AltWeeklies Wire
Two Murders, Two Murderers, and Our Peculiar Justice Systemnew
Death row is full of people who have committed heinous crimes, but some people who have committed heinous crimes are not scheduled for execution.
Nashville Scene |
Steven Hale |
01-20-2015 |
Crime & Justice
Life Begins at Sixteennew
For a teen’s impulsive, unthinkable act, Cyntoia Brown got an adult’s life sentence. Was justice served?
Nashville Scene |
Brantley Hargrove |
02-24-2011 |
Crime & Justice
Even after a Scandal, Nursing Home Employees Don't Know how to Handle Abuse Allegationsnew
An October survey of a Bristol, Va. nursing home's staff obtained by the Scene (prompted in part by a sexual-abuse complaint lodged in September) found that most of its employees don't even know they are required by law to report abuse allegations to the state.
Nashville Scene |
Brantley Hargrove |
12-11-2009 |
Crime & Justice
A Nashville Hijacking 38 Years Ago Set the Standard on How Not to Handle Hostage Negotiationsnew
The hijacking of 58 November forced police agencies across the country to train for nearly every scenario. It gave rise to organizations like the National Tactical Officers Association. The deaths of Brent Downs and Susan Giffe also caused the death of ad hoc approaches to crisis management. From October 1971 on, there would be an accounting.
Nashville Scene |
Brantley Hargrove |
08-28-2009 |
Crime & Justice
The Female Discount for Sexual Predatorsnew
The evidence seems mounted against Sandy Binkley as she heads for a trial on seven counts of statutory rape and two counts of sexual battery by an authority figure. But if the past offers any prediction, she's almost sure to get the female discount if she's convicted.
Nashville Scene |
Tracy Moore |
07-10-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: Sandy Binkley, rape
A Grieving Son Finds No Justice on Rev. Maury Davis' Path to Redemptionnew
Ron Liles wants to tell Davis that he's a liar for bending the greatest truth in his life. To remind the mega-church pastor that the price of his spiritual rebirth, his professed salvation, was the blood of Liles' 54-year-old mother, Jo Ella.
Nashville Scene |
Brantley Hargrove |
06-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Charred Bodies Leave Lingering Questions About an Executionnew
In short: Nearly every piece of physical evidence against Steve Henley was tainted. But if police botched their end of the case, Henley's tale was evaporating as well.
Nashville Scene |
Brantley Hargrove |
03-05-2009 |
Crime & Justice
A Month of Terror with Nashville's Most Brazen Stick-Up Crewnew
Pam Carpenter can't sleep at night with three suspects still at large.
Nashville Scene |
Caleb Hannan |
02-20-2009 |
Crime & Justice
No Fix in Sight for Tennessee's Flawed Death Penalty Systemnew
After a 2007 study, the American Bar Association called for a moratorium on executions in this state until the system is fixed. Of the ABA's 93 recommended guidelines, Tennessee complies with only seven.
Nashville Scene |
Jeff Woods |
10-03-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Paul House is Being Retried for a Murder that DNA Says He Didn't Commitnew
Rather than acknowledge defeat -- never mind admitting error -- the very same prosecutor who tried House for capital murder 23 years ago announced he was going to take one more shot at convicting the ailing man for murder. But this time, he'd have to come up with a different motive, given that the theory he argued the first time -- that House killed to cover up rape -- had been shredded by the emergence of scientific evidence.
Nashville Scene |
Sarah Kelley |
06-27-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Private Jailer CCA Faces Heightened Scrutiny After a Year of Heinous Controversiesnew
Since its inception in 1983, CCA has become accustomed to criticism, but it is now mired in a series of scandals, embarrassments and public-relations catastrophes that may tar its reputation for years to come.
Nashville Scene |
Matt Pulle |
06-20-2008 |
Crime & Justice
What Happened to Tabitha Tuders?new
Five years ago, the 13-year-old walked to the bus stop -- and her family hasn't heard from her since. As more time elapses without an arrest, the chances of cracking the case diminishes.
Nashville Scene |
Sarah Kelley |
04-25-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Paul House is Free at Lastnew
Saying that the 22-year incarceration of Paul House was the result of an unfair trial, a federal judge this week ordered the state to release the man who DNA evidence and the U.S. Supreme Court say probably didn't do the crime.
Nashville Scene |
Sarah Kelley |
04-11-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Behind the Bars in Tennesseenew
Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe is at the center of human rights abuses at his facility -- but he doesn't see it that way.
Nashville Scene |
P.J. Tobia |
03-14-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Tennessee Keeps Exonerated Inmate Locked Upnew
Suffering from advanced multiple sclerosis, the 46-year-old Paul House remains on the state's death row nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court declared "no reasonable juror" would convict him given the evidence now available.
Nashville Scene |
Sarah Kelley |
03-11-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
