Category Archives: Life after exoneration

A Tale of Two Moms

Posted on May 15, 2013 by justinobrooks | 3 Comments

Alice Leong and Leomia Myers have something in common. They both have suffered the pain of watching their sons wrongful convictions. For one of them, the suffering is over. Her son, Brian Banks, is now an NFL linebacker. The other still suffers everyday with her sons wrongful incarceration http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/05/14/california-innocence-project-marches-for-mothers-of-wrongfully-convicted

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Posted in Exonerations, Life after exoneration, Recantations, Uncategorized

Tagged innocence;Brian Banks;Mother's Day, wrongful conviction

Monday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Mark Godsey | Leave a comment

Death row exoneree from Louisiana builds new life in Minnesota
Darrel Parker, Nebraska exoneree, one step closer to compensation that will pay for his “dream house.”
In Japan, wrongful convictions raise questions about death penalty
Redemption for attorney Ken Lawson of the Hawaii Innocence Project

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Posted in Asia, Capital punishment, Compensation/Exoneree compensation, Freedom's Heroes, Life after exoneration

Exonerees often find that their record haunts them

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Martin Yant | 2 Comments

One of the 8,000 graduating students at Ohio State University to whom President Barack Obama gave the commencement address yesterday had a lot longer journey than most to get to that point. Virginia LeFever’s plans to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing were interrupted in 1990 when she was convicted of killing her husband, greatly because of the novel theory of an expert who lied about his credentials. When LeFever’s conviction was overturned in 2011 and she was released from prison, she started looking for a job and applied to continue her studies at OSU.

Getting into college proved to be easier than getting a job. Although LeFever’s criminal record had been ordered sealed, it still came up in background reports until the source was identified and the records were removed from its database. LeFever also had to overcome difficulties getting her nursing license fully reinstated. Now that she has her degree and a license, LeFever hopes to get a nursing job and start graduate work so she can become a nurse practioner. But it’s taken a two-year struggle and the help of her dedicated attorneys to get to the point that she hopes to be able to get a decent-paying job.

LeFever is not alone. As The New York Times reports here, “sealing or clearing a criminal record after a wrongful conviction is a tangled and expensive process” that many exonerees have difficulty getting through.

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Posted in Exonerations, Junk science, Life after exoneration, North America, Uncategorized

Judge Calculates New York’s Payment for Wrongful Imprisonment: About $5.5 Million

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Nancy Petro | 5 Comments

What financial number would you put on the loss of nine years, nine years of freedom exchanged for nine years in prison? What’s the price of family separation, damaged relationships, stress and anxiety? What’s fair compensation for health ramifications and ongoing required treatment? What about lost wages and impaired future earnings? As mentioned on this blog today (here), Nicholas V. Midey Jr., Judge of the New York Court of Claims, ruled on April 4, 2013, that for Daniel Gristwood, 46, a father of five who spent nine years in prison for a crime he did not commit, the appropriate compensation from New York state is $5,485,394.

Directly from Judge Midey’s 22-page ruling: Continue reading →

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Posted in Compensation/Exoneree compensation, Editorials/Opinion, False confessions, Life after exoneration, Police conduct (good and bad), Reforming/Improving the system

Tagged Daniel Gristwood

Notes from the 2013 Innocence Network Conference: Inspiring, Instructive, Productive

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Nancy Petro | 4 Comments

Not many wrongfully convicted people will one day play professional football. In fact, so far, just one Innocence Project client, exonerated after wrongful conviction and imprisonment, has been drafted by the National Football League. Brian Banks’s story is inspiring and higher-profile than most, yet, as the 2013 Innocence Network Conference convened last week in Charlotte, North Carolina, attendees were reminded that every exoneration is an inspiring story of determination and indomitable human spirit demonstrated by an unguaranteed quest for freedom and true justice, however delayed. Continue reading →

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Posted in Editorials/Opinion, Events, Life after exoneration, Reforming/Improving the system

Tagged Innocence Network Conference

Exoneree Fernando Bermudez on a Lecture Tour in Germany

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Kana Sasakura | 1 Comment

From Fernando Bermudez:

Exoneree Fernando Bermudez is now touring around Germany, giving lectures about his experience and the innocence movement in the United States. The cities he will be visiting are: Bochum, Greifswald, Berlin, Passau, Tübingen, Wiesbaden, and Freiburg. Read the news here (in German).

Fernando Bermudez served over 18 years in New York prisons, following his wrongful conviction for murder, until proven innocent in 2009. Continue reading →

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Posted in Exonerations, Inquisitional and adversarial systems of justice, Life after exoneration, Western Europe

Tagged exoneration, Fenando Bermudez, Germany

Innocence Network Conference Convenes in Charlotte, North Carolina

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Nancy Petro | 1 Comment

More than 500 attendees from around the world, including at least 100 exonerees, are arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 2013 annual Innocence Network Conference, which will begin Friday, April 19, at 7:00 a.m. EST with opening remarks at 8:00 a.m. from Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck, co-founders of the Innocence Project, a model that has been emulated throughout the United States and internationally. The sell-out conference will conclude at 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 20. Exonerees will gather at a preliminary reception Thursday evening. Continue reading →

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Posted in Life after exoneration, Reforming/Improving the system, Scholarship, Victims and victim issues

Monday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Mark Godsey | Leave a comment

Article about torture during interrogations in South Africa, exposed by the Wits Justice Project
Some lawmakers in the Florida want to speed up executions
How the Retrial Act (which allows old cases to be reopened when new evidence of innocence surfaces) has given hope to the innocent in Thailand
In California, walking 600 miles for the innocent
Connecticut Innocence Project gets new director
The Mississippi Supreme Court has thrown out the testimony of the prolific and controversial medical examiner Steven Hayne and ordered a new trial for convicted murderer David Parvin in a unanimous decision. It’s the second time in 20 years that the court has found problems with Hayne’s testimony in a murder case and may foreshadow things to come.
Editorial on the need to compensate exonerees in the state of Washington
Dallas DA Watkins discusses freeing the wrongfully convicted
This month marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant Supreme Court decisions this country’s criminal justice system has ever known – Gideon V. Wainwright. The case, along with later decisions, cemented the 6th amendment right to counsel for anyone, regardless if they have the ability to pay.But in a quick scan of the media today of monthly magazines to news dailies on the topic, readers will find one unified reflection expressed — half a century after Gideon, we are far from realizing effective representation for all. Keep reading here…
Exoneree and football player Brian Banks talks about signing with the Atlanta Falcons
Details on Innocence Project New Orleans’ upcoming 12th annual gala

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Posted in Asia, Compensation/Exoneree compensation, Defense lawyering (good and bad), Editorials/Opinion, False confessions, Junk science, Life after exoneration

Monday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Mark Godsey | Leave a comment

The Manhattan district attorney will not reverse the conviction of a New York City man found guilty of killing a retired police officer during a botched 1998 robbery in Harlem, saying its re-investigation of the high-profile case found no evidence to warrant tossing the verdict. Defense attorneys called the decision “unjust” and a “tragedy” and vowed to continue their fight to free the man. Jon-Adrian “J.J.” Velazquez was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life for the shooting death of Albert Ward at the illegal numbers parlor the former NYPD officer operated.
A review of the film L’Affaire Dumont, about a wrongful conviction in Canada
Alabama set to pardon Scottsboro Boys
In Arizona, Louis Taylor experiences shock upon release and looks forward to starting his new life
After 30 years, Jeffrey MacDonald, who was notoriously convicted of murdering his family, may be freed from prison. A celebrated filmmaker explains why he believes in MacDonald’s innocence.
Bill in Pennsylvania to compensate the wrongfully convicted

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Posted in Commissions/Innocence Commissions/Governmental Case Review Agencies, Compensation/Exoneree compensation, Film/Cinema, Life after exoneration

Brian Banks, Exonerated of Rape Conviction, Signs with Atlanta Falcons

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Phil Locke | 1 Comment

The Brian Banks case has been reported on this blog a number of times. See posts here, here, and here. He was a sure-to-be NFL star when he was convicted of a rape he did not commit. He was eventually exonerated with the help of the California Innocence Project, and has had his heart set on getting back into football ever since.

He has recently signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and now has a chance to resume his career.

Read the SportingNews story here.

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Posted in Exonerations, Life after exoneration

Wednesday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Mark Godsey | Leave a comment

California exoneree Adam Riojas wins on the tv show The Price is Right
Proposed law in California would require videotaping of juvenile interrogations
Texas murder trial nears end in case for which Michael Morton was originally wrongfully convicted
Florida exoneree Anthony Caravella wins $7 million in civil rights lawsuit against officers who investigated and brought charges against him
Pennsylvania may enact exoneree compensation law

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Posted in Compensation/Exoneree compensation, False confessions, Life after exoneration

Brian Banks’ Story to be Featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes”

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Phil Locke | Leave a comment

BRIAN BANKS

The Brian Banks case has been reported on multiple times on this blog. See the post covering his exoneration here.

Brian Banks’ inspiring story will be featured on this week’s episode of CBS’ 60 Minutes show (Sunday, March 24th, 7 pm PT/ET). From the 60 Minutes website: “Blindsided” – Brian Banks may yet play in the NFL, but he knows it’s a longshot after spending five years in prison on a rape charge for which he was later exonerated. James Brown reports.” Brown speaks with Banks, his family, and California Innocence Project director Justin Brooks about the case and what is says about our justice system.

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Posted in Exonerations, Life after exoneration, Reforming/Improving the system

Friday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Mark Godsey | Leave a comment

Texas Senate honors Michael Morton
As Maryland votes on death penalty repeal, Kirk Bloodsworth a living reminder
Ohio exoneree Donte Booker headed back to prison
Innocence Project New Orlean’s 12th annual gala upcoming

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Posted in Events, Life after exoneration

Innocence Project Northwest Fights for the Compensation Bill in Washington

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Kana Sasakura | Leave a comment

From Seattle Weekly:

The Innocence Project Tries Again with Wrongly Convicted Compensation Bill

By Matt Driscoll Wed., Feb. 6 2013 at 8:00 AM

As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Thwarted during the last two legislative sessions in an ongoing attempt to push a bill through that provides financial compensation for the wrongly convicted, the Innocence Project – with help from its local, University of Washington-affiliated chapter and sponsor Rep. Tina Orwall (D – Des Moines) – have gotten back on the horse, championing HB 1341. If passed the legislation would require the state to dole out payments to those who were unjustly convicted of a crime they didn’t commit.

The bill is scheduled for a House Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday, with advocates planning a rally at the Capital Building in Olympia to coincide with the event. But much like was the case in 2011 and 2012, the bill’s ultimate fate is likely tied to something far more straightforward than public support and rallies – how much it will cost. Continue reading →

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Posted in Compensation/Exoneree compensation, Life after exoneration, Project Spotlights

Tagged compensation, IPNW

Tuesday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Mark Godsey | Leave a comment

Profile of Ken Anderson, the prosecutor facing an inquiry into whether he illegally hid evidence in the Michael Morton case; inquiry began yesterday
Exoneree compensation in Wisconsin pales next to Texas
Ohio DNA exoneree Clarence Elkins criticizes prosecutor’s more recently handling of Douglas Prade case
Profile of a shaken baby syndrome case in Australia
Florida exoneree Alan Crotzer has bond set at $100,000 with new charges of attempted murder
Innocence Network UK publishes its report on the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of CCRC
Texas arson review panel finds fewer cases than expected

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Posted in Australia/New Zealand, Compensation/Exoneree compensation, Junk science, Life after exoneration, Prosecutorial conduct (good and bad), United Kingdom

“Not innocent enough” victims of miscarriages lose claims for compensation

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Carole McCartney | 1 Comment

Barry George, (subject of previous blog post here…) and three others, have lost their claims for compensation from the government, following the overturning of their wrongful convictions. One of the claimants, DID win his claim. Ian Lawless served eight years for a murder that he did not commit. He was jailed for life in 2002 and yesterday, a UK High Court judge ruled that the decision not to award Mr Lawless compensation, was legally flawed, and the government must re-consider. This leaves the door open for him to succeed in gaining compensation (read here…)

Barry-George-should-be-en-003

However, the other four claimants LOST their appeals to the High Court, with ramifications for all victims of miscarriages of justice in the UK.

The Court ruled that the government decision to not award payouts to those against who there was evidence that could possibly indicate their guilt was legal, applying for the first time, the Supreme Court ruling that a miscarriage of justice ONLY occurs when: a miscarriage of justice occurs “when a new or newly discovered fact shows conclusively that the evidence against a defendant has been so undermined that no conviction could possibly be based upon it”. Thus, not all those who have convictions overturned will qualify for compensation: “Procedural deficiencies that led to irregularities in the trial or errors in the investigation of offences will not suffice to establish entitlement to compensation”. It was concluded that a jury could STILL find a verdict of guilt against Barry George, thus, he was not a clearly ‘innocent’ person and the government were justified in refusing him compensation.

There are a further 11 cases awaiting a hearing, but with this decision, it is highly unlikely that the High Court will waiver, and the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2011, will stand firm. Barry George therefore, along with many others, will continue to live with the cloud over their head, that they have yet to ‘prove their innocence’, as many media outlets are reporting. See here….

Infographic on the sad stats of wrongful conviction
Exoneree compensation bill to be introduced in Colorado
RIP Nebraska exoneree Joseph White
Dallas DA Craig Watkins wants lawmakers to consider a Racial Justice Act

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Posted in Compensation/Exoneree compensation, Life after exoneration, Prosecutorial conduct (good and bad), Race

Monday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Mark Godsey | Leave a comment

Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University 2012 report, outlining 5 exonerations during 2012
Judge in Texas considering new trial in arson case of Ed Graf
Charges dropped against detective accused of lying in the Tim Masters wrongful conviction case in Colorado
Wisconsin Innocence Project wins new trial for Seneca Malone, in prison for murder, based on ineffective assistance of counsel
RIP exoneree Bennett Barbour

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Posted in Defense lawyering (good and bad), Exonerations, Forensic controls, Junk science, Life after exoneration, Police conduct (good and bad)

Thursday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Mark Godsey | 3 Comments

Exoneree Christopher Scott named Texan of the Year
The governor of North Carolina has signed full pardons of innocence for 10 political prisoners wrongfully convicted of arson and conspiracy more than 40 years ago. Gov. Beverly Purdue pardoned the Wilmington 10 on Monday. The nine black men and one white woman, only six of whom are still living, were wrongfully convicted of fire-bombing a grocery store after police shot a black teenager. ”I have decided to grant these pardons because the more facts I have learned about the Wilmington 10, the more appalled I have become about the manner in which their convictions were obtained,” Gov. Purdue said.

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Posted in Life after exoneration, Race

Sunday’s Quick Clicks…

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Mark Godsey | 1 Comment

Two exonerees in Israel to be compensated more than $250,000 US each; more here
Video: Ohio exoneree Roger Dean Gillispie celebrates Christmas with family
Johnathan Montgomery’s accuser takes full responsibility for fabricating false sexual assault claim against him
Exoneree in the Central Park Jogger case arrested on assault charge
Wisconsin exoneree William Avery gets a mere $25,000 total in compensation for his 6 years wrongfully in prison
A U.S. Justice Department review has identified at least 175 federal prisoners who must be released or resentenced because they have been locked up improperly. The review, which followed a USA TODAY investigation, found that some of those prisoners shouldn’t have been imprisoned because they hadn’t committed a federal crime. Others received sentences vastly longer than the law allows.