Joshua Vaughn (Narrator/Reporter)
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Graham's conclusion was clear. Nothing that happened to Tyreek Riley at DCP played any role in his death. As the press conference was drawing to a close, a reporter asked Graham about his catchphrase, I speak for the dead, which he had turned into a kind of mission statement of his integrity and incorruptibility.
Graham's conclusion was clear. Nothing that happened to Tyreek Riley at DCP played any role in his death. As the press conference was drawing to a close, a reporter asked Graham about his catchphrase, I speak for the dead, which he had turned into a kind of mission statement of his integrity and incorruptibility.
To Lamont, the press conference had been a carefully planned bit of stagecraft.
To Lamont, the press conference had been a carefully planned bit of stagecraft.
Like a magic show, Graham's remarks have been smoke and mirrors. Wow the audience, pull in their attention, and distract them from the reality of what was unfolding in front of them.
Like a magic show, Graham's remarks have been smoke and mirrors. Wow the audience, pull in their attention, and distract them from the reality of what was unfolding in front of them.
Graham's conclusion also meant it would be harder for Tyreek's family to pursue any legal action.
Graham's conclusion also meant it would be harder for Tyreek's family to pursue any legal action.
Not only potential lawsuits, but other investigations as well. A detective from the Dauphin County DA's office was assigned to look into Tyreek's death. After he read Graham's autopsy report, he concluded his investigation. Death by natural causes seemed to mean no crime had been committed. That press conference that was meant to put an end to the speculation, it ended up being the beginning.
Not only potential lawsuits, but other investigations as well. A detective from the Dauphin County DA's office was assigned to look into Tyreek's death. After he read Graham's autopsy report, he concluded his investigation. Death by natural causes seemed to mean no crime had been committed. That press conference that was meant to put an end to the speculation, it ended up being the beginning.
By the time I started working at PennLive, it was two years after Tyreek's death, and Graham's press conference had become notorious. Tyreek's story had lived on through his family that had been able to advocate for him, to organize protests, to file a civil lawsuit against the warden of DCP, and through a cousin like Lamont who was always pushing for answers.
By the time I started working at PennLive, it was two years after Tyreek's death, and Graham's press conference had become notorious. Tyreek's story had lived on through his family that had been able to advocate for him, to organize protests, to file a civil lawsuit against the warden of DCP, and through a cousin like Lamont who was always pushing for answers.
Many inmates at DCP didn't have families like that, And as I dug in, I saw a lot of those inmates were dying. Many of those deaths seemed to come after what officials dubbed, quote, medical incidents. And the cause and manner of those deaths was often deemed to be natural or even undetermined. I recognized those words. They sounded official, even scientific, but they revealed nothing.
Many inmates at DCP didn't have families like that, And as I dug in, I saw a lot of those inmates were dying. Many of those deaths seemed to come after what officials dubbed, quote, medical incidents. And the cause and manner of those deaths was often deemed to be natural or even undetermined. I recognized those words. They sounded official, even scientific, but they revealed nothing.
They were as helpful as a politician saying no comment. I wondered what was hiding behind those words, and I knew what to do next. I put in a public records request with the county. I wanted to get my hands on any official documents pertaining to the deaths at DCP.
They were as helpful as a politician saying no comment. I wondered what was hiding behind those words, and I knew what to do next. I put in a public records request with the county. I wanted to get my hands on any official documents pertaining to the deaths at DCP.
I knew there must be use of force reports from inside the jail, hospital records from inmates who were sent there, autopsy findings from Graham's office. I remember when the first email arrived with a link to documents from the jail. I clicked on one. It was about a death that I was particularly curious about. A death where the official manner was undetermined.
I knew there must be use of force reports from inside the jail, hospital records from inmates who were sent there, autopsy findings from Graham's office. I remember when the first email arrived with a link to documents from the jail. I clicked on one. It was about a death that I was particularly curious about. A death where the official manner was undetermined.