I should watch more TV.
Late last year, I wrote about a compelling and award-winning article by David Grann that was published September 2009 in the New Yorker. Entitled "Trial by Fire," it was the story of Cameron Todd Willingham and the probability that he was sentenced to die for a crime that likely did not occur.
Willingham was accused of murdering his daughters, who died in a terrible house fire. "Scientific evidence" at the time purported to prove that the fire was the result of arson.
But new information and a better understanding of the science suggested - even before Willingham was executed - that the fire was likely an accident. Any parent can easily imagine being in Willingham's tragic shoes.
Many have heard of this case. NCADP's "Shouting from the Rooftops" campaign was launched in the wake of Grann's article. In April, Law & Order SVU's "Torch" episode highlighted the problem of a wrongful conviction for arson, and just two weeks ago, Law & Order LA's second show of the season, "Echo Park," told the story of a woman who was wrongfully convicted of arson and sentenced to prison for a fire that turned out to be the result of an accident.
In addition to the fictional accounts on NBC, we now have yet another piece of excellent journalism highlighting the case. Last night, Tuesday, October 19, PBS' Frontline "Death by Fire" featured the true story of Cameron Todd Willingham, bringing the risk of executing an innocent person home as only TV can do when you can see and hear the fire experts. You've got to watch this.
If after watching this program, you still think we can afford to use the death penalty, I hope that you will support those at the Innocence Project who are working to make sure that no stone is left unturned to prevent an innocent person from being sentenced to death and executed.
But if, like me, you are concerned that despite our best efforts we may never get it right, join me in supporting repeal of the death penalty to make space for better alternatives. Then we can all sleep a little better at night, knowing that at least the tragedy in the Willingham case will never happen again to anyone on our watch.
So be a good citizen and watch a little more TV.
The Frontline program will air again over the next few days. Check your local listings, and view it with a friend.