LAW AND ORDER REPORTING

Judged by George Ramos, The Los Angeles Times, member of three Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts for the paper. First Place
Paul Rubin, Phoenix New Times, "A Killer Sleep Disorder"

"The winner... is a riveting piece of journalism, combining good reporting and compelling writing. In this category, which had several deserving entries, this story told of a murder of a woman, who was stabbed 44 times, and the husband, who was arrested for allegedly killing her. The cops know they have their man - based on the evidence and eyewitness accounts. The husband's defense was that he didn't remember doing it. Defense attorneys contended he was sleepwalking at the time of the crime. The story takes no sides. It tells the story of the investigators who probe the case and of the husband, who said he loved his wife. It also leads the reader competently through the often-complex maze that is today's criminal justice system."

Second Place
Chris Farnsworth, Phoenix New Times, "Sin of a Preacher Man"

Third Place
Jon Burstein, Tim Steller and Rhonda Bodfield, The Arizona Daily Star, "State Attitude in Prison Death Incenses Judge"

Honorable Mention
Pat Flannery, Jerry Kammer, Charles Kelly, Susie Steckner, Victoria Harker, Hal Mattern, Keven Willey, Dennis Wagner, Mark Shaffer, Jodie Snyder, Chris Moeser, Jeff Barker, The Arizona Republic, "Down for the Counts"