Julia Coin
@juliacoin.bsky.social
Charlotte courts and public safety gal. Got thoughts? Email jcoin@charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte police will today release videos of officers responding to DeCarlos Brown Jr. after he called 911 saying "man-made" material was controlling him months before the light rail stabbing.
A judge ordered release after the Observer filed a petition. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
A judge ordered release after the Observer filed a petition. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Video to show police with Charlotte light rail suspect months before stabbing
The Charlotte Observer petitioned for video of CMPD’s last interaction with DeCarlos Brown Jr. before the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Charlotte police will today release videos of officers responding to DeCarlos Brown Jr. after he called 911 saying "man-made" material was controlling him months before the light rail stabbing.
A judge ordered release after the Observer filed a petition. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
A judge ordered release after the Observer filed a petition. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
@juliacoin.bsky.social keepin em honest
So proud of the work my newsroom has done on the Border Patrol in Charlotte. @charlotteobserver.com
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
So proud of the work my newsroom has done on the Border Patrol in Charlotte. @charlotteobserver.com
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
DHS quietly corrects inaccurate information after Charlotte Observer report
As Border Patrol arrived in Charlotte, DHS falsely said a Honduran man charged with murder was released under NC’s “sanctuary policies.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
@juliacoin.bsky.social keepin em honest
So proud of the work my newsroom has done on the Border Patrol in Charlotte. @charlotteobserver.com
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
So proud of the work my newsroom has done on the Border Patrol in Charlotte. @charlotteobserver.com
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
DHS incorrectly said a Honduran man was charged with murder and released “back on to North Carolina’s streets” under “sanctuary policies” in Charlotte.
That man has not left Mecklenburg jail since he was booked in June 2024.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
That man has not left Mecklenburg jail since he was booked in June 2024.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
DHS wrongly said NC officials released immigrant charged in Charlotte murder
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security falsely claimed Charlotte officials released a Honduran immigrant charged with murder.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
DHS incorrectly said a Honduran man was charged with murder and released “back on to North Carolina’s streets” under “sanctuary policies” in Charlotte.
That man has not left Mecklenburg jail since he was booked in June 2024.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
That man has not left Mecklenburg jail since he was booked in June 2024.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
Charlotte police said officers ‘immediately’ rendered aid after shooting. Video shows otherwise (Gift Article) | Part Two of an investigative series by @juliacoin.bsky.social
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
CMPD said it ‘immediately’ rendered aid after shooting. Video shows otherwise
Official statements on fatal shooting don’t line up with reality. Part Two of a three-part Observer series.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Charlotte police said officers ‘immediately’ rendered aid after shooting. Video shows otherwise (Gift Article) | Part Two of an investigative series by @juliacoin.bsky.social
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
CMPD ignored pleas, shot mentally ill man, then waited for drone, videos show | Observer investigation by @juliacoin.bsky.social
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
CMPD ignored pleas, shot mentally ill man, then waited for drone, videos show
Police said they gave first aid immediately, but videos show otherwise. A three-part Observer series.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
CMPD ignored pleas, shot mentally ill man, then waited for drone, videos show | Observer investigation by @juliacoin.bsky.social
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Private prison guards deployed a chemical gas into cells unprovoked, court records say. People drained toilets to breathe air through the plumbing as smoke lingered.
A Charlotte federal judge handed down a reduced sentence to a man exposed to the fumes.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
A Charlotte federal judge handed down a reduced sentence to a man exposed to the fumes.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Chemical gas used in private Georgia jail. Judge reduces NC victim’s sentence
Inmates drained toilets to breathe through the plumbing. It’s not the only jail with unconstitutional conditions, federal defenders say.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Private prison guards deployed a chemical gas into cells unprovoked, court records say. People drained toilets to breathe air through the plumbing as smoke lingered.
A Charlotte federal judge handed down a reduced sentence to a man exposed to the fumes.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
A Charlotte federal judge handed down a reduced sentence to a man exposed to the fumes.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
Ex-Wake Forest University trainer sues congressman over claims she was fired for Charlie Kirk posts. Lawsuit says the trainer & university 'mutually agreed' to part ways & was not fired as Rep. Pat Harrigan claimed. (Via @juliacoin.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/sports/artic... #nced #ncpol
Ex-Wake Forest trainer sues congressman over claims she was fired for Kirk posts
NC Congressman Pat Harrigan said the athletic trainer was fired after posting about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. She says that’s not true.
www.newsobserver.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Ex-Wake Forest University trainer sues congressman over claims she was fired for Charlie Kirk posts. Lawsuit says the trainer & university 'mutually agreed' to part ways & was not fired as Rep. Pat Harrigan claimed. (Via @juliacoin.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/sports/artic... #nced #ncpol
Reposted by Julia Coin
The federal defense attorney representing DeCarlos Brown Jr. has worked several high-profile death penalty cases and appeals.
Charlotte light rail stabbing suspect assigned new death penalty lawyer
The federal defense attorney representing DeCarlos Brown Jr. has worked several high-profile death penalty cases and appeals.
bit.ly
October 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The federal defense attorney representing DeCarlos Brown Jr. has worked several high-profile death penalty cases and appeals.
Reposted by Julia Coin
A CMPD officer of 20 years was suspended after talking to reporters and criticizing Chief Johnny Jennings and his spokesperson.
CMPD chief violated 1st Amendment in suspending critical officer, lawsuit alleges
A CMPD officer of 20 years was suspended after talking to reporters and criticizing Chief Johnny Jennings and his spokesperson.
bit.ly
October 3, 2025 at 3:00 AM
A CMPD officer of 20 years was suspended after talking to reporters and criticizing Chief Johnny Jennings and his spokesperson.
Trump and NC lawmakers have in part blamed Charlotte's light rail stabbing on a magistrate who released DeCarlos Brown Jr. from jail in January. Her decision adhered to state law and policies developed by some of her current critics. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Did judge who released suspect before Charlotte light rail stabbing break rules?
The charge DeCarlos Brown Jr. faced in January might have been supported by little evidence, one expert said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Trump and NC lawmakers have in part blamed Charlotte's light rail stabbing on a magistrate who released DeCarlos Brown Jr. from jail in January. Her decision adhered to state law and policies developed by some of her current critics. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
An off-duty officer was shot in the leg while responding to a domestic dispute in uptown Charlotte. One day later, information from CMPD remains scarce.
Responding police took the officer, who is now in stable condition, to the hospital in a squad car. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Responding police took the officer, who is now in stable condition, to the hospital in a squad car. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com
July 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
An off-duty officer was shot in the leg while responding to a domestic dispute in uptown Charlotte. One day later, information from CMPD remains scarce.
Responding police took the officer, who is now in stable condition, to the hospital in a squad car. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Responding police took the officer, who is now in stable condition, to the hospital in a squad car. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
A Charlotte police officer who shot at a fleeing car while responding to an airport trespassing call does not have immunity and probably used an unconstitutional level of deadly force, appellate judges ruled Tuesday. @charlotteobserver.com
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Charlotte cop who shot at moving car in airport lot could face federal trial
A CMPD internal affairs investigation led to the officer being disciplined.
www.charlotteobserver.com
June 26, 2025 at 10:18 AM
A Charlotte police officer who shot at a fleeing car while responding to an airport trespassing call does not have immunity and probably used an unconstitutional level of deadly force, appellate judges ruled Tuesday. @charlotteobserver.com
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
Court officials are delaying cases and retesting evidence following reports that a DNA analyst intentionally manipulated tests inside Charlotte’s police crime lab, the Mecklenburg District Attorney’s Office said. #clt #dna
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social : www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social : www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
DNA testing problems inside CMPD crime lab cause court delays, retests
Authorities have not said how many cases have been affected.
www.charlotteobserver.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Court officials are delaying cases and retesting evidence following reports that a DNA analyst intentionally manipulated tests inside Charlotte’s police crime lab, the Mecklenburg District Attorney’s Office said. #clt #dna
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social : www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social : www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the council, has been indicted on federal charges for lying on loan applications for COVID pandemic relief funds.
✍️ @juliacoin.bsky.social
🔗 www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
✍️ @juliacoin.bsky.social
🔗 www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
May 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the council, has been indicted on federal charges for lying on loan applications for COVID pandemic relief funds.
✍️ @juliacoin.bsky.social
🔗 www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
✍️ @juliacoin.bsky.social
🔗 www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Julia Coin
What grounds did Charlotte chief have to sue? Not much, one expert said. | @juliacoin.bsky.social
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article...
What grounds did Charlotte chief have to sue? Not much, one expert said.
Legal questions arise over Charlotte City Council’s cloaked, closed-session settlement with CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.
www.charlotteobserver.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
What grounds did Charlotte chief have to sue? Not much, one expert said. | @juliacoin.bsky.social
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article...
Reposted by Julia Coin
🧵 The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer were honored as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for their joint coverage of Hurricane Helene and the aftermath in NC. The Associated Press and The Washington Post were also finalists.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
N&O, Charlotte Observer named Pulitzer Prize finalists for Helene coverage
The Associated Press and The Washington Post were also finalists in the category.
www.charlotteobserver.com
May 5, 2025 at 8:58 PM
🧵 The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer were honored as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for their joint coverage of Hurricane Helene and the aftermath in NC. The Associated Press and The Washington Post were also finalists.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Julia Coin
JUST IN: #Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested someone at the county courthouse Wednesday. #clt #ice
What we know from @oehrli.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
What we know from @oehrli.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
April 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
JUST IN: #Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested someone at the county courthouse Wednesday. #clt #ice
What we know from @oehrli.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
What we know from @oehrli.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
BREAKING: Robert DeWitt, head of #Charlotte FBI who previously led the FBI’s Miami office when federal agents raided then former-President Donald #Trump’s estate in 2022, is retiring at the end of May. #ncpol
From @juliacoin.bsky.social & Virginia Bridges: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
From @juliacoin.bsky.social & Virginia Bridges: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Top FBI agent in Charlotte retires as others who investigated Trump step down
Robert DeWitt led the FBI’s Miami office when federal agents raided Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. Then he moved to Charlotte.
www.charlotteobserver.com
April 25, 2025 at 11:21 PM
BREAKING: Robert DeWitt, head of #Charlotte FBI who previously led the FBI’s Miami office when federal agents raided then former-President Donald #Trump’s estate in 2022, is retiring at the end of May. #ncpol
From @juliacoin.bsky.social & Virginia Bridges: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
From @juliacoin.bsky.social & Virginia Bridges: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
A DNA analyst manipulated Charlotte crime lab tests, according to documents obtained by @charlotteobserver.com. Mecklenburg DA Spencer Merriweather now must decide: will the analyst, who potentially reported unreliable DNA results, face criminal charges? www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
A CMPD analyst manipulated DNA testing, but was it criminal? DA will decide
The Charlotte analyst allegedly intentionally manipulated the crime lab’s DNA testing process.
www.charlotteobserver.com
March 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A DNA analyst manipulated Charlotte crime lab tests, according to documents obtained by @charlotteobserver.com. Mecklenburg DA Spencer Merriweather now must decide: will the analyst, who potentially reported unreliable DNA results, face criminal charges? www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
In the days after Asha Degree vanished from Shelby — and in recent interviews with The Charlotte Observer — investigators said they were haunted by one persistent thought:
What if that was my daughter?
A special report from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
What if that was my daughter?
A special report from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
February 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
In the days after Asha Degree vanished from Shelby — and in recent interviews with The Charlotte Observer — investigators said they were haunted by one persistent thought:
What if that was my daughter?
A special report from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
What if that was my daughter?
A special report from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
It's been 25 years since 9-year-old Asha Degree vanished in Shelby, NC.
Asha’s story has reverberated through her Cleveland County community, the surrounding Charlotte metropolitan area & beyond for more than 2 decades.
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Asha’s story has reverberated through her Cleveland County community, the surrounding Charlotte metropolitan area & beyond for more than 2 decades.
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
‘Wounds never closed’: NC town reflects on 25 years of unsolved Asha Degree disappearance
The Cleveland County Sheriff promised closure in the decades-old case.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
It's been 25 years since 9-year-old Asha Degree vanished in Shelby, NC.
Asha’s story has reverberated through her Cleveland County community, the surrounding Charlotte metropolitan area & beyond for more than 2 decades.
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Asha’s story has reverberated through her Cleveland County community, the surrounding Charlotte metropolitan area & beyond for more than 2 decades.
More from @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Julia Coin
Union County protesters demand schools define protections for undocumented NC students #ncpol #nced
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/e...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/e...
Union County protesters demand schools define protections for undocumented NC students
Union County parents say they want “clear protocols” from UCPS.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Union County protesters demand schools define protections for undocumented NC students #ncpol #nced
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/e...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/e...
Charlotte Hornets star player LaMelo Ball, who is also the highest-paid athlete in Charlotte, wants the family alleging he ran over and broke a child's foot to pay his attorneys' fees, according to recently filed court documents. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
LaMelo Ball wants family alleging he broke child’s foot to pay his attorneys’ fees
LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets’ highest paid player, asked a judge to dismiss him from the lawsuit.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Charlotte Hornets star player LaMelo Ball, who is also the highest-paid athlete in Charlotte, wants the family alleging he ran over and broke a child's foot to pay his attorneys' fees, according to recently filed court documents. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office will pay $550,000 to the family of a teenager who committed suicide in the county jail in 2020, according to the family's lawyer. That lawyer says the sheriff's office will do more to protect people in the jail, too.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Mecklenburg sheriff agrees to pay $550,000 to family of teen who committed suicide in jail
The sheriff’s office also agreed to change its jail supervision policies as part of the settlement, according to an attorney.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 24, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office will pay $550,000 to the family of a teenager who committed suicide in the county jail in 2020, according to the family's lawyer. That lawyer says the sheriff's office will do more to protect people in the jail, too.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Julia Coin
Wendy Shaffer, a Charlotte mom of 2 boys, died aboard the American Airlines plane that crashed Wednesday into a military helicopter in Washington D.C., friends shared on social media Thursday.
From @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
From @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
‘A void that can never be filled.’ Charlotte mother dies in American Airlines DC crash
Wendy Shaffer “was the heart of her family” with a “warm, loving home filled with laughter and care,” her friends said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
January 30, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Wendy Shaffer, a Charlotte mom of 2 boys, died aboard the American Airlines plane that crashed Wednesday into a military helicopter in Washington D.C., friends shared on social media Thursday.
From @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
From @juliacoin.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...