Wrongful Convictions And Innocence Studies
Overview: Wrongful Convictions and Innocence Studies
Causes: eyewitness error, false confessions, prosecutorial misconduct, bad forensics
Impact: Loss of freedom, erosion of trust in justice
Remedies: DNA testing, post-conviction reviews, compensation laws
Key Cases
1. Central Park Five (1989)
Facts:
Five teenagers were wrongfully convicted of assaulting a jogger in Central Park, NYC. They gave coerced confessions.
Outcome:
Convictions overturned in 2002 after the real perpetrator confessed and DNA evidence confirmed innocence.
Significance:
Highlighted problems with false confessions and racial bias in prosecution.
2. Innocence Project Case: Kirk Bloodsworth (1993)
Facts:
Bloodsworth was convicted of rape and murder based on eyewitness misidentification.
Outcome:
Exonerated by DNA evidence after 9 years in prison.
Significance:
First U.S. death row inmate exonerated by DNA; boosted use of DNA testing in wrongful conviction cases.
3. Michael Morton (1987)
Facts:
Convicted for murdering his wife, Morton spent 25 years in prison.
Outcome:
DNA testing post-conviction proved his innocence in 2011.
Significance:
Exposed prosecutorial withholding of evidence; led to reforms in disclosure rules.
4. Anthony Porter (1999)
Facts:
Convicted of a double murder in Chicago.
Outcome:
Saved from execution after two journalism students uncovered evidence of his innocence.
Significance:
Showed the role of media and advocates in correcting wrongful convictions.
5. Ronald Cotton (1984)
Facts:
Wrongfully convicted of rape based on mistaken eyewitness identification.
Outcome:
Exonerated by DNA evidence 11 years later.
Significance:
Case widely cited in studies about unreliability of eyewitness testimony.
6. Cameron Todd Willingham (1991)
Facts:
Executed for arson-murder, but later investigations cast serious doubt on the forensic evidence used.
Outcome:
Though posthumously questioned, no official exoneration.
Significance:
Raised concerns about the death penalty and forensic science reliability.
Summary Table
| Case Name | Year | Wrongful Conviction Cause | Outcome | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Park Five | 1989 | False confessions, racial bias | Exonerated (2002) | Highlighted false confessions |
| Kirk Bloodsworth | 1993 | Eyewitness misidentification | Exonerated by DNA | First DNA exoneration on death row |
| Michael Morton | 1987 | Withheld evidence by prosecution | Exonerated by DNA (2011) | Led to disclosure reforms |
| Anthony Porter | 1999 | Faulty investigation | Released before execution | Media’s role in uncovering innocence |
| Ronald Cotton | 1984 | Mistaken eyewitness ID | Exonerated by DNA | Eyewitness unreliability studies |
| Cameron Todd Willingham | 1991 | Faulty forensic evidence | Controversial execution | Forensic science scrutiny |
Quick reflection question:
What common factors do you see causing wrongful convictions, and how do these cases highlight ways to improve the justice system?
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