Criminal Justice
Shuttered private jail in Leavenworth could become ICE detention center
A private pre-trial detention center in Leavenworth beset with violence when it closed in 2021 could house individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. For years, Nashville-based CoreCivic operated the Leavenworth Detention Center, which held individuals charged — but not convicted — with federal crimes from Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and western Missouri. Now, it […]
Kansas City police made arrests based on rescinded warrants, records show
Kansas City police arrested at least four people on invalid warrants in 2021 following its transition from one tracking software program to another, The Missouri Independent has learned. It’s unclear from the records obtained by The Independent how many individuals were mistakenly arrested. The department had been warned of possible technical issues that could lead […]
Kansas reporter sues Marion police chief, alleging retaliation in newsroom raid
TOPEKA, Kansas — Police Chief Gideon Cody arrived at the Marion County Record and handed a copy of a search warrant to Deb Gruver, the veteran reporter who had questioned him about alleged misconduct at his previous job. As Gruver read the search warrant, she told Cody she needed to call her publisher and editor, Eric […]
Lawsuit alleges Kansas City mayor tried to intimidate activist over request for records
A Kansas City activist has filed a lawsuit alleging Mayor Quinton Lucas attempted to intimidate her into withdrawing a request for public records from his office. Lora McDonald, executive director of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2, sued the city earlier this month over alleged violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law. […]
Cities are embracing teen curfews, though they might not curb crime
In response to growing public concern over crime, cities and counties throughout the United States are returning to a familiar tool: curfews for young people. Proponents argue curfews curb crime and protect youth by keeping them off the streets. But research suggests curfews are ineffective, and some juvenile justice advocates and experts warn of unintended […]
Suit targets gun initiative over Missouri AG claim it would spike rape and murder, cost millions
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey believes a push to allow St Louis and Kansas City to enact their own gun regulations would cost the state hundreds of millions and lead to a massive increase in rape and murder. And his argument, made in a July letter to Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, is now a key piece […]
Missouri’s new distracted driving law begins with warning-only period
Beginning today, a Missouri law will penalize drivers for using their cell phones while the car is moving. Inattention is a leading cause of collisions, said Captain John Hotz, director of public information and education for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Between 2017 and 2021, roughly 380 people died in incidents involving a distracted driver, […]
One for the books as Trump and rest of Fulton 19 enter Georgia justice system over 2020 election
At the end of a historic week at the Fulton County jailhouse, the criminal case against former President Donald Trump and his 18 allies also accused of subverting Georgia’s 2020 presidential election is just beginning. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged Trump and the rest of the group – which include lawyers, former federal […]
Trump supporters, detractors face off outside jail as he’s booked on Georgia racketeering charges
Former President Donald Trump was booked and quickly released at the Fulton County Jail Thursday evening during a trip from New Jersey to Atlanta that played out on primetime TV and capped a drama-filled day outside the facility. Trump’s sprawling motorcade arrived at the jail at about 7:30 p.m. And he was released after about […]
Trump, allies surrender in election interference case
Former President Donald Trump, who is accused of trying to overturn Georgia’s election results, has been booked at the Fulton County Jail, according to the county jail website. Trump, who was indicted by a grand jury last week, arrived at the Rice Street jail in a sprawling motorcade at 7:34 p.m. Thursday. Outside the jail, his fans […]
Crowd grows outside Fulton jail in anticipation of Trump’s Georgia surrender
Editor’s Note: This article was initially published by Georgia Recorder. Follow their live blog throughout the day for the latest on the surrender of former President Donald Trump. A large crowd of reporters and demonstrators was amassing around the Fulton County Jail Thursday morning in anticipation of the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who […]
St. Louis prosecutor says review of Christopher Dunn conviction ongoing, a ‘high priority’
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said this week that his office has given “high priority’ to reviewing the 1990 murder conviction of Christopher Dunn — a case that finds the Midwest Innocence Project arguing for Dunn’s release from state prison after two prosecution witnesses recanted their testimony and legal experts have cited a lack […]