criminal justice

In a blink of an eye in 1974, an attack by whites in the middle-class town Destrehan in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, against bused-in black students from neighboring St. Rose turned Gary Tyler’s young life into a helter-skelter, leaving the public school sophomore the country’s youngest-ever death row inmate.

Former Boston police Superintendent William ‘Billy’ Celester died Monday at age 78.

Surrounded by elected officials and supporters in Roslindale Square on Tuesday, District 5 City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo announced he is running for Suffolk County District attorney.

Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley introduced legislation in the House of Representatives Dec. 9 that would restructure the United States clemency system to allow more individuals in prison to be pardoned or have their sentences commuted.

A Haverhill activist was charged with assaulting a 60-year-old woman, but video footage of the encounter appears to contradict the arresting officers’ claims.

During a hearing Monday in which city councilors questioned police brass on overtime, court appearances were featured prominently.

While Blacks make up 22% of the Boston police force, they account for 27% of allegations of misconduct, 41% of suspensions and 45% of terminations.

When overtime records show officers in court, sometimes they’re miles away Excerpt: In 124 instances between 2015 and 2019, multiple Boston police officers appear to make arrests, traffic stops and FIOs sometimes miles away from the nearest courthouse while at the same time collecting overtime for hours-long court appearances.

The ACLU of Massachusetts has launched a state-wide week of action bringing attention to police violence and misconduct across the commonwealth. On a map identifying victims of police violence and the officers involved, most of the points exist in Boston, Springfield and Worcester.

The National Medical Association shares in the anger and distress felt by communities of color over a grand jury’s decision not to indict police who killed Breonna Taylor. Once again, the grand jury system has failed to value the life of an African American.

Police Reform Task Force released its initial recommendations to the public Sept. 10, awaiting the mayor’s and City Council’s response. The group is proposing an Office of Police Accountability and Transparency to replace the Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel, with more power in its departments, as well as expanded rules on body cameras, use of force and more.