Lauren Gill
@laurengill.bsky.social
writing about criminal justice and voting rights
@bolts.bsky.social
lgill@boltsmag.org. Signal: lgill.52
@bolts.bsky.social
lgill@boltsmag.org. Signal: lgill.52
The ruling allows Florida to continue with the lowest standard for the death penalty in the nation, requiring just 8 out of 12 jurors to agree on death.
Just in: Florida's supreme court today has UPHELD a recent state law that enables juries to sentence someone to death nonunanimously.
Bolts reported on FL's law a few years ago, amid huge concern that nonunanimous convictions have a high error rate, & are likelier to sideline Black jurors.
Bolts reported on FL's law a few years ago, amid huge concern that nonunanimous convictions have a high error rate, & are likelier to sideline Black jurors.
Exonerees Sound the Alarm on New Florida Law Allowing Death Sentences by Split Juries - Bolts
Herman Lindsey braced himself for news that he would be sentenced to death as he sat inside a courtroom in Broward County, Florida in 2006. A jury had convicted Lindsey... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The ruling allows Florida to continue with the lowest standard for the death penalty in the nation, requiring just 8 out of 12 jurors to agree on death.
Reposted by Lauren Gill
The Massey Commission was established after Sonya Massey was killed by a sheriff's deputy in her own home. I followed along for 9 months as its members tried to enact real policing & mental health reforms – & grappled w/ the limits of these commissions to effect change: boltsmag.org/sonya-massey...
A Police Killing Drew National Protests. At Home, a Commission Struggles with How to Make a Difference. - Bolts
Part I: “I’m going to still try” On July 6, 2024, the morning after Sonya Massey was murdered by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy, a local citizen journalist named Calvin... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The Massey Commission was established after Sonya Massey was killed by a sheriff's deputy in her own home. I followed along for 9 months as its members tried to enact real policing & mental health reforms – & grappled w/ the limits of these commissions to effect change: boltsmag.org/sonya-massey...
Reposted by Lauren Gill
You can help Bolts continue to provide crucial coverage of local elections. Here's how:
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
You can help Bolts continue to provide crucial coverage of local elections. Here's how:
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
Why does my dog look like he’s about to deliver a lecture on 17th century literature lol
December 2, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Why does my dog look like he’s about to deliver a lecture on 17th century literature lol
Reposted by Lauren Gill
NC prison officials say “shifting economic conditions” forced them to raise their markup on basic goods like food, drinks, batteries to run radios, etc
Phill Smith, who’s incarcerated there, reports on the impact of the price hike and how prisons squeeze revenue from those who can least afford it
Phill Smith, who’s incarcerated there, reports on the impact of the price hike and how prisons squeeze revenue from those who can least afford it
North Carolina Prison Officials Raise Prices for Those Who Can Least Afford It - Bolts
It’s 4:30 pm on a Monday as Colell Steele stands in front of the closed canteen window at Neuse Correctional, a medium-custody prison in North Carolina. He’s lined up to... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
NC prison officials say “shifting economic conditions” forced them to raise their markup on basic goods like food, drinks, batteries to run radios, etc
Phill Smith, who’s incarcerated there, reports on the impact of the price hike and how prisons squeeze revenue from those who can least afford it
Phill Smith, who’s incarcerated there, reports on the impact of the price hike and how prisons squeeze revenue from those who can least afford it
After Biden commuted the sentences of 37 men on federal death row last year, the Trump administration is retaliating by sending them to the supermax. Prisoners are locked in cells smaller than a parking space 22-24 hours a day.
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
boltsmag.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
After Biden commuted the sentences of 37 men on federal death row last year, the Trump administration is retaliating by sending them to the supermax. Prisoners are locked in cells smaller than a parking space 22-24 hours a day.
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
Reposted by Lauren Gill
Over 20 years ago, Robert Roberson was convicted based on the debunked Shaken Baby Syndrome hypothesis and sentenced to death. Now, the lead detective on his case, Brian Wharton, is fighting to save his life. New for @thenation.com. www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Texas Almost Executed a Man Based on “Junk Science.” His Ordeal Isn’t Over.
Robert Roberson, who was nearly killed due to the discredited “shaken baby syndrome” theory, is still at risk.
www.thenation.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Over 20 years ago, Robert Roberson was convicted based on the debunked Shaken Baby Syndrome hypothesis and sentenced to death. Now, the lead detective on his case, Brian Wharton, is fighting to save his life. New for @thenation.com. www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by Lauren Gill
BREAKING: Tremane Wood, who was moments away from being executed for a killing his brother admitted to committing, received a last minute clemency grant from Gov. Kevin Stitt www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
Tremane Wood Spared From Execution In Shocking Decision
His case marks only the second time Gov. Kevin Stitt has commuted a death sentence since entering office in 2019.
www.huffpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
BREAKING: Tremane Wood, who was moments away from being executed for a killing his brother admitted to committing, received a last minute clemency grant from Gov. Kevin Stitt www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
Incoming NJ governor Mikie Sherrill hasn't said whether she'll uphold a state policy limiting law enforcement cooperation w/ ICE. Advocates say lawmakers must pass legislation to preserve & expand protections for NJ's 2.2 million immigrants before she takes office.
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
Immigration Protections Are Uncertain in New Jersey even as Democrats Keep Governorship - Bolts
Advocates want to promptly codify the limits on immigration enforcement put in place by the outgoing governor. Mikie Sherill, Tuesday’s winner, has declined to say if she'd continue them.
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Incoming NJ governor Mikie Sherrill hasn't said whether she'll uphold a state policy limiting law enforcement cooperation w/ ICE. Advocates say lawmakers must pass legislation to preserve & expand protections for NJ's 2.2 million immigrants before she takes office.
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
"At 5:50, correctional officers opened the curtains of the death chamber to begin the state’s grim orchestration. Before those curtains would close about 37 minutes later, Boyd would gasp for air inside the gas mask more than 225 times."
www.treadbylee.com/p/after-just...
www.treadbylee.com/p/after-just...
After justices warned of prolonged suffocation, Alabama subjected Anthony Boyd to the longest nitrogen execution in U.S. history.
Boyd was the chairman of Project Hope, a death row-led nonprofit. Its members are left reeling in the wake of their leader's suffocation execution.
www.treadbylee.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
"At 5:50, correctional officers opened the curtains of the death chamber to begin the state’s grim orchestration. Before those curtains would close about 37 minutes later, Boyd would gasp for air inside the gas mask more than 225 times."
www.treadbylee.com/p/after-just...
www.treadbylee.com/p/after-just...
Reposted by Lauren Gill
Justice Sotomayor with a graphic dissent as the Supreme Court allows Alabama to move forward with the execution of Anthony Boyd by lethal gas:
October 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Justice Sotomayor with a graphic dissent as the Supreme Court allows Alabama to move forward with the execution of Anthony Boyd by lethal gas:
Reposted by Lauren Gill
This evening, I will serve as a witness to the nitrogen gas execution of Anthony Boyd, should it move forward. Take a moment to read this story about his legacy on death row. If the state executes Boyd, an eyewitness account will be added to this piece. www.treadbylee.com/p/hope-in-th...
Hope in the House of Death
Alabama is scheduled to attempt the gas execution of Anthony Boyd. Those living on the state's death row find it hard to anticipate the loss of one of their longtime leaders.
www.treadbylee.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
This evening, I will serve as a witness to the nitrogen gas execution of Anthony Boyd, should it move forward. Take a moment to read this story about his legacy on death row. If the state executes Boyd, an eyewitness account will be added to this piece. www.treadbylee.com/p/hope-in-th...
I met Anthony Boyd in 2018, when I was working on a story about Project Hope, the death row anti-death penalty group he now chairs. He told me he'd been involved with drugs in Anniston & had his problems with the cops, but wasn't involved in Gregory Huguley's death.
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week. - Bolts
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I met Anthony Boyd in 2018, when I was working on a story about Project Hope, the death row anti-death penalty group he now chairs. He told me he'd been involved with drugs in Anniston & had his problems with the cops, but wasn't involved in Gregory Huguley's death.
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
"The death penalty is supposed to be reserved for the worst offenders, but the judge sentenced Mr. Boyd to death even though the State’s own evidence showed he was not even the worst of the four co-defendants."
eji.org/news/anthony...
eji.org/news/anthony...
Alabama Plans to Execute Anthony Boyd
Anthony Boyd, 54, is scheduled to be executed on October 23.
eji.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
"The death penalty is supposed to be reserved for the worst offenders, but the judge sentenced Mr. Boyd to death even though the State’s own evidence showed he was not even the worst of the four co-defendants."
eji.org/news/anthony...
eji.org/news/anthony...
Reposted by Lauren Gill
Are you aware we execute innocent people in the US quite regularly?
Here's a story about Anthony Boyd, an innocent black man the state of Alabama intends to murder by gas mask next week.
What can you do? Read this, and check out the thread below for how you can help. 🩷
Here's a story about Anthony Boyd, an innocent black man the state of Alabama intends to murder by gas mask next week.
What can you do? Read this, and check out the thread below for how you can help. 🩷
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week. - Bolts
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
October 16, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Are you aware we execute innocent people in the US quite regularly?
Here's a story about Anthony Boyd, an innocent black man the state of Alabama intends to murder by gas mask next week.
What can you do? Read this, and check out the thread below for how you can help. 🩷
Here's a story about Anthony Boyd, an innocent black man the state of Alabama intends to murder by gas mask next week.
What can you do? Read this, and check out the thread below for how you can help. 🩷
Reposted by Lauren Gill
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a murder. But a co-defendant testified against him under the threat of capital punishment. He was sentenced to death by a 10-2 jury vote. Only two states allow death sentences even when all jurors don’t agree. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week. - Bolts
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
October 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a murder. But a co-defendant testified against him under the threat of capital punishment. He was sentenced to death by a 10-2 jury vote. Only two states allow death sentences even when all jurors don’t agree. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
Reposted by Lauren Gill
Via Lauren Gill and Bolts: No physical evidence linked Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. His conviction was based largely on the testimony of one witness who testified under threat of capital punishment. Alabama plans to execute Boyd on Thursday. https://ow.ly/NYak50XefHX
October 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Via Lauren Gill and Bolts: No physical evidence linked Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. His conviction was based largely on the testimony of one witness who testified under threat of capital punishment. Alabama plans to execute Boyd on Thursday. https://ow.ly/NYak50XefHX
Alabama plans to execute Anthony Boyd next week with nitrogen gas for a 1993 murder.
No physical evidence linked Boyd to the crime.
He was convicted solely on the testimony of a co-defendant who avoided the death penalty by testifying against him.
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
No physical evidence linked Boyd to the crime.
He was convicted solely on the testimony of a co-defendant who avoided the death penalty by testifying against him.
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week. - Bolts
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
October 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Alabama plans to execute Anthony Boyd next week with nitrogen gas for a 1993 murder.
No physical evidence linked Boyd to the crime.
He was convicted solely on the testimony of a co-defendant who avoided the death penalty by testifying against him.
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
No physical evidence linked Boyd to the crime.
He was convicted solely on the testimony of a co-defendant who avoided the death penalty by testifying against him.
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
Everything about this case shows how easy it is to send someone to death row.
Anthony Boyd was sentenced to death entirely on dubious eyewitness testimony. His lawyer had a month to prepare for trial. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
My latest @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
Anthony Boyd was sentenced to death entirely on dubious eyewitness testimony. His lawyer had a month to prepare for trial. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
My latest @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week. - Bolts
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Everything about this case shows how easy it is to send someone to death row.
Anthony Boyd was sentenced to death entirely on dubious eyewitness testimony. His lawyer had a month to prepare for trial. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
My latest @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
Anthony Boyd was sentenced to death entirely on dubious eyewitness testimony. His lawyer had a month to prepare for trial. Alabama plans to execute him next week.
My latest @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
Reposted by Lauren Gill
Anthony Boyd was sent to death row for murder with no physical evidence but rather on the word of a codefendant who testified against him to avoid execution. Boyd’s court-appointed lawyer admitted he was unprepared at trial
important new story by @laurengill.bsky.social boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
important new story by @laurengill.bsky.social boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
He Was Convicted Entirely On Clashing Eyewitness Testimony. Alabama Plans to Execute Him Next Week. - Bolts
No physical evidence connected Anthony Boyd to a 1993 murder. He was sent to death row on the word of a co-defendant who testified under the threat of capital punishment.
boltsmag.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Anthony Boyd was sent to death row for murder with no physical evidence but rather on the word of a codefendant who testified against him to avoid execution. Boyd’s court-appointed lawyer admitted he was unprepared at trial
important new story by @laurengill.bsky.social boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
important new story by @laurengill.bsky.social boltsmag.org/anthony-boyd...
Reupping this. Just looking for a few name lookups!
Do I have any followers with Lexis Nexis access? 👀
October 1, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reupping this. Just looking for a few name lookups!
Reposted by Lauren Gill
Boston's Michelle Wu has attracted notice for standing up to Trump on ICE raids. But her stance is undermined by the city's fusion center, which civil liberties advocates have warned abt for yrs: "The whole purpose of it is federal & local law enforcement collaboration."
boltsmag.org/boston-polic...
boltsmag.org/boston-polic...
Bid to Renew Federal Grant Sparks Concern Boston May Help Trump’s DHS on Immigration - Bolts
The grant helps fund a law enforcement center that’s drawn criticism over privacy and over data-sharing with ICE. It would also come with new strings to spend money on border control.
boltsmag.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Boston's Michelle Wu has attracted notice for standing up to Trump on ICE raids. But her stance is undermined by the city's fusion center, which civil liberties advocates have warned abt for yrs: "The whole purpose of it is federal & local law enforcement collaboration."
boltsmag.org/boston-polic...
boltsmag.org/boston-polic...
Do I have any followers with Lexis Nexis access? 👀
September 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Do I have any followers with Lexis Nexis access? 👀
Reposted by Lauren Gill
"“They thought we were just white trash rednecks & that we would just roll over & take it & not say anything." Remarkable new feature by @laurengill.bsky.social about the doubts & resistance that Sarah Huckabee Sanders' mega prison project has spurred in rural Arkansas: boltsmag.org/arkansas-pri...
The Prison Next Door - Bolts
How Arkansas’ secretive plan for a new state lockup angered residents in a deep red corner of rural America—and changed how some see incarceration.
boltsmag.org
September 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"“They thought we were just white trash rednecks & that we would just roll over & take it & not say anything." Remarkable new feature by @laurengill.bsky.social about the doubts & resistance that Sarah Huckabee Sanders' mega prison project has spurred in rural Arkansas: boltsmag.org/arkansas-pri...
Reposted by Lauren Gill
NEW: Arkansas announced plans for a mega prison in a rural town. Since then, locals are organizing to stop it.
At first they opposed it in their own town. But some now say they've taken a more critical look at how we incarcerate in the country.
make time for this new feature, you won't regret it
At first they opposed it in their own town. But some now say they've taken a more critical look at how we incarcerate in the country.
make time for this new feature, you won't regret it
The Prison Next Door - Bolts
How Arkansas’ secretive plan for a new state lockup angered residents in a deep red corner of rural America—and changed how some see incarceration.
boltsmag.org
September 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
NEW: Arkansas announced plans for a mega prison in a rural town. Since then, locals are organizing to stop it.
At first they opposed it in their own town. But some now say they've taken a more critical look at how we incarcerate in the country.
make time for this new feature, you won't regret it
At first they opposed it in their own town. But some now say they've taken a more critical look at how we incarcerate in the country.
make time for this new feature, you won't regret it