Archive for May, 2005

Police chases lack restrictions

Tuesday, 05/31/05 Posted in CAR, First Amendment & FOIA, Government (federal/state/local), Justice (courts/crime/law), Transportation

Eunice Trotter, Tom Spalding and Mark Nichols of The Indianapolis Star built a database of reports on police chases, showing that "police are virtually unrestricted when they chase suspects. They ... Read more..

Prisoner complaints ignored by officials

Tuesday, 05/31/05 Posted in First Amendment & FOIA, Government (federal/state/local), Justice (courts/crime/law)

Norman Sinclair, Melvin Claxton and Ronald J. Hansen of The Detroit News report that "Michigan lawmakers and prison officials have stymied investigations of sexual abuse in women's prisons, stifled inmate ... Read more..

Former security chief spent thousands on state issued gas card

Tuesday, 05/31/05 Posted in First Amendment & FOIA, Government (federal/state/local), Homeland Security, Transportation

Eric Eyre and Scott Finn of The Charleston Gazette continue their investigation of Neal Sharp, West Virginia's former homeland security chief, reporting that "Sharp purchased gasoline with his state credit ... Read more..

Governor ignores clemency board recommendations

Friday, 05/27/05 Posted in CAR, Government (federal/state/local), Justice (courts/crime/law), Politics

Amanda J. Crawford and Ryan Konig of The Arizona Republic analyzed state records on clemency, finding that "the number of inmates recommended to the governor for shortened prison terms by ... Read more..

Cities, counties ignore misdemeanor warrents to save money

Friday, 05/27/05 Posted in CAR, First Amendment & FOIA, Government (federal/state/local), Justice (courts/crime/law)

Chris Halsne of KIRO-Seattle reports on why many criminals with outstanding misdemeanor warrants don't have to worry about going to jail. The KIRO-Seattle investigative team analyzed 145,000 active misdemeanor ... Read more..

Sheriff deputized friends, family, supporters

Thursday, 05/26/05 Posted in Campaign Finance, First Amendment & FOIA, Government (federal/state/local), Justice (courts/crime/law), Politics

Christine Hanley of the Los Angeles Times reports on an Orange County Sheriff who deputized friends, family and political supporters. "Of the original 86 reserve deputies, 29 had contributed to ... Read more..

Felons registering, voting in Oklahoma

Thursday, 05/26/05 Posted in CAR, First Amendment & FOIA, Government (federal/state/local), Politics

Nolan Clay and John Perry of The Oklahoman used state voter data to show that "about 2,500 felons may be registered to vote. About 1,100 may have voted in last ... Read more..

Police shooting probes flawed

Thursday, 05/26/05 Posted in Justice (courts/crime/law)

Gina Barton of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reviewed police records to show that in the past 20 years, no police shooting inquest in Milwaukee County has resulted in criminal charges ... Read more..

Section 8 failing to provide adequate housing

Thursday, 05/26/05 Posted in Business, First Amendment & FOIA, Government (federal/state/local), Housing, Social issues

Antonio Olivo, John Bebow and Darnell Little of the Chicago Tribune used local data to show that "private landlords are fast taking over government's traditional role of housing Chicago's ... Read more..

New evidence casts doubt on convicted killer’s guilt

Wednesday, 05/25/05 Posted in CAR, First Amendment & FOIA, Justice (courts/crime/law)

Scott Glover and Matt Lait of the Los Angeles Times use scores of documents shedding doubt on the guilt of a man convicted of killing his mother over 20 years ... Read more..