The most important stories can be some of the hardest to tell.
SPECIAL REPORT:
WHEN KIDS KILL
A 20-month examination of juvenile crime and punishment in Jacksonville, Florida
TRAUMA: In children, trauma too often leads to tragedy
FAMILY: Many violent young offenders were ‘born into dysfunction’
ENVIRONMENT: Drugs and guns fuel violence that makes killing and prison somehow normal
PEERS: For many young homicide offenders, trouble easy to find
ABOUT THE PROJECT: A look at how the Times-Union reported this investigation
Where do kids get guns?
Even before the mass shooting at a video-game competition that left three people dead and 11 wounded, Jacksonville was in shock. Another shooting. [MORE]
Attack on teen in foster care raises questions of responsibility
When a child gets into trouble, makes a mistake or is even the victim of a crime, a common reaction is: “Where were the parents?” [MORE]
UF Health says children in poor areas more often gun violence victims
Children who aren’t physically scarred by gunfire but grow up surrounded by it also suffer the mental and emotional effects. [MORE]
Case highlights long-term implications of locking up youthful offenders
It was over in two minutes. No objections. No comments. No updates. [MORE]
From hate to hope: How adults and agencies failed Alyssa Beck
Throughout her ordeal as a victim of human trafficking, Alyssa Beck was failed repeatedly by government agencies. [MORE]
Arrest of 12-year-old for manslaughter highlights challenges in cases of kids
An 11-year-old boy fetched a shotgun he’d found under the house and ran inside. He aimed it at everyone in the room. [MORE]
No Second Chance:
Why juvenile offenders stay locked away
Markeil Thomas trudged into Clay County Courtroom 12 in a faded jail jumper, shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles. [MORE]
Graham’s case led to new sentences for juvenile lifers – but he’s still behind bars
Terrence Graham receives hand-written notes from men just like him, all across the country. [MORE]
What happened between police and protesters in Hemming Park?
It took just 22 seconds to turn an unremarkable anti-war protest at Hemming Park into a violent fracas. [MORE]
Some of my older work
SPECIAL REPORT: TRANSFORMING BUTLER: From school uniforms to single-gender classrooms, a bold plan to turn around a struggling Jacksonville middle school meets with challenges — and successes. [MORE]
AG: MISD’S DISCIPLINARY RECORDS ARE PRIVATE : The Texas Attorney General’s Office has opined that Midland ISD does not have to disclose the disciplinary action taken against an administrator following the theft of district devices containing confidential student information from the employee’s unlocked vehicle in January. [MORE]
A YEAR LATER, LOUISVILLE WOMAN’S MURDER REMAINS UNSOLVED: It took one, very long sleepless night to complete that crystal-encrusted costume. “Jesus,” Terrance Williams says. “We stayed up all night putting diamonds on that black shirt.” [MORE]