Gabriel City » Innocence

North Carolina Innocence Panel

hcdmedia — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:22:47 +0000

The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission is the only special innocence panel in the country. It was established in 2006 to review claims of innocence by prisoners in the state after several wrongful convictions were brought to public attention. Over the last four years, the Commission has reviewed hundreds of cases, but has only passed on three to a three-judge panel hearing. Of those three, only the last case, ruled on February 17, 2010, was overturned. George Taylor, who was convicted and jailed for murdering a prostitute in 1991, was found innocent, and was finally freed from prison.

Bill Introduced to Prevent Innocent from Execution

hcdmedia — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:40:59 +0000

The Effective Death Penalty Appeals Act was introduced by Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) and would allow death penalty inmates to present newly discovered evidence of innocence. Current law does not grant habeas corpus for death row inmates and allows the inmates no procedural options.

Innocent but Executed

hcdmedia — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:24:30 +0000

In 2004 Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in Texas. Until his death he claimed his innocence. Now, years later, a New Yorker article investigates Willingham’s case and finds that there is forensic proof that Willingham was indeed innocent.

Barry Scheck, co-director of the Innocence Project writes an article for the Huffington Post about the need to improve on forensic testing in the United States. Read the article here.

And read the New Yorker expose here.

Questions for Cathy – Guilty or Innocent?

Cathy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:52:53 +0000

Do you believe some people at Angola are innocent? What does that
mean for you?

My job is clear. I am to provide care and custody for those sentenced by the courts – by a jury of their peers. I don’t decide guilt or innocence. I do provide access to legal serves for those who appeal. I do feel that people are capable and do know many that can release with skills and attitudes far better than what they arrived with.

What is the hardest decision you’ve faced?

How to write a press release fitting enough to honor a Captain (DCKnapps) who was killed in a hostage situation while saving countless others.

After 22 Years on Death Row, Paul House is Cleared

hcdmedia — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:00:12 +0000

After two decades of struggling to reverse his wrongful conviction, Paul House has been cleared in Tennessee. Read more about how the Innocence Project worked to release him from death row.

To learn more about the Innocence Project visit their website.

Prosecuters Block Inmates’ Access to DNA Testing

hcdmedia — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:41:50 +0000

Prisoners seeking to use a DNA test to prove their innocence may be blocked from accessing the test! A recent analysis at University of Virginia Law School found that prosecuters deny DNA testing in almost 1 of every 5 cases. Read the New York Times news story that sheds light on this issue.

Innocent People are in Prison

hcdmedia — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:07:15 +0000

How many innocent men and women are sitting in American prisons today? Imagine sitting in a prison cell for 15 years for a crime you didn’t commit.

That’s what happened to Joseph Fears Jr.

In 1984 Joseph was convicted of a rape that he didn’t commit. In 2009 DNA testing proved that he was innocent. He was exonerated March 10, 2009.

Joseph might have been in jail for another 15 years if the Innocence Project had not taken on his case. The Innocence Project is a legal clinic committed to assisting prisoners who could be proven innocent through DNA testing. To this day 237 people have been exonerated through the Innocence Project.

Keep up to date with their work. Visit the Innocence Project website.