I Write About the Law. Could I Really Help Free a Prisoner?

A personal story of justice.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story July 2, 2021 "Can you please help me get out of prison or refer me to somebody who can?" Emily Bazelon has covered attempts to exonerate incarcerated people and frequently gets mail from people in prison. But the words in Yutico Briley's letter led her to a new kind of story: one where she herself got involved. At 19, Yutico Briley was sentenced to 60 years without parole. He had already written to 50 or 60 defense lawyers, innocence projects, law-school clinics and private investigators. Some didn't write back. Others turned him down outright. Bazelon found him a lawyer willing to take on his case: her own sister. In our cover story this week, Emily Bazelon reports on how Yutico Briley's ordinary case is emblematic of something larger — of how flaws in the criminal-justice system can cascade, one after the next. Ruddy Roye for The New York Times I Write About the Law. But Could I Really Help Free a Prisoner? For years as a journalist, I've covered attempts to exonerate incarcerated people. But a letter from Yutico Briley led to a different kind of story. By Emily Bazelon Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Subscribe Today We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer. MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE Flip Schulke/Corbis/Getty Images Essay The War on History Is a War on Democracy A scholar of totalitarianism argues that new laws restricting the discussion of race in American schools have dire precedents in Europe. By Timothy Snyder Illustrations by Mario Meneses A Few Tennis Pros Make a Fortune. Most Barely Scrape By. The superstars of pro tennis get paid staggeringly more than everyone else. Can a new players' association help level the court? By Michael Steinberger Illustration by Dadu Shin Is There a Right Way to Act Blind? Activists slammed the TV show "In the Dark" for casting a sighted actress in a blind lead role. But what if blindness is a performance of its own? By Andrew Leland Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times Talk LeVar Burton's Quest to Succeed Alex Trebek " 'Jeopardy!' is a cultural touchstone, and for a Black man to occupy that podium is significant." By David Marchese Stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter (@NYTmag) or check us out on Instagram. Appreciated this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. Download Audm for iPhone or Android. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018