Justice Newzzz
Multiple men free after decades of imprisonment; Ahmaud Arbery's killers found guilty; DC and Philly hit murder highs; NY cop showed history of abuse before shooting — your weekly Justice News
deadly: D.C.’s murder rate hit 201 last week, a 12% increase over 2020’s number and its highest point in 18 years. This comes amid rising murder rates across the country, Philly hit 500 homicides. Those calling for more law enforcement have been met with critics who say those solutions fail to address the root cause of violence, poverty and inequity. WSUA9
moving slow: A D.C. judge extended the suspension of the “speedy trial” rule, despite poor and “inhumane” living conditions at the D.C. jail. People held in the jail have had their trials pushed back due to COVID since 2020. DCist
pay up: Seventeen white nationalists were ordered to pay over $26 million in damages for violence during the deadly 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. AP
convicted: The three white men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery, the Black man shot jogging in Georgia, were found guilty of murder. The Guardian
abuses detailed: A years-long struggle that led the Department of Justice to sue the state of Alabama’s Department of Corrections for inhumane and violent conditions in its prisons, continued last week. The DOJ released more details of abuse and unconstitutional conditions. AL Reporter
impunity: A deep-dive into one Rochester police officer’s history of misconduct and how it reveals a culture where anything can go with only a slap on the wrist. The Appeal
In the eight years before he killed Jones, Drake drove his police cruiser into a crowd of people, was involved in the brutal beating and prosecution of another Black man, David Vann, allegedly beat a police brutality protester with a baton, and drove an inebriated young woman around in his personal vehicle for 40 minutes in violation of department policy. He was issued minor reprimands for some of these incidents and kept his job.
life saved: Pervis Payne’s death sentence was vacated and his life saved by a Tennessee judge, but he remains in prison. NPR
made clear: After Rep. Rashida Tlaib released a proposal that calls for closing federal prisons, the Biden administration made clear “the president does not support abolishing prisons.” The Crime Report
home, finally: A new Mississippi law allows prosecutors to right wrongful convictions, Despite a resistant state attorney general, Kevin Strickland went home last week after serving 43 years for a crime he didn’t commit. The Intercept
On Rittenhouse: “The Outsized Meaning of the Rittenhouse Verdict: A Wisconsin self-defense law made it difficult for the jury to convict—an outcome that was celebrated by the Republican Party’s violent fringe.” The New Yorker
Community Board
to submit events, essays, calls to action and more please email tips@thedes1790.com
Tackling a Huge Taboo: Sexual Desire Behind Bars | 50 At 50 - The Faces Of America’s War On Drugs | Sentencing Project: Challenging Racial Disparities Webinar on Dec. 1 | NEWS INSIDE: Have It Your Way | The Marshall Project to Launch Criminal Justice News Operation in Cleveland | Webinar Dec. 2: How Do We Decriminalize Poverty? Lessons & Strategies from Nevada's 2021 Victories
COVID-19 resources: State policy changes. News. Bureau of Prisons updates. State court changes. Prison holistic self care and protection. Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook.
We want to hear from you about how COVID-19 is impacting you and the people connected to you. What is not being talked about? What story do you have that needs to be heard? Who do you want answers or explanations from? Please reach out to tips@thedes1790.com.