NOLA Investigates

•   Jennifer Vitry, Executive Director
•   Michelle Wydra, Deputy Director
•   Rebecca Ohler, Investigator
•   Michael Moore, Investigator
•   Mairead Burke, Investigator
•   David Schlussman, Investigator
•   Patricia Hawley, Mitigation Specialist
•   Ben Freedman, Investigator
•   Erica Smythe, Office Administrator/Paralegal

Jennifer Vitry
Executive Director
Jennifer Vitry has worked in the criminal defense arena for over 14 years and is trained in Blood Pattern Analysis as well as other forensic science fields. She has worked on capital cases at all stages (pre-trial through habeas), along with all other criminal matters; been involved in civil rights litigation; and investigated high profile cases such as the C-Murder case in Jefferson Parish. She is a Tulane graduate and a native of New Orleans. Her volunteer experience includes working with Sister Helen Prejean's Moratorium Campaign and coaching boys' basketball for the B. W. Cooper projects in inner-city New Orleans, known as "the Calliope." Jennifer has trained nationally in her field for many years, and is a member of local and national organizations including the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS), National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), and Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (LACDL).

Michelle Wydra
Deputy Director
Michelle works as both a fact investigator and a mitigation specialist, and is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners. Michelle has worked on cases at various stages, including pre-trial and post conviction. She comes to NOLA Investigates after earning a BA in anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and a MA in anthropology from Louisiana State University. Her studies focused in both cultural and physical anthropology. She has additionally completed a 40-hour bloodstain pattern analysis course and specialized instruction in Forensic Entomology Evidence Recovery Techniques. As a mitigation specialist, she has presented at many conferences and CLE credit trainings for organizations such as NLADA, AAIDD-La, The Center for American and International Law, and the Louisiana Public Defender Board.

Rebecca Ohler
Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator
Rebecca is a licensed private investigator specializing in both mitigation and fact investigation of capital cases. She has worked multi-victim cases and high-profile cases, with experience in both federal and state systems. She has also investigated cases for individuals serving life sentences and has considerable experience with post-conviction investigation. She has presented on mitigation, general criminal investigation, and mental retardation for the NLADA and the Louisiana Public Defender Board, among others. She has completed specialized trainings in Forensic Entomology and Screening DNA Evidence. Her membership in professional associations includes the National Defender Investigator Association and the National Organization of Forensic Social Work. Rebecca is a graduate of Loyola University, where she received the Pedro Arrupe SJ Award for Community Service through her work with low-wage minority laborers in New Orleans.

Michael Moore
Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator
Michael began interning with NOLA Investigates in 2005. Originally from Missouri, he is a graduate of Tulane University with degrees in History and Philosophy. He began working full time after receiving a fellowship from Reprieve in 2007. As a part of this fellowship, Michael recruited qualified interns from local New Orleans universities. He presented with John Thompson, founder of Resurrection after Exoneration, and worked closely with service programs at Xavier, Tulane, and Loyola University. He has worked on pre-trial and post-conviction cases for both guilt and mitigation, and has experience in background investigation and witness interviews.”

Mairead Burke
Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator
Mairead is an Investigator and Mitigation Specialist at NOLA Investigates. She is a licensed private investigator in the state of Louisiana, and has worked on both fact and mitigation investigation in pre-trial and post-conviction capital cases. She was also the primary investigator in a class-action lawsuit against a New Orleans juvenile detention center that was notorious for inhumane treatment and conditions for youth who were held at the facility. The case ended in a comprehensive settlement that will fundamentally improve the center and the state in which children are held at the center. Mairead is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Louisiana Private Investigator’s Association. She has presented at the national mitigation conference, Life in the Balance, and has received specialized training in Forensic Entomology. Mairead is a graduate of Santa Clara University, where she was deeply involved in volunteer and advocacy work for women’s issues, gender equality, and labor rights.

David Schlussman
Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator
Originally from New Jersey, Dave graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in English Literature. Following graduation, he joined the AmeriCorps program and worked alongside various Gulf Region non-profits in the areas of disaster relief, education, and environment. To continue his involvement in the post-Katrina rebuilding effort, Dave relocated to New Orleans to lead construction work in Central City, the Ninth Ward and New Orleans East. Dave began his career at NOLA Investigates as an intern and has gradually transitioned into a full time Staff Investigator position. He loves the city of New Orleans and is committed to providing thorough investigation and mitigation work.

Trish Hawley
Mitigation Specialist
Trish comes to NOLA Investigates with a master's degree in social work from Tulane University. She has experience in post-conviction investigation and works as a mitigation specialist. During her master's program, she worked as a research assistant on several projects devoted to improving services for vulnerable populations in the Greater New Orleans area, especially homeless populations seeking transitional housing and intensive case management. She studied human development and family for her undergraduate work, and she holds graduate degrees in women’s studies and education. Trish’s experience in research, as well as her love for the city of New Orleans and its people, attracted her to this field.

Ben Freedman
Investigator
Ben was born and raised in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He moved to New Orleans after receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. Ben interned as an investigator for the Orleans Public Defenders during his master's of criminal justice program at Loyola University of New Orleans. Ben has experience in witness interviews, court record searches, and assisting attorneys throughout the trial preparation process. He is licensed as a private investigator by the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners.

Erica Smythe
Office Administrator/Paralegal
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Erica received her bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in psychology from the University of New Orleans, where she also obtained a post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies. She went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration. She comes to NOLA Investigates with ten years of legal experience and extensive legal software knowledge, including a broad knowledge of both the federal and state court systems. She is very experienced in doing in-depth legal research and working with voluminous case loads. She provides legal assistance to the investigators and oversees the office administration. Erica also does volunteer work with several agencies in New Orleans, including Second Harvest Food Bank and a local animal shelter.

NOLA Investigates • 3816 Bienville St. • New Orleans, LA 70119 • Phone: (504) 267-4805 / (800) 496-0930 • Fax: (504) 267-4810
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/derek_b/ / CC BY 2.0

			Jennifer Vitry Executive Director Jennifer Vitry has worked in the criminal defense arena for over 14 years and is trained in Blood Pattern Analysis as well as other forensic science fields. She has worked on capital cases at all stages (pre-trial through habeas), along with all other criminal matters; been involved in civil rights litigation; and investigated high profile cases such as the C-Murder case in Jefferson Parish. She is a Tulane graduate and a native of New Orleans. Her volunteer experience includes working with Sister Helen Prejean's Moratorium Campaign and coaching boys' basketball for the B. W. Cooper projects in inner-city New Orleans, known as "the Calliope." Jennifer has trained nationally in her field for many years, and is a member of local and national organizations including the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS), National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), and Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (LACDL).
			Michelle Wydra Deputy Director Michelle works as both a fact investigator and a mitigation specialist, and is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners. Michelle has worked on cases at various stages, including pre-trial and post conviction. She comes to NOLA Investigates after earning a BA in anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and a MA in anthropology from Louisiana State University. Her studies focused in both cultural and physical anthropology. She has additionally completed a 40-hour bloodstain pattern analysis course and specialized instruction in Forensic Entomology Evidence Recovery Techniques. As a mitigation specialist, she has presented at many conferences and CLE credit trainings for organizations such as NLADA, AAIDD-La, The Center for American and International Law, and the Louisiana Public Defender Board.
			Rebecca Ohler Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator Rebecca is a licensed private investigator specializing in both mitigation and fact investigation of capital cases. She has worked multi-victim cases and high-profile cases, with experience in both federal and state systems. She has also investigated cases for individuals serving life sentences and has considerable experience with post-conviction investigation. She has presented on mitigation, general criminal investigation, and mental retardation for the NLADA and the Louisiana Public Defender Board, among others. She has completed specialized trainings in Forensic Entomology and Screening DNA Evidence. Her membership in professional associations includes the National Defender Investigator Association and the National Organization of Forensic Social Work. Rebecca is a graduate of Loyola University, where she received the Pedro Arrupe SJ Award for Community Service through her work with low-wage minority laborers in New Orleans.
			Michael Moore Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator Michael began interning with NOLA Investigates in 2005. Originally from Missouri, he is a graduate of Tulane University with degrees in History and Philosophy. He began working full time after receiving a fellowship from Reprieve in 2007. As a part of this fellowship, Michael recruited qualified interns from local New Orleans universities. He presented with John Thompson, founder of Resurrection after Exoneration, and worked closely with service programs at Xavier, Tulane, and Loyola University. He has worked on pre-trial and post-conviction cases for both guilt and mitigation, and has experience in background investigation and witness interviews.”
			Mairead Burke Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator Mairead is an Investigator and Mitigation Specialist at NOLA Investigates. She is a licensed private investigator in the state of Louisiana, and has worked on both fact and mitigation investigation in pre-trial and post-conviction capital cases. She was also the primary investigator in a class-action lawsuit against a New Orleans juvenile detention center that was notorious for inhumane treatment and conditions for youth who were held at the facility. The case ended in a comprehensive settlement that will fundamentally improve the center and the state in which children are held at the center. Mairead is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Louisiana Private Investigator’s Association. She has presented at the national mitigation conference, Life in the Balance, and has received specialized training in Forensic Entomology. Mairead is a graduate of Santa Clara University, where she was deeply involved in volunteer and advocacy work for women’s issues, gender equality, and labor rights.
			David Schlussman Mitigation Specialist and Forensic Science Investigator Originally from New Jersey, Dave graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in English Literature. Following graduation, he joined the AmeriCorps program and worked alongside various Gulf Region non-profits in the areas of disaster relief, education, and environment. To continue his involvement in the post-Katrina rebuilding effort, Dave relocated to New Orleans to lead construction work in Central City, the Ninth Ward and New Orleans East. Dave began his career at NOLA Investigates as an intern and has gradually transitioned into a full time Staff Investigator position. He loves the city of New Orleans and is committed to providing thorough investigation and mitigation work.
			Trish Hawley Mitigation Specialist Trish comes to NOLA Investigates with a master's degree in social work from Tulane University. She has experience in post-conviction investigation and works as a mitigation specialist. During her master's program, she worked as a research assistant on several projects devoted to improving services for vulnerable populations in the Greater New Orleans area, especially homeless populations seeking transitional housing and intensive case management. She studied human development and family for her undergraduate work, and she holds graduate degrees in women’s studies and education. Trish’s experience in research, as well as her love for the city of New Orleans and its people, attracted her to this field.
			Ben Freedman Investigator Ben was born and raised in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He moved to New Orleans after receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. Ben interned as an investigator for the Orleans Public Defenders during his master's of criminal justice program at Loyola University of New Orleans. Ben has experience in witness interviews, court record searches, and assisting attorneys throughout the trial preparation process. He is licensed as a private investigator by the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners.
			Erica Smythe Office Administrator/Paralegal Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Erica received her bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in psychology from the University of New Orleans, where she also obtained a post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies. She went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration. She comes to NOLA Investigates with ten years of legal experience and extensive legal software knowledge, including a broad knowledge of both the federal and state court systems. She is very experienced in doing in-depth legal research and working with voluminous case loads. She provides legal assistance to the investigators and oversees the office administration. Erica also does volunteer work with several agencies in New Orleans, including Second Harvest Food Bank and a local animal shelter.