Failing Justice

In this episode of Failing Justice, we sit down with JohnJay Portillo, the former Coffee City police chief at the center of numerous controversies and headlines. While the media has painted a vivid picture of scandals and corruption, Portillo claims there’s more to the story that the public hasn’t heard. We explore the complex intersections of TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement), small-tow...

Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains strong language and discussions that may not be suitable for all audiences. Joseph Malinowski, better known as 'Lieutenant Dan' on TikTok, made headlines for his daring choice to ride out Hurricane Milton aboard his sailboat in Tampa Bay, Florida. His decision to stay, despite evacuation orders, sparked viral attention and widespread...

In this episode, Jermaine Archer shares his incredible journey from wrongful conviction to freedom after 22 years in Sing Sing Correctional Facility. A passionate advocate for justice, Jermaine discusses his work as a paralegal and educator, his dedication to helping at-risk youth, and his ongoing efforts to reform the criminal justice system. Through Rehabilitation Through the Arts and community...

Robert Roberson was set to be executed today for a crime he didn’t commit, but in a last-minute decision, his execution has been stayed. During a Texas Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence hearing, Anderson County District Attorney Allison Mitchell—who pushed through Robert’s execution warrant—was repeatedly unable to recall basic facts of the case. In this quick recap, we expose key moments from t...

In this explosive episode, we sit down with Mike Hollow, a 17-year veteran of the Lee County Florida Sheriff’s Office and current candidate for sheriff, to discuss the allegations surrounding Sheriff Carmine Marceno. From viral videos to FBI investigations, we break down the alleged corruption that's been buried for too long. More than just political drama, we dive into how these incidents co...

In this episode, we’re joined by Aswad, Vice President of ASJ, who shares his compelling journey from being a promising basketball player to becoming a leading advocate for justice reform. On August 24, 2009, at just 26 years old, Aswad was preparing to embark on a professional basketball career in Europe when his life was tragically altered by a near-fatal shooting. Despite this life-changing eve...

Justin and Preston welcome Cynthia Garza to the podcast. Cynthia Garza is the Special Fields Bureau Chief of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office’s and Chief of the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU). The CIU primarily reviews cases concerning allegations of innocence, but it also reviews cases involving instances of wrongful conviction.  Ms. Garza is the longest tenured prosecutor in any CIU...

Justin has a candid conversation with guest, Austin Handle, regarding whistleblower cops. Austin is a whistleblower cop out of Dunwoody, Georgia. Austin tells his story and experience about fighting to get his name back after he was retaliated against for exposing misconduct and corruption within his former police agency. Justin and Austin talk about the good cops that do exist and encourage them...

Dr. Yates has spent 30 years in law enforcement and the last 25 years as a supervisor and manager. His previous assignments include patrol, gang investigations, training, technology, policy, media relations, jail operations and special operations that included SWAT, Helicopter, K-9, Dive Team, Bomb Squad, Disaster Response, Special Events and the Reserve Program.  Dr. Yates is one of the most prol...

Justin and Preston sit down with Cheryl Morris. Cheryl worked with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for three decades in both Central Office, minimum, medium and maximum security prisons.  Cheryl started as a corrections counselor and rose through the ranks as a Senior Counselor at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Assistant Director for Guidance and Counseling...

In Smith County, Texas, law enforcement, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, and many more have come together to ruin the Phillips family. The father is Terry Phillips who is the Precinct 3 County Commissioner and the mother, Karen Phillips, is the elected County Clerk. In March of 2023, Cody Voss, a close family friend of the Phillips family was stopped by Smith County Deputies at the Phillips family...

Join us as we sit down with Ken W. Good, a bail reform attorney out of Tyler, Texas. We discuss the ins and outs of good bail reform and bad bail reform. Ken says most bail reform being presented is bad bail reform that ultimately leads to more crimes being committed and decriminalization of certain offenses. https://pbtx.com Support the show Support The Organization: https://failingjustice.org/su...

The first podcast of 2024! Join Justin and Preston as they speak with the family of Daniel Barajas. Daniel died suddenly after a bizarre encounter with law enforcement in Saline County Arkansas.  The encounter started as law enforcement claims they received a phone call about a welfare check on the exit ramp off I-30. After speaking with the occupant, Daniel Barajas, they alleged he was either hav...

Justin recaps his trip to New York City for the 2nd United Justice  Coalition Summit at the Javits Center. This was a special and informative trip. Just met Dan Slepian with NBC Dateline and Jon-Adrian Velasquez (JJ) who did 23.5 years in Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York for the murder of a retired NYPD Cop. Although, JJ did not commit this murder. Justin goes over this story in this po...

Justin and Preston speak on how mental health affects law enforcement. Furthermore, how not dealing with the matter from within affects the outcome of justice and providing police service to the public. Links from show: https://youtu.be/AOoNJiA-sN4?si=6mCK4frOTJUaaflb Support the show Support The Organization: https://failingjustice.org/support Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/failing1justice In...

In this episode, Justin and Preston just simply talk. There were no actual topics of discussion on the show notes. There are times in life when you just have to be human and speak from the heart. We hope that our raw talk about life and the struggles we all face will encourage someone else. Support the show Support The Organization: https://failingjustice.org/support Facebook: https://www.facebook...

Justin and Preston sit down and talk with Tyrone Day, a Dallas, Texas, native who was wrongfully convicted and incarcerated in 1990 for a sexual assault crime that he did not commit or partake in. Tyrone's story was insightful, emotional and impactful. Tyrone's story should be used to better the criminal justice system, specifically the law enforcement side and prosecution side. Tyrone w...

Justin and Preston breakdown the traffic stop of Leonard Cure. Leonard was shot and killed by Camden County Georgia Sheriff Deputy, Buck Aldridge on a traffic stop on I-95 in Georgia. Was this preventable? What could law enforcement done better or different? Was Leonard in the right for his actions? All of these things are discussed. WARNING: Episode contains graphic content - visual and verbal. W...

Justin sits down with Preston Green Jr. and they discuss de-escalation tactics and training. As of a 2021 stat, there are still 20 states that do not have de-escalation training mandated into their police cadet training. Justin and Preston also briefly discuss current events in Israel. https://abc7ny.com/officer-charged-nypd-harlem-christian-zapata/13862784/ Support the show Support The Organizati...

Preston Green Jr. was in the studio for this episode. Preston is active law enforcement and works with Justin at a smaller agency in North Texas. Preston and Justin are best friends outside of work and share many of the same thoughts and beliefs on police and criminal justice reform. Join them as they dive deep into these issues and have a raw conversation. Support the show Support The Organizatio...

James Gillen comes on the Failing Justice Podcast and speaks out against poor leadership and illegal behavior within the law enforcement profession. Gillen speaks about Nathan Lee Johns, a mentally ill patient that was in the UT Health Hospital in Tyler, TX. Gillen was forced to arrest Johns by his sergeant. A week later, Johns kills himself in police custody as he did not get the treatment that h...

Justin hosts Jason Compton, a former law enforcement officer and colleague. Justin and Jason went to the academy together and both got out of law enforcement to enter the private sector. Justin has since gotten back in, but Jason is still out. They break down the failures of leadership within law enforcement and what can be done to improve. Chief Andy Harvey, for Chief of Police for Palestine, Tex...

Justin sits down with Jose Lozano, a former police officer who left the profession and went to the private sector and has been extremely successful. Justin and Jose unmask the realities from within the profession that the public does not see. Jose also talks about his battle with cancer. A Seattle Police Officer's journey on the force is filled with violence and reprimands, but somehow still...

A special tribute to those that lost their lives on 9/11. Michelle Grisham, New Mexico's governor has banned constitutional carry of firearms for 30 days because it is a "Public Health" emergency. Cops in New Mexico pull a family out of their vehicle at gunpoint for rushing their dog to the vet. Finally, Justin talks about Coffee City, Texas, Police Department. https://www.buzzsprou...

Justin sits down with Richard Miles in the studio for a LIVE interview. Richard spent fifteen years of his life in prison from the age of  nineteen to thirty-three. Richard fought the system to prove his innocence, but not after losing many years of his life and his father while he was in prison. Richard is the reason behind the Richard Miles Act that was written into law in Texas. Richard tells h...