Aaleah McConnell
ReporterAaleah McConnell is a Report for America corps member and a recent North Carolina implant from Atlanta, Georgia. They report on the criminal justice system in New Hanover County and surrounding areas. Before joining WHQR, they completed a fellowship with the States Newsroom, as a General Assignment Reporter for the Georgia Recorder. Aaleah graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in journalism and minored in African and African-American Diaspora studies. In their free time, Aaleah loves roller-skating and enjoys long walks with their dog Kai. You can reach them at amcconnell@whqr.org.
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The Wilmington City Council recognized a local Marine Corps veteran for his service to the country and economic contributions to the city after receiving the highest military decoration in the nation, the Congressional Medal of Honor. -
Earlier this year, 21-year-old Edilberto Espinoza Sierra was killed by law enforcement officers in a downtown Wilmington parking deck. WHQR's Aaleah McConnell digs into the decision not to charge officers involved in the shooting and the family's ongoing search for justice. -
A lover’s quarrel, a missing dog, and a trail of evidence leading to the perpetrator. Can a group of students in District Attorney Jason Smith’s leadership academy work together to deliver justice? -
This week, District Attorney Jason Smith announced there would be no charges against officers involved in the March shooting death of 21-year-old Edilberto Espinoza Sierra. Smith shared his office's case report and also showed segments of body-cam footage to reporters. Espinoza Sierra's family said they were "disgusted" with the decision. -
Good News Sk8 Night is a community event where two vastly different forms of expression, ministry and skateboarding, collide, because for some, skateboarding is more than just an extreme sport — it's a mind-body-spirit connection. -
Closing arguments in the joint-trial of Omonte Bell and Dyrell Green, commonly known as the TRU Colors trial, concluded on Tuesday with the defense wrapping up their closing arguments, which began Monday. -
Last month, the trial started for two men arrested in the Tru Colors double-murder case — Omonte Bell and Dyrell Green — who are now facing charges including murder, conspiracy, and more. The third defendant, Raquel Adams, was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences last year. WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman caught up with reporter Aaleah McConnell, who's been following the trial. -
Aaleah McConnell has an intimate look at how the family of Edilberto Espinoza-Sierra is coping with grief and searching for justice, after the 21-year-old was killed by law enforcement in March. Plus, Rachel Keith and Ben Schachtman dig into public school funding, with a look at this year’s budget – and some potential issues on the horizon. -
It’s been over a month since the family of Edilberto Espinoza-Sierra learned about his death, which has left them with many questions. In part one of this two-part series, WHQR's Aaleah McConnell breaks down some details of this case, and sits down with the family to learn who Edilberto was and how they are working through the loss. -
This week, the trial began for Omonte Bell and Dyrell Green, who face felony charges in what have been called the Tru Colors killings. The first two days primarily saw prosecutors and defense attorneys trade arguments over what evidence could be allowed at trial.
