Wrongful Conviction

Changing the "Convict at All Costs" Culture of Prosecutor's Offices

John Terzano | Posted 11.24.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

All too often, prosecutors' offices fall prey to a culture of conviction-seeking at all costs. Prosecutors who become singularly focused on conviction rates neglect their duty to protect the innocent.

Fernando Bermudez Free; Spent 17 Years In Jail For Murder He Didn't Commit

AP | JENNIFER PELTZ | Posted 11.20.2009 | New York


NEW YORK — A prison system official says a New York City man is free after spending nearly two decades behind bars for murder before a judge dec...

Governor Candidate Ryan Says Sorry For Wrongfully Putting Two Men On Death Row

Chicago Sun-Times | DAVE McKINNEY AND ABDON M. PALLASCH | Posted 11.12.2009 | Chicago


GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan issued his first outright apology Thursday for wrongfully putting two men on Death Row instead of prosecuting the...

Prosecutors Claim Northwestern Journalism Student Paid Witness

AP | KAREN HAWKINS | Posted 11.10.2009 | Chicago


CHICAGO — Prosecutors claimed in court Tuesday that Northwestern University journalism students paid two witnesses in order to make their case t...

Prosecutors Still Won't Explain Why They're Subpoenaing Northwestern Journalism Students' Grades

AP | KAREN HAWKINS | Posted 11.09.2009 | Chicago


CHICAGO — A Northwestern University professor and journalism students who spent three years investigating the case of a man convicted in the 197...

Prosecutors Must be Held Accountable for Misconduct

John Terzano | Posted 11.05.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

Despite the great power of prosecutors, few are held accountable for violations of their ethical obligations.

Dean Cage: Man Wrongly Convicted Of Rape Spent Over A Decade In Jail

CNN | Posted 10.26.2009 | Politics


For Jewel Mitchell, it was the worst Christmas of her life, the pain so raw she secluded herself in her bedroom to shield her two young daughters. ...

Death from Cluelessness: State Killing Machines and the Penalty of Indifference

Jeff Schweitzer | Posted 10.21.2009 | Politics


Jeff Schweitzer

Carl Sagan famously said that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The claim that killing prisoners acts as a deterrent or keeps police safe is indeed extraordinary.

Prosecutor Defends Going After Northwestern Students' Notes, Class Material

Chicago Tribune | Daarel Burnette II | Posted 10.20.2009 | Chicago


Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez defended subpoenaing Northwestern University journalism students' notes and recordings of witness interview...

Prosecutors Subpoena Notes, Grade Information Of Northwestern Journalism Students

Chicago Tribune | Jeff Long | Posted 10.19.2009 | Chicago


After spending three years investigating the conviction of a Harvey man accused of killing a security guard with a shotgun blast in 1978, journalism s...

Tim Cole Panel Begins Study Texas Wrongful Convictions

John Terzano | Posted 10.13.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

Of the more than 40 people exonerated by DNA in Texas, one of the most heartbreaking cases is that of Timothy Cole, whose exoneration came too late. In 1999, he died in prison of asthma.

Barney Brown: His First Year of Freedom

John Maki | Posted 11.24.2009 | Chicago


John Maki

On September 24, Barney Brown celebrates his first year of freedom after 38 years of wrongful incarceration. His story is one of the most egregious wrongful convictions in U.S. history.

Study of Georgia's Wrongfully Convicted Highlights Powerful Need for Reform

John Terzano | Posted 11.22.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

For twenty innocent Georgians, eight years is the average length of time each spent behind bars for a crime they did not commit.

Blinded by Tunnel Vision: What the Execution of Cameron Todd Willingham Can Teach Us About Wrongful Convictions

John Maki | Posted 11.09.2009 | Chicago


John Maki

Even when there is compelling evidence of actual innocence, it can be almost impossible to shake a mistaken but firmly held belief in a convicted person's guilt.

Trial and Error: Houston, We've Got a Problem

Lynne Glasner | Posted 11.09.2009 | Politics


Lynne Glasner

As Morgenthau steps down as DA, one of the three primary contestants stands out. Richard Aborn has a track record of working for reform.

Doubt and the Death Penalty

Cyrus Vance | Posted 09.27.2009 | Politics


Cyrus Vance

Victims of crime deserve justice. Those who commit crimes must be held accountable for their actions. But just as we prosecute, we also must safeguard the rights of the innocent.

The Costs of Wrongful Convictions Continue to Rise

John Terzano | Posted 09.25.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

Wrongful convictions occur due to a system that is prone to error. In addition to incarcerating a person for a crime they didn't commit, wrongful convictions impose a financial burden on taxpayers.

Sonnier's Release Highlights Continuing Problem

John Terzano | Posted 09.11.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

Ernest Sonnier's release is just the latest case that highlights the ongoing problem of wrongful convictions in Texas. And writ large, it is a reminder of the continuing struggle we face to fix our nation's broken criminal justice system.

Wrongfully Convicted Man Found Innocent After 12 Years In Prison For Murder

New York Daily News | Scott Shifrel | Posted 09.03.2009 | New York


A Brooklyn man who spent 12 years in prison for murder is innocent, a judge ruled Friday in a powerfully worded decision. Jonathan Wheeler-Whichard, ...

Texas Case Highlights Problems in Forensics Lab

John Terzano | Posted 07.25.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

Forensic science is not flawless, and its use in the criminal justice system is in great need of reform.

Examining the Fairness and Accuracy of the Penal System

John Terzano | Posted 05.03.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

For the government to reshape our criminal process from "top-to-bottom," as Senator Webb's legislation calls for, it is crucial this commission examines the causes and costs of wrongful convictions.

Wrongful Convictions Are Still Possible in New Mexico

John Terzano | Posted 04.29.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

I applaud Governor Bill Richardson for his commitment to the fair administration of justice and hope that he continues to ensure that life and liberty are both protected in New Mexico.

New Report Analyzes Texas Wrongful Convictions Exposed by DNA

John Terzano | Posted 04.27.2009 | Politics


John Terzano

An analysis of all wrongful convictions in Texas reveals distinct patterns in the types of mistakes that lead to convicting the innocent.

The Scott Sisters: Two Life Sentences for 11 Dollars?

Anthony Papa | Posted 03.28.2009 | Politics


Anthony Papa

How do you wind up in prison serving two life terms for a robbery that netted 11 dollars? That question has haunted first time offenders Gladys and Jamie Scott for the past 15 years.

The Price of Justice: Time to Invest in Criminal Justice Reforms

Ginny Sloan | Posted 03.08.2009 | Politics


Ginny Sloan

It is easy -- but wrong -- to say that we can save money by slashing government funding for lawyers for defendants who cannot afford to hire their own.