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‘Breakdown’ S01 Ep.1: Railroad justice in a railroad town

ajc.com
By Bill Rankin
May 21, 2015

Bremen, Ga., is a railroad crossroads – a pass-through city where what’s arriving generally is also what’s departing. It’s also where Justin Chapman was accused of burning his own house and killing his elderly neighbor in the process.

Chapman is now serving life in prison, but an impressive legal team has formed, free of charge, to win his freedom. Why? They’re convinced he didn't do it. Whether guilty or not, one thing is clear: Chapman did not receive a fair trial.

In this first season of Breakdown, senior legal affairs writer Bill Rankin goes deep inside the Chapman case, exploring where the criminal justice system broke down. You can listen to the Breakdown podcast below, or at www.ajcbreakdown.com, where you'll find photos, articles, videos and documents relating to the Chapman case.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

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