My Stats
| Followers: | 155 |
| Contributor since: | September 2009 |
| Location: | Columbia, Missouri |
About Me
Investigative reporter since 1969, starting on daily newspapers, moving to magazines, then to writing books. In 1978, I decided to reject the world of regular paychecks and freelance for newspapers and magazines while continuing to write nonfiction books. Since 1976, I have been active in an international group called Investigative Reporters and Editors (www.ire.org). From 1983-1990, I ran IRE day to day, and still help edit its magazine. Partly from passion and partly for mercenary reasons, I have been teaching students part-time at the University of Missouri Journalism School since 1978. As you would deduce from my trueslant.com blog, my research, writing and teaching have increasingly focused on exposing flaws in the criminal justice system, especially when those flaws lead to the imprisonment of innocent men and women.
Professional
I'm Known For...
My own investigative reporting, and the tutoring of other journalists around the nation and the world during the past 30 years.
My Current Project
Doing my best to overturn wrongful convictions.
My Greatest Achievement
Helping organize and direct the Midwestern Innocence Project (www.themip.org).
My Biggest Regret
Failing to recognize the wrongful conviction mess earlier in my career.
I Truly Respect
Journalists everywhere who never give up comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable, even when danger lurks.
Moments I'd Like To Forget
All the stories and books I've published that could have been even better.
How I Pay For This Wardrobe
By depending on a bicycle instead of an automobile.
Blocks I've Been Around
I have lived in high-crime, low-income neighborhoods to better understand the lives of those less fortunate than I.
Things That Really Happened
Threats on my life resulting from my investigations.
Where I'd Like To Be 10 Years From Now
Still investigating corruption and incompetence.
Why True/Slant
Because the quality of writing and thinking is consistently high.
My Other Website
Under construction
Personal
What I'm Currently Addicted To...
Always reading, with mental/physical health breaks on the tennis court, the baseball diamond and atop my bicycle, which is my main form of transportation.
This Is Annoying Me...
Anybody who expresses an opinion about important public policies without conducting adequate research.
This Is Making Me Worry...
Mass denial within the criminal justice system that wrongful convictions are a persistent problem in many of the 2500 or so local, state and federal jurisdictions.
This Is Bringing Me Joy...
Long-term progress on reforming the criminal justice system.
I'm Running From...
Proximity to my elderly, ill parents, as I watch them decline in assisted living just five miles from my home.
This Is Helping Me Create...
A community of like-minded thinkers, I hope.
This Is Making Me Think - Hard...
Why anybody follows craven or ignorant government directives to wage war against strangers in other nations.
This Makes My Teeth Itch
Eating too many sweets.
Can't Do Without
Eating sweets, especially any type of chocolate ice cream or cheesecake.
Favorite Voices
Hundreds of singer/songwriters, especially when they play acoustic music: Eliza Gilkyson, Cheryl Wheeler, Eddy Raven and the Bellamy Brothers are among those favorites. Also, novelists and literary journalists who consistently write great books and magazine features.
My Most Awkward Moment
Hurting the reputations of sources and subjects while conducting my investigative reporting--even when the hurt I cause is justified and necessary.
My Secret Ambition
That time has passed--to play baseball professionally. If it happened unexpectedly, I would become the oldest Major League Baseball player ever.
