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Canary: The Washington Post Investigates

The Washington Post

After a sexual assault case in the District of Columbia, one woman’s public warning ricochets all the way to Birmingham, Ala., where another woman gives voice to a devastating allegation. This seven-part investigative series from The Washington Post follows the Alabama woman’s decision to come forward with a claim of sexual assault against a high-ranking figure in the D.C. criminal justice system, and the spiraling effects of that choice. “Canary: The Washington Post Investigates” is about the intertwining stories of these two women, separated by decades and united by a shared refusal to stay silent. It’s a podcast about what it takes to report this story — and why it matters. Hosted by investigative reporter Amy Brittain. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Canary: The Washington Post Investigates podcast is about two women and two separate sexual assault cases. The title comes from the concept of "a canary in a coal mine"—someone who warns about an impending problem. Amy Brittain, a Washington Post reporter, hosts the seven-part investigative podcast.

Lauren Clark was a Washington, D.C. hair stylist when she went for a run in 2013. A man raped her. The police found and arrested him, and she was willing to testify against him. The rapist had done this to other women as well. But instead of years in jail on felony charges, Jayro Cruz received a ten-day sentence. And this minuscule time incarcerated got split up into his days off as a local chef. Clark discovered years later that Cruz had moved up in the food world. He was working as a chef at a high-end area restaurant.

Clark felt angry that Cruz had not faced real punishment. She also was too afraid ever to run again. She went public with her story, and Brittain wrote about her in 2019. Carole Griffin, an Alabama baker, saw the article and contacted the reporter. And she told her she had pertinent information on the story. Griffin said that Truman A. Morrison III, the judge who gave Cruz such a light sentence, was a family friend. She also said Morrison sexually assaulted her when he was 32 and she was 16. After The Washington Post disclosed her allegations, Judge Morrison resigned from the bench. He admitted to "sexual touching" but insisted it was consensual.

The Canary: The Washington Post Investigates podcast explains the cases. It discusses serious topics and is not for everyone. But those who care about criminal justice may find it a compelling listen.

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Introducing “Canary: The Washington Post Investigates”
Sep 17 2020
Introducing “Canary: The Washington Post Investigates”
What happens when a secret becomes too much to bear? “Canary: The Washington Post Investigates” is a new podcast series about two women, separated by decades and united by their refusal to stay silent. Hosted by investigative reporter Amy Brittain.

Episodes

Introducing “Canary: The Washington Post Investigates”
Sep 17 2020
Introducing “Canary: The Washington Post Investigates”
What happens when a secret becomes too much to bear? “Canary: The Washington Post Investigates” is a new podcast series about two women, separated by decades and united by their refusal to stay silent. Hosted by investigative reporter Amy Brittain.
Chapter 1: "The system failed us"
Oct 1 2020
Chapter 1: "The system failed us"
A stranger attacks a jogger in D.C., sparking a four-year courtroom saga and a campaign for justice. Subscribe to The Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/canaryoffer.
Chapter 2: "A secret that she couldn't tell"
Oct 1 2020
Chapter 2: "A secret that she couldn't tell"
We head to Alabama to investigate allegations about a prominent figure in the D.C. justice system. Subscribe to The Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/canaryoffer.
Chapter 3: "No way in hell she would make this up"
Oct 1 2020
Chapter 3: "No way in hell she would make this up"
Unexpected roadblocks slow the search for evidence. Subscribe to The Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/canaryoffer.
Chapter 4: "To serve as a judge"
Oct 1 2020
Chapter 4: "To serve as a judge"
A judge rises to national prominence, fueled by 40 years of experience and activism. Subscribe to The Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/canaryoffer.
Chapter 5: "He's hurt my daughter"
Oct 1 2020
Chapter 5: "He's hurt my daughter"
A family reckons with the consequences of long-kept secrets. Subscribe to The Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/canaryoffer.
Chapter 6: "You can always have the last word"
Oct 1 2020
Chapter 6: "You can always have the last word"
How will the accused respond? And what will his defenders say? Subscribe to The Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/canaryoffer.
Chapter 7: "I'll find my joy"
Oct 1 2020
Chapter 7: "I'll find my joy"
Two women come face to face. Subscribe to The Washington Post: washingtonpost.com/canaryoffer.
Introducing "Broken Doors"
Mar 25 2022
Introducing "Broken Doors"
No-knock warrants allow police to force their way into people’s homes without warning. What happens when this aggressive police tactic becomes the rule, rather than the exception? "Broken Doors" is a new investigative podcast series about how no-knock warrants are deployed in the American justice system - and the consequences for communities when accountability is flawed at every level. Hosted by Jenn Abelson and Nicole Dungca.
Broken Doors, Episode 1: "That's what you get"
May 25 2022
Broken Doors, Episode 1: "That's what you get"
Sheriff’s deputies burst through the front door of a man’s home as he slept. He said they pointed a gun at his head and ransacked his home in search of drugs and cash. The no-knock search warrant they used was threadbare. But that wasn’t the worst of it.The Washington Post’s Jenn Abelson and Nicole Dungca started identifying unusual warrants almost from the moment they began their investigation into no-knock raids. When Jenn looked more closely at documents from a rural county in Mississippi, she got a startling view into how little it took to execute a no-knock warrant in Monroe County.
Introducing “Field Trip”
Jun 20 2023
Introducing “Field Trip”
Journey through the messy past and uncertain future of America’s national parks. The Washington Post’s Lillian Cunningham ventures off the marked trail to better understand the most urgent stories playing out in five iconic landscapes today.“Field Trip” is a new podcast series that will transport you to five national parks: Yosemite, Everglades, Glacier, White Sands and Gates of the Arctic. Follow the show wherever you listen.
Introducing “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop”
Oct 12 2023
Introducing “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop”
Grenada’s Black revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, was executed in a coup in 1983, along with seven others. The whereabouts of their remains are unknown. Now, The Washington Post’s Martine Powers uncovers new answers about how the U.S. fits into this 40-year-old Caribbean mystery.“The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” is an investigative podcast that delves into the revolutionary history of Grenada, why the missing remains still matter and the role the U.S. government played in shaping the fate of the island nation. Listen and follow the show here.