News
Special Report | The life and death of Billy Baggett
Introduction: On telling Billy's story He was dying, but he was free. [READ] ••• In this Street Roots special report, we share the story of William “Billy” Baggett Jr., who spent nearly 50 years of his life behind bars. Our reporter shadowed Baggett for nine months, beginning in May 2019 when he was released from…
The life and death of Billy Baggett: Part I
Interlude It was over a few grocery-store items that Billy Baggett forfeited another six years of his life. It was dinnertime in Portland on Aug. 2, 2013, when he attempted to walk out of the Fred Meyer on Burnside Street and Northwest 20th Place with his backpack stuffed full of stolen items: a bottle of…
The life and death of Billy Baggett: Part II
[Read Part I] Into hell An avid yarn spinner, Billy Baggett often told animated stories about his childhood hijinks and the exploits of his father, whom he glorified. But scratch the surface, and most who knew him would soon see the reality of his upbringing was darker than his well-worn tales let on. Baggett’s mother,…
The life and death of Billy Baggett: Part III
[Read Part I] [Read Part II] The curtain falls Billy Baggett knew that smoking cannabis would likely get him kicked out of the Hotel Alder, but he said he could breathe easier when he was high. The second time he failed a urine test, in September 2019, he was told he had to leave. Once…
The life and death of Billy Baggett: Reporter’s notebook
On shadowing Billy The last time I spoke with William “Billy” Baggett was two days before he died. When I answered his call, he began in the usual way: “Emily, they’re after me! I’m halfway to Mexico in a stolen van. I had to do it. I robbed the 7-Eleven — oh they are after…
He was dying, but he was free: Special report tells the tragic and brutal story of Billy Baggett
In 2019, more than 600,000 men and women were released from prisons across the United States. William “Billy” Baggett was one of them. Like most of the others, Baggett emerged with a toxic criminal record, little to no money and few prospects of anything else. He had spent 50 of his 68 years on Earth…
Podcast
Street Roots Podcast | Street Roots’ Emily Green on telling Billy Baggett’s story
On this episode, Street Roots Managing Editor Emily Green joined host DeVon Pouncey to discuss this week's Street Roots special edition telling the story of Billy Baggett. Green spent more than a year working on this special project. READ THE SPECIAL REPORT: The life & death of Billy Baggett Listen to the episode: The Street Roots Podcast…
