Gina Barton
@writerbarton.bsky.social
Reporter at USA TODAY, producer and host of the true crime podcast Unsolved
What happens to survivors of police torture after the big payout? buff.ly/uL7otht
What happens to survivors of police torture after the big payout?
For some survivors of police misconduct, even multimillion-dollar settlements can't buy justice.
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November 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
What happens to survivors of police torture after the big payout? buff.ly/uL7otht
Opinion | Maurene Comey’s Case Is More Consequential Than Her Father’s buff.ly/BqFOSxP
Opinion | Maurene Comey’s Case Is More Consequential Than Her Father’s
What James and Maurene Comey’s cases tell us about President Trump.
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November 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Opinion | Maurene Comey’s Case Is More Consequential Than Her Father’s buff.ly/BqFOSxP
Former officer pleads guilty to mistreating prisoner paralyzed in Connecticut police van buff.ly/Dzy6vJX
Former officer pleads guilty to mistreating prisoner paralyzed in Connecticut police van
A former Connecticut police officer has pleaded guilty to mistreating prisoner Richard “Randy” Cox after he was paralyzed in a police van.
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November 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Former officer pleads guilty to mistreating prisoner paralyzed in Connecticut police van buff.ly/Dzy6vJX
Despite video and victim's testimony in rape case, a judge ended the trial before it got to the jury
Despite video and victim's testimony in rape case, a judge ended the trial before it got to the jury
In a rare move, a Milwaukee judge dismissed a rape case before it got to the jury. Victim advocates fear a chilling effect.
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November 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Despite video and victim's testimony in rape case, a judge ended the trial before it got to the jury
Ex-Illinois Deputy Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Sonya Massey
Ex-Illinois Deputy Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Sonya Massey
Sean Grayson was charged with murder in the 2024 death of Sonya Massey, who was holding a pot of hot water when she was shot at her home near Springfield, Ill.
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October 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Ex-Illinois Deputy Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Sonya Massey
So grateful to be recognized at the fabulous Mayborn nonfiction narrative conference over the weekend. Sincere thanks to Amy Pyle, Josh Susong, Annie Harrison and all the survivors who shared their stories. You can read the series here: www.usatoday.com/story/news/i...
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
So grateful to be recognized at the fabulous Mayborn nonfiction narrative conference over the weekend. Sincere thanks to Amy Pyle, Josh Susong, Annie Harrison and all the survivors who shared their stories. You can read the series here: www.usatoday.com/story/news/i...
His 180-year prison sentence was cut after saving a guard’s life. Years later, he’s still waiting to go home. buff.ly/CoaVaCw
His 180-year prison sentence was cut after saving a guard’s life. Years later, he’s still waiting to go home.
In 2023, a judge cut Derek Williams’ prison sentence in half, making him eligible for parole. Williams now faces an uncertain parole process.
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October 17, 2025 at 10:05 PM
His 180-year prison sentence was cut after saving a guard’s life. Years later, he’s still waiting to go home. buff.ly/CoaVaCw
Hundreds of Wisconsin teacher misconduct cases shielded from public buff.ly/hpA6nqh
Hundreds of Wisconsin teacher misconduct cases shielded from public
A Cap Times investigation found the state Department of Public Instruction investigated over 200 educators accused of sexual misconduct or grooming, information previously undisclosed.
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October 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Hundreds of Wisconsin teacher misconduct cases shielded from public buff.ly/hpA6nqh
Investigators found evidence of potential crimes by NH prison staff. They decided not to prosecute. buff.ly/uW4gRjV
Investigators found evidence of potential crimes by NH prison staff. They decided not to prosecute.
An investigation into one of the biggest poaching cases in recent New Hampshire history also uncovered potential crimes inside the state’s struggling prison for men.
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October 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Investigators found evidence of potential crimes by NH prison staff. They decided not to prosecute. buff.ly/uW4gRjV
Legislation aimed at reckless drivers heads to WI Gov. Evers buff.ly/33LSvcL
Legislation aimed at reckless drivers clears hurdle, heads to Evers
The bill has been stalled since the Assembly passed it in March. It has now cleared the Senate — with some changes — and heads for Gov. Tony Evers' signature.
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October 15, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Legislation aimed at reckless drivers heads to WI Gov. Evers buff.ly/33LSvcL
Why Mississippi Will Reopen Prison Homicide Cases Dating Back to 2015 buff.ly/yl24sOP
Why Mississippi Will Reopen Prison Homicide Cases Dating Back to 2015
Nearly 50 prison deaths will be examined, following a joint investigation by multiple Mississippi newsrooms.
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October 14, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Why Mississippi Will Reopen Prison Homicide Cases Dating Back to 2015 buff.ly/yl24sOP
Wisconsin rarely grants compassionate release as aging, ailing prisoners stress systems buff.ly/4fBXehp
Wisconsin rarely grants compassionate release as aging, ailing prisoners stress systems
Increased use of compassionate release could ease costs and crowding with minimal risks to public safety, experts say. But it remains off limits to many prisoners.
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October 13, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Wisconsin rarely grants compassionate release as aging, ailing prisoners stress systems buff.ly/4fBXehp
Family Attorney, Advocates Demand Outside Probe of Tasha Grant’s Killing buff.ly/uKca5VT
Family Attorney, Advocates Demand Outside Probe of Tasha Grant’s Killing
Community advocates and surviving family members also want the sheriff to step aside in two other death investigations involving deputies.
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October 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Family Attorney, Advocates Demand Outside Probe of Tasha Grant’s Killing buff.ly/uKca5VT
A Program Backed by the Gun Industry Failed to Reduce Suicide — and Was Secretly Shut Down Early buff.ly/uRTrIDy
A Program Backed by the Gun Industry Failed to Reduce Suicide — and Was Secretly Shut Down Early
The country’s best-known suicide prevention group teamed up with the gun industry. The effort was good for public relations and raising money, but it never met its goal, and internal records show why.
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October 8, 2025 at 10:05 PM
A Program Backed by the Gun Industry Failed to Reduce Suicide — and Was Secretly Shut Down Early buff.ly/uRTrIDy
Deputy Charged With Murder Knelt on Inmate’s Back, Affidavit Says buff.ly/qOJsWDX
Deputy Charged With Murder Knelt on Inmate’s Back, Affidavit Says
A recently released affidavit relates new details about the July death in a Kansas jail of a man with medical problems who was handcuffed and face down on a bunk.
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October 7, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Deputy Charged With Murder Knelt on Inmate’s Back, Affidavit Says buff.ly/qOJsWDX
Chicago Cop Who Falsely Blamed an Ex-Girlfriend for Dozens of Traffic Tickets Pleads Guilty but Avoids Prison buff.ly/fVc3voK
Chicago Cop Who Falsely Blamed an Ex-Girlfriend for Dozens of Traffic Tickets Pleads Guilty but Avoids Prison
Retired officer Jeffrey Kriv acknowledged repeatedly lying under oath to avoid paying dozens of speeding and other traffic tickets. Prosecutors have dropped at least 92 cases in which Kriv was a key…
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October 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Chicago Cop Who Falsely Blamed an Ex-Girlfriend for Dozens of Traffic Tickets Pleads Guilty but Avoids Prison buff.ly/fVc3voK
Did the ‘Psychopath Test’ Help Send Robert Roberson to His Execution? buff.ly/4BTPZEB
Did the ‘Psychopath Test’ Help Send Robert Roberson to His Execution?
The case against Robert Roberson, whose execution is scheduled for Oct. 16, is the latest to raise questions about a controversial diagnosis.
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October 6, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Did the ‘Psychopath Test’ Help Send Robert Roberson to His Execution? buff.ly/4BTPZEB
ICE agents injured a journalist at an NYC courthouse, adding to a disturbing trend
ICE agents injured a journalist at an NYC courthouse, adding to a disturbing trend
Freedom of the Press Foundation has cataloged more than a dozen allegations of violence against journalists by federal agents this year.
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October 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM
ICE agents injured a journalist at an NYC courthouse, adding to a disturbing trend
Ohio county agrees to $7M settlement over man’s death after jail guards restrained him, family says | CNN buff.ly/K12ZFQN
Ohio county agrees to $7M settlement over man’s death after jail guards restrained him, family says | CNN
The family of a man who died after being restrained in an Ohio county jail said Tuesday that they have reached a $7 million settlement agreement with the county and are pushing officials there to…
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October 3, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Ohio county agrees to $7M settlement over man’s death after jail guards restrained him, family says | CNN buff.ly/K12ZFQN
A 2nd mistrial: Jury deadlocks in Ohio cop's murder retrial buff.ly/hSF3bGU
A 2nd mistrial: Jury deadlocks in Ohio cop's murder retrial
CINCINNATI (AP) — A second mistrial was declared Friday in the case of a white University of Cincinnati officer who killed an unarmed black motorist during a traffic stop.
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October 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
A 2nd mistrial: Jury deadlocks in Ohio cop's murder retrial buff.ly/hSF3bGU
A year after USA TODAY investigation, the rape kit backlog persists
A year after USA TODAY investigation, the rape kit backlog persists
Around the country, thousands of crimes remain unsolved because DNA results have been ignored, shelved or lost in the mail.
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October 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A year after USA TODAY investigation, the rape kit backlog persists
As Domestic Violence Surges, City Funding To Fight Crisis Set To Drop Dramatically buff.ly/LBCdWsz
As Domestic Violence Surges, City Funding To Fight Crisis Set To Drop Dramatically
Domestic homicides were up 18 percent over last year. At a City Council committee Wednesday, advocates sounded the alarm over funding cuts.
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September 29, 2025 at 10:05 PM
As Domestic Violence Surges, City Funding To Fight Crisis Set To Drop Dramatically buff.ly/LBCdWsz
Illinois Considers Unusual Approach to Gun Regulations buff.ly/al9MX2f
Illinois Considers Unusual Approach to Gun Regulations
The bill aims to get around federal protections for gun manufacturers.
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September 29, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Illinois Considers Unusual Approach to Gun Regulations buff.ly/al9MX2f
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear defends inaction in removing convicted sheriffs buff.ly/c6tm9NS
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear defends inaction in removing convicted sheriffs
“The boss of sheriffs are the people that elect them, and can ultimately refuse to vote for them the next time,” Beshear said.
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September 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear defends inaction in removing convicted sheriffs buff.ly/c6tm9NS
How an influencer's false post about Charlie Kirk turned a Wisconsin principal into a national target buff.ly/eKx3URb
How an influencer's post about Charlie Kirk turned a Wisconsin principal into a national target
After a conservative activist falsely accused an Elkhorn principal of celebrating Charlie Kirk's death, she and her school were flooded with threats.
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September 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
How an influencer's false post about Charlie Kirk turned a Wisconsin principal into a national target buff.ly/eKx3URb