Dan Conley

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By | January 01, 0001

Viral justice?

The media might have moved on, but RCC students won't let a case of potential police brutality on campus fade without a fight
The seven-minute YouTube clip begins with five Boston police officers, crowding a Roxbury Community College entranceway, restraining a face-down suspect.
By CHRIS FARAONE | November 23, 2010

By | January 01, 0001

Blunt object

The political fight over a November marijuana-reform ballot question has sparked a Battle of the Bong
Question 2 supporters claim Massachusetts district attorneys committed “at least 15 violations of Massachusetts campaign-finance and election laws” in the runup to the marijuana-decriminalization vote.
By CHRIS FARAONE | September 25, 2008

Does Boston hate the BPD?

A secret survey shows just how low the Boston Police Department’s reputation had sunk two years ago. Is the mayor listening?
When Kathleen O’Toole served as Boston police commissioner, from early 2004 through mid 2006, she and Mayor Thomas Menino seemed in constant denial of the spiraling violence and shocking police scandals that were roiling the city.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | July 18, 2008

You’re fired! Or not . . .

More naughty cops
This past summer, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis was outraged by the actions of four officers, including three lieutenants, accused of manipulating the detail system to defraud the department.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | May 14, 2008

More than a few loose ends

BPD to review Cowans evidence
Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis has ordered a review of evidence in the wrongful conviction of Stephan Cowans, following a report in the Phoenix that raised questions about possible police misconduct .
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | March 05, 2008

See no evil

What’s on the videotape Dan Conley won’t make public? Plus, winners in the Times ’ McCain mess.
An intriguing battle pitting government against the press is currently percolating on the North Shore and here in Boston.
By ADAM REILLY | February 27, 2008

Framed?

The Boston Police investigation of Stephan Cowans led to a wrongful conviction. Was it incompetent — or corrupt?
The Boston Phoenix has uncovered substantial new information about the Cowans case.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 28, 2010

Menino’s hit list

40 potential candidates for the 2009 election who could take on the mayor — if they have the courage.
At a recent political event, Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino asked Robert Crane, the former long-time state treasurer, how many years he had held that office.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | November 28, 2007

The rumor mill

So far, the race for Boston City Council is all talk and no action
The energy in this year’s at-large race for Boston City Council is not to be found on the campaign trail.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 05, 2007

Placing a bet on gambling

Plus, coming to grips with murder in Boston
Both Maine and Rhode Island in recent years have rejected proposals that would have brought casino gambling to those states.
By EDITORIAL | July 18, 2007

Justice is blind

Letters to the Boston editor, July 13, 2007
David S. Bernstein’s willingness to ignore the truth in order to advance his own agenda is utterly disgraceful.
By BOSTON PHOENIX LETTERS | July 11, 2007

The many reasons for Liquarry Jefferson’s death

Responsibility for gun control begins at home and extends all the way to the federal government
As of press time, it appears that a 15-year-old left his handgun where a seven-year-old picked it up and killed an eight-year-old with it.
By EDITORIAL | June 27, 2007

Massachusetts pols with money in hand but no place to go

Campaign finance
Had John Kerry decided to run for president again, the state’s political floodgates were ready to open.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 31, 2007

Death-by-bullet tally hits 50

Shooting gallery
The murder of 18-year-old Jonathan Calvin Jacques early Sunday morning was Boston’s 50th shooting homicide of 2006, the highest total in more than a decade — and there’s still a month left in the year.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | December 01, 2006

Truth, Justice — or the Boston Way

Boston’s taxpayers just coughed up another multimillion-dollar check for a wrongful conviction, without being told what was done wrong
Stephan Cowans's wrongful conviction cost Boston taxpayers $3.2 million.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | August 17, 2006

Boston agrees to pay $3.2 million to Stephan Cowans

Wrongfully-convicted Mattapan man’s case exposed incompetent fingerprint unit
Finally giving Stephan Cowans some measure of justice for the six and a half years he spent in prison for a crime he did not commit, the City of Boston has agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle a civil lawsuit, the Phoenix has learned.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | August 10, 2006

Boston homicides

BPD, DA agree: We’re doing fine!
Surprise: local law-enforcement officials want to lay the blame for unsolved homicides on uncooperative witnesses.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 05, 2006

Marquis Boseman, 18, killed May 11, 2004

No end in sight

Boston’s murder rate has doubled in five years — and may not have peaked yet. Here’s why.
Two years ago, Boston’s law-enforcement leaders were crowing over their defeat of the homicide problem. In retrospect, it was Boston’s version of Bush’s “Mission Accomplished.”
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | January 04, 2006