Criminal Justice Archives

Myon Burrell stares into the camera, pulling his mask down to reveal his face.

Accountability

The jail tapes in the dumpster

by Amy Mostafa, Jim Briggs, Fernando Arruda, Brett Simpson, Kevin Sullivan and Al Letson April 17, 2021July 1, 2021

A murder conviction sent Myon Burrell to prison for life when he was a teenager. An investigative reporter dug into what seemed a hopeless case. What she found helped free him.

A collage illustration shows lady justice holding up scales in front of a Wyoming wilderness background. A teenager falls off the scales.

Criminal Justice

Juvenile (in)justice

by Tennessee Watson, Eda Uzunlar, Taki Telonidis, Amy Mostafa, Brett Simpson, Jim Briggs, Fernando Arruda, Kevin Sullivan and Al Letson March 20, 2021July 1, 2021

Wyoming locks up kids at the highest rate in the nation. A mother tells the story of how her daughter’s fight snowballed into incarceration and tragedy.

Accountability, Criminal Justice

Pardon me, President Trump

by Michael I Schiller and David Ritsher December 26, 2020June 30, 2021

Boxer Charles “Duke” Tanner, among the few to receive clemency from President Donald Trump, returns to his hometown after spending 16 years in prison.

An illustration shows a president's hand pulling a person out of a prison cell.

Accountability, Criminal Justice

All the president’s pardons

by Michael I Schiller, Anna Hamilton, Taki Telonidis, Melissa Lewis, Jim Briggs, Fernando Arruda, Katherine Rae Mondo, Najib Aminy and Amy Mostafa December 12, 2020July 1, 2021

Under President Donald Trump, the pardon system has completely broken down.

Accountability, Criminal Justice

Federal prosecutors hold protesters for months pretrial

by Aaron Miguel Cantú November 17, 2020June 30, 2021

Dozens of protesters who took part in the uprisings after George Floyd’s murder have faced prolonged detention despite COVID-19 outbreaks.

A red and black illustration shows protester reflected in the visor of a police officer's riot gear helmet

Criminal Justice, First Amendment

Stopping a movement

by Anjali Kamat, Kevin Sullivan, Amy Mostafa, Brett Simpson, Najib Aminy, Jim Briggs, Fernando Arruda, Stan Alcorn and Patrick Michels October 31, 2020July 1, 2021

Millions of Americans have protested racism and police brutality. The federal government cracked down, filing charges against protesters in 31 states.