Tag

Wrongful Conviction

All articles tagged with #wrongful conviction

Execution in Tennessee Death-Row Case Hangs on Questionable Jailhouse Snitch
us-news9 days ago

Execution in Tennessee Death-Row Case Hangs on Questionable Jailhouse Snitch

Tony Carruthers, sentenced to death for a 1994 Memphis triple murder, faces execution amid doubts about the conviction rooted in Alfredo Shaw’s jailhouse testimony, which records later showed Shaw was a paid informant; Shaw recanted, Carruthers’ self-representation and lack of physical evidence have long raised questions, and advocates see this as part of a broader pattern of wrongful convictions tied to snitch testimony, even as Governor Bill Lee declined clemency.

Grief, Not Guilt: Nevada Stillbirth Case Exposes Risks of Criminalizing Pregnancy Outcomes
law14 days ago

Grief, Not Guilt: Nevada Stillbirth Case Exposes Risks of Criminalizing Pregnancy Outcomes

A Nevada mother, Patience Rousseau, spent over two years in prison after a 2018 Facebook post and cop-misinterpreted actions were used to charges of manslaughter in a stillbirth, despite abortion being legal in the state. A 2021 ruling vacated the conviction for ineffective counsel, and she received a $100,000 settlement in 2025; the case underscores a broader trend of prosecutors using broad or old laws to criminalize pregnancy outcomes rather than focusing on the fetus’s harm. It also concerns the mishandling of the baby’s remains and highlights calls for reform and greater support for pregnant people facing loss and poverty.

ACLU seeks post-conviction DNA testing in Tennessee triple-murder case to challenge death sentence
crime1 month ago

ACLU seeks post-conviction DNA testing in Tennessee triple-murder case to challenge death sentence

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a motion with the Tennessee Supreme Court requesting post-conviction DNA testing in the 1994 kidnapping/murder case that left Tony Carruthers on death row. The petition argues that fingerprints at the crime scene do not match Carruthers or co-defendant James Montgomery and highlights an unidentified male DNA profile on a white blanket linked to the victims. Retrial evidence indicated a different suspect (Ronnie Irving) may be involved, and Montgomery later testified Carruthers was not involved. If the DNA testing could exonerate Carruthers or point to another suspect, it could lead to a stay of his May 21 execution date; the case has long been entangled with claims of inadequate legal representation and reliance on jailhouse informants.

Adrien Brody Shines In The Fear Of 13, A Broadway Tale Of Justice Delayed
entertainment1 month ago

Adrien Brody Shines In The Fear Of 13, A Broadway Tale Of Justice Delayed

Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson give affecting Broadway debuts in Lindsey Ferrentino’s The Fear of 13, a docu-inspired drama about a falsely accused death-row inmate. The play powerfully conveys the slow grind of justice through time-jumps and stark staging, though some prison-trope visuals and a late reveal feel overwrought. Overall, it’s a strong, imperfect meditation on wrongful conviction, anchored by Brody’s intense, vulnerable performance.

Man Exonerated After 19 Years Thanks to Letter from Actual Shooter
justice5 months ago

Man Exonerated After 19 Years Thanks to Letter from Actual Shooter

Emel McDowell served 19 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, based on a letter from the actual gunman that was ignored. His conviction was finally vacated in 2023 after the gunman's confession, leading to a wrongful conviction settlement, but he continues to fight for justice and recognition, reflecting on lost opportunities and ongoing struggles faced by exonerees.

Amanda Knox and Monica Lewinsky Collaborate on New TV Projects
entertainment9 months ago

Amanda Knox and Monica Lewinsky Collaborate on New TV Projects

Amanda Knox, once wrongly convicted of murder in Italy, is producing an eight-part Hulu series about her experience, teaming up with Monica Lewinsky, who also shares her story of public scrutiny and shame. The series aims to humanize Knox's story and challenge misconceptions, with Knox and Lewinsky reflecting on their shared experiences of vilification and resilience.

Two Men Freed After 15 Years as Convictions Overturned in Detective Scandal
crime1 year ago

Two Men Freed After 15 Years as Convictions Overturned in Detective Scandal

Two men, Dominique Moore and Cedric Warren, were released after their 2009 double homicide convictions were overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct involving a key witness's mental health issues. The case was overseen by discredited detective Roger Golubski, who faced allegations of misconduct and died by suicide before his trial. Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree decided not to retry the men, citing fairness concerns. The case highlights ongoing investigations into Golubski's involvement in other wrongful convictions.

Arrest Made in 1985 Georgia Church Murders After 39 Years
local-news1 year ago

Arrest Made in 1985 Georgia Church Murders After 39 Years

A 61-year-old man, Erik Kristensen Sparre, has been arrested and charged with the 1985 murders of Harold and Thelma Swain at a Camden County church, following new DNA evidence linking him to the crime. This development comes after Dennis Perry, previously convicted for the murders, was exonerated in 2020 due to DNA evidence excluding him as the perpetrator. Perry, who spent over 20 years in prison, was awarded $1.23 million by the state after his release.

Judge Declares Texas Death Row Inmate Melissa Lucio 'Actually Innocent'
law-and-justice1 year ago

Judge Declares Texas Death Row Inmate Melissa Lucio 'Actually Innocent'

A Texas judge has declared Melissa Lucio, a death row inmate convicted of murdering her toddler daughter, "actually innocent" and recommended her release. Lucio's case, which has gained attention from Kim Kardashian and other advocates, is now under review by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. New evidence suggests that her daughter's death was accidental, caused by a fall, rather than murder. Lucio's conviction and death sentence are being challenged, with support from various public figures and legal advocates.

"Wrongly Jailed Man Rejects Apology from UK Review Body"
justice-system2 years ago

"Wrongly Jailed Man Rejects Apology from UK Review Body"

Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, dismissed an apology from the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) after it twice turned down his attempts to have his conviction referred to the Court of Appeal. Malkinson, whose conviction was quashed last July after DNA evidence linked another suspect to the crime, felt the apology was "too little too late" and called for new leadership at the CCRC. He had been found guilty of a 2003 rape in Salford, northwest of Manchester, but always maintained his innocence, spending an additional 10 years behind bars before his release in 2020.