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Justin Fenton

Justin

Justin Fenton is an investigative reporter for the Baltimore Banner. He previously spent 17 years at the Baltimore Sun, covering the criminal justice system. His book, "We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops and Corruption," was released by Random House in 2021 and became an HBO miniseries. He was part of the Pulitzer Prize finalist team for coverage of the death of Freddie Gray, and was a two-time finalist for the national Livingston Award for Young Journalists for an investigation showing how police were discarding rape complaints at the highest rate in the country as well as a five-part narrative series inside a homicide investigation. He is an Anne Arundel County native, a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park and lives in Baltimore.

The latest from Justin Fenton

What we know about 36 in-custody deaths auditors say should have been ruled homicides
The Baltimore Banner attempted to reach relatives and attorneys associated with each of the 36 deaths that the audit found should have been ruled as homicides, as opposed to “undetermined” or accidental.
Federal prosecutors will seek death penalty in Maryland gang case, reversing course
The case, which involves two murders and four attempted murders, has been pending since 2022.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher wrote last week that the Justice Department had reopened two pending Maryland cases for capital review in April.
After a yearslong vigil, supporters of Tyrone West gain a remarkable reversal
Independent pathologists commissioned by the state concluded that Tyrone West’s case should be reclassified as a homicide.
Tawanda Jones, sister of Tyrone West, speaks out on police brutality at a rally for Tyre Nichols on the corner of North Avenue and North Charles Street on January 28, 2023.
Here’s what you need to know about Maryland’s sweeping audit of police-custody deaths
The audit’s implications reach far beyond a finding of 36 wrongfully classified deaths.
Dr. Jeff Kukucka, center, joined by Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown at a press conference at the State House in Annapolis to announce the release a wide-ranging independent audit of nearly 90 in-custody deaths spanning 2003 to 2019.
Forensic failures: 36 police-custody deaths should have been ruled a homicide, audit finds
The yearslong audit cited racial and pro-police bias in the work of the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
In this Jan. 28, 2019, photo, pictures of Anton Black decorate a collage in his family's home in Greensboro, Md. Black, 19, died after a struggle with three officers and a civilian outside the home in September 2018.
After Trump directive, Maryland federal cases get new death penalty review
The state of Maryland has banned the death penalty since 2013, but it has remained in effect on the federal level and applied sparingly.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Washington.
Justin Tucker was cut by the Ravens. Here’s everything you need to know.
The most accurate kicker in NFL history is suddenly a free agent — while awaiting the results of a league investigation.
Justin Tucker’s NFL future remains unclear after being cut by the Ravens while awaiting the results of an NFL investigation into his behavior at Baltimore spas and wellness centers.
State regulators pull license of title company connected to ABC Capital
One of the title companies that handled ABC Capital’s disastrous sale of hundreds of homes to foreign buyers has been stripped of its license.
Homes owned by ABC Capital Investments across the city.
Defense attorney: Bribery case at state Labor Department involves ‘much larger fish’
An ongoing corruption investigation involving bribery at the state Department of Labor could involve “much larger fish,” a defense attorney involved said.
Mark Anthony Sykes was sentenced to three years of supervised probation in connection to an ongoing corruption investigation at the Maryland Department of Labor.
Mayor: IronBirds’ era at Ripken Stadium is likely ending
Aberdeen Mayor Patrick McGrady says the IronBirds will likely leave his city’s Ripken Stadium amid a long-simmering battle over costs.
Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
Freddie Gray’s death led to promises for big change. For many, Baltimore looks stubbornly the same.
After the death of Freddie Gray, promises were made to change Baltimore for the better. Ten years later, the city looks the same, many say.
Many vacant houses still stand in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood on March 19, 2025. Empty and vacant lots replace them, but residents say it hasn't improved the area.
Prosecutors ban Baltimore officer from testifying after years of complaints
Police Det. Calvin Moss’ inclusion on the courtroom ban list makes him the latest of nearly a dozen officers so mistrusted by prosecutors they cannot be counted on to help bring criminals to justice in court.
Former lawyer Stephen L. Snyder sentenced to home confinement, probation: ‘My own worst enemy’
A federal judge sentenced former top malpractice attorney Stephen L. Snyder to three years of probation with six months of home confinement for attempting to extort the University of Maryland Medical System.
Attorney Stephen L. Snyder, center, arrives for his sentencing hearing at the Edward Garmatz United States Courthouse in Baltimore on Wednesday.
Baltimore police commissioner finally moves out of a hotel and into city home
Worley had been living in Anne Arundel County as deputy commissioner when he was appointed police commissioner in 2023.
Police commissioner Richard Worley on site of a shooting on the 1400 block of East North Avenue, at the Eastside District Court, on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Feds seek 3 years in prison for malpractice attorney Stephen L. Snyder
Snyder is set to be sentenced in April after he was convicted of trying to extort the University of Maryland Medical System for $25 million.
Attorney Stephen L. Snyder, at right, leaves court in November.
Ex-priest who helped report notorious abuser now charged with sex abuse from 1990s
A former Catholic priest who played a key role in bringing down the notorious child rapist John Joseph Merzbacher has been charged with sex offenses.
New interim U.S. Attorney for Maryland selected
Kelly O. Hayes has been the chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s southern district office in Greenbelt since 2021.
Kelly O. Hayes has been named interim U.S. Attorney for Maryland.
Justin Tucker’s accusers: 16 massage therapists from 8 spas
The women, most of whom do not know each other, detailed similar experiences at Baltimore-area spas. They told people close to them around the time the incidents occurred.
7 more massage therapists accuse Ravens’ Justin Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior
The new accusers provided similar details about Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker that The Baltimore Banner had not previously reported.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek Barron resigns amid rapid change at Trump’s DOJ
Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron resigned Wednesday, stepping down amid rapid changes to the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump.
Erek L. Barron, U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland, flanked by Baltimore law enforcement and political leaders, speaks at a press conference in August 2022.
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