A.C. Thompson

Texas Court Voids Conviction in Child Death Case

Jan. 25, 5:56 p.m.

The court set aside the conviction of Ernie Lopez, whose case we explored in our series on flawed death investigations.

A Far Cry From ‘CSI’

Jan. 8, 12:01 p.m.

The fate of Shirley Ree Smith, convicted of shaking to death her 7-week-old grandson, is in the hands of California’s governor. Child deaths can pose special problems for forensic pathologists. Unfortunately, many forensic pathologists aren’t prepared to deal with the complexity of such cases.

Gone Without a Case: Suspicious Elder Deaths Rarely Investigated

Dec. 21, 2011, 9 a.m.

An investigation by ProPublica and PBS “Frontline” finds the system to examine unusual fatalities often fails seniors, leaving them vulnerable to neglect, abuse and even murder.

New Orleans Police Officer Convicted of Perjury, Obstruction in Post-Katrina Shooting

Dec. 9, 2011, 2:52 p.m.

Mitchell is one of 16 current or former New Orleans officers convicted as part of a far-reaching Justice Department probe into police misconduct before and after the hurricane.

Report Slams Former New Orleans Police Honcho for Mishandling Probe of Post-Katrina Killing

Aug. 26, 2011, 11:18 a.m.

State officials find that Marlon Defillo, formerly the New Orleans Police Department’s second in command, failed to make a reasonable effort to unravel the murder of Henry Glover—in part, by not reading ProPublica’s investigation.

Five New Orleans Cops Convicted for Their Role in Post-Katrina Shootings

Aug. 5, 2011, 3:26 p.m.

The verdict handed down today is likely to be seen as the most significant yet for federal prosecutors trying to clean up the New Orleans Police Department.

The Child Cases

June 27, 2011, 11 p.m.

As part of an ongoing look into the troubled state of death investigation, ProPublica, PBS “Frontline” and NPR identified nearly two dozen cases in the U.S. and Canada in which people have been accused of killing children based on flawed or biased work by forensic pathologists and then later cleared.

Document Timeline: The Case of Ernie Lopez

June 27, 2011, 11 p.m.

Explore the events leading up to and following the conviction of Ernie Lopez. All events are based on medical, law enforcement and court records.

The Hardest Cases: When Children Die, Justice Can Be Elusive

June 27, 2011, 11 p.m.

A joint investigation by ProPublica, PBS “Frontline” and NPR looks into nearly two dozen cases in which people were accused of killing children based on flawed forensic opinions and then later cleared.

Judge Orders New Trial in New Orleans Police Case

May 4, 2011, 5:20 p.m.

An officer accused of sanitizing a police report about the Henry Glover shooting says he has new evidence that he did not.

Judge Hands Out Tough Sentences in Post-Katrina Killing by Police

March 31, 2011, 1:20 p.m.

A federal judge today sentenced two former New Orleans police officers for killing Henry Glover and incinerating his body during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Feds Find ‘Systemic Violations of Civil Rights’ by New Orleans Police Department

March 17, 2011, 3:40 p.m.

The Justice Department’s report may lead to federal monitoring of the troubled police force, a step designed to bring about a culture change that has eluded local authorities

How to Investigate Coroners and Medical Examiners

Feb. 2, 2011, 11:33 a.m.

Take our recipe and look at those who handle death investigations in your community.

The Real ‘CSI’: How America’s Patchwork System of Death Investigations Puts the Living at Risk

Feb. 1, 2011, Midnight

An investigation by ProPublica, PBS “Frontline” and NPR looks at the nation’s 2,300 coroner and medical examiner offices and finds a troubled system that literally buries its mistakes.

In Wake of Glover Verdicts, What’s Next for New Orleans’ Troubled Police Force?

Dec. 10, 2010, 4:52 p.m.

In convicting three current or former police officers in the death of Henry Glover, a federal jury in New Orleans has rendered justice. Now, the city and federal officials must decide how to deal with officers whose misconduct was exposed by this trial and the cases to come.

Jury Convicts Three, Acquits Two in Post-Katrina Police Shooting

Dec. 9, 2010, 11:20 p.m.

A New Orleans jury found three present and former police officers guilty for shooting Henry Glover, setting his body afire, and covering up the crime. Two others were acquitted of charges of covering up the crime and beating the men who tried to save his life.

Some of the Complaints Levied Against Lt. Dwayne Scheuermann

Oct. 24, 2010, 8:18 a.m.

No Discipline for New Orleans Cop in 15 Shooting Incidents, 50 Complaints

Oct. 23, 2010, 8:09 p.m.

In case after case, police brass failed to punish Lt. Dwayne Scheuermann for his alleged misconduct. Now he’s facing federal felony charges.

After Katrina, New Orleans Cops Were Told They Could Shoot Looters

Aug. 24, 2010, 6 p.m.

After Katrina, New Orleans police officers circulated orders authorizing them to shoot looters and “take back the city,” but it remains unclear who issued them.