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-town politics, and media influence in shaping public perception. JohnJay shares his perspective on the controversies surrounding Coffee City and reveals an alleged recording suggesting political interference in a local election.

This conversation delves into the power of media narratives, the challenges of leadership in law enforcement, and the systemic issues that contribute to these scandals. Tune in as we ask the tough questions and seek to uncover the real story behind the headlines.

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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 media coverage. In this episode, Joe opens up about his controversial past, including his criminal history, shares his candid thoughts on religion, and reflects on his unexpected rise to fame. A raw and unfiltered conversation you won’t want to miss.

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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 outreach, Jermaine uses his story to bring awareness to the over-criminalization of Black and brown communities and inspire change. Tune in to hear about resilience, redemption, and the power of advocacy.

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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 the hearing where Mitchell says “I don’t know” or “I can’t remember” over 30 times. Her incompetence is evident, and it’s a stark reminder of the broken criminal justice system that we must all fight to reform.

Watch the full video for excerpts from the hearing and stay tuned for updates as we continue the battle for Robert Roberson’s life.

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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 continue to widen the gap between law enforcement and the community they serve. Tune in to hear Mike Hollow’s take on what real leadership looks like and what’s at stake for the future of Lee County.

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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 event, Aswad turned his personal tragedy into a mission to empower communities, particularly young men of color, and to advocate for smart justice reform.

Aswad's work with ASJ focuses on expanding a national network of crime survivors and elevating their voices in state and federal policy debates. With a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in Business Management from Elms College, Aswad has become one of the most influential voices in the fight against gun violence and justice reform.

His story has been highlighted in various prominent media outlets, including the New Yorker, NPR, Sacramento Bee, VICE/The Marshall Project, and the Hartford Courant, among others. Before joining ASJ, Aswad was a key figure in Connecticut's justice reform movement, founding Hartford Action to improve the relationship between the Greater Hartford community and the justice system.

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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 in the nation and is frequently consulted by other jurisdictions for advice on establishing and running a CIU. She trains prosecutors in Dallas County, as well as travels around the state and country training and speaking to prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, law enforcement, students and community members about actual innocence and wrongful convictions.

Ms. Garza was named a Rising Star in 2008 and 2009 by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine and was awarded the La Cima Latina Government Leader by the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2014. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association (DHBA) and Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL). She has also co-chaired committees with the Dallas Bar Association, DHBA, and DAYL.

Justin and Preston also welcome back Tyrone Day, an exoneree that worked directly with Cynthia and her team at the CIU until his exoneration in May of 2023. Tyrone is a past guest of the Failing Justice Podcast.

Join us as we get valuable insight from Ms. Garza.

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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 to press forward with the truth.

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