Chicago Tribune reporter covering the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and criminal justice issues in Chicago. Signal: jmeisner48.08https://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwvysfbnj227On Monday, a year and a day after Marimar Martinez was shot by a Border Patrol agent, her attorneys will unveil a new animated reconstruction of the shooting they say demonstrates "how the physical evidence contradicts the government’s account of events" story: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/02/marimar-martinez-lawsuit/02 Oct 2026 18:27 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvysfbnj227https://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwvxkpnc3k2xJUST IN: Lawyers for Marimar Martínez, the Chicago woman shot 5 times by a Border agent during Midway Blitz, will file a federal lawsuit Monday alleging new ballistics analysis shows Agent Charles Exum was not in harm’s way when he opened fire Background: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/11/marimar-martinez-shooting-immigration/02 Oct 2026 18:05 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvxkpnc3k2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwvk3gkz7k26JUDGE: How would you envision that looking, then? PROSECUTOR: What part? JUDGE: The part where I appoint an independent person in the interest of justice to investigate the Department of Justice, and that person is being supervised by the Department of Justice https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/01/broadview-six-hearing-us-attorneys-office/02 Oct 2026 14:04 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvk3gkz7k26https://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwu5t7sn422yUPDATE: The decision by Judge April Perry to open an inquiry into “Broadview Six” wrongdoing puts Chicago’s U.S. attorney’s office in largely uncharted waters and adds fuel to a scandal that erupted four months ago Where will it end? Ask your Magic 8-Ball https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/01/broadview-six-hearing-us-attorneys-office/02 Oct 2026 00:52 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwu5t7sn422yhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwtyou74bs2lThe Tribune reported exclusively two weeks ago that this deal was in the works: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/18/guevara-police-settlement/ [contains quote post or other embedded content]01 Oct 2026 23:20 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwtyou74bs2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwttb5gbr22fThe proposed $261 million mass settlement for lawsuits related to corrupt former Chicago police detective Reynaldo Guevara appears to be the largest single police misconduct settlement in U.S. history. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/01/261-million-mass-settlement-guevara-police-misconduct-mayor-brandon-johnson/01 Oct 2026 21:43 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwttb5gbr22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwtqudfj5s2dDEVELOPING: A federal judge is initiating a “fact finding” process to determine whether the U.S. attorney’s office intentionally misled her in the “Broadview Six” case, a rare step that could lead to criminal contempt charges or other sanctions. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/01/broadview-six-hearing-us-attorneys-office/01 Oct 2026 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwtqudfj5s2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwtmzghmws2rAttorney Chris Parente tells reporters "the message that has been sent is that no one is above the law." "They dragged these six people behind me through the mud for over a year, and now the tables have turned," he says. [contains quote post or other embedded content]01 Oct 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwtmzghmws2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwtklovt4s2rJUST IN: Judge April Perry says she will "go ahead and create a list of things I would like further evidence on" in the "Broadview Six" case. She says any presentation would be "under oath, under penalty of perjury."01 Oct 2026 19:08 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwtklovt4s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwtevlz2yc2bAs this hearing approaches, several of the ex-Broadview Six defendants have already arrived at the courthouse. Also, the court is handing out seating tickets for media. We're not expecting USA Boutros to be in court. I'll bring the hightlights here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/01/broadview-six-hearing-us-attorneys-office/01 Oct 2026 17:26 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwtevlz2yc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwswyilr6c2rA federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments today in the “Broadview 6” case that has put a national spotlight on Chicago’s US attorney’s office Will she order further inquiry into allegations of vindictive prosecution and grand jury misconduct? Stey tuned: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/01/broadview-six-hearing-us-attorneys-office/01 Oct 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwswyilr6c2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwosq5sgmc2iNEW: Romeo Blackman was a 3rd Grader when he wrote in a “What I Would Do As President” project he’d rid Englewood of gun violence. By the time he was in his late teens, Blackman had become a killer himself many times over. He got life in prison today: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/29/goonie-gang-leader-gets-life-in-federal-prison-for-spate-of-murders-shootings-that-terrorized-englewood/29 Sep 2026 21:50 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwosq5sgmc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwor7jsslc2yLawyers for the "Broadview Six" have submitted Sheri Mecklenburg's resignation letter to Judge Perry in advance of Thursday's hearing, saying it contains "additional facts that directly and materially implicate" issues pending before the court. 👇 [contains quote post or other embedded content]29 Sep 2026 21:23 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwor7jsslc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwofouod3s2oNEW: A Chicago woman who left her dead mother’s body in a garage freezer for nearly two years has been charged with using her mom’s stolen identity to collect tens of thousands of dollars in Social Security checks and food program benefits. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/29/chicago-woman-charges-social-security-fraud/29 Sep 2026 17:57 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwofouod3s2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwmtozbxvk2rSome Bears fans having fun on Case Keenum’s Wikipedia page right now. Who knew he owns the Eagles? 🐻29 Sep 2026 03:02 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwmtozbxvk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwec2gbrlk2gUPDATE: A DOJ spokesman says Sheri Mecklenburg’s claim that she recommended misdemeanors in the Broadview Six case is "false" She wrote to superiors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office that a felony conspiracy count was "the strongest charge,” the DOJ says. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/25/broadview-six-prosecutor-resignation-letter-us-attorney/25 Sep 2026 17:25 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwec2gbrlk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwe3umf3522tJUST IN: The prosecutor at the center of the “Broadview 6” scandal penned a fiery resignation letter to U.S. Atty Andrew Boutros saying he “personally directed” her to seek felony charges not misdemeanors and then unfairly "vilified" her in court Read it here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/25/broadview-six-prosecutor-resignation-letter-us-attorney/25 Sep 2026 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwe3umf3522thttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwcei7td6k2uJUST IN: Attorneys for the “Broadview Six” say they fully support Sheri Mecklenburg’s motion to intervene because she has “substantial” information that relates directly to the issues at hand.. including the transcript requested by USA Boutros: [contains quote post or other embedded content]24 Sep 2026 23:03 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwcei7td6k2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwc64lq7rs2vThe prosecutor at the center of the “Broadview Six” scandal has broken her silence in the form of a motion to intervene in any upcoming sanctions hearing. And she has some interesting things to say about how things went down in the U.S. attorney's office Story: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/24/prosecutor-at-center-of-broadview-six-scandal-retires-says-boutros-ordered-grand-jury-transcript/24 Sep 2026 21:09 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwc64lq7rs2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwbz57pzjs2pAssistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Meckenburg retired from the U.S. attorney's office effective TODAY after being told by her bosses she could not file anything on her behalf in the Broadview Six case, her lawyers say [contains quote post or other embedded content]24 Sep 2026 19:40 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwbz57pzjs2phttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mwbymhfo7s2pJUST IN: Lawyers for Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Mecklenburg want to participate in next week's hearing over possible sanctions in the "Broadview Six" case, saying the defense has falsely accused her of “outright lying” based on video evidence that does not support it24 Sep 2026 19:31 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwbymhfo7s2phttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mw6yhcoxac2mFour months after the "Broadview Six" case imploded, a federal judge has set a high-stakes hearing for next week on possible further inquiry into alleged prosecutorial misconduct by the U.S. attorney's office. Story: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/23/arguments-broadview-six-sanctions-request/23 Sep 2026 14:50 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw6yhcoxac2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mw6suu7pvc22JUST IN: Judge April Perry has set oral arguments on sanctions and other issues in the “Broadview Six” case for Oct. 1 background: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/05/u-s-attorneys-office-offers-mea-culpa-in-broadview-six-case-says-no-further-inquiry-warranted/23 Sep 2026 13:10 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw6suu7pvc22https://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mw4hhcjvu22bTrump’s Justice Department no longer takes on public corruption in any meaningful fashion. The investigation sparked by Kao’s revelations is dead. And the government is no longer talking to an informant who had offered a road map to corruption in Congress. 👀 https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-susan-collins-navatek-campaign-donations-investigation22 Sep 2026 14:40 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw4hhcjvu22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mvt3ozhdqs24NEW: Mayor Johnson hasn't said why he's asking for an eye-popping $401 million for police misconduct cases next year But federal court records show the city has made a deal to resolve dozens of lawsuits in one of the biggest police scandals in Chicago history: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/18/guevara-police-settlement/18 Sep 2026 21:16 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvt3ozhdqs24https://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mvqbchapkk2cU.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Luis Uribe is facing up to life in prison after being convicted Thursday on all counts alleging he used his gun and badge to rape and rob Chinese sex workers in Chicago-area hotel rooms. STORY here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/17/luis-uribe-convicted/17 Sep 2026 18:18 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvqbchapkk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mvqaqtzbkk2h///BREAKING/// U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Luis Uribe found GUILTY of using his gun and badge to rape and rob Chinese sex workers in Chicago-area hotel rooms. Story tk [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Sep 2026 18:09 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvqaqtzbkk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mvq7sj7vr22hJUST IN: There is a verdict in this case. parties gathering in the courtroom [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Sep 2026 17:52 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvq7sj7vr22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mvpxzbqecc2m“I don’t know how many chances I’ll have at a cycle because that triple’s hard when you’re this slow,” Bregman said with a grin. “(PCA) is on cycle watch when he wakes up in the morning.” 😂 https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/16/chicago-cubs-pete-crow-armstrong-milestone/17 Sep 2026 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvpxzbqecc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmetr22b.bsky.social/post/3mvpxp43z4s2tGood morning from the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where a jury has resumed deliberating the fate of Customs and Border Protection agent Luis Uribe, labeled by prosectors "a rapist in a police uniform" will there be a verdict today? Stay tuned: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/16/jury-deliberating-fate-of-customs-agent-prosecutors-called-a-rapist-in-a-police-uniform/17 Sep 2026 15:26 +0000at://did:plc:vrwglonkfa7hsapabfvdh4l5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvpxp43z4s2t