Shelly Bradbury is a criminal justice reporter at The Denver Post, where she investigates systemic failures in law enforcement and forensic science. Her work blends rigorous data analysis with survivor-centered storytelling, earning accolades for exposing institutional biases.
Recent Achievements:
Shelly Bradbury has carved a niche as a meticulous reporter focused on systemic accountability within law enforcement and forensic science. Her work at The Denver Post emphasizes in-depth investigations into institutional failures, particularly those affecting marginalized communities. Over the past decade, she’s transitioned from local crime coverage to high-impact reporting that bridges courtroom drama with policy implications.
This groundbreaking piece exposed the Denver Police Department’s decision to re-examine 422 sexual assault cases linked to Yvonne "Missy" Woods, a Colorado Bureau of Investigation scientist accused of data manipulation. Bradbury’s reporting revealed systemic flaws in forensic oversight, prompting statewide calls for reform. Her methodology combined public records requests, interviews with survivors’ advocates, and granular analysis of legal timelines. The article’s impact led to legislative hearings on forensic accountability.
Bradbury prioritizes stories that uncover systemic failures, such as flawed forensic practices or biased policing. Pitches should highlight underreported patterns, such as racial disparities in case reviews or gaps in victim advocacy. For example, her coverage of the CBI scandal underscored how procedural lapses disproportionately affected low-income survivors.
She excels at translating complex legal processes into narratives centered on human impact. Successful pitches might explore how specific policies (e.g., evidence retention laws) directly affect survivors’ access to justice, akin to her analysis of delayed rape kit testing in Colorado.
Bradbury avoids true-crime sensationalism. Pitches about isolated crimes without broader institutional implications are less likely to resonate. Instead, emphasize data-driven trends, such as the correlation between underfunded crime labs and wrongful convictions.
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