Documenting Hate
Across Wisconsin, recent rises in hate, bias incidents spark concern
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The contentious 2016 presidential election raised religious and racial tensions, but experts say the fears fueling hate and bias incidents began years earlier.
Documenting Hate
A look at Wisconsin’s ‘hate’ groups
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The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks “hate” groups nationwide, has identified nine such groups operating in Wisconsin. It defines these groups as having “beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics.”
Flawed Forensics
Wisconsin inmate says flawed FBI hair, fiber analysis forced him to take plea deal, 50-year prison term
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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.
Flawed Forensics
Several states searching out flawed FBI hair, fiber cases; Wisconsin is not
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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
Flawed Forensics
Wisconsin’s tainted hair, fiber cases
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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.
Broken Whistle
Wisconsin’s attack on waste and fraud leaves some whistleblowers, vulnerable residents behind
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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.
Broken Whistle
DOJ agent who blew the whistle in 2012 says experience ruined him
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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
Broken Whistle
Wisconsin’s congressional delegation seeks to both protect, curb whistleblowing
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While President Donald Trump stews about leakers, members of Congress from the state sponsor various measures that could either boost or sideline federal tipsters
Documenting Hate
Memorial near Wisconsin synagogue defaced with swastikas, pro-Trump graffiti
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A memorial near the Gates of Heaven synagogue in Madison was spray-painted with swastikas and pro-Trump messages in large red letters hours before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Flawed Forensics
DNA tests in Wisconsin murder raise questions amid alleged evidence tampering
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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.
Documenting Hate
Have you experienced hate or bias? Tell us your story
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The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism is joining ProPublica to collect data and stories on hate and discrimination incidents in our community. Share your story with us here.
Flawed Forensics
Common interrogation technique suspected of causing false confessions
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Aspects of the Reid Technique can lead suspects — such as Wisconsin’s Brendan Dassey — to admit to crimes they now say they did not commit.