Nichole Manna
@nicholemanna.bsky.social
Investigative reporter at The Tributary + ProPublica's Local Reporting Network. Tips: nichole.manna@jaxtrib.org
Reposted by Nichole Manna
An examination by The Tributary of dozens of previously unpublicized cases of alleged Jacksonville Sheriff's Office brutality revealed striking patterns in the agency’s conduct.
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
‘Force is ugly, but’: JSO seldom punishes cops accused of abuse
Jacksonville Sheriff's officers inconsistently report when they've injured civilians, thanks in part to a vague use-of-force policy.
jaxtrib.org
October 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
An examination by The Tributary of dozens of previously unpublicized cases of alleged Jacksonville Sheriff's Office brutality revealed striking patterns in the agency’s conduct.
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
Here's what we found.
Reporting by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/10/23/f...
Exciting news! @jaxtrib.org was chosen as part of @propublica.org's Local Reporting Network. I'll be working on a pretty awesome project with them over the next year.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network Selects Five New Partners for Its 50 State Initiative
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Exciting news! @jaxtrib.org was chosen as part of @propublica.org's Local Reporting Network. I'll be working on a pretty awesome project with them over the next year.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
NEXT FRIDAY!
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
September 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
NEXT FRIDAY!
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
Join @jaxtrib.org journalists as we launch our new project, the Night of the Living Deadline pumpkin ale in collaboration with Bold City Brewery
$10 at the door = a spooky beer and commemorative koozie.
See you there 🤝
Reposted by Nichole Manna
NEW: 11 Jacksonville Fire and Rescue first responders were subpoenaed over the summer related to the April death of Charles Faggart in the Duval County jail, according to records obtained by @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
Federal prosecutors subpoena first responders in controversial Duval jail death
Prosecutors began ordering witnesses to arrive at the federal courthouse downtown to give testimony in June and July.
jaxtrib.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
NEW: 11 Jacksonville Fire and Rescue first responders were subpoenaed over the summer related to the April death of Charles Faggart in the Duval County jail, according to records obtained by @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/25/f...
The scope of the federal investigation into the death of Charles Faggart is unclear, & SA Melissa Nelson did not say what conclusions her own office has drawn about the case. This latest development happened “after consultation” with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she said.
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
Feds to take lead in controversial Duval jail death investigation
The scope of the federal investigation into the death of Charles Faggart is unclear, and State Attorney Melissa Nelson did not say what conclusions her office has drawn about the case.
jaxtrib.org
September 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The scope of the federal investigation into the death of Charles Faggart is unclear, & SA Melissa Nelson did not say what conclusions her own office has drawn about the case. This latest development happened “after consultation” with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she said.
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
NEW: The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office will take the lead investigating the death of a 31-year-old father in the Duval County Jail in April, according to State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office.
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
Feds to take lead in controversial Duval jail death investigation
The scope of the federal investigation into the death of Charles Faggart is unclear, and State Attorney Melissa Nelson did not say what conclusions her office has drawn about the case.
jaxtrib.org
September 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
NEW: The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office will take the lead investigating the death of a 31-year-old father in the Duval County Jail in April, according to State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office.
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
via @natemonroe.bsky.social + @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/09/18/f...
Today was a good day. I’m honored to have won @journalists.org award for feature reporting in a small newsroom for my series that dissected and questioned the prosecution used against a man who was sent to Florida’s Death Row 30 years ago.
You can read it here: jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
You can read it here: jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
August 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Today was a good day. I’m honored to have won @journalists.org award for feature reporting in a small newsroom for my series that dissected and questioned the prosecution used against a man who was sent to Florida’s Death Row 30 years ago.
You can read it here: jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
You can read it here: jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
Big congrats to @jaxtrib.org ’s irreplaceable @nicholemanna.bsky.social for winning first prize for feature reporting in the national @journalists.org awards for her work on ‘Cold-Blooded,’ a project scrutinizing the decades-old Death Row case against a Jacksonville man.
August 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Big congrats to @jaxtrib.org ’s irreplaceable @nicholemanna.bsky.social for winning first prize for feature reporting in the national @journalists.org awards for her work on ‘Cold-Blooded,’ a project scrutinizing the decades-old Death Row case against a Jacksonville man.
Reposted by Nichole Manna
. @jaxtrib.org's @nicholemanna.bsky.social is a finalist in feature reporting for her "Cold-Blooded" series. You can read the first story here:
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
August 22, 2025 at 5:47 PM
. @jaxtrib.org's @nicholemanna.bsky.social is a finalist in feature reporting for her "Cold-Blooded" series. You can read the first story here:
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
jaxtrib.org/2025/03/17/h...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
New from @jaxtrib.org | Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver’s face, experts say
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver's face, experts say
Experts told The Tributary that Officer Donald Bowers should have reported his hit to the face of William McNeil Jr. after he smashed the car’s window to drag McNeil out of the car.
jaxtrib.org
August 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
New from @jaxtrib.org | Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver’s face, experts say
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
The controversial stop stemmed in part from a vague force policy that gives officers discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance.
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
NEW: The controversial stop of a motorist that went viral in July stemmed in part from JSO's vague use-of-force policy, which gives officers broad discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance, according to experts
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
Jacksonville cop should have disclosed hit to driver's face, experts say
Experts told The Tributary that Officer Donald Bowers should have reported his hit to the face of William McNeil Jr. after he smashed the car’s window to drag McNeil out of the car.
jaxtrib.org
August 20, 2025 at 6:57 PM
NEW: The controversial stop of a motorist that went viral in July stemmed in part from JSO's vague use-of-force policy, which gives officers broad discretion to use violence at the first sign of resistance, according to experts
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/20/j...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
New @jaxtrib.org | JSO officer in viral stop had third, unspoken reason why he pulled driver over
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
JSO officer in viral stop had third, unspoken reason why he pulled driver over
The officer later told integrity investigators that he saw the driver's SUV leave what JSO believes to be a drug house.
jaxtrib.org
August 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
New @jaxtrib.org | JSO officer in viral stop had third, unspoken reason why he pulled driver over
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes
📝 @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
JSO officer in viral stop had third, unspoken reason why he pulled driver over:
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes.
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes.
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
JSO officer in viral stop had third, unspoken reason why he pulled driver over
The officer later told integrity investigators that he saw the driver's SUV leave what JSO believes to be a drug house.
jaxtrib.org
August 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
JSO officer in viral stop had third, unspoken reason why he pulled driver over:
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes.
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
The stop carries the hallmarks of pretextual policing, a known tactic in which cops use minor traffic violations to fish for other crimes.
jaxtrib.org/2025/08/13/j...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
NEW: The Bartow Police Department arrested a driver and passenger in July and charged them with violating a state immigration law that has been blocked by a federal judge, according to a bimonthly report from the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/30/t...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/30/t...
Two more people wrongfully charged under Florida’s blocked immigration law, AG says
The two previously unreported arrests indicate some local police remain unclear on what they can enforce.
jaxtrib.org
July 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
NEW: The Bartow Police Department arrested a driver and passenger in July and charged them with violating a state immigration law that has been blocked by a federal judge, according to a bimonthly report from the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/30/t...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/30/t...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
New from @jaxtrib.org | After video of William McNeil's Jr.'s traffic stop went viral, we pulled more than three years of traffic-stop data. Getting ticketed for no headlights in the rain is exceedingly rare in Jacksonville - but less so if you're Black like McNeil.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
Black drivers ticketed more for traffic violation that prompted viral Jacksonville stop
Driving in the rain without headlights, the reason William McNeil Jr. was pulled over before he was hit and then dragged from his car by Jacksonville sheriff’s deputies, is an exceedingly rare infract...
jaxtrib.org
July 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
New from @jaxtrib.org | After video of William McNeil's Jr.'s traffic stop went viral, we pulled more than three years of traffic-stop data. Getting ticketed for no headlights in the rain is exceedingly rare in Jacksonville - but less so if you're Black like McNeil.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
From 2021 through July of this year, Jacksonville deputies wrote tickets for “no headlamps” in rain, fog or smoke at least 78 times, according to records from the Duval Clerk of Courts, with the vast majority – about 63% – going to Black drivers.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
Black drivers ticketed more for traffic violation that prompted viral Jacksonville stop
Driving in the rain without headlights, the reason William McNeil Jr. was pulled over before he was hit and then dragged from his car by Jacksonville sheriff’s deputies, is an exceedingly rare infract...
jaxtrib.org
July 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM
From 2021 through July of this year, Jacksonville deputies wrote tickets for “no headlamps” in rain, fog or smoke at least 78 times, according to records from the Duval Clerk of Courts, with the vast majority – about 63% – going to Black drivers.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/28/b...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
A Duval County jail sgt suspended in the aftermath of the violent death of a 31-year-old in April was hired despite having been kicked out of the Marines & a history of arrests for domestic violence & DUI, according to records obtained by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/21/r...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/21/r...
Ranking officer during Duval jail death has spotty past
A Jacksonville jail sergeant suspended in the aftermath of the violent death of a chef in April was hired despite having been kicked out of the Marines and having a history of arrests for domestic vio...
jaxtrib.org
July 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
A Duval County jail sgt suspended in the aftermath of the violent death of a 31-year-old in April was hired despite having been kicked out of the Marines & a history of arrests for domestic violence & DUI, according to records obtained by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/21/r...
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/21/r...
U.S. Supreme Court rejected a plea to block the execution of Michael Bell who was convicted of killing a Jax couple more than 30 yrs ago
Justice Sotomayor and Kagan would've granted the stay of execution so the court could have heard Bell’s appeal.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/15/u...
Justice Sotomayor and Kagan would've granted the stay of execution so the court could have heard Bell’s appeal.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/15/u...
U.S. Supreme Court denies appeal for Duval man scheduled for execution
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea to block the execution of a Florida man who was convicted of gunning down a Jacksonville couple more than 30 years ago.
jaxtrib.org
July 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
U.S. Supreme Court rejected a plea to block the execution of Michael Bell who was convicted of killing a Jax couple more than 30 yrs ago
Justice Sotomayor and Kagan would've granted the stay of execution so the court could have heard Bell’s appeal.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/15/u...
Justice Sotomayor and Kagan would've granted the stay of execution so the court could have heard Bell’s appeal.
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/15/u...
Reposted by Nichole Manna
NEW: Fl. Supreme Court upheld a decision by a Duval judge rejecting relief for a Death Row inmate – despite signed affidavits by two witnesses who said they were coerced by the state to lie.
Michael Bell is scheduled to die on July 15.
by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/08/f...
Michael Bell is scheduled to die on July 15.
by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/08/f...
Florida Supreme Court denies Duval Death Row inmate's appeal ahead of execution
The Florida Supreme Court upheld a decision by a Duval circuit judge that rejected relief for a Death Row inmate – despite signed affidavits by two prosecution witnesses who said they were coerced by ...
jaxtrib.org
July 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
NEW: Fl. Supreme Court upheld a decision by a Duval judge rejecting relief for a Death Row inmate – despite signed affidavits by two witnesses who said they were coerced by the state to lie.
Michael Bell is scheduled to die on July 15.
by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/08/f...
Michael Bell is scheduled to die on July 15.
by @nicholemanna.bsky.social
jaxtrib.org/2025/07/08/f...
NEW: In the three days after Charles Faggart was rushed to UF Health with fatal injuries from the Duval Co jail, Sheriff T.K. Waters sent and received no email – or at least none that the sheriff’s office is willing to disclose.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/j...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/j...
JSO blocks release of emails in days after fatally injured inmate was taken to hospital
In the three days after Charles Faggart, a 31-year-old father and food truck vendor, was rushed to UF Health with fatal injuries from the Duval County jail, Sheriff T.K. Waters sent and received no e...
jaxtrib.org
June 26, 2025 at 7:25 PM
NEW: In the three days after Charles Faggart was rushed to UF Health with fatal injuries from the Duval Co jail, Sheriff T.K. Waters sent and received no email – or at least none that the sheriff’s office is willing to disclose.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/j...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/j...
NEW: The state used Sidney Jones as their star witness to put Kenneth Hartley on Death Row. I dug up Jones's past and found a sprawling criminal record that begs the questions:
Why was he believed? And why weren't other witnesses with different stories called to testify?
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/c...
Why was he believed? And why weren't other witnesses with different stories called to testify?
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/c...
Cops had a choice of witnesses. They used the liar to put a Jacksonville man on Death Row
A cache of records recently obtained by The Tributary paints a vivid portrait of Sidney Jones, who was at once a petty thief, burglar, gunman, and liar, as well as a longtime paid police informant who...
jaxtrib.org
June 26, 2025 at 11:31 AM
NEW: The state used Sidney Jones as their star witness to put Kenneth Hartley on Death Row. I dug up Jones's past and found a sprawling criminal record that begs the questions:
Why was he believed? And why weren't other witnesses with different stories called to testify?
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/c...
Why was he believed? And why weren't other witnesses with different stories called to testify?
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/26/c...
NEW: Duval County Circuit Judge Jeb Branham denied the motion for relief for Death Row inmate Michael Bell convicted of the 1993 murder of a husband and wife after yesterday's evidentiary hearing
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/24/d...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/24/d...
Duval County judge denies late-hour Death Row appeal
If put to death, Bell will be the eighth person executed by the state this year following tonight’s execution of Thomas Gudinas, 51.
jaxtrib.org
June 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
NEW: Duval County Circuit Judge Jeb Branham denied the motion for relief for Death Row inmate Michael Bell convicted of the 1993 murder of a husband and wife after yesterday's evidentiary hearing
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/24/d...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/24/d...
Michael Bell, who is scheduled to be executed July 15, will have an evidentiary hearing on Monday — some of the arguments made in his motion came from @jaxtrib.org's recent investigation into another Duval death penalty case.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/20/w...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/20/w...
Witnesses in Duval Death Row case say they were coached by detective to lie
The legal team representing Michael Bell submitted handwritten affidavits from both witnesses, each saying he was coached to give false testimony by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Detective William Bol...
jaxtrib.org
June 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Michael Bell, who is scheduled to be executed July 15, will have an evidentiary hearing on Monday — some of the arguments made in his motion came from @jaxtrib.org's recent investigation into another Duval death penalty case.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/20/w...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/20/w...
Charles Faggart’s autopsy report is exempt from public disclosure while prosecutors investigate whether the force used against Faggart during his time at the jail – including a restraint chair, pepper spray and a stun gun – was legally justified.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...
Autopsy into controversial jail death complete, but findings a mystery
That report’s findings about what ultimately caused Faggart’s controversial death will prove consequential, so the report’s completion is a significant step.
jaxtrib.org
June 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Charles Faggart’s autopsy report is exempt from public disclosure while prosecutors investigate whether the force used against Faggart during his time at the jail – including a restraint chair, pepper spray and a stun gun – was legally justified.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...
Charles Faggart’s autopsy report is exempt from public disclosure while prosecutors investigate whether the force used against Faggart during his time at the jail – including a restraint chair, pepper spray and a stun gun – was legally justified.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...
Autopsy into controversial jail death complete, but findings a mystery
That report’s findings about what ultimately caused Faggart’s controversial death will prove consequential, so the report’s completion is a significant step.
jaxtrib.org
June 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Charles Faggart’s autopsy report is exempt from public disclosure while prosecutors investigate whether the force used against Faggart during his time at the jail – including a restraint chair, pepper spray and a stun gun – was legally justified.
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...
jaxtrib.org/2025/06/12/a...