Phillip Swarts
Articles by Phillip Swarts
Ferguson, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice police cases collide, forcing debate on tactics
Michael Brown. Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. The names have become rallying cries to protesters across the U.S. who are demanding changes to police tactics and reforms in the judicial system. Published December 4, 2014
Federal investigation finds pattern of abuse by Cleveland police
A Justice Department investigation found "a pattern or practice of unreasonable and unnecessary use of force" at the Cleveland police department, the agency announced Thursday — a possible preview of similar federal reviews in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City. Published December 4, 2014
Eric Garner: Justice Department to investigate death
Attorney General Eric Holder announced Wednesday that the federal government would launch an investigation into the death of Eric Garner, following a New York grand jury announcement that a police officer would not face any charges for putting Mr. Garner in a choke hold that led to his death. Published December 3, 2014
Eric Garner chokehold death: N.Y. officer won’t face charges
A New York police officer will not face charges for putting a suspect in a chokehold that led to the man’s death, a grand jury announced Wednesday, evoking fears of another racially-based legal controversy in the wake of the violent events in Ferguson, Mo. Published December 3, 2014
Darren Wilson’s missing Taser renews debate over requiring nonlethal police tool
Buried in the vast grand jury files about the Ferguson shooting, Officer Darren Wilson acknowledged that on the fateful night he killed Michael Brown, he was not armed with a Taser because he considered the weapon clunky and heavy. Published November 26, 2014
Obama demands Ferguson looter prosecution, eyes race-based police hiring
While black leaders relentlessly questioned the fairness of the Ferguson grand jury proceedings, President Obama on Tuesday demanded the prosecution of the violent looters who trashed the city and set the stage for a national debate on criminal justice reform and even possible race-based hiring changes at police departments. Published November 25, 2014
Darren Wilson defends actions in Michael Brown shooting death
After months of enduring trial by media while remaining silent, embattled Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson finally got to tell in his own words Tuesday night how an unarmed 18-year-old black man charged at him and then tried to take his weapon and kill him. Published November 25, 2014
Eric Holder promises ‘thorough’ civil-rights probe in Ferguson
The Justice Department's civil rights investigation in Ferguson will be "thorough," Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday, adding that law enforcement must work to "restore trust" and "foster understanding." Published November 25, 2014
Ferguson mayor blasts Gov. Jay Nixon for delayed National Guard deployment
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles chastised the Missouri government's response to the rioting in his town, stating that the National Guard wasn't deployed fast enough to save many area businesses. Published November 25, 2014
Ferguson protesters gather at White House after Darren Wilson cleared
As protests grew in Ferguson, Mo., over the grand jury's decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, several hundred protesters gathered in front of the White House late Monday night to voice their displeasure at the verdict. Published November 25, 2014
Darren Wilson cleared by Ferguson grand jury in death of Michael Brown
A Missouri grand jury that heard testimony from about 60 witnesses over 70 hours declined to indict officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown, sparking riots in Ferguson Monday night and protests nationwide. Published November 24, 2014
Secret Service poor training allowed fence jumper: report
A review by the Department of Homeland Security found failures in training, communications and decision-making by the Secret Service that allowed a White House fence jumper to enter the Executive Mansion. Published November 13, 2014
Secret Service agent on cellphone among problems with White House fence-jumper response
A Secret Service canine officer had removed his earpiece and was talking on his personal cellphone when a jumper leaped over the White House fence and sprinted to the mansion in September, a review by the Department of Homeland Security has found. Published November 13, 2014
Cocaine kingpin extradited to U.S. for smuggling
One of the suspected leaders of an international drug ring was extradited to the U.S. to face charges, the Justice Department announced Thursday. Published November 13, 2014
Justice Dept. to send more counterterrorism advisers overseas
The Justice Department is strengthening its overseas counterterrorism program, including sending a high-level prosecutor to the Balkans region to help coordinate efforts to prevent foreign fighters from joining terrorist groups, the agency said Thursday. Published November 13, 2014
Heads of dog-fighting ring get record prison terms: Justice Dept.
Eight defendants received some of the longest prison sentences ever handed down for operating a dog-fighting ring, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. Published November 12, 2014
Eric Holder lauds Justice law enforcement outreach program on 20th anniversary
Attorney General Eric Holder praised the Justice Department's community outreach program Wednesday on its 20th anniversary. Published November 12, 2014
Ferguson on edge ahead of grand jury’s findings in Brown case
Residents of Ferguson, Missouri, remained on edge Tuesday as they awaited the findings of a grand jury investigation that will determine whether to charge a white police officer with murder for shooting an unarmed black teen on the streets of the St. Louis suburb. Published November 11, 2014
Obama ‘net neutrality’ plan sparks Republican backlash
President Obama on Monday endorsed an aggressive federal role in setting traffic rules for the Internet, sparking sharp criticism from congressional Republicans and leading telecommunications firms that his embrace of "net neutrality" will stifle innovation and investment to improve the Web. Published November 10, 2014
FBI report: Violent crime down nationwide
Last year violent crime decreased nationwide by 4.4 percent from 2012, according to a new FBI report. Published November 10, 2014