Mensah M. DeanWhat I DoI report on law breakers, those they impact, and how the criminal justice system interacts with both. I also write about civil litigation and trials.(215) 854-4172Gun violence among teens is on the rise even as gun violence rates drop in PhiladelphiaThe number of juveniles charged with homicide in the city has increased eightfold since 2016. Mensah M. Dean April 10, 2025Link copied to clipboardTwo men killed, two injured in a quadruple shooting in PhillyPolice are looking for the gunman who opened fire on four men sitting in chairs on a West Philadelphia sidewalk Tuesday, killing two of them and injuring two others.Mensah M. Dean and Rodrigo Torrejón Aug. 24, 2022Link copied to clipboardA Nicetown community festival goes on amid — and despite — historic gun violenceAmid rising gun violence in the city, organizers of Nicetown's annual community festival say they've taken extra security precautions to keep their two-day event safe.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 12, 2022Link copied to clipboard‘We got a crisis of Black manhood’: Community groups issued a collective call for help from Philly’s men to address the gun violence crisisFive grassroots community groups made pitches Saturday for more Black men to join them in combating violence.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 6, 2022Link copied to clipboardPerson of interest in Monday’s gunpoint rape on subway platform is in custodyA person of interest in the Monday rape of a woman on a South Philly subway platform has been arrested, police said.Mensah M. Dean July 20, 2022Link copied to clipboardA Philadelphia man killed three people in apparently random attacks, police sayThe man was arrested in connection with three slayings of people police say he targeted at random.Mensah M. Dean and Nick Vadala July 15, 2022Link copied to clipboardTwo men’s claims of self-defense in South Philly double homicide are under scrutinyTwo roommates who fatally shot two men who kicked in a door at their apartment building on Monday are under investigation in the killings, police said.Mensah M. Dean June 29, 2022Link copied to clipboardPhilly’s gun-violence spending is surging, but many funded programs lack clear goals to show progressSome key city-run anti-violence programs, years in, lack required measures and goals to determine whether they are working.Mensah M. Dean Sept. 13, 2022Link copied to clipboard‘I’m grateful to be alive’: Victim of West Philly rec center shooting heals as three accused gunmen face chargesTahmir Pinckney, Azyear Sutton-Walker, and Marlon Spurell, who are all 22 years old, were arraigned overnight Thursday on charges including attempted murder and jailed on $3 million bail each.Chris Palmer and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 18, 2022Link copied to clipboardFederal and city officials pledge better collaboration to combat gun violenceMayor Kenney on Wednesday met with federal Department of Health and Human Services officials to address the city's gun violence crisis, which to date has pushed the homicide count to 337 victims.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 10, 2022Link copied to clipboardCamden County woman convicted of killing her 17-month-old son and acquitted of plotting to kill her ex-boyfriendHeather Reynolds, a Camden County woman, was accused of killing her son and plotting to kill her ex-boyfriend.Mensah M. Dean July 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard300 people have been killed in Philly homicides already this yearFew other years in recent memory come close to rivaling the city’s current level of gun violence.Chris Palmer and Mensah M. Dean July 19, 2022Link copied to clipboardA 19-year-old was shot on the 15th and Market subway platformPolice said the victim was shot in the chest, stomach, and hand on the eastbound 15th and Market shortly before 12:30 p.m. He was transported to Jefferson Hospital and listed in critical condition.Max Marin, Ellie Rushing, and Mensah M. Dean July 14, 2022Link copied to clipboardTwo men were fatally shot as they entered a South Philly home, police saidThe men were found with numerous gunshot wounds inside a property on the 1600 block of South 10th Street, police said.Mensah M. Dean June 28, 2022Link copied to clipboardShooting outside Willard Elementary overnight in Kensington leaves three injured, parents shakenThree people, including a 17-year-old boy, were injured in a hail of gunfire outside an elementary school in Kensington early Wednesday morning, police said.Rodrigo Torrejón, Ellie Rushing, and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 31, 2022Link copied to clipboardThree people will be charged in the quintuple shooting near Shepard Rec Center in West PhiladelphiaThe suspected gunmen were apprehended after a chase Tuesday night, police said. Officials called the shooting "horrific" and said nearly 100 rounds were fired.Mensah M. Dean and Chris Palmer Aug. 17, 2022Link copied to clipboardMan killed and two others shot in Philly's Popeye lot as city homicide toll continues to climbNo arrests have been made, and a motive remains under investigation.Rodrigo Torrejón and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 9, 2022Link copied to clipboardA man was arrested in Monday’s rape at a South Philly subway station; SEPTA is increasing securityAuthorities have charged a 20-year-old man with raping a woman Monday on a subway platform.Mensah M. Dean July 21, 2022Link copied to clipboardPolice search for man accused of rape in SEPTA stationAt 4:32 a.m. Monday, a man sexually assaulted a person at the Broad and Snyder SEPTA station platform, police said.Mensah M. Dean and Rodrigo Torrejón July 18, 2022Link copied to clipboardA Philly man accused of killing his lover to silence him was ordered to stand trial for murderKylen Pratt shot his lover to death and burned the man's body because he feared disclosure of their sexual relationship, police said.Mensah M. Dean July 11, 2022Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
Gun violence among teens is on the rise even as gun violence rates drop in PhiladelphiaThe number of juveniles charged with homicide in the city has increased eightfold since 2016. Mensah M. Dean April 10, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Gun violence among teens is on the rise even as gun violence rates drop in PhiladelphiaThe number of juveniles charged with homicide in the city has increased eightfold since 2016. Mensah M. Dean April 10, 2025Link copied to clipboard
Two men killed, two injured in a quadruple shooting in PhillyPolice are looking for the gunman who opened fire on four men sitting in chairs on a West Philadelphia sidewalk Tuesday, killing two of them and injuring two others.Mensah M. Dean and Rodrigo Torrejón Aug. 24, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Two men killed, two injured in a quadruple shooting in PhillyPolice are looking for the gunman who opened fire on four men sitting in chairs on a West Philadelphia sidewalk Tuesday, killing two of them and injuring two others.Mensah M. Dean and Rodrigo Torrejón Aug. 24, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A Nicetown community festival goes on amid — and despite — historic gun violenceAmid rising gun violence in the city, organizers of Nicetown's annual community festival say they've taken extra security precautions to keep their two-day event safe.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 12, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A Nicetown community festival goes on amid — and despite — historic gun violenceAmid rising gun violence in the city, organizers of Nicetown's annual community festival say they've taken extra security precautions to keep their two-day event safe.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 12, 2022Link copied to clipboard
‘We got a crisis of Black manhood’: Community groups issued a collective call for help from Philly’s men to address the gun violence crisisFive grassroots community groups made pitches Saturday for more Black men to join them in combating violence.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 6, 2022Link copied to clipboard
‘We got a crisis of Black manhood’: Community groups issued a collective call for help from Philly’s men to address the gun violence crisisFive grassroots community groups made pitches Saturday for more Black men to join them in combating violence.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 6, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Person of interest in Monday’s gunpoint rape on subway platform is in custodyA person of interest in the Monday rape of a woman on a South Philly subway platform has been arrested, police said.Mensah M. Dean July 20, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Person of interest in Monday’s gunpoint rape on subway platform is in custodyA person of interest in the Monday rape of a woman on a South Philly subway platform has been arrested, police said.Mensah M. Dean July 20, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A Philadelphia man killed three people in apparently random attacks, police sayThe man was arrested in connection with three slayings of people police say he targeted at random.Mensah M. Dean and Nick Vadala July 15, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A Philadelphia man killed three people in apparently random attacks, police sayThe man was arrested in connection with three slayings of people police say he targeted at random.Mensah M. Dean and Nick Vadala July 15, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Two men’s claims of self-defense in South Philly double homicide are under scrutinyTwo roommates who fatally shot two men who kicked in a door at their apartment building on Monday are under investigation in the killings, police said.Mensah M. Dean June 29, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Two men’s claims of self-defense in South Philly double homicide are under scrutinyTwo roommates who fatally shot two men who kicked in a door at their apartment building on Monday are under investigation in the killings, police said.Mensah M. Dean June 29, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Philly’s gun-violence spending is surging, but many funded programs lack clear goals to show progressSome key city-run anti-violence programs, years in, lack required measures and goals to determine whether they are working.Mensah M. Dean Sept. 13, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Philly’s gun-violence spending is surging, but many funded programs lack clear goals to show progressSome key city-run anti-violence programs, years in, lack required measures and goals to determine whether they are working.Mensah M. Dean Sept. 13, 2022Link copied to clipboard
‘I’m grateful to be alive’: Victim of West Philly rec center shooting heals as three accused gunmen face chargesTahmir Pinckney, Azyear Sutton-Walker, and Marlon Spurell, who are all 22 years old, were arraigned overnight Thursday on charges including attempted murder and jailed on $3 million bail each.Chris Palmer and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 18, 2022Link copied to clipboard
‘I’m grateful to be alive’: Victim of West Philly rec center shooting heals as three accused gunmen face chargesTahmir Pinckney, Azyear Sutton-Walker, and Marlon Spurell, who are all 22 years old, were arraigned overnight Thursday on charges including attempted murder and jailed on $3 million bail each.Chris Palmer and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 18, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Federal and city officials pledge better collaboration to combat gun violenceMayor Kenney on Wednesday met with federal Department of Health and Human Services officials to address the city's gun violence crisis, which to date has pushed the homicide count to 337 victims.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 10, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Federal and city officials pledge better collaboration to combat gun violenceMayor Kenney on Wednesday met with federal Department of Health and Human Services officials to address the city's gun violence crisis, which to date has pushed the homicide count to 337 victims.Mensah M. Dean Aug. 10, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Camden County woman convicted of killing her 17-month-old son and acquitted of plotting to kill her ex-boyfriendHeather Reynolds, a Camden County woman, was accused of killing her son and plotting to kill her ex-boyfriend.Mensah M. Dean July 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Camden County woman convicted of killing her 17-month-old son and acquitted of plotting to kill her ex-boyfriendHeather Reynolds, a Camden County woman, was accused of killing her son and plotting to kill her ex-boyfriend.Mensah M. Dean July 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
300 people have been killed in Philly homicides already this yearFew other years in recent memory come close to rivaling the city’s current level of gun violence.Chris Palmer and Mensah M. Dean July 19, 2022Link copied to clipboard
300 people have been killed in Philly homicides already this yearFew other years in recent memory come close to rivaling the city’s current level of gun violence.Chris Palmer and Mensah M. Dean July 19, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A 19-year-old was shot on the 15th and Market subway platformPolice said the victim was shot in the chest, stomach, and hand on the eastbound 15th and Market shortly before 12:30 p.m. He was transported to Jefferson Hospital and listed in critical condition.Max Marin, Ellie Rushing, and Mensah M. Dean July 14, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A 19-year-old was shot on the 15th and Market subway platformPolice said the victim was shot in the chest, stomach, and hand on the eastbound 15th and Market shortly before 12:30 p.m. He was transported to Jefferson Hospital and listed in critical condition.Max Marin, Ellie Rushing, and Mensah M. Dean July 14, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Two men were fatally shot as they entered a South Philly home, police saidThe men were found with numerous gunshot wounds inside a property on the 1600 block of South 10th Street, police said.Mensah M. Dean June 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Two men were fatally shot as they entered a South Philly home, police saidThe men were found with numerous gunshot wounds inside a property on the 1600 block of South 10th Street, police said.Mensah M. Dean June 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Shooting outside Willard Elementary overnight in Kensington leaves three injured, parents shakenThree people, including a 17-year-old boy, were injured in a hail of gunfire outside an elementary school in Kensington early Wednesday morning, police said.Rodrigo Torrejón, Ellie Rushing, and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 31, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Shooting outside Willard Elementary overnight in Kensington leaves three injured, parents shakenThree people, including a 17-year-old boy, were injured in a hail of gunfire outside an elementary school in Kensington early Wednesday morning, police said.Rodrigo Torrejón, Ellie Rushing, and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 31, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Three people will be charged in the quintuple shooting near Shepard Rec Center in West PhiladelphiaThe suspected gunmen were apprehended after a chase Tuesday night, police said. Officials called the shooting "horrific" and said nearly 100 rounds were fired.Mensah M. Dean and Chris Palmer Aug. 17, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Three people will be charged in the quintuple shooting near Shepard Rec Center in West PhiladelphiaThe suspected gunmen were apprehended after a chase Tuesday night, police said. Officials called the shooting "horrific" and said nearly 100 rounds were fired.Mensah M. Dean and Chris Palmer Aug. 17, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Man killed and two others shot in Philly's Popeye lot as city homicide toll continues to climbNo arrests have been made, and a motive remains under investigation.Rodrigo Torrejón and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 9, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Man killed and two others shot in Philly's Popeye lot as city homicide toll continues to climbNo arrests have been made, and a motive remains under investigation.Rodrigo Torrejón and Mensah M. Dean Aug. 9, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A man was arrested in Monday’s rape at a South Philly subway station; SEPTA is increasing securityAuthorities have charged a 20-year-old man with raping a woman Monday on a subway platform.Mensah M. Dean July 21, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A man was arrested in Monday’s rape at a South Philly subway station; SEPTA is increasing securityAuthorities have charged a 20-year-old man with raping a woman Monday on a subway platform.Mensah M. Dean July 21, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Police search for man accused of rape in SEPTA stationAt 4:32 a.m. Monday, a man sexually assaulted a person at the Broad and Snyder SEPTA station platform, police said.Mensah M. Dean and Rodrigo Torrejón July 18, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Police search for man accused of rape in SEPTA stationAt 4:32 a.m. Monday, a man sexually assaulted a person at the Broad and Snyder SEPTA station platform, police said.Mensah M. Dean and Rodrigo Torrejón July 18, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A Philly man accused of killing his lover to silence him was ordered to stand trial for murderKylen Pratt shot his lover to death and burned the man's body because he feared disclosure of their sexual relationship, police said.Mensah M. Dean July 11, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A Philly man accused of killing his lover to silence him was ordered to stand trial for murderKylen Pratt shot his lover to death and burned the man's body because he feared disclosure of their sexual relationship, police said.Mensah M. Dean July 11, 2022Link copied to clipboard