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PPAz83

Jackson was freed after a 'witness' who, as a boy that claimed to see the attack, finally admits that he lied.

Witness Recants, Freeing Ohio Man After 39 Years - ABC News

 
whitediamonds

First thing that comes to mind is how horrible decades inside when innocent.

Then I have to wonder what was going on in the 70's, 80's, early 90's especially?

Many of those exonerations were first sentenced back decades ago?.

 
YMIHere

And that's what makes the stiff sentences here that much more effed up. When someone IS wrongfully incarcerated, it's not for a just amount of time. It's always some ridiculous over the top sentence. Maybe I wouldn't even think the sentences were so stiff if our justice system was actually FAIR. But when you know how corrupt it is, just knowing how the GOVERNMENT steals people's lives is insane.

You have racial profiling, cops coercing witnesses. Mandatory minimums entice innocent people to plead to things they didn't do for fear of doing even MORE time for something they didn't do.

Another thing that bugs me is the non admission of evidence. How based on some other law, actual evidence can't find it's way into a trial. Then you have the law holding onto their convictions so hard that they will FIGHT to not have DNA tests run! For $200 or so, you can have a DNA test and know for a FACT whether or not this person committed the crime or not, but they will fight tooth and nail to not allow that to happen.

Back in the day, I'm sure video wasn't as readily available. Take for example the West Memphis 3. If I'm not mistaken PORTIONS of that were taped. What about the portions where you can see the police clearly leading someone? Like this 12 year old witness. I bet that conversation was not as crystal clear as the DA made it seem to be. How could it be? The kid didn't see anything!

My favorite part is being judged by a "jury of your peers". If you're an 18 year old black man and half of your jury is white and middle aged, one of them is a white senior citizen, one Indian American, One Puerto Rican and 3 black men (IF you're LUCKY), how is that a jury of your peers? They'll barely be able to put together a jury of your peers with 1 in 13 black men being unable to vote or serve on a jury due to a felony.

Our system is a MESS. I'm no patriot for sure. I've been told if I don't like it I should leave and believe me, if I had the resources, I'd probably do some research and I bet I COULD find somewhere to live with a government that I believe actually gives a sh*t about it's citizens. I'd be out of here in a heartbeat.

Tirade over.

 
PPAz83

I believe 39 years is the longest anyone has served in prison before being exonerated.

 
Newpenpal

You couldn't even imagine how he felt could you! Bit like that guy in the Shawshank Redemption film - Andy, when he knows he's innocent and no one believes him. You could never trust anyone again, you would be scared to be in the wrong place at the wrong time just in case! Poor guy

 
Medusa03

I don't think I could cope with knowing I was innocent and everyone thinking I was nothing more than a liar

That would drive me mad for sure.
Horrible.
No wonder he cried when he heard that finally the truth came to the light.

 
Newpenpal

The thought of having your life taken away when you are innocent doesn't bare thinking about. It's enough to send you mad! I think it would me, I don't think I could cope with knowing I was innocent and everyone thinking I was nothing more than a liar

 
PPAz83

And how I would feel towards that man. He landed him the sentence by lying but at the same time he was a scared boy who was easily influenced and persuaded during questioning. I imagine he had accepted dying in prison as his fate too. I can't even begin to imagine the spectrum of emotions and thoughts he is dealing with and what the future holds for him.

 
Medusa03

I just tried to imagine how it would be like to be released after 39 years.
Thanks for sharing.