In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that the Sixth Amendment requires states to provide lawyers to criminal defendants who cannot afford one. Mississippi delegates that responsibility to counties, a system civil rights attorneys say is inconsistent and ineffective.
“Project Editor Shawn McIntosh and IEC worked closely with Gerard Edic to tackle this important issue facing Mississippi about how indigent defense should have a standard that applies equally to all criminal districts throughout the state and is compliant with the Sixth Amendment. After Gerard pitched his idea, Shawn was able to help focus Gerard’s investigative efforts to bring this issue to light. She worked very closely with him at every step of the way. They examined every possible approach to the issue and helped organize the story in a way that would be understandable by readers, who may not have any background information. This was a great story, and it is my hope that this will move the needle with state legislators to address this issue so that all defendants receive the same level of representation whether it is through private or public defense.”
-Brent Maze
Editor and Publisher | Greenwood Commonwealth
Editor: Shawn McIntosh
Shawn McIntosh led investigative and data reporting at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for two decades before retiring in 2025. She is a former president and board member of Investigative Reporters and Editors and a board member for the Georgia First Amendment Foundation and the National Freedom of Information Coalition. She previously edited investigative reporting at USA TODAY and The Dallas Morning News and was top editor of The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MS.