Mary Ellen Johnson

Nate's Turn

Life Partners

In for Life

The Pendulum Foundation keeps track of juveniles serving life.

Headed for Trouble

Erik wanted to help his friend get out of the house. He succeeded -- they're both in prison for life.

Letters

Erik wanted to help his friend get out of the house. He succeeded -- they're both in prison for life.

The Killer and Mrs. Johnson

A gruesome crime. A bizarre defense. Can a crusading author reopen her best friend's case?

Is trying juveniles as adults cruel and unusual?

The Denver-based Pendulum Foundation has made some significant progress in challenging the laws that can send juveniles to adult prison, serving life without parole for violent crimes committed when they were fifteen- or sixteen-years old -- a wrenching issue Luke Turf explored in his 2005 feature ... More >>

Clemency for these six prisoners could save millions and serve justice -- so why won't Governor Ritter try it?

The Denver-based Pendulum Foundation has made some significant progress in challenging the laws that can send juveniles to adult prison, serving life without parole for violent crimes committed when they were fifteen- or sixteen-years old -- a wrenching issue Luke Turf explored in his 2005 feature ... More >>

From the week of October 29, 2009

The Denver-based Pendulum Foundation has made some significant progress in challenging the laws that can send juveniles to adult prison, serving life without parole for violent crimes committed when they were fifteen- or sixteen-years old -- a wrenching issue Luke Turf explored in his 2005 feature ... More >>

Bill Ritter's commutations draw praise, bitter rebukes

Mitchell.​Only days after I posted a few remarks about Bill Ritter's play-it-safe approach to pardons and his reluctance to commute excessive sentences, the departing governor delivered a slew of bolder pardons and even a few commutations, stunning some grateful convicts and raising hackles el ... More >>

How victim rights became a juggernaut shaping spending, laws and the future of punishment

Mitchell.​Only days after I posted a few remarks about Bill Ritter's play-it-safe approach to pardons and his reluctance to commute excessive sentences, the departing governor delivered a slew of bolder pardons and even a few commutations, stunning some grateful convicts and raising hackles el ... More >>

Reader: We understand that "illegal" means breaking the laws of the United States

Mitchell.​Only days after I posted a few remarks about Bill Ritter's play-it-safe approach to pardons and his reluctance to commute excessive sentences, the departing governor delivered a slew of bolder pardons and even a few commutations, stunning some grateful convicts and raising hackles el ... More >>

A reader recalls when the halfpipes at Breck were “about six feet tall”

Mitchell.​Only days after I posted a few remarks about Bill Ritter's play-it-safe approach to pardons and his reluctance to commute excessive sentences, the departing governor delivered a slew of bolder pardons and even a few commutations, stunning some grateful convicts and raising hackles el ... More >>