The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism celebrated its 10th anniversary at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union with food, music and a critical look at the future of local and state investigative reporting.
Tag: Dee Hall
Posted inEconomy
Wisconsin to force parents to work for FoodShare, despite doubts about effectiveness
Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-run Legislature expand work mandate to parents of school-age children and increase requirement to 30 hours a week
Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety
Wisconsin inmate says flawed FBI hair, fiber analysis forced him to take plea deal, 50-year prison term
The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism identifies nine cases with misleading microscopic hair or fiber comparisons; one man serving life for killing a police officer in 1994 says he is innocent.
Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety
Several states searching out flawed FBI hair, fiber cases; Wisconsin is not
At least three men convicted in Wisconsin have been cleared in separate cases in which DNA testing proved that earlier microscopic hair analysis was wrong
Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety
Wisconsin’s tainted hair, fiber cases
The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism has found nine cases in the state involving 12 defendants that featured faulty crime laboratory hair or fiber comparison. Seven cases were flagged by the national task force re-examining cases involving FBI hair and fiber analysts. Two are cases in which DNA testing showed that Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory hair comparisons linking suspects to crime scene hairs were wrong.
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety, Money & Politics
Wisconsin’s attack on waste and fraud leaves some whistleblowers, vulnerable residents behind
Wisconsin ‘one of the worst states for whistleblowing,’ national expert says. Anti-fraud effort helps bottom line but falls mostly on programs for the poor.
Posted inBroken Whistle, Government, Justice & Safety, Money & Politics
DOJ agent who blew the whistle in 2012 says experience ruined him
Dan Bethards lost his career, his house and many of his friends in law enforcement after he reported his boss for selling and making guns without a license
Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety
DNA tests in Wisconsin murder raise questions amid alleged evidence tampering
In the Ken Hudson case, experts are puzzled by tests finding no human DNA in the red substance on his left foot. Is it animal blood? A judge has granted more testing.
Posted inNews about Wisconsin Watch
‘Wisconsin Idea’ grant to help UW-Madison students produce investigative reporting projects
$120,000 in Baldwin funding supports UW-Madison student investigations with the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism over the next three years.
Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety
After 27 years, judge overturns rape conviction, cites flawed FBI hair analysis
Richard Beranek’s conviction was overturned after serving 27 years in prison for sexual assault. His case is the latest in which flawed hair analysis by the FBI led to a wrongful conviction.
Posted inCruel and Unusual?, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety
Wisconsin inmates report despair, little counseling in solitary confinement that can stretch on for years
Prisoners recount suicide attempts, mental harm and lack of services in solitary confinement; former Waupun psychologist describes harsh treatment of inmates.
Posted inCruel and Unusual?, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety
Wisconsin prison officials quietly changed mental health status of inmates in solitary, psychologist says
When he returned from a medical leave in early 2016, psychologist Bradley Boivin discovered a troubling pattern among Waupun Correctional Institution inmates who had been held in solitary confinement. Thirteen of his patients’ mental health classifications had been changed without Boivin’s knowledge — and in his opinion, without proper assessment.