civil rights lawsuit Archives

2 - Analysis / 4 - Cases / Business / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Donovon Lynch Case / Entertainment & Media / Law Enforcement / Media / Media & Influence / News & Media / Public Safety / The Reyna Files

“I Can’t Breathe”: The Cases Legacy Media Decided Not to Cover

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The phrase “I can’t breathe” became a global rallying cry after George Floyd. But what happens when similar pleas come from victims whose stories never become headlines? This Riptide investigation examines three cases—from Virginia, England, and California—that raise difficult questions about media attention, accountability, and selective public outrage.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / California / California Watch / California's Broken Public Defense System / Criminal / Family Court / Family Court Reform / The Reyna Files

The Criminalist and the Coerced Plea

May 27, 2026June 3, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Former criminalist Rhonda Reyna once testified for prosecutors in homicide cases. Years later, she says the same justice system ignored exculpatory evidence, pushed her into a no contest plea, and helped separate her from her daughter. Part one of Riptide’s investigation into California’s broken public defense system.

Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Support / Child Trafficking / Corruption / Court Corruption / DFCS / Family Court / Foster Care / Georgia / Government Corruption / Misconduct / Poverty / The Corruption Series

Punishing Poverty: Georgia’s Foster Care System Is Sending Parents the Bill for Losing Their Kids

August 25, 2025August 24, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Georgia’s DFCS has forcibly removed children from low-income parents for inadequate housing, charging them for foster care costs, effectively punishing poverty. Annalinda Martinez’s lawsuit highlights the harmful financial burden on destitute families, arguing for systemic reforms. The case challenges policies that criminalize poverty rather than support family reunification and stability.

Anne Arundel County / Appellate Court / Baltimore County / Civil Rights / Constitutional Law / Family Court / Judges / The Reichert Files

The Case Maryland Wants to Bury: Inside Reichert v. Hornbeck

May 19, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - 1 Comment

The Reichert v. Hornbeck case details a father’s arduous battle for custody over his son, marked by systemic biases and legal obstacles. Jeff Reichert’s parental rights were revoked without appropriate justification, exacerbated by the Maryland judiciary’s refusal to publicly document critical rulings. This case highlights alarming issues within family law and judicial transparency.