CBS News California Investigates

CHP said it didn't have video from a deadly park shootout. Turns out, it does.

For months, the CHP claimed the video didn't exist. CBS Sacramento has now exclusively obtained nearly seven hours of police video from the day suspect Eric Abril allegedly shot an officer and two hostages at a Roseville park. In response to CBS13's ongoing investigation into April's deadly Mahany park shooting in Roseville, the California Highway Patrol on Monday released never-before-seen cell phone, helicopter, and drone footage from that day. The shootout began with a controversial decision by the California Highway Patrol to serve a planned, high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park surrounded by spring break day camps without notifying local police. This video provides a new context for the deadly shooting that traumatized a quiet community. Out of respect for the victims and their families, CBS Sacramento is choosing not to publish any images of the victims from that day.

Jan 22

VIDEO: A compilation of our investigations into California's rehabilitation & recidivism data

Are prison reform laws in California leading to more rehabilitation and fewer felons reoffending after release? The state still can't - or won't - provide the data to answer those basic questions. Over the past year, we've conducted dozens of interviews with former inmates, crime victims, prosecutors, public defenders, lawmakers, researchers, and advocates for both prisoners and crime victims. Many, if not all of them, would also like the data and answers we've been working to get from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). This continuing coverage was prompted by a 2022 mass shooting in the shadow of California's state capitol. Nearly two years later, we're still working to get answers and access to - what should be - public information and data about early prison release policies and recidivism. See more of our continuing coverage here: https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/tag/rehabilitation-recidivism-data

Dec 31, 2023

VIDEO: Failed Policies: One Suspect. Three Agencies. Countless Questions.

PART 1: A hostage killed. Kids traumatized. Yet, CHP remains silent. An officer and hostage were shot. Another hostage was killed. Seven months later, CHP still wouldn't answer basic questions about their decisions that day or the related agency policies that affect all Californians. In our initial story, we take a look back at the controversial decision by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to serve a high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park surrounded by day camps. PART 2 : What is law enforcement hiding? For months, the CHP claimed it didn't have any dashcam video from the shooting. (Spoiler alert, it did.) Following our initial report, and appeals in which we explained that our sources had seen the video, the CHP finally released an excerpt of its dashcam video just hours before this story was set to air. But other agencies continued withholding bodycam video and public information. In our follow-up story, we examine how the law enforcement response to the Roseville CHP shootout could set a concerning precedent for future police shootings statewide. PART 3: The escape and lessons learned. As accountability journalists, we believe it's important to give credit where credit is due. Mistakes happen. Sometimes horrific ones. But it's often the response to those mistakes that matter most. In a third report, we examine the suspected killer's escape from custody at a local hospital and highlight how transparency from the local Sheriff was the key to regaining the public's trust. This reporting is ongoing in 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/tag/failed-policies-one-suspect-three-agencies-countless-questions/

Nov 21, 2023

The Placer Co. Inmate Escape: What CHP can learn from local law enforcement about accountability and transparency

He had a history of violence, running from police and escaping custody in a hospital, yet following the deadly Roseville park shootout, suspect Eric Abril escaped from a hospital again. In part three of our series, we investigate Abril's second escape and highlight what CHP can learn from local law enforcement about transparency and regaining the public's trust.

Nov 20, 2023

What's law enforcement hiding? Why CHP's Roseville park shootout could set a concerning precedent for police shootings

CHP finally released the dashcam video they initially claimed didn't exist from the Roseville park shootout, but other agencies continue withholding public information. We investigate the public's right to see records related to police shootings and the concerning law enforcement claims.

Nov 14, 2023

A hostage killed. Kids traumatized. Yet, CHP remains silent on its decision to serve a high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park.

An officer and hostage were shot. Another hostage -- killed. It's been seven months and CHP still won't answer basic questions about policies that impact all Californians. In part one of our series, Julie Watts investigates the controversial decision to serve a high-risk search warrant to an armed felon at a public park surrounded by kids.

Nov 6, 2023

Pillowcase Rapist: Why was a convicted sex offender free when he was arrested for attempted kidnapping?

A serial rapist and child sex offender was released early, failed to register as a sex offender, and repeatedly violated parole. Why was he free when he was arrested for attempted kidnapping?

Oct 23, 2023

Landmark homeless lawsuit, The People vs. City of Sacramento, could impact policies statewide

The Sacramento County District Attorney's office is suing the City of Sacramento alleging the city failed to enforce the law and allowed the homeless crisis to become a public nuisance.

Sep 19, 2023

You're paying for rent and rehabilitation for thousands of former prisoners, but California isn't tracking if your money is helping

California is spending hundreds of millions on housing and re-entry programs for former inmates – but isn't tracking if those programs are doing anything to change criminal behavior.

Jul 10, 2023

California District Attorneys join quest for answers from Corrections Department

First, the assembly public safety chair agreed to include our questions in an audit request. Now, local district attorneys, viewers, and researchers are joining our efforts to get answers from the corrections department.

Jun 23, 2023

Getting Answers: What's Missing From California's Inmate Recidivism Report

Are prison reform laws leading to more rehabilitation and fewer felons reoffending after release? CDCR can't (or won't) say. The agency's recidivism report is dated and incomplete. Now, CBS Sacramento is getting answers to a growing list of questions.

Jun 9, 2023

Lawmakers frustrated by lack of transparency from the California Department of Corrections

Democratic lawmakers voted down the bill, citing inmate privacy concerns, but voiced bipartisan frustration with secrecy and a lack of transparency from CDCR.

Mar 7, 2023

When bosses don't pay and California wage theft new laws aren't enough

Wage theft robs workers of billions of dollars a year and costs Americans more than any other type of theft. In an effort to identify the scope of wage theft in California and potential solutions, CBS News Sacramento teamed up with the CalMatters "Divide" team to produce this series of reports. The more we reported, the more we learned about how California's system was broken.

Dec 31, 2022

Exposing The Black Graduation Gap

Overall, graduation rates are up on California State University campuses. But stubborn racial inequities remain. In partnership with CalMatters, CBS Sacramento examined the graduation equity gaps on CSU campuses.

Dec 31, 2022

Justice Delayed: A tale of two counties. Could Sacramento have the solution to court backlogs statewide?

While at least one California court is so backlogged that judges are dismissing hundreds of criminal cases, the Sacramento County Superior Court is bucking the trend of delayed justice.

Dec 22, 2022

New Law In The Wake of CBS13 COVID LAB Investigation

In the wake of CBS13's COVID Lab investigation, lawmakers introduced several pieces of legislation intended to ensure accountability long after the pandemic. A year later, one is now state law, and another continues to move through the legislature.

Dec 18, 2022

False confessions: Why a conservative DA is urging law enforcement to stop lying to suspects

A new California law prohibits officers from using threats or lies to get a minor to confess to a crime. It faced opposition from law enforcement, but now a conservative district attorney is urging law enforcement to stop lying to all suspects due to an increased risk of false confessions.

Sep 27, 2022

How Sacramento County is bucking the national trend of murder cases going unsolved

In a collaboration with CBS News, CBS Sacramento is examining why crime is often going without punishment in our country.

Jun 29, 2022

Forever Chemicals,' COVID And Results From A New At-Home PFAS Test

In addition to many other health concerns, emerging research suggests higher levels of these PFAS "forever chemicals" in the body may lead to more severe COVID symptoms and may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. A new test now allows the general public to identify the level of PFAS in their bodies at home.

Mar 31, 2022

SPECIAL REPORT --- THE COVID LAB: State Secrets Exposed

This two-year CBS13 investigation prompted state and federal investigations, new legislation and shined a spotlight on public health failures that it appeared state regulators tried to hide amid the pandemic.

Jan 30, 2022