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Author: Nick Chrastil

About Nick Chrastil
Nicholas Chrastil covers criminal justice for The Lens. As a freelancer, his work has appeared in Slate, Undark, Mother Jones, and the Atavist, among other outlets. Chrastil has a master's degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University, where his research focused on New Orleans' newspapers during the Reconstruction era. During his time at LSU, he also covered the Louisiana state legislature as part of the Manship Statehouse Bureau. He is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

‘The only hope they may have’: After Supreme Court decision, a bill to address non-unanimous jury convictions to be heard at the legislature on Thursday

May 26, 2021 Updated May 26, 2022
The bill is opposed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association.

DA Jason Williams announces decision to prosecute two teenagers as adults, going back on campaign promise

May 24, 2021 Updated May 24, 2021
Williams was the only candidate in last year’s election to pledge never to prosecute juveniles in adult court.

Dozens of current NOPD officers are on the DA’s list of cops with credibility issues. But some misconduct — including discrimination and unauthorized use of force — doesn’t appear to make the cut.

May 24, 2021 Updated June 21, 2021
The list was compiled by the NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau. DA Jason Williams says he will be creating his own list as well.

Judge recommends denial of city’s request to pause new jail construction

May 21, 2021 Updated May 22, 2021
The city has been ordered to continue work on the controversial Phase III jail facility. But it has asked for a stay pending an appeal. A judge said that request should be denied.
SCOTUS exterior, 11/2/19 credit Jessica Rosgaard

Supreme Court declines to apply split-jury ban retroactively

May 17, 2021 Updated May 26, 2022
More than 1,000 Louisiana prisoners not covered by a previous decision were convicted by split juries. Advocates are now urging the state to act to overturn old non-unanimous verdicts.

Bill to provide relief to people still in prison with non-unanimous jury verdicts deferred pending Supreme Court decision

May 13, 2021 Updated May 26, 2022
Advocates are pushing to have the bill passed regardless of the ruling

Bobby Sneed denied parole in rehearing despite being acquitted of disciplinary charges

May 10, 2021 Updated May 10, 2021
Months after a unanimous vote to allow Sneed to go free, all parole board members voted on Monday to keep him in prison.

State board rescinds parole for Angola prisoner Bobby Sneed despite dismissal of disciplinary charges

May 7, 2021 Updated May 7, 2021

Angola prisoner who faced loss of parole cleared on contraband charges, but now faces new disciplinary action for being in wrong dorm, lawyer says

May 5, 2021 Updated May 7, 2021
Bobby Sneed was not previously informed of any additional charges before his hearing on Wednesday.

A man incarcerated at Angola for decades was granted parole. Now, after an alleged overdose days before his release, he may have to stay.

May 4, 2021 Updated May 7, 2021
Bobby Sneed's lawyer fears the 74-year-old inmate may die in prison.

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