I report on and write about the criminal justice system,locally and nationally, focusing on the kind of in-depth investigations that reveal the system's flaws and point to solutions.

Since joining the Tribune in 1994, I have been a general assignment reporter in the city and suburbs, covered Chicago police and, for the past decade, been on the newspaper's special projects team. Often working with partners, I have investigated the death penalty system in Illinois and nationwide, as well as the use of false confessions and dubious forensic science. In May 2010, I investigated suicides in Illinois' juvenile correctional facilities. I am a graduate of the University of Californa at Santa Barbara and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Before joining the Tribune, I worked at the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle and the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal.

Running, basketball, golf, reading.