News

Study Suggests Lethal Police Shootings Less Likely in Houston

A Harvard study examines use of police force in 10 cities across the nation, including our own.

07/12/2016 By Katharine Shilcutt

Poughkeepsie to Polunsky

In Texas, Death Row Inmates Through the Eyes of a New York Artist

A supermax prison isn't the best place to sit for a portrait, but Peter Charlap's subjects have no other choice.

04/28/2016 By Roxanna Asgarian

Blood Bath

The Booming Business of Crime Scene Cleanup

An afternoon with Bio-One Houston’s rookie of the year.

03/01/2016 By Marianella Orlando

Star Wars

Famous and In Trouble? Kent Schaffer’s Your Man

Meet three celebs who were glad to have Houston’s lawyer-to-the-stars.

11/29/2015 By Steven Devadanam

Crime

The Fixer

Defense attorney Kent Schaffer looks back on the notorious 2007 capital murder trial that gripped Houston: that of Lamar High School student Ashley Benton, accused of stabbing an MS-13 gang member in cold blood.

11/29/2015 By Steven Devadanam Photography by Brian Goldman

Public Safety

Neighborhood Hopping with Sheriff Ron Hickman

Harris County’s newly-appointed Sheriff takes to the streets—and shares his big plans for the next year.

11/29/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Crimin'

Orange Is the New Black for Houston Jewelry Designer

She's wearing cuffs of a different kind after being charged with money laundering.

10/02/2015 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Bayougraphy

The Art of Crime

Lois Gibson, Forensic Artist

08/04/2015 By Marianella Orlando

Photo Essay

Moment of Sleuth

The death and afterlife of Houston's crime lab

05/03/2015 By Michael Hardy Photography by Brian Goldman

Crime

HBO Films Takes on Houston’s Favorite (Suspected) Serial Murderer

A new true-crime documentary series explores the life of infamous eccentric Robert Durst.

02/08/2015 By Michael Hardy

Hair Crimes

Making the Classics Relevant: Alexander Pope

Rethinking The Rape of the Lock in light of a string of recent crimes

09/30/2014

CRIME

Iron Thunderhorse: Wanted by the Law

Self-proclaimed Native American shaman escapes from Houston halfway house.

07/02/2014 By John Nova Lomax

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Local Fraud Is Totally Bogus

Kingwood gold peddler lives up to his name, allegedly.

07/01/2014 By John Nova Lomax

CRIME

Life Imitates Gritty Art

A long-deceased Houston blues poet's lyrics prophesy a Northside murder.

06/27/2014 By John Lomax

WEIRDNESS

Michael Brown's Favorite Artist Jailed In Houston

A look at the picaresque life and breathtaking work of Russian-born, Miami-based Irina Bogatcheva, a.k.a. "Anastasia the Great."

05/15/2014 By John Lomax

Courts

The Nanny Trap

Who is Stella Unni?

04/30/2014 By John Lomax

Newsfix

Video: Home Security Booming in Houston, Despite Drop in Violent Crime

Crime in Houston is declining. So why are home security firms doing gangbusters?

04/14/2014 By Peter Holley

Home Security

Notes From Underground

Inside the bunker with Houston’s home security firms, where fear is the bottom line and impenetrability a very big business

04/07/2014 By Peter Holley Illustrations by Owen Freeman

The Enemy Within

The New Face of Terror: Peacocks

Peacock attacks are on the rise—here’s what to watch out for to stay safe.

04/07/2014 By John Lomax

Neighborhoods

The Fifth Ward Had Zero Murders Last Year (No, Really)

The Nickel stands on the precipice of a bright future—and that's exactly what its residents are afraid of.

04/07/2014 By John Lomax