-examination after she was shown a photo of her son, whom she's accused of killing. More
December 14, 2023
From the Bench: Remaining Professional in the Face of Horror
Court TV's Ashley Willcott applauds the professionalism of attorneys on both sides in MI v. Shana Vander Ark in light of the awful facts. More
December 14, 2023
Witness Fearfully Says Brice Rhodes is Mastermind Behind Killings
On the stand, Jacorey Taylor says he was sitting in the backseat when Brice Rhodes killed Chris Jones, then decided to kill Larry Ordway and... More
December 14, 2023
Defendant Explains Telling Son To Drip Hot Sauce on Brother’s Genitals
Shanda Vander Ark is questioned on cross-examination about why she suggested her special needs son's brother drip hot sauce on his genitals. More
December 14, 2023
Prosecutor: ‘His place of comfort was a closet with a blue tarp’
Prosecutor compares Shanda Vander Ark's special needs child's accommodations to a dog crate; the boy didn't have a bed, mattress or blanket. More
December 14, 2023
Defendant Explains Using Hot Sauce to Discipline Special Needs Son
Vander Ark's special needs son was allegedly fed hot sauce that was so extremely hot that it had to be bought online and had a... More
December 14, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Defendant Shanda Vander Ark Testifies
Shanda Vander Ark took the stand in her own defense. She spoke about getting custody of her son and the financial burden of caring for... More
December 14, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Day 1 Recap
Shanda Vander Ark's surviving son told jurors that punishments his mom made him give his brother included ice baths and starvation. More
December 14, 2023
‘I Think We Need To Actually Feed Him’: Disturbing Texts Read in Court
Prosecutors say disturbing text messages between Shanda Vander Ark and her son reveal the torture her teenage son endured before his death. More
December 13, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Twisted Tale of Abuse That led to Teen’s Death
Shanda Vander Ark is accused of severely abusing her teenage son with special needs, who was in an ice bath for 9 hours before he... More
December 13, 2023
Victim’s Brother on Cross: ‘I suppose I didn’t love him enough’
Paul said he'd have done anything to make his mom happy. When asked if he loved his brother, Paul said, "I suppose I didn't love... More
December 13, 2023
Ice Baths, Handcuffs, Starvation: Victim’s Brother Recalls Torture
Paul Ferguson said his mom, Shanda Van Der Ark, made him lock up his brother's food, keep him from taking medicine, and give him ice... More
December 13, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Mom Told Cops Son Stopped Eating On His Own
The first officer on the scene said Timothy Ferguson's body was skin and bones. His mother said he had stopped eating on his own. More
December 13, 2023
Shanda Vander Ark Suffers Panic Attack in Court
Shanda Vander Ark had a panic attack when text messages between she and her son, Paul, were read aloud. Court took a brief recess. More
December 13, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Defense Opening Statement
Shanda Vander Ark's lawyer delivers his open. His client faces chilling allegations related to the death of her special needs teen son. More
December 13, 2023
Tortured Son Murder Trial: Prosecution Opening Statement
Prosecutor delivers open in case against Shanda Vander Ark, who faces charges including murder and child abuse in special needs son's death. More
December 13, 2023
