A 17-year-old boy from Sauk Rapids was charged Tuesday in connection to the death of Mankato state student Colton Gleason. The St. Cloud Times reports Jesse Jean Smithers is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault.

Reporters who cover courtrooms routinely hear grim stories. But some, like the beating death of Julian Williams, are harder to file away.

Dodge County investigators believe harassment and bullying were likely factors in Rachel's death, but there is insufficient evidence to file charges. The Sheriff's office also determined a text message in question originated from her own father's home in Mantorville and say it's possible Rachel sent the message herself. The 13-year-old was a 7th grader at Kasson-Mantorville Middle School. She took her own life late last month.

A North Chisago Lakes Township woman was acquitted Thursday night in the death of 8-month-old child at her unlicensed home day care last year. Salli D. Schultz, 43, was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Brooke Kowarsch, of Lindstrom. Defense attorney Earl Gray said Friday that authorities rushed to judgment in filing homicide charges.

Two men have been jailed in the death of a 14-year-old St. Paul girl after they allegedly took her to a party and supplied her with alcohol and a new drink called "lean," a mixture of codeine and Sprite, the Pioneer Press reports. It's also known as "Sizzurp" or "Purple Drank," and reportedly originated in Houston.