Category Archives: Wrongful Convictions

Overflowing Containment…

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Please check out this brief three minute news video* and meet me back here…

A dear friend recently sent this clip to me. It’s heartbreaking to watch at first as it depicts the dire challenges many exonerees face after being released from prison. It’s a story about an innocent man’s release from prison after serving twenty-five years for a crime he did not commit. Jonathan Fleming survived the rigors of prison life. He was rewarded with exoneration. But then this rare victory was overshadowed by worries of how to survive on the outside in a much different world. If you’ve ever heard the term “three hot’s and a cot” in reference to the basic needs met while in prison, unfortunately those necessities topped the list of essentials that Fleming lacked. Instilled in him was overwhelming anxiety about what his future would look like.

Then the story takes a turn and describes the selfless determination of another man, Jeffrey Deskovic who walked in similar shoes but manages just fine because of money he won in a lawsuit. Due to firsthand experience, he formed a foundation called, The Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, to help those like himself and Fleming in desperate need of a new start. This foundation was borne out of a need to feel a sense of pride through accomplishment. And it would become a blessing to Fleming.

I also wanted to point out another aspect of this story that’s not so obvious. Something else caught my attention as I watched this clip a second time. I noticed a subtle but definite reaction in the body language of the law enforcement officer in the background who was watching this victory unfold for Fleming. There was an unmistakable acknowledgment of the pain and overflowing joy exhibited by Fleming a few feet in front of him. I was struck by the raw realism displayed by this officer as he did his best to contain his own emotions.

These were two people on opposite sides of the legal spectrum silently and unknowingly connecting. It’s a powerful image that is rarely seen.

In my life’s journey I’ve seen outward displays of kindness but seldom in this context. This is indeed encouraging even though I know we have a long way to go before a widespread understanding and acceptance between law enforcement and the wrongfully convicted occurs. Nonetheless, it appears we are there, at least in a small sort of way…

*Unfortunately, the video I described above is no longer available. However, the reporter who covered the story the day of Fleming’s release has posted this clip on her website. The officer I described appears only briefly about halfway through, but not long enough to get a sense of the emotion he’s feeling.  🙁

Let’s Be Truthful About a Fallacy…

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Test your knowledge…

 1. How many exonerations have there been since 1989?

 2. How many exonerations were there in 2013? 

 3. How many DNA exonerations since 1989?

 4. Which state has had the most exonerations since 1989?

 5. How many exonerations came from that state?  

Start a Conversation…

  1. Have you ever been aware of the existence of wrongful convictions before now?   

As you can see, I purposely redirected the aim of my inquiry and simplified things to ask one question I believe is more relevant. After some thought I decided the rest are irrelevant if there is no understanding of the overall issue to begin with.

I ponder the new question which begs for answers every time I write a letter to a wrongfully convicted person. I’ve been told by some of them that although they did not feel they were very nice before their troubles began, they were never concerned about going to prison for a crime they didn’t commit. They trusted the system like everyone else and before they’d become one of its victims, would’ve replied with a resounding no to the question at hand.

Surprisingly, some of them have truthfully admitted if they had not been the one targeted, they more than likely would have been among those eager to believe that whoever was arrested, probably did commit the crime. But because of what has happened to them, they are no longer as quick to judge.

Since I started asking that question about wrongful convictions five years ago I’ve a pretty good grasp on what the majority of people will answer. Still, for your sake, I’d like you to think about asking a few of your friends. Get a conversation going about your knowledge of this country’s flawed system. Then decide if you can understand why wrongful convictions have happened repeatedly in our society for decades. I’ll be honest; I was clueless about it. I thought that everyone in prison must be guilty. I never thought about whether or not the authorities are prone to making mistakes. I trusted that truth prevails and that we are all safer as a result.

My knowledge has caused skepticism, cynicism, and bias within that leans heavily toward error on the part of the authorities. I cannot watch a crime news story without deep scrutiny. And it drives me crazy to see the faces of those accused plastered all over the news before charges have even been filed. What I’ve decided I must do is to look at the facts first and reserve judgment for later…period. How many of my peers wait until all of the information has been revealed before their verdicts are in?