Fucking Media Sensationalism
Today another man from upstate New York was freed after doing 20 years for a crime he did not commit. DNA testing is what set him free, free from his personal nightmare. Yet there are others whom everyday are living in hell for crimes they did not commit.
Where is the Fucking Media Sensationalism?
I want to know why I did not hear about this on my morning news, I want to know why I did not read about this in the morning newspaper, I want to know why YOU did not read about this in your morning paper, or on your local morning news station.
I only heard because I subscribe with e-mail to The Innocence Project.
I am going to go out on a limb here and wager that you know who this is and the infamous story that goes with it,
Jurisdiction: LA
Charge: Rape
Conviction: Aggravated Rape
Sentence: Life
Year of Conviction: 1982
Exoneration Date: 9/23/03
Sentence Served: 21.5 Years
Real perpetrator found? Not Yet
Contributing Causes: Eyewitness Misidentification, Unreliable/Limited Science
Compensation? Not Yet
Did you read about him or see his face when he was exonerated back in 2003 after doing 21.5 years in prison?
But I bet you have seen this picture more than perhaps you ever wanted to!
This picture is supposedly about a breakdown, a breakdown due to no privacy. It was brought on by Media Sensationalism! From my own personal feelings about this picture I find it sad, like looking in and reading someones diary. Living in the spot light like she does must be hell.
On the other hand I don't have a feel sorry for bone in my body about the Paris Hilton picture. I feel that she has no right to be above the law due to breeding!
Here's his Stats
Incident Date: 5/7/85
Jurisdiction: TX
Charge: burglary of a habitation, aggravated sexual assault
Conviction: burglary of a habitation, aggravated sexual assault
Sentence: Life
Year of Conviction: 1985/1986
Exoneration Date: 6/11/08
Sentence Served: 23 Years
Real perpetrator found? Yes
Contributing Causes: Eyewitness Misidentification
Compensation? Not Yet
I have previously written about him that can be found here
But for today I want to know why you nor I can expect everyone with a newspaper or access to a T.V. or the Internet to not know by the days end that this is Steven Barnes, A man freed this morning out of upstate New York after doing 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit! Leaving prison to the arms of his mother that never quit believing in her son and never left his side.
Of all things that should be sensationalized in the media, I want to know WHY it is not this!!!
For today, of all things that should be sensationalized in the media. This is it!!!!!
Not Brittney spears shaving her head. Not Paris and Martha doing a little county jail time for crimes I, just the typical American girl, would have got far more time for, I might add. I want to hear about this man and all the other men and woman and their escape from personal hell due to DNA testing. Why the fuck would any one care that Paris Hilton gets a little time for a crime yet we don't care about those that have done serious time for things they DID NOT do yet they are paying the price.
Not to mention that someone out there did these crimes and they are safe and sound in the knowledge that someone else is doing their time. Yet as a people, a nation we should be worried. Very, very FUCKING worried that their are those out there committing viscous acts on another and that their are those doing the time for the crime whom no one gives a FUCK about . We should be worried and we should be ashamed!!! If I had not subscribed to these e-mails from the Innocence Project I too would not know. We need to be informed! Each and every one of us. All those victims rights activists need to think about the victimization of the innocent! Thank God for the innocence project and All the hard work they are doing. Thank God for DNA testing!
* The average sentence served by DNA exonerees has been 12 years.
* About 70 percent of those exonerated by DNA testing are members of minority groups.
* In almost 40 percent of the cases profiled here, the actual perpetrator has been identified by DNA testing.
* Exonerations have been won in 33 states and Washington, D.C.
I have written about this subject much. I do not ever get any feed back. I would LOVE to hear what others think about this injustice, and how it seems to get swept under the rug ! All comments would be so welcoming!
Where is the Fucking Media Sensationalism?
I want to know why I did not hear about this on my morning news, I want to know why I did not read about this in the morning newspaper, I want to know why YOU did not read about this in your morning paper, or on your local morning news station.
I only heard because I subscribe with e-mail to The Innocence Project.
I am going to go out on a limb here and wager that you know who this is and the infamous story that goes with it,
Little miss can't be wrong off to the "big house" with her cell phone to go do the time for a probation violation, on a crime that because of who she is never even did the initial time. By God I guarantee if it I had done the initial offense I would have had to do the time, and so would have you!
Meet Calvin Willis
Read his Stats.
Incident Year: 1981Jurisdiction: LA
Charge: Rape
Conviction: Aggravated Rape
Sentence: Life
Year of Conviction: 1982
Exoneration Date: 9/23/03
Sentence Served: 21.5 Years
Real perpetrator found? Not Yet
Contributing Causes: Eyewitness Misidentification, Unreliable/Limited Science
Compensation? Not Yet
Did you read about him or see his face when he was exonerated back in 2003 after doing 21.5 years in prison?
But I bet you have seen this picture more than perhaps you ever wanted to!
On the other hand I don't have a feel sorry for bone in my body about the Paris Hilton picture. I feel that she has no right to be above the law due to breeding!
On the other hand here's Thomas McGowan
Here's his Stats
Jurisdiction: TX
Charge: burglary of a habitation, aggravated sexual assault
Conviction: burglary of a habitation, aggravated sexual assault
Sentence: Life
Year of Conviction: 1985/1986
Exoneration Date: 6/11/08
Sentence Served: 23 Years
Real perpetrator found? Yes
Contributing Causes: Eyewitness Misidentification
Compensation? Not Yet
I have previously written about him that can be found here
But for today I want to know why you nor I can expect everyone with a newspaper or access to a T.V. or the Internet to not know by the days end that this is Steven Barnes, A man freed this morning out of upstate New York after doing 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit! Leaving prison to the arms of his mother that never quit believing in her son and never left his side.
For today, of all things that should be sensationalized in the media. This is it!!!!!
Not Brittney spears shaving her head. Not Paris and Martha doing a little county jail time for crimes I, just the typical American girl, would have got far more time for, I might add. I want to hear about this man and all the other men and woman and their escape from personal hell due to DNA testing. Why the fuck would any one care that Paris Hilton gets a little time for a crime yet we don't care about those that have done serious time for things they DID NOT do yet they are paying the price.
Not to mention that someone out there did these crimes and they are safe and sound in the knowledge that someone else is doing their time. Yet as a people, a nation we should be worried. Very, very FUCKING worried that their are those out there committing viscous acts on another and that their are those doing the time for the crime whom no one gives a FUCK about . We should be worried and we should be ashamed!!! If I had not subscribed to these e-mails from the Innocence Project I too would not know. We need to be informed! Each and every one of us. All those victims rights activists need to think about the victimization of the innocent! Thank God for the innocence project and All the hard work they are doing. Thank God for DNA testing!
* Seventeen people had been sentenced to death before DNA proved their innocence and led to their release.
This was included in my e-mail this morning from the Innocence Project
The common themes that run through these cases — from global problems like poverty and racial issues to criminal justice issues like eyewitness misidentification, invalid or improper forensic science, overzealous police and prosecutors and inept defense counsel — cannot be ignored and continue to plague our criminal justice system.
* The average sentence served by DNA exonerees has been 12 years.
* About 70 percent of those exonerated by DNA testing are members of minority groups.
* In almost 40 percent of the cases profiled here, the actual perpetrator has been identified by DNA testing.
* Exonerations have been won in 33 states and Washington, D.C.
I have written about this subject much. I do not ever get any feed back. I would LOVE to hear what others think about this injustice, and how it seems to get swept under the rug ! All comments would be so welcoming!
Another innocent man set free!
Johnnie Earl Lindsey walked out of a Dallas courtroom this morning a free man after serving nearly 26 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit.
He was 31 years old when he was convicted in 1982 of raping a woman in a Dallas park; he is 56 years old today. It wasn't until a year after the assault that the victim identified him as the perpetrator, in a six-photo lineup that police had mailed to her. She had said the attacker was a shirtless African-American man, and Lindsey was one of the two shirtless men in the lineup.
Lindsey, who is represented by public defender Michelle Moore, is the 21st person cleared by DNA testing in Dallas County since 2001, more than any other county in the nation in that time frame.
Read more about his release here.
And I ask you to do so.
I am always thinking how horrible it would be to be put through something like this. I have never known any one personally or even know of someone that knows of someone that has been in this situation. I write about this Innocence Project because I think it deserves it. I am sure there are soooo many prisoner's in prison that say they are innocent, but if you read this gentleman's story you will see not only did he have an alibi (he was at work) His boss testified to that. And then to think they got a conviction due to a line-up given via mail 1 year down the road to the victim is just so hard to believe.
He was 31 years old when he was convicted in 1982 of raping a woman in a Dallas park; he is 56 years old today. It wasn't until a year after the assault that the victim identified him as the perpetrator, in a six-photo lineup that police had mailed to her. She had said the attacker was a shirtless African-American man, and Lindsey was one of the two shirtless men in the lineup.
Lindsey, who is represented by public defender Michelle Moore, is the 21st person cleared by DNA testing in Dallas County since 2001, more than any other county in the nation in that time frame.
Read more about his release here.
And I ask you to do so.
I am always thinking how horrible it would be to be put through something like this. I have never known any one personally or even know of someone that knows of someone that has been in this situation. I write about this Innocence Project because I think it deserves it. I am sure there are soooo many prisoner's in prison that say they are innocent, but if you read this gentleman's story you will see not only did he have an alibi (he was at work) His boss testified to that. And then to think they got a conviction due to a line-up given via mail 1 year down the road to the victim is just so hard to believe.
I live in Ca. 25 miles from 2 very big prisons in Susanville and now we have a federal prison in Herlong just a few miles from that. When I moved up here in 1978 there was just the one prison. (The California Correctional Center ) also known as C.C.C. and now we have the other two. It used to be whenever I would see old friends when visiting where I grew up (Southern Ca, Orange County) and would be asked where I lived no-one had heard of Susanville, now it seems as tho' everyone knows due to these prisons.
But I was told something by a prison guard that worked at C.C.C. that I have never forgotton. I was a bartender, and this particular man would come in every day to have a beer after his day shift at the prison. He would always talk about the job (The stress, pay, etc.) and it was right in the middle of the other prison being built. (High Desert State Prison) I had made some remark about how many more people would be moving to this part of the county (Lassen) due to the new prison. I also mentioned that I loved the little town atmosphere of Susanville, (at the time) I also want to add I am fully aware that these prisons had to be built somewhere. Anyway this guard said to me , Of course Allison there will be a huge amount of new people moving here due to this new prison being built, and then he said, "After all, California prisoner's and the prisons are the biggest cash crop in the state"
I will never forget those words.
Robert McClendon
Posted: 13 Aug 2008 01:06 PM CDT After 18 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit, Robert McClendon was freed Monday night due to DNA evidence of his innocence. McClendon's attorneys at the Ohio Innocence Project said they expected prosecutors to formally drop charges within two weeks. Testing in his case was obtained as part of a joint project between the Columbus Dispatch and the Ohio Innocence Project. An Ohio lab provided DNA testing pro bono. News coverage of McClendon's release: NBC4 Columbus, Ohio - with photos and video: McClendon's first taste of freedom Columbus Dispatch: Hello freedom: Robert McClendon rejoins his family as a free man Five-part Columbus Dispatch Investigation: Test of Convictions Associated Press: Judge frees convicted Ohio rapist after DNA test |
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The Innocence Project-Updates
| Federal judge: New York man has the right to DNA testing Posted: 31 Jul 2008 10:03 AM CDT In an opinion that could have wide implications, Judge John Gleeson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District issued an opinion last week finding that New York inmate Frank McKithen has the right to pursue DNA testing that could potentially prove his innocence. McKithen says he was wrongfully convicted of attacking his wife with a knife in 1992 and wants to test the knife for biological material. Read the full opinion here. The judge wrote: "The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment grants a convicted offender access to physical evidence for the purpose of DNA testing if it can be performed with negligible cost to the state and exculpatory results would undermine confidence in the outcome of trial." The Innocence has project has consulted with McKithen's attorneys at Arent Fox LLP on the case. |
| Update: Media coverage of stay in Alabama case Posted: 31 Jul 2008 10:15 AM CDT Yesterday, Tommy Arthur's execution (previously set for today) was stayed by the Alabama Supreme Court. Read media coverage of the developments below. Your voice can help obtain justice for Arthur. Join thousands of Innocence Project supporters in sending an email urging Gov. Bob Riley to grant DNA testing now that the execution is stayed. Media coverage: New York Times: Court votes to Postpone an Execution in Alabama Birmingham News: Court delays execution, state can't find rape kit evidence Birmingham News Editorial: Court had ample reasons to block today's execution Associated Press: Supreme Court postpones execution |
| Posted: 30 Jul 2008 08:30 PM CDT The Alabama Supreme Court voted 5-4 today to stay the execution of Tommy Arthur, which had been set for 6 pm CST tomorrow. Read today's breaking news here. (Gadsden Times, 07/30/08) There is still no plan to test the DNA evidence that could prove Arthur's innocence. Send Gov. Bob Riley an email urging him to order the testing here. |
The Innocence Project
I am just passing along what I feel should be a concern for all Americans.
Hearing today in New Jersey; new evidence should overturn murder conviction
Darrell Edwards has been behind bars in New Jersey for nearly a decade for a murder he has always said he didn’t commit, and Innocence Project attorneys will argue at a hearing this afternoon that new DNA test results and other substantial evidence should lead to a new trial in his case.
Edwards (above) was convicted and sentenced to life in prison based mainly on faulty eyewitness identification. One key witness who testified at Edwards’ trial that she saw him from 271 feet away, at night, without wearing her glasses has recanted her identification, saying she was “just guessing” and that police influenced her choice. New scientific evidence presented today by the Innocence Project also shows that identifying a person from 271 feet — even an acquaintance — is impossible. Another eyewitness to the shooting told police that he saw the killer from 20 feet away and that it wasn’t Edwards. Police tried to influence this witness to identify Edwards, then labeled him a hostile witness when he refused to cooperate.
It took three years for Edwards’ case to go to trial, and it would take four trials to convict him. Now, the Innocence Project is fighting to overturn his conviction based on the wide array of newly discovered evidence. New DNA tests show that biological evidence on the gun used in the murder and a sweatshirt worn by the assailant exclude Edwards. At a hearing this afternoon in Newark, Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck and Staff Attorney Vanessa Potkin will tell a state judge that they believe Edwards is innocent and that the law says he is at least entitled to a new trial. Cardozo School of Law clinic students have worked on the case at the Innocence Project and will attend today’s hearing.
“In recent years, New Jersey has become a leader in reforming police lineups and photo arrays to decrease eyewitness misidentifications. Darrell Edwards was convicted before these reforms were in place, and before scientific experts shed new light on just how impossible it is to accurately identify someone from this distance,” Scheck said.
Read more about Edwards’ case in today’s Innocence Project press release. Prosecutors are opposing the Innocence Project’s motion for a new trial, and the judge is expected to rule at a later date. Check the Innocence Blog for updates.
Two days to execution in Alabama, still no DNA test
For nearly 25 years, Tommy Arthur has sat on Alabama’s death row. His appeals have been repeatedly denied, and he is now scheduled to die on Thursday night, July 31, despite the fact that critical evidence in his case has still not been subjected to DNA testing. The evidence could help show whether Arthur is guilty or innocent, and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (above) has the authority to order the tests, but he has refused to do so.
In recent weeks, thousands of Innocence Project supporters have sent emails directly to Riley, urging him to order DNA testing in the case. Last year, Riley’s aides insisted that state governors couldn’t order DNA tests, but George W. Bush ordered testing for a death row inmate when he was the governor of Texas and several other governors have done the same. Nationwide, 16 people who served time on death row for crimes they didn’t commit have been exonerated by DNA evidence. Send an email to Riley today urging him to do the right thing before he carries out a sentence he can't reverse.
Hearing today in New Jersey; new evidence should overturn murder conviction
Darrell Edwards has been behind bars in New Jersey for nearly a decade for a murder he has always said he didn’t commit, and Innocence Project attorneys will argue at a hearing this afternoon that new DNA test results and other substantial evidence should lead to a new trial in his case.Edwards (above) was convicted and sentenced to life in prison based mainly on faulty eyewitness identification. One key witness who testified at Edwards’ trial that she saw him from 271 feet away, at night, without wearing her glasses has recanted her identification, saying she was “just guessing” and that police influenced her choice. New scientific evidence presented today by the Innocence Project also shows that identifying a person from 271 feet — even an acquaintance — is impossible. Another eyewitness to the shooting told police that he saw the killer from 20 feet away and that it wasn’t Edwards. Police tried to influence this witness to identify Edwards, then labeled him a hostile witness when he refused to cooperate.
It took three years for Edwards’ case to go to trial, and it would take four trials to convict him. Now, the Innocence Project is fighting to overturn his conviction based on the wide array of newly discovered evidence. New DNA tests show that biological evidence on the gun used in the murder and a sweatshirt worn by the assailant exclude Edwards. At a hearing this afternoon in Newark, Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck and Staff Attorney Vanessa Potkin will tell a state judge that they believe Edwards is innocent and that the law says he is at least entitled to a new trial. Cardozo School of Law clinic students have worked on the case at the Innocence Project and will attend today’s hearing.
“In recent years, New Jersey has become a leader in reforming police lineups and photo arrays to decrease eyewitness misidentifications. Darrell Edwards was convicted before these reforms were in place, and before scientific experts shed new light on just how impossible it is to accurately identify someone from this distance,” Scheck said.
Read more about Edwards’ case in today’s Innocence Project press release. Prosecutors are opposing the Innocence Project’s motion for a new trial, and the judge is expected to rule at a later date. Check the Innocence Blog for updates.
Two days to execution in Alabama, still no DNA test
In recent weeks, thousands of Innocence Project supporters have sent emails directly to Riley, urging him to order DNA testing in the case. Last year, Riley’s aides insisted that state governors couldn’t order DNA tests, but George W. Bush ordered testing for a death row inmate when he was the governor of Texas and several other governors have done the same. Nationwide, 16 people who served time on death row for crimes they didn’t commit have been exonerated by DNA evidence. Send an email to Riley today urging him to do the right thing before he carries out a sentence he can't reverse.
The Innocence Project- More must reads
Today's Innocence Blog |
| Posted: 28 Jul 2008 01:35 PM CDT Ten years ago, on July 20, 1998 - after serving almost 15 years for a rape he didn't commit - Perry Mitchell became the first South Carolinian to be exonerated by DNA. Sunday marked the tenth anniversary of his exoneration. Although Mitchell was allowed access to the DNA tests that ultimately freed him, his request could have easily been denied. Even now, ten years after Mitchell's exoneration, South Carolina is one of seven states with no law guaranteeing DNA access to inmates who believe they have been wrongfully convicted. Legislation that would have ensured access to DNA testing and evidence preservation recently passed South Carolina's legislature, only to be vetoed by Governor Mark Sanford. The governor said he couldn't support a last-minute amendment to the bill that would have allowed DNA samples to be taken from anyone arrested for a serious crime. Click here to learn more about the situation in South Carolina or view our interactive map to find out about the other six states lacking DNA testing access. |
| Posted: 28 Jul 2008 01:51 PM CDT After two mistrials and a third trial that ended with a hung jury, Darrell Edwards was convicted of a 1995 Newark murder in his fourth trial. The main evidence against him was eyewitness testimony. The prosecution argued that Edwards shot the victim in a sandwich shop and then fled down the street, tossing a hooded sweatshirt and gun. New DNA testing has revealed a mixture of male profiles on the sweatshirt and gun, none of which match Edwards. And an eyewitness who testified at trial that she identified him from 271 feet away (at night) without wearing her glasses now says she was "just guessing." There is significant evidence that the crime was actually part of a Newark-Atlanta drug-trafficking ring (completely unrelated to Edwards) but police ignored evidence that could have led to the real perpetrator years ago. Innocence Project attorneys will argue at a hearing tomorrow afternoon in Newark, New Jersey, that the new evidence is more than enough to overturn Edwards' conviction and grant him a new trial. "The person who committed this crime left their DNA on the sweatshirt and the DNA does not belong to Darrell Edwards," (Innocence Project Staff Attorney Vanessa) Potkin said. "From our perspective, the new DNA test results are powerful evidence showing what Darrell Edwards has been saying for nearly 13 years, that he is not responsible for this crime." At tomorrow's hearing, the Innocence Project will also present new scientific findings on the unreliability of eyewitness identifications from long distances, showing that a person can not identify anyone's face from 271 feet - even if the witness has perfect eyesight and they are identifying an acquaintance.Read the full story here. (Newark Star-Ledger, 07/27/08) A video on WABC News Friday explored the new discoveries on identification research, and features an interview with Edwards from New Jersey State Prison. "I believe that my day is coming," Edwards says. Watch the full video here. Get details on attending the hearing here.
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The Innocence Project- A Cause sooo close to my heart!
Anyone that knows me on a personal level knows I have a passion about the innocence project along with those that have kept up with my blogs. I am simply copying and pasting this from their "About us" page and when you are done reading this I URGE you to go to http://www.innocenceproject.org/ yourself and fill yourself up with the knowledge of this cause that is so dear to my heart. It is a cause that simply CANNOT be ignored!!!
About the Innocence Project
The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal clinic affiliated with the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and created by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld in 1992. The project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. As a clinic, law students handle case work while supervised by a team of attorneys and clinic staff.
Most of our clients are poor, forgotten, and have used up all legal avenues for relief. The hope they all have is that biological evidence from their cases still exists and can be subjected to DNA testing. All Innocence Project clients go through an extensive screening process to determine whether or not DNA testing of evidence could prove their claims of innocence. Thousands currently await our evaluation of their cases.
DNA testing has been a major factor in changing the criminal justice system. It has provided scientific proof that our system convicts and sentences innocent people — and that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rare events. Most importantly, DNA testing has opened a window into wrongful convictions so that we may study the causes and propose remedies that may minimize the chances that more innocent people are convicted.
As forerunners in the field of wrongful convictions, the Innocence Project has grown to become much more than the "court of last resort" for inmates who have exhausted their appeals and their means. We are a founding member of The Innocence Network, a group of law schools, journalism schools and public defender offices across the country that assists inmates trying to prove their innocence whether or not the cases involve biological evidence which can be subjected to DNA testing. We consult with legislators and law enforcement officials on the state, local, and federal level, conduct research and training, produce scholarship and propose a wide range of remedies to prevent wrongful convictions while continuing our work to free innocent inmates through the use of post-conviction DNA testing.
We hope that this site will raise awareness and concern about the failings of our criminal justice system. It is a facet of our society that eventually touches all of its citizens. The prospect of innocents languishing in prison or, worse, being put to death for crimes that they did not commit, should be intolerable to every American, regardless of race, politics, sex, origin, or creed.
Innocence Project
100 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10011
info@innocenceproject.org
212.364.5340
Now that you have read this I want to share with you some correspondonce I had with this fine group of people today.
I asked to be added to this causes mailing list awhile back when I just had to know more about the men that are getting released out of prison( after being wrongfully convicted) after doing massive amounts of time, some in their second decade. It mortifys me to think that this is really happening here in the United States. When I read of someone on death row being released due to our D.N.A. testing and you read they have been in prison for say 25 years, I personally think of my children and giving birth to them 25 years ago. I think of all the wonders of their 25 years on this earth, all the way from birth, through schooling, first kisses, proms, perhaps marriage and perhaps children of their own. To think that somebody has sat on Death Row the same amount of time, wrongfully convicted, well I cannot even express it.
Today I wrote this letter to the Innocence Project at 12:42 pacific daylight savings time or P.S.D.
This was in reference to a page on their sight that I was inquiring about.
At 12:49 P.M. I received a letter thanking me for my interest etc. This was NOT a form letter.I was so impressed.
The Cal. Senate Appropriations Committee is the letter I was referring to and I urge all Californians to send this letter as I have done.
This is a letter I received today from the Innocence project and in it is the links I am speaking of.
Allison
Thanks for reading. I would love any and all comments on this subject
About the Innocence Project
The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal clinic affiliated with the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and created by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld in 1992. The project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. As a clinic, law students handle case work while supervised by a team of attorneys and clinic staff.
Most of our clients are poor, forgotten, and have used up all legal avenues for relief. The hope they all have is that biological evidence from their cases still exists and can be subjected to DNA testing. All Innocence Project clients go through an extensive screening process to determine whether or not DNA testing of evidence could prove their claims of innocence. Thousands currently await our evaluation of their cases.
DNA testing has been a major factor in changing the criminal justice system. It has provided scientific proof that our system convicts and sentences innocent people — and that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rare events. Most importantly, DNA testing has opened a window into wrongful convictions so that we may study the causes and propose remedies that may minimize the chances that more innocent people are convicted.
As forerunners in the field of wrongful convictions, the Innocence Project has grown to become much more than the "court of last resort" for inmates who have exhausted their appeals and their means. We are a founding member of The Innocence Network, a group of law schools, journalism schools and public defender offices across the country that assists inmates trying to prove their innocence whether or not the cases involve biological evidence which can be subjected to DNA testing. We consult with legislators and law enforcement officials on the state, local, and federal level, conduct research and training, produce scholarship and propose a wide range of remedies to prevent wrongful convictions while continuing our work to free innocent inmates through the use of post-conviction DNA testing.
We hope that this site will raise awareness and concern about the failings of our criminal justice system. It is a facet of our society that eventually touches all of its citizens. The prospect of innocents languishing in prison or, worse, being put to death for crimes that they did not commit, should be intolerable to every American, regardless of race, politics, sex, origin, or creed.
Innocence Project
100 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10011
info@innocenceproject.org
212.364.5340
Now that you have read this I want to share with you some correspondonce I had with this fine group of people today.
I asked to be added to this causes mailing list awhile back when I just had to know more about the men that are getting released out of prison( after being wrongfully convicted) after doing massive amounts of time, some in their second decade. It mortifys me to think that this is really happening here in the United States. When I read of someone on death row being released due to our D.N.A. testing and you read they have been in prison for say 25 years, I personally think of my children and giving birth to them 25 years ago. I think of all the wonders of their 25 years on this earth, all the way from birth, through schooling, first kisses, proms, perhaps marriage and perhaps children of their own. To think that somebody has sat on Death Row the same amount of time, wrongfully convicted, well I cannot even express it.
The deaf ears they must have endured, the family strife. All the people they must have spoke too claiming their innocence. And ALL the people that did not listen. And then comes the Innocence Project. I could go on and on (again) about this cause but this is being written for another reason that I am getting back too."Relating it to having children that are that old is the way I look at the time frame in my own mind. It is just MY personal way."
Today I wrote this letter to the Innocence Project at 12:42 pacific daylight savings time or P.S.D.
This was in reference to a page on their sight that I was inquiring about.
"I would like to place your page (the 10 things you can do to help) page along with the links on my blogs. May I do this? I also wondered if you have buttons or banners one can place on their personal blogs to promote the innocence project. I also sent the letter from California. Being a Californian I am EXTREMELY interested with this. I blog to a lot of my friends many of whom are in California and I would love to be able to post about your posts with links and such. I want to know if it is allowable
Thank you
Allison White
I truly love what you are about and doing. God bless you."
At 12:49 P.M. I received a letter thanking me for my interest etc. This was NOT a form letter.I was so impressed.
The Cal. Senate Appropriations Committee is the letter I was referring to and I urge all Californians to send this letter as I have done.
This is a letter I received today from the Innocence project and in it is the links I am speaking of.
Dear Allison, Thank you for doing your part to ensure that all wrongfully convicted Californians receive the monetary compensation and access to the reintegrative services they need and deserve. Your voice makes a difference! Your message has been sent to:
 And visit our website for other ways to get involved today. Thanks again for taking action on behalf of the wrongfully convicted, The Innocence Project |
"I wish I had money to donate to this fine organization, but I don't, however I sure would like to think I can help out in some small way by spreading the word on my little old blog. I would love to hear from anyone that perhaps took the time to at least go to this site and read what this organization is all about."I also would like to leave you with a personal thought from me.
"What have you done in the last 5 years of YOUR life? The good, the bad, and the ugly, ALL OF IT!. What have you done? Did you graduate a school? Get married, have a child? Learn a new language? How about like me? find out you have a true passion that you never new you had?( for me woodworking)PEACE!!!
Now imagine yourself in prison for a crime you did not do for those five years? What would you have missed?"
Allison
Thanks for reading. I would love any and all comments on this subject
