Coolican: I'm taking leave; don't screw things up while I'm gone

Aug 9, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

For my last couple of columns, I had the genius idea to investigate a suicide at the jail and spend some time at the Regional Justice Center, soaking in the sadness of ruined lives. Fun way to close it out.

Behind the courthouse veneer, a well-oiled if rickety machine tries to dispense justice

Aug 8, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

The traditional metaphor for the justice system is a scale, signifying the strength of each side’s argument or the imperative to balance justice with mercy. The more accurate metaphor is a machine, a grinding, sometimes rickety machine, lubricated by plea deals, that ostensibly applies justice to people — dumping some into the local jail, others to the High Desert State Prison and releasing a few back on the street or into a supervision program such as probation. Very few of the presumed innocent are found innocent.

A mother's despair: Her son's suicide in jail could've been prevented

Aug 7, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

Dillon Hill was 25, caught shoplifting for the third time in just a few months. Once a bright and promising UNLV student, he was selling the stolen goods to buy heroin.

State officials: Las Vegas hospitals sloughing off patients on UMC

Jul 17, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

St. Rose is not the only local hospital improperly moving patients to the taxpayer-supported UMC, which is running a deficit this year of about $30 million. Several others were found to have “inappropriately transferred” patients there.

Metro's blindness at soccer melee is a green light for more violence

Jul 11, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

Sun photographer Sam Morris showed great courage when he captured graphic images of the melee that broke out at the Chivas vs. Club America soccer match last week at Sam Boyd Stadium.

For Tom Cunningham and most other stabbing victims, much pain, no justice

Jun 19, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

A few months ago, Tom Cunningham got into a brief argument with a man in a parked truck in one of the most run-down areas of Las Vegas, near the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue. Cunningham says he regrets it more than anything he’s ever done.

Here's why hundreds of wannabe murderers are roaming our streets

Jun 18, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

Since 2010, the worst types of violent crimes, including homicides and assaults with weapons, have been on the decline here. Buried within the data, however, is a troubling fact.

If Dems can't beat Sandoval in '14, at least have fun and pick Tick

Jun 14, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

State Sen. Richard "Tick" Segerblom looks like a rumpled philosophy professor, his sun-bleached hair suggesting a sailboat summer sabbatical, icy cocktail in hand, one-liner holstered. Democrats should run him for governor against Brian Sandoval in 2014.

Coolican: Why a little progress in addressing mental health is worth applauding

Jun 13, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

On Sunday, I expressed disappointment that the Legislature didn't make more progress on mental health issues. In fairness, I want to lay out what the Sandoval administration feels it accomplished during the recently completed legislative session.

Sandoval shouldn't let last-minute snafu snuff medical marijuana bill

Jun 12, 2013 (2 a.m.)

By J. Patrick Coolican

In what seemed like a rare stroke of legislative competence, Nevada lawmakers passed a bill this year allowing the establishment of licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. Now, however, the measure's future is in doubt.