Straight Outta Brooklyn
@chriscarrega.bsky.social
The national criminal justice reporter, Capital B, & adjunct professor, NYU AJO Master's program.
Priors: @CNN @ABC 2 top U.S. tabloid newspapers. 🇧🇧🇬🇾 #NABJ #SJUAlumni
Isaiah 54:17
Priors: @CNN @ABC 2 top U.S. tabloid newspapers. 🇧🇧🇬🇾 #NABJ #SJUAlumni
Isaiah 54:17
In Saturday’s @capitalb.bsky.social newsletter, I wrote about two Black women at the center of a Virginia school shooting case — Deja Taylor, the mother of the 6-year-old who shot his teacher, and Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal now facing eight felony child abuse charges.
Newsletters
We write the untold stories of Black America. Sign up now for Capital B's national, Atlanta, Gary and Everything's Politics newsletter emails.
capitalbnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:16 PM
In Saturday’s @capitalb.bsky.social newsletter, I wrote about two Black women at the center of a Virginia school shooting case — Deja Taylor, the mother of the 6-year-old who shot his teacher, and Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal now facing eight felony child abuse charges.
“I thought I would die.”
A former Virginia teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student in 2023.
A jury has now awarded her $10 million — but the case continues to raise questions about who’s held responsible when tragedy strikes.
Click the link to find out more: capitalbnews.org/virginia-mom...
A former Virginia teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student in 2023.
A jury has now awarded her $10 million — but the case continues to raise questions about who’s held responsible when tragedy strikes.
Click the link to find out more: capitalbnews.org/virginia-mom...
A Son Shot His Teacher. His Mother’s Prison Sentence Raises Questions.
As the administrator awaits trial, the child’s mother remains in prison until May 2026.
capitalbnews.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
“I thought I would die.”
A former Virginia teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student in 2023.
A jury has now awarded her $10 million — but the case continues to raise questions about who’s held responsible when tragedy strikes.
Click the link to find out more: capitalbnews.org/virginia-mom...
A former Virginia teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student in 2023.
A jury has now awarded her $10 million — but the case continues to raise questions about who’s held responsible when tragedy strikes.
Click the link to find out more: capitalbnews.org/virginia-mom...
Black Lives Matter isn’t one organization. Some chapters split off, while the DOJ investigates how millions in donations were spent, according to the Associated Press. Click the link about the movement’s complicated history: capitalbnews.org/black-lives-...
Black Lives Matter Facing Financial Scrutiny — Again
Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation Inc. denies in a statement to Capital B that there is a federal investigation.
capitalbnews.org
October 31, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Black Lives Matter isn’t one organization. Some chapters split off, while the DOJ investigates how millions in donations were spent, according to the Associated Press. Click the link about the movement’s complicated history: capitalbnews.org/black-lives-...
A Peoria County, Illinois, jury has found former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson guilty in the killing of 36-year-old Sonya Massey.
October 29, 2025 at 10:04 PM
A Peoria County, Illinois, jury has found former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson guilty in the killing of 36-year-old Sonya Massey.
Jury deliberations are expected to begin today for Sean Grayson, the former Illinois officer on trial for killing Sonya Massey.
The jury will deliberate first-degree murder charges with instructions for second-degree murder to consider.
The jury will deliberate first-degree murder charges with instructions for second-degree murder to consider.
October 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Jury deliberations are expected to begin today for Sean Grayson, the former Illinois officer on trial for killing Sonya Massey.
The jury will deliberate first-degree murder charges with instructions for second-degree murder to consider.
The jury will deliberate first-degree murder charges with instructions for second-degree murder to consider.
🚨UPDATE!
A juror’s letter. A family’s last hope. A clemency system few understand.
After serving 31 years of a 240-year sentence, Kofi Modibo Ajabu will appear before the Indiana Parole Board next week, seeking a rare act of mercy.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/clemency-kof...
A juror’s letter. A family’s last hope. A clemency system few understand.
After serving 31 years of a 240-year sentence, Kofi Modibo Ajabu will appear before the Indiana Parole Board next week, seeking a rare act of mercy.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/clemency-kof...
Indiana Man Seeks Clemency With Help From Jury Foreperson
Kofi Modibo Ajabu has served three decades of his 240-year sentence. His family and supporters say that is long enough.
capitalbnews.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🚨UPDATE!
A juror’s letter. A family’s last hope. A clemency system few understand.
After serving 31 years of a 240-year sentence, Kofi Modibo Ajabu will appear before the Indiana Parole Board next week, seeking a rare act of mercy.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/clemency-kof...
A juror’s letter. A family’s last hope. A clemency system few understand.
After serving 31 years of a 240-year sentence, Kofi Modibo Ajabu will appear before the Indiana Parole Board next week, seeking a rare act of mercy.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/clemency-kof...
Letitia James. Fani Willis. Lisa Cook. Marilyn Mosby.
Different roles. Same pattern.
Black women professionals are being targeted in a wave of legal, political, and institutional retaliation.
Here’s what’s happening — and why it matters: capitalbnews.org/trump-target...
Different roles. Same pattern.
Black women professionals are being targeted in a wave of legal, political, and institutional retaliation.
Here’s what’s happening — and why it matters: capitalbnews.org/trump-target...
From Fani Willis to Letitia James, Trump’s Enemies List Targets Black Women Prosecutors
The president's first administration set the groundwork for federal investigations against Black women leaders.
capitalbnews.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Letitia James. Fani Willis. Lisa Cook. Marilyn Mosby.
Different roles. Same pattern.
Black women professionals are being targeted in a wave of legal, political, and institutional retaliation.
Here’s what’s happening — and why it matters: capitalbnews.org/trump-target...
Different roles. Same pattern.
Black women professionals are being targeted in a wave of legal, political, and institutional retaliation.
Here’s what’s happening — and why it matters: capitalbnews.org/trump-target...
Britt White did 5 years for marijuana. Bryan Reid watched from prison as Virginia legalized the plant that put him there.
Now, as cannabis becomes big business, they're asking:
Who really benefits?
🔗 capitalbnews.org/marijuana-po...
Now, as cannabis becomes big business, they're asking:
Who really benefits?
🔗 capitalbnews.org/marijuana-po...
Cannabis Convictions Still Haunt Black Families. This Nonprofit Offers a Lifeline.
The Last Prisoner Project provides grants to currently and formerly incarcerated individuals strictly with cannabis convictions.
capitalbnews.org
October 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Britt White did 5 years for marijuana. Bryan Reid watched from prison as Virginia legalized the plant that put him there.
Now, as cannabis becomes big business, they're asking:
Who really benefits?
🔗 capitalbnews.org/marijuana-po...
Now, as cannabis becomes big business, they're asking:
Who really benefits?
🔗 capitalbnews.org/marijuana-po...
4 attorneys general. 5 cities.
National Guard troops are being deployed in Trump’s continued immigration and what he calls a crime crackdown.
We break down what’s happening — and who’s being targeted.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/trump-nation...
National Guard troops are being deployed in Trump’s continued immigration and what he calls a crime crackdown.
We break down what’s happening — and who’s being targeted.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/trump-nation...
A City-by-City Breakdown of Trump’s Immigration Raids and Troop Deployments
The Trump administration has deployed federal troops into four cities, and there are no signs of a slowdown.
capitalbnews.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
4 attorneys general. 5 cities.
National Guard troops are being deployed in Trump’s continued immigration and what he calls a crime crackdown.
We break down what’s happening — and who’s being targeted.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/trump-nation...
National Guard troops are being deployed in Trump’s continued immigration and what he calls a crime crackdown.
We break down what’s happening — and who’s being targeted.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/trump-nation...
Two weeks ago, I went to Chicago, where I spoke with Black residents about concerns over a possible federal takeover. Reporting like this — centered in community — is only possible with your support.
Help @capitalb.bsky.social keep going:
🔗 capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
Help @capitalb.bsky.social keep going:
🔗 capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
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capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org
September 23, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Two weeks ago, I went to Chicago, where I spoke with Black residents about concerns over a possible federal takeover. Reporting like this — centered in community — is only possible with your support.
Help @capitalb.bsky.social keep going:
🔗 capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
Help @capitalb.bsky.social keep going:
🔗 capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
Black Chicagoans are divided on how to respond to Trump’s renewed immigration crackdowns.
Some see echoes of overpolicing in their own communities.
Others say: “It’s not us against them.”
Here's what’s happening when I went on the ground to Chicago last week: capitalbnews.org/trump-ice-ra...
Some see echoes of overpolicing in their own communities.
Others say: “It’s not us against them.”
Here's what’s happening when I went on the ground to Chicago last week: capitalbnews.org/trump-ice-ra...
Chicago’s Black Immigrants Face New Wave of ICE Arrests and Uncertainty
Nearly 70,000 immigrants from African countries live in the city, making up 5.2% of the population according to 2023 U.S. Census data.
capitalbnews.org
September 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Black Chicagoans are divided on how to respond to Trump’s renewed immigration crackdowns.
Some see echoes of overpolicing in their own communities.
Others say: “It’s not us against them.”
Here's what’s happening when I went on the ground to Chicago last week: capitalbnews.org/trump-ice-ra...
Some see echoes of overpolicing in their own communities.
Others say: “It’s not us against them.”
Here's what’s happening when I went on the ground to Chicago last week: capitalbnews.org/trump-ice-ra...
“I should have gotten it.”
After surviving a brutal attack, Yolanda Carter was left with permanent injuries — and zero financial help from Illinois’ victim compensation fund.
Here's why the system is failing survivors:
capitalbnews.org/crime-surviv...
After surviving a brutal attack, Yolanda Carter was left with permanent injuries — and zero financial help from Illinois’ victim compensation fund.
Here's why the system is failing survivors:
capitalbnews.org/crime-surviv...
She Nearly Died in a Domestic Violence Attack. Illinois Denied Her Victim Compensation.
Advocates are challenging compensation rules that leave Black and brown survivors behind.
capitalbnews.org
September 12, 2025 at 1:58 AM
“I should have gotten it.”
After surviving a brutal attack, Yolanda Carter was left with permanent injuries — and zero financial help from Illinois’ victim compensation fund.
Here's why the system is failing survivors:
capitalbnews.org/crime-surviv...
After surviving a brutal attack, Yolanda Carter was left with permanent injuries — and zero financial help from Illinois’ victim compensation fund.
Here's why the system is failing survivors:
capitalbnews.org/crime-surviv...
Reposted by Straight Outta Brooklyn
Remember Newbern, Alabama — the rural town where a Black man was blocked from serving as mayor and where elections had never been held?
Today, voters are making history as they cast ballots in the town’s first-ever municipal election.
NEW: capitalbnews.org/newbern-alab...
Today, voters are making history as they cast ballots in the town’s first-ever municipal election.
NEW: capitalbnews.org/newbern-alab...
Black Mayor in Rural Alabama Once Denied His Seat Faces Opponent
For the first time in the majority-Black town’s history, residents on Tuesday get to participate directly in the democratic process.
capitalbnews.org
August 26, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Remember Newbern, Alabama — the rural town where a Black man was blocked from serving as mayor and where elections had never been held?
Today, voters are making history as they cast ballots in the town’s first-ever municipal election.
NEW: capitalbnews.org/newbern-alab...
Today, voters are making history as they cast ballots in the town’s first-ever municipal election.
NEW: capitalbnews.org/newbern-alab...
Hey y’all hey! Quick 🧵🚨
The federal takeover of D.C.’s government has been kicked up a notch with President Trump’s executive order that threatens to take away funds from the district if it doesn’t end its cashless bail policy.
The federal takeover of D.C.’s government has been kicked up a notch with President Trump’s executive order that threatens to take away funds from the district if it doesn’t end its cashless bail policy.
August 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Hey y’all hey! Quick 🧵🚨
The federal takeover of D.C.’s government has been kicked up a notch with President Trump’s executive order that threatens to take away funds from the district if it doesn’t end its cashless bail policy.
The federal takeover of D.C.’s government has been kicked up a notch with President Trump’s executive order that threatens to take away funds from the district if it doesn’t end its cashless bail policy.
In Saturday's @capitalb.bsky.social newsletter "Seen & Heard," I wrote about a nostalgic weekend that made me wonder what’s next for “sanctuary jurisdictions” during this administration, the 2003 blackout, and Amadou Diallo.
Sign up here to read it tomorrow morning: capitalbnews.org/newsletters
Sign up here to read it tomorrow morning: capitalbnews.org/newsletters
Newsletters
We write the untold stories of Black America. Sign up now for Capital B's national, Atlanta, Gary and Everything's Politics newsletter emails.
capitalbnews.org
August 22, 2025 at 5:56 PM
In Saturday's @capitalb.bsky.social newsletter "Seen & Heard," I wrote about a nostalgic weekend that made me wonder what’s next for “sanctuary jurisdictions” during this administration, the 2003 blackout, and Amadou Diallo.
Sign up here to read it tomorrow morning: capitalbnews.org/newsletters
Sign up here to read it tomorrow morning: capitalbnews.org/newsletters
Earlier this month, Attorney General Pam Bondi released an overlapping list of cities, counties, and states accused of defying the administration’s mass deportation efforts through sanctuary policies.
(Quick 🧵🚨)
(Quick 🧵🚨)
August 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Earlier this month, Attorney General Pam Bondi released an overlapping list of cities, counties, and states accused of defying the administration’s mass deportation efforts through sanctuary policies.
(Quick 🧵🚨)
(Quick 🧵🚨)
Supporters of Tyesha Long said she is the “poster child” for the state’s Survivor’s Act because of her documented history of abuse.
But one advocate said it’s “hard to imagine more Black women benefiting” from similar second chance laws.
To learn more about her case:
capitalbnews.org/tyesha-long-...
But one advocate said it’s “hard to imagine more Black women benefiting” from similar second chance laws.
To learn more about her case:
capitalbnews.org/tyesha-long-...
She Got 27 Years for Killing Her Abuser. Oklahoma’s Survivors Act Could Free Her.
A judge will submit a written decision in Tyesha Long’s hearing next month.
capitalbnews.org
August 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Supporters of Tyesha Long said she is the “poster child” for the state’s Survivor’s Act because of her documented history of abuse.
But one advocate said it’s “hard to imagine more Black women benefiting” from similar second chance laws.
To learn more about her case:
capitalbnews.org/tyesha-long-...
But one advocate said it’s “hard to imagine more Black women benefiting” from similar second chance laws.
To learn more about her case:
capitalbnews.org/tyesha-long-...
President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., and its police department.
Click the link for more:
capitalbnews.org/dc-police-fe...
Click the link for more:
capitalbnews.org/dc-police-fe...
D.C. Faces Federal Takeover: What It Means for Black Communities
Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and threat to take over the city’s police comes as crime reaches a 30-year low in the nation’s capital.
capitalbnews.org
August 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., and its police department.
Click the link for more:
capitalbnews.org/dc-police-fe...
Click the link for more:
capitalbnews.org/dc-police-fe...
🔈 Choosing to drink shouldn’t disqualify someone from being believed or protected after a sexual assault. A NY bill —reintroduced 6 times — aims to close the legal loophole around voluntary intoxication.
Learn more: capitalbnews.org/bill-a101-ne...
Learn more: capitalbnews.org/bill-a101-ne...
New York’s Sexual Assault Law Excludes the Intoxicated. This Bill Aims to Fix It.
State Senate Bill A101 bans using a survivor’s inebriation as a defense in sex crime cases.
capitalbnews.org
August 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM
🔈 Choosing to drink shouldn’t disqualify someone from being believed or protected after a sexual assault. A NY bill —reintroduced 6 times — aims to close the legal loophole around voluntary intoxication.
Learn more: capitalbnews.org/bill-a101-ne...
Learn more: capitalbnews.org/bill-a101-ne...
This ruling allows Marilyn Mosby to keep the $476,000 condo the government tried to force her to forfeit after her conviction, according to the decision.
capitalbnews.org/marilyn-mosb...
capitalbnews.org/marilyn-mosb...
Marilyn Mosby Scores Partial Victory, Has One Federal Conviction Overturned
She gets to keep the Florida condo at the heart of her mortgage fraud case, but her felony perjury convictions stand.
capitalbnews.org
July 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
This ruling allows Marilyn Mosby to keep the $476,000 condo the government tried to force her to forfeit after her conviction, according to the decision.
capitalbnews.org/marilyn-mosb...
capitalbnews.org/marilyn-mosb...
Since Sandra Bland’s death 10 years ago, advocates have called on the authorities to look into other killings of Black women in which police have been accused of using excessive force, including Breonna Taylor, Sonya Massey, Jada Johnson, and Niani Finlayson.
capitalbnews.org/saniyah-chea...
capitalbnews.org/saniyah-chea...
Saniyah Cheatham’s Family Demands Answers in Her Death
Officials from the New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office said the 18-year-old died by hanging while in police custody.
capitalbnews.org
July 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Since Sandra Bland’s death 10 years ago, advocates have called on the authorities to look into other killings of Black women in which police have been accused of using excessive force, including Breonna Taylor, Sonya Massey, Jada Johnson, and Niani Finlayson.
capitalbnews.org/saniyah-chea...
capitalbnews.org/saniyah-chea...
In Saturday's @capitalb.bsky.social "Seen & Heard" newsletter, I shared a trip to Center, Texas, where I met relatives of Leonard McCowin — a 21-year-old WWII vet killed by the city marshal in 1947 — and a distant cousin fighting to preserve the truth about Shelby County’s Black history.
July 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM
In Saturday's @capitalb.bsky.social "Seen & Heard" newsletter, I shared a trip to Center, Texas, where I met relatives of Leonard McCowin — a 21-year-old WWII vet killed by the city marshal in 1947 — and a distant cousin fighting to preserve the truth about Shelby County’s Black history.
“We don’t know how we are going to go on without Jabari, but we are going to fight for Jabari,” Williams Peoples, Jabari Peoples' dad, said at a presser.
Peoples was killed by a Homewood, AL, officer on June 23.
Activists said there are "serious issues in Homewood."
capitalbnews.org/jabari-peopl...
Peoples was killed by a Homewood, AL, officer on June 23.
Activists said there are "serious issues in Homewood."
capitalbnews.org/jabari-peopl...
Jabari Peoples Was Killed by Police. His Family Wants The Truth.
Parents of an 18-year-old college student, who was fatally shot by an Alabama officer, want police body camera footage to be released.
capitalbnews.org
July 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“We don’t know how we are going to go on without Jabari, but we are going to fight for Jabari,” Williams Peoples, Jabari Peoples' dad, said at a presser.
Peoples was killed by a Homewood, AL, officer on June 23.
Activists said there are "serious issues in Homewood."
capitalbnews.org/jabari-peopl...
Peoples was killed by a Homewood, AL, officer on June 23.
Activists said there are "serious issues in Homewood."
capitalbnews.org/jabari-peopl...
Quick 🧵🚨:
Delbert Jackson has launched a campaign to relocate a historic marker and add a second — honoring his distant cousin Leonard McCowin, a 21-year-old Black veteran who witnesses say was killed by a Center, Texas, city marshal in 1947.
Delbert Jackson has launched a campaign to relocate a historic marker and add a second — honoring his distant cousin Leonard McCowin, a 21-year-old Black veteran who witnesses say was killed by a Center, Texas, city marshal in 1947.
July 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Quick 🧵🚨:
Delbert Jackson has launched a campaign to relocate a historic marker and add a second — honoring his distant cousin Leonard McCowin, a 21-year-old Black veteran who witnesses say was killed by a Center, Texas, city marshal in 1947.
Delbert Jackson has launched a campaign to relocate a historic marker and add a second — honoring his distant cousin Leonard McCowin, a 21-year-old Black veteran who witnesses say was killed by a Center, Texas, city marshal in 1947.