Know anything about The Innocence Project?

[Frederick Skelly]

Lately their name has been coming up regularly in my reading, etc. According to their site, they try to reverse wrongful convictions using DNA. I've just started researching them and thought perhaps some of you could add to what I'm finding. So far, it sounds like a good organization that's trying to do good things. It looks like they have affiliates all over the world.

What do you folks know?

Thanks,
Fred

[Rich Riddle]

Fred,

I know about what you said. There priority is death row cases and life imprisonment, then long term cases.

[Art Mann]

I have read about these efforts in the past but none lately. It is scary just how many times the convicted person is vindicated.

[Rich Riddle]

Art,

It's appalling to learn how many people are freed from death row because of DNA. There have been several prisoners freed (non-death row) this year. The latest of whom I know is Anthony Wright. But a week before him was another. It's pitiful. Perhaps there will be fewer now than in the past.

[Julie Moriarty]

Barry Scheck founded the Innocence Project. Anyone who remembers the OJ trial will remember Scheck. He was one of OJ's defense attorneys. It was years later that I heard about the Innocence Project and I remember seeing Barry Scheck talk about it. I wasn't a fan of his performance in court with OJ but learning about what he was doing with the wrongfully convicted changed my opinion of him. If you remember the trial, the prosecution submitted DNA evidence and it was Scheck's cross-examination that put the DNA evidence into serious question. Later Scheck uses that same tool to reverse wrongful convictions.

Funny how life leads you down unexpected paths.

[Mel Fulks]

Rich,I'm pretty sure you remember the Roger Coleman case. The things he was SEEN doing by victims he did not kill are almost beyond belief. I reccomend the documentary on his death penalty case. He did get the DNA test he wanted.

[Rich Riddle]

Look up Johnny Frank Garrett, an inmate Texas executed and was later proven innocent. Oops. They wrote a documentary about him.

[Roger Feeley]

I recommend two books:

"Actual Innocence" is a book co-authored by Barry Scheck in which they analyze 9 cases of wrongful conviction to see what went wrong in the original trials.

"Picking Cotten" is a book co-authored by a rape victim and the person she mistakenly identified as her rapist. Joseph Cotton spent years in prison before being exonerated by DNA analysis. It's an exploration of eye-witness testimony and the science of memory. It will convince you that eye-witness testimony is some of the least reliable evidence but the most compelling.

My daughter is a DC appellate lawyer and has worked on several pro-bono cases before the Supreme Court for the Innocence Project.

[Joel Goodman]

I heard Barry Schenck on the radio and what is chilling is that they only take the cases where DNA evidence is available to be tested -- he said that a similar percentage (I forgot the number) of innocent people are likely in jail, but that without DNA evidence available to clear them there is nothing they can do to help them.

[Frederick Skelly]

Thanks folks. I'll go read a couple of the items you suggested.
I appreciate it!
Fred

[Mel Fulks]

Proving someone innocent is good. Saying the prisons are full of innocent guys is Schenck's schtick. He said OJ was innocent. Subtle he ain't ,even when it could help his case.

[Jim Koepke]

I do not have much to add to the information about the Innocence Project beyond what has already been offered.

Personally it has taken me from being pretty much on the fence about the death penalty to being tilted toward opposition.

Persuasion is a science. It is used daily in sales and advertising. It is just as effective in a court room by lawyers trying to elevate their careers.

jtk

[Jon Nuckles]

Here is a link (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/01/18/recognition-annals-of-justice-paul-kix) to a well written piece in the New Yorker about a wrongful conviction in Texas based on eyewitness testimony, and the efforts to get justice for an innocent man. It is amazing that actual evidence of innocence is not always enough to get a hearing.

[paul cottingham]

There is a fellow who was scheduled to be executed recently, and a judge ruled (I kid you not) that (strong) evidence of his innocence was not a legal argument for a stay of execution.

It it goes to show how screwed up death penalty cases really can be.

[Frederick Skelly]

There is a fellow who was scheduled to be executed recently, and a judge ruled (I kid you not) that (strong) evidence of his innocence was not a legal argument for a stay of execution.

It it goes to show how screwed up death penalty cases really can be.

Paul was this stateside, or in Canada? (Forgive my ignorance - I dont know whether Canada even allows capital punishment.)

Fred

[Bruce Wrenn]

Here in NC, we have had more than a few death row inmates released due to project innocense. One last week that had served thirty years for a crime he didn't do. Worst thing is when DA withholds evidence that would clear defendant, and when it's found out, DA gets a bigger position (search Alan Geld,) instead of prison time. DA knew he was locked up at time of murder, yet DA walks free today. DA should have been indited for attempted murder. I remember several years back a man wrongly convicted of rape was freed by DNA. Accuser said it didn't bother her that wrong person was convicted by her testimony, she only wanted someone to be put in jail.

[Julie Moriarty]

That's scary, Bruce, the way the mind can justify anything away. I don't know how they sleep at night.

[Mel Fulks]

I thought that piece of news was nutty and unfair,too. Until I heard the reasons behind it. The legal system consists of two dedicated sides playing by rules. I suggest you look up the details of the story,not to change your mind about what is decent and fair, just to see that like Wagner 's music it's "not as bad as it sounds".

[Bruce Wrenn]

I remember what my lawyer said during my divorce 40 years ago. There is right and wrong, just and fair, and how the judge feels today, which has NOTHING to do with the others. Often judges block evidence that would clear defendant. Remember that DA's and judges paycheck come from same place. DA can bribe a witness (reduce charges, drop charges, reduction in sentence, etc,) but defense attorney will go to jail for doing the same thing. One thing I never understand is when woman is pregnant, and is killed, why they don't take DNA from fetus. That would open up a lot of other suspects who might want her dead.