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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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 McConnel 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. -
The joint trial for two suspects in the “TRU Colors” case, Dyrell Green and Omonte Bell, began Monday. -
If you know me, you’d know I’m a fan of Ali Siddiq. I mean, I’ve watched countless hours of his work – and honestly, who could blame me? -
On this edition of The Newsroom, WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman talks to reporter Aaleah McConnell, who has been looking into the arrest of a Wilmington man who claims he was the victim of law enforcement violence — and the laws and policies that govern the use of force by cops and deputies. -
For decades, Church World Services has had a hand in resettling refugees seeking safety and emergency services across the country. Last year, CWS was one of many refugee assistance agencies gutted by President Donald Trump’s executive order, but the CWS office in Wilmington is one of three locations leading a new initiative. -
Theodore Roosevelt Gause, a 51-year-old man of Wilmington, had his first appearance in court today after allegedly causing a car crash that resulted in the loss of a child's leg.
