AltWeeklies Wire
What Passes for Medical Care at Denver's Downtown Jail Can be Costly and Even Fatalnew
Cancer patient Tim Thomason didn't think he could feel any worse. His Denver jailers showed that he could.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
08-04-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Jefferson County Officials Show Mike Zinna That What Goes Around Comes Aroundnew

A longtime critic of public officials who's turned to talk radio, webcasts and online muckracking to skewer his enemies, Zinna has sued the board of county commissioners and others, claiming they've used the power of their office to try to shut him up, slander him and otherwise stomp on his constitutional rights.
What Happens to the Mentally Ill in the Justice System is Just Crazynew
In Colorado, gaping holes in the so-called safety net have made police, courts and emergency rooms the first and last line of contact with people who may be a danger to themselves or others. Too often, the care they receive is perfunctory -- a 72-hour crisis hold, a few pills, a referral to a mental-health center -- with little or no followup.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
06-02-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tony Krupicka Takes Ultrarunning to New Extremesnew
He ran his first marathon when he was twelve, and has since racked up close to 40,000 miles, all of it meticulously recorded in his journals or his blog. Last year he ran 5,412 miles, for an average of 104 miles a week -- but that's not quite right, since he was sidelined for almost five months of 2007 with two major injuries.
Colorado Inmates Waitin' Around to Dienew
Only one man is on the state's death row, but seven others are waiting in the wings.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
03-03-2008 |
Crime & Justice
DA Charges Death-Penalty Fees to the Statenew
How does DA Carol Chambers beat the high cost of a death-penalty prosecution? By billing the prison system.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
03-03-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Phil Van Cise: Scourge of Denver's Underworldnew

Fearless DA Phil Van Cise cleaned up Denver -- and it cost him his career. Can a new justice center right an old wrong?
Tags: history
The Poisoned Pen of Fort Lyon Prisonnew
Bought by the state for a dollar, Fort Lyon is rich in history, asbestos, sick inmates -- and trouble.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
11-21-2007 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Blackwater Isn't the Only Security Contractor With Something to Hidenew

A Denver court case reveals dirty trade secrets from the business of the Iraq War.
The Caged Lifenew
Is Thomas Silverstein a prisoner of his own deadly past -- or the first in a new wave of locked-down lifers?
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
08-20-2007 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Colorado Prison Keeps Prisoners In & Reporters Outnew
Officials have denied every single media request for a face-to-face interview with supermax prisoners from January 2002 through May 2007.
Tags: media
More Pain for Accident Victimsnew
A dubious deal between a law firm and medical providers spins out in Colorado.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
07-23-2007 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Gun Activists Take Their Fire Fight Onlinenew
Last week a gun activist admitted to e-mailing death threats to a Columbine parent in the name of another gun activist -- because, see, he believed his life had been threatened by the other activist, and he wanted to see the man arrested.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
06-13-2007 |
Civil Liberties
Tags: civil liberties
CU Makes Nice and Keeps Allegations Quietnew
Robert Schrier took the University of Colorado to court for academic freedom -- the school settled before a jury could hear the tale.
Tags: Education
The Punishernew
Censured but defiant, Carol Chambers goes after habitual criminals -- and cops, judges and lawyers -- like no other district attorney. But at what cost?
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
02-13-2007 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice