Commencement ETC PC

02/18/2026

, This article reports that two South Georgia inmates were convicted in federal court for orchestrating a nationwide phone scam that preyed on people’s fear of arrest over “missed jury duty,” resulting in nearly half a million dollars in documented losses from more than 100 victims.

Schemes like this highlight how fear and perceived authority can be manipulated, and how people across communities — particularly those with fewer resources or less access to legal information — may be disproportionately vulnerable. Forensic psychology teaches us that scammers exploit contextual stressors and cognitive biases, especially when they leverage systems that hold real power over people’s lives.

During Black History Month, reflecting on who is most vulnerable to exploitation — and why — connects to larger conversations about trust, access to information, and systemic disparities. It’s not only about the criminals’ actions, but about the conditions that make some individuals more susceptible to harm.

Two Georgia inmates convicted in nationwide phone scam targeting jury duty victims

02/17/2026

Dr. Hudgins has a word about psychopathy, violence, and misperceptions. Have a listen.

02/16/2026

A recent review highlights a troubling rise in shootings by federal immigration officers during enforcement operations, sometimes resulting in fatal outcomes and sparking questions about oversight and accountability. According to reporting, multiple people have been shot or killed in situations where the narrative from authorities and what bystander video later showed did not fully align.

During Black History Month, it’s important to reflect on how use-of-force decisions, institutional norms, and systems of review intersect with broader issues of equity and public trust. Federal enforcement actions are not immune to the same patterns of disproportionate impact and lack of transparency that have been documented with local police practices — and careful, contextual analysis is essential to understand why certain groups face elevated risk.

In forensic psychology, we emphasize that headlines capture what happened in a moment, but not why systems produce certain outcomes. Attention to training, policies, cultural norms within agencies, and independent oversight is part of examining disparities at all levels.

In the broader context of use-of-force research, federal law enforcement actions — including those by immigration agents — have historically been opaque and under-reported, and evidence suggests disparities in how such force affects marginalized communities.

Outrage has grown nationwide over the violent and sometimes deadly tactics used by federal immigration officers in communities across the country.

02/15/2026

This article reports an arrest in a deeply disturbing case involving alleged harm to a young child.

Incidents involving violence against children are among the most tragic situations any community can face. From a forensic psychology perspective, careful attention to systems of assessment, protection, and response is critical — particularly when allegations involve the most vulnerable among us. Ethical practice emphasizes that facts must come from thorough investigation, and that early reporting is often incomplete by nature.

During Black History Month, we’re encouraged to reflect on inequalities in how systems respond to crises, including child welfare, law enforcement, and community support structures. Patterns of access to appropriate protection, trauma-informed care, and equitable response matter deeply in preventing harm and promoting healing.

Ethical analysis never reduces a human life to a headline. Instead, it asks us to consider how institutions can better protect the vulnerable and respond justly when they fail to do so.

Authorities in Texas have arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as a local car influencer, for the alleged sexual assault of a toddler. Victor L. Corey Paillet III is known as 'Kandy Red Bread' on social media.

02/14/2026

This article reports that a middle school counselor in Louisiana was found dead by su***de after being placed on administrative leave amid allegations of sending inappropriate messages to a minor.

Incidents involving alleged boundary violations in educational settings are complex and deeply painful for all involved — including students, families, colleagues, and communities. From a forensic psychology perspective, understanding these situations requires attention to context, risk factors, and systems of oversight, not snap judgments based on limited details.

During Black History Month, reflecting on how systems respond to allegations, protect young people, and support ethical practice is particularly relevant. Schools and communities must balance fairness, safety, and wellbeing while recognizing that individuals working within systems are influenced by training, culture, and policies.

Ethical evaluation never reduces people to headlines, and responsible discussion avoids speculation about causes or motives. Instead, we focus on improving how environments support healthy, safe interactions and how systems protect vulnerable individuals — especially children.

Quinton Dixon, 44, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the cafeteria of an abandoned Baton Rouge, La, school on Jan. 28.

02/13/2026

This NPR article reports that journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were released from federal custody after being arrested in connection with a protest in Minnesota, and that both have vowed to continue their reporting.

Situations where media professionals are detained for covering protests raise important questions about freedom of the press, the boundaries of law enforcement, and how power is exercised within our legal system. These issues overlap with broader discussions about who gets to document public events safely — and whether institutional responses are always even-handed.

During Black History Month, it’s worth reflecting on how institutions uphold — or constrain — civil liberties such as reporting, dissent, and accountability. Forensic and legal systems are most just when they protect rights consistently for all people, regardless of their platform, and when decisions are grounded in evidence, due process, and respect for constitutional protections like the First Amendment.

Ethical analysis calls for careful attention to process and systemic context — not just headlines — especially when fundamental rights are implicated.

The two independent journalists face federal charges related to the interruption of a church service in Minnesota earlier this month. Lemon and Fort say they were there to cover a protest.

02/12/2026

This article reports that a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 for help at her home.

Cases like this raise important questions about how law enforcement interacts with civilians — especially when the person in distress is a Black woman seeking safety. Research and reporting on this incident show that the encounter escalated quickly despite body-camera footage that contradicts claims of imminent threat.

During Black History Month, it’s worth reflecting on the broader patterns of racial disparities in policing and use of force, and how those patterns affect trust, community safety, and justice outcomes. Forensic psychology emphasizes careful, contextual assessment — recognizing that split-second decisions are shaped by training, bias, and institutional culture, not just individual intent.

Ethical interpretation requires attention to systems, not just headlines. Understanding why these disparities persist — and how they can be addressed through policy, training, and accountability — matters deeply for public safety and equity.

A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, who had dialed 911 to report a possible prowler outside her Springfield home.

02/11/2026

, This article reports that Georgia has issued $25 million in fines against health insurance companies for failing to provide certain required benefits.

On the surface, this may look like a financial or regulatory matter — but from a broader perspective, it touches on issues of access, equity, and structural accountability that are directly relevant to public health and psychological well-being.

During Black History Month, it’s worth reflecting on how systems of care — including health insurance, mental health resources, and legal obligations — can operate very differently for different communities. Access to necessary services, fair coverage, and consistent enforcement of standards all influence health outcomes, particularly for Black communities that have historically faced barriers to equitable care.

Forensic psychology intersects with these issues when we consider how disparities in access to treatment and support can contribute to cycles of distress, crisis, and system involvement. Ethical systems require not only rules on paper, but equitable implementation and accountability in practice.

Thousands of violations were found by the Insurance Commissioner's Office.

02/09/2026

, This article reports that a fourth inmate involved in a disturbance at Washington State Prison has died while authorities investigate the circumstances.

Incidents like this are tragic in themselves, but they also raise broader questions about the conditions, resources, and systemic pressures inside correctional institutions. Research and reporting on Georgia prisons — including staffing shortages, violence, and inadequate supervision — show that outcomes within these environments can be shaped as much by institutional stressors as by individual behavior.

During Black History Month it’s especially important to reflect on how racial disparities and structural inequities impact who ends up in these spaces, how they experience confinement, and how systems respond when things go wrong. Ethical forensic work calls for careful attention to context, not just headline events — including how policies, staffing, and historical inequities contribute to patterns of harm.

The Georgia Department of Corrections says that Silas Westbrook died when he arrived at the Metro Reentry Facility.

02/08/2026

, This article reports that a former Georgia housing director has been sentenced after admitting involvement in a fake contract scheme.

Incidents of alleged corruption in public service highlight the importance of systems of oversight, accountability, and equity — especially in institutions that are meant to serve diverse communities. Stories like this resonate during Black History Month because they raise questions about who is held accountable, how consequences are administered, and how systems maintain trust with the public they serve.

In forensic psychology, we often explore how organizational cultures, power dynamics, and procedural safeguards influence behavior and outcomes. Ethical institutions require not just rules, but consistent, unbiased application of those rules across demographics and levels of authority.

Understanding system-level patterns — rather than focusing solely on individuals — is essential for interpreting why certain behaviors occur and how consequences are distributed.

Four people have pleaded guilty in DeKalb County to defrauding the State of Georgia out of nearly $200,000 through fake contracts tied to housing services.

02/07/2026

, This article reports that a woman accused of dismembering and stealing the ID of her roommate has appeared in court.

Incidents involving violence naturally draw attention, but from a forensic psychology perspective, care is needed in how we interpret and discuss them. Headlines capture a moment, not the context that surrounds it — including history, mental health factors, access to resources, and systemic pressures that may contribute to behavior and legal outcomes.

During Black History Month, it’s worth reflecting on how systems of assessment, interpretation, and accountability differ depending on who is involved, and how quick assumptions can obscure deeper patterns and disparities. Ethical evaluation requires attention to process and context, not just a snapshot of alleged actions.

Understanding behavior within systems — rather than reducing it to dramatic headlines — is essential for responsible interpretation and fairness.

She is charged with murdering Nicole Alston and stealing her identity to purchase cars and collect Social Security benefits.

02/06/2026

, This article reports on a Fulton County jail nurse who was arrested in connection with contraband activity in the facility.

Incidents involving alleged misconduct inside correctional institutions often garner attention, but what’s important — especially during Black History Month — is reflecting on the systems of oversight, opportunity, and accountability that shape outcomes for everyone involved.

Research and practice in forensic psychology remind us that correctional environments are complex ecosystems. Patterns of behavior, access to contraband, and institutional responses are influenced by policies, staffing structures, power dynamics, and historical inequities that aren’t always visible in a headline.

Ethical analysis asks us to consider how and why situations unfold, and to recognize that disparities in correctional settings are not limited to incarcerated people alone — but also affect how systems function and respond.

JAIL CONTRABAND ARREST: A contract nurse was arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs, jewelry, and food into Fulton County Jail for payments.