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Wrongful Conviction Roundup

By TChris, Section Innocence Cases
Posted on Sat Dec 27, 2008 at 05:53:52 PM EST
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Recent wrongful conviction items of interest:

• An interview with Steven Barnes, who served almost 20 years for crimes he didn't commit.

"The investigation only focused on me. That's not right. You should investigate everything," Barnes said. "If they had DNA (testing) back in '85, I would have never been arrested."

• Craig Watkins has been named the 2008 Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year.

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    Wrongful Conviction Roundup | 3 comments (3 topical)

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    To anyone that gets to serve (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by eric on Sat Dec 27, 2008 at 10:15:30 PM EST
    on a jury in the future, or knows anyone who does, make note of these cases.  Let it be known that not-guilty is an option.  It is better to let 100 guilty men go free then for 1 innocent man to go to prison, and in these times of authority worship, "victim's rights", and police/prosecutorial misconduct, it is up to the jury to do the right thing.  They need to do the right thing when the cops and lawyers won't.

    And, remind them that they have to sleep at night with their decision.  How is the jury sleeping in Mr. Barnes' case?  Not too well, I would hope.

    Juries can only deal with the evidence (none / 0) (#2)
    by Anne on Sat Dec 27, 2008 at 11:04:40 PM EST
    with which they are presented, and ruled admissable, which - like it or not - isn't something that always works in the state's favor and against defendants.

    If the state fails to make a case beyond a reasonable doubt, then sure, a jury should acquit, but I do not think anyone should agree to serve on a jury with a vote-to-acquit-no-matter what attitude - that is just as much a perversion of justice.

    Parent

    Agreed (none / 0) (#3)
    by eric on Mon Dec 29, 2008 at 12:04:34 AM EST
    but juries have proven themselves way too willing to convict.  I am just calling for greater skepticism.  Much greater.  People need to be more aware of the chances that they are making a decision that is terribly wrong.

    I want to hear stories from jurors that were duped in cases like this, and how it ruined their lives.  And if they don't feel guilty about it, there is a real problem.  Putting someone away like this is a serious problem and if the people that did it don't have remorse, there is a big problem.

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    Wrongful Conviction Roundup | 3 comments (3 topical)

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