Innocence - Part 1

True crime is a treasure trove for anyone who enjoys reading long-form articles. I wanted to focus on stories about people who are wrongfully convicted, or at least those who make a strong case for that. We have a lot of content, so this weekend special will be split across two weeks.

Want to save some of these to read later? I highly recommend Readwise Reader, which I use to manage my reading list. You can sign up here directly but I would appreciate it if you used my referral link, which allows you to use it for free for an additional 30 days. That also helps me cover my subscription fees if you end up purchasing it.

Dead Certainty

The New Yorker • 17 Jan 2016 • ~3850 words

I wanted to start with this piece as a cautionary tale more than anything else. It examines the true-crime documentary series "Making a Murderer" and the broader genre of investigative journalism that seeks to re-examine criminal cases to prove innocence. It explores the ethical and procedural questions that arise when private investigations, driven by ratings and the aptitude of their creators, serve as a "court of last resort" for the criminal justice system.

That same reasoning, with the opposite aims, seems to govern “Making a Murderer.” But while people nearly always think that they are on the side of the angels, what finally matters is that they act that way. The point of being scrupulous about your means is to help insure accurate ends, whether you are trying to convict a man or exonerate him. Ricciardi and Demos instead stack the deck to support their case for Avery, and, as a result, wind up mirroring the entity that they are trying to discredit.

The James Rodwell Case: A Somerville Man Fights for His Innocence

Boston Magazine • 18 Sep 2024 • ~5500 words • Archive Link

James Rodwell has spent over 40 years in prison, convicted of a murder he insists he didn’t commit, all based on the testimony of a career informant. This piece dives into the twists and turns of Rodwell's long fight for justice, revealing the flaws in the case against him and the complexities of the legal system that led to his wrongful conviction.

In the end, the nine women and three men on the jury took Holmes’s and Nagle’s word over Rodwell’s. Despite no physical evidence or fingerprints to tie Rodwell to the killing, he was convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and unlawfully carry-ing a firearm and sentenced to life behind bars. The jury deliberated for only six hours. “Justice was done,” Assistant District Attorney Siegel told the Boston Globe after the verdict. “If we let a guy like this walk out on the street, he’ll just turn around and kill again.”

A Bestselling Author Became Obsessed With Freeing a Man From Prison. It Nearly Ruined Her Life.

The Marshall Project • 24 Mar 2021 • ~7900 words

Read the story of bestselling author Sara Gruen, who became obsessed with trying to free a convicted murderer named Charles Murdoch from prison despite his lengthy criminal history. This piece explores how Gruen's efforts to prove Murdoch's innocence nearly ruined her life, causing her severe health issues and financial troubles, and raises questions about the challenges of navigating the criminal justice system and the personal toll it can take on those who get involved.

And then came death threats, rape threats, threats to boycott her books, comparisons to child molesters. People created and abandoned enormous orders at her store using email addresses like bitchwhore@yahoo.com. “All the people purged can attend my new group ‘Fuck Sara Gruen, bitch should get raped for being a cunt,’” wrote one Facebook user. In the end, eBay relented and told Sara she could list as many as she wished. She sold out in four days, reportedly earning a profit of $6,000 for Murdoch’s legal fees, but the barrage of violent threats had terrified her deeply, reinforcing her deep-rooted distrust of anyone unknown.

My Name Is Not Robert

New York Times • 6 Aug 2000 • ~7900 words • Archive Link

This article tells the story of Kerry Sanders, a man with paranoid schizophrenia who was mistakenly imprisoned for two years as Robert Sanders, an escaped felon. After being arrested for trespassing in Los Angeles, Kerry was misidentified due to a mix-up involving similar names and physical descriptions. Despite his mental illness, which included delusions and confusion about his identity, the justice system failed to verify his claims of innocence. The mistake was only uncovered when federal agents arrested the real Robert Sanders for drug offenses.

The issues of responsibility and culpability, of quality of care and of monumental and systematic failings continue to surround the lawsuit. Yet in 2,000 pages of depositions, there have been few displays of compassion and fewer of outrage. At Green Haven, no one on the staff was even told what happened, and no one asked. One day, Kerry Sanders just disappeared.

The Wrong Man

The Atlantic • 13 Apr 2010 • ~8450 words • Archive Link

Dr. Steven J. Hatfill shares his unsettling journey as a falsely accused suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks, a case intertwined with post-9/11 fear and media frenzy. Hatfill was a scientist who was wrongly accused and vilified by the government and media as a potential suspect despite a lack of concrete evidence. The article examines how the pressure to find a culprit led the authorities to pursue Hatfill, an innocent man, and the devastating impact this had on his life.

The FBI’s sleuthing had produced zero witnesses, no firm evidence, nothing to show that Hatfill had ever touched anthrax, let alone killed anyone with it. So thin was the bureau’s case that Hatfill was never even indicted. But that didn’t stop the FBI from focusing on him to the virtual exclusion of other suspects.

Could this be happening? A man’s nightmare made real

Los Angeles Times • 26 Jun 2011 • ~3550 words • Archive Link

This article tells the story of Louis Gonzalez III, a man accused of brutally assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Tracy West. It explores the conflicting accounts of the incident, the investigation by the police, and the efforts of Gonzalez's defense team to establish his alibi and prove his innocence. The article raises questions about the reliability of eyewitness testimony, the complexities of custody battles, and the challenges of determining the truth in a he-said, she-said scenario. It also discusses how difficult it can be to return to a normal life after such an accusation.

You can find part 2 of this article here. (Archive link)

If Gonzalez was presumed innocent under the law, the Ventura County Jail did not expect other inmates to honor that distinction. He was held in a segregated unit and received his meals through a slot in the heavy metal door. He wore a red-striped wristband denoting a violent offense. An hour a day, the doors opened so he could shower and make phone calls.

When a Witness Recants

The New Yorker • 25 Oct 2021 • ~8500 words • Archive Link

This article from The New Yorker chronicles the story of the Harlem Park Three, three young Black men who were wrongfully convicted of murder in 1984 based on the testimony of several teenagers, including Ron Bishop. Bishop, a 14-year-old at the time, later confessed that he had lied under pressure from police and prosecutors, and the three men were eventually exonerated in 2019. The article explores the harrowing ordeal of the Harlem Park Three, who spent decades in prison for a crime they didn't commit and explores the lasting impact of the conviction on all those involved, including Bishop, who continues to grapple with guilt and shame.

That summer, Bishop received a brief letter from the state’s attorney’s office, citing State v. Alfred Chestnut, et al. “We need to speak with you about the case at a time and place convenient for you,” the letter read. Bishop was now fifty years old, but the letter frightened him, and at first he did not respond. “I was shaky, anxious, nervous,” he recalled. “I felt like it was a trap.” He worried that he might be sent to prison for lying in court in 1984, or for some fabricated crime connected to the murder . . . After mulling the letter over for several days, however, he decided to respond. “I’m tired of living this lie, that those three guys did it,” he explained later. “If I have to tell the truth and it sends me to prison, I’ll go to prison.”

An innocent man spent 46 years in prison. And made a plan to kill the man who framed him.

CNN • 23 Apr 2020 • ~8250 words

This piece recounts the story of Richard Phillips, a man who spent 46 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. He was framed by his friend Fred Mitchell, who actually committed the crime.

in 1991 and 1992, she reviewed the appeals of two more men in a long parade of men who claimed to be innocent. When she read the trial transcript, Judge Brown was astonished. It seemed to her that Richard Palombo and Richard Phillips had been convicted of murder on the uncorroborated testimony of a single witness. If all cases were this flimsy, she thought, anyone could accuse anyone of anything and get them sent to prison.

What Does an Innocent Man Have to Do to Go Free? Plead Guilty.

ProPublica • 7 Sep 2017 • ~6550 words

The article explores the troubling phenomenon of innocent people being pressured to plead guilty through Alford pleas, even when DNA evidence exonerates them. It examines how the criminal justice system often fails to correct wrongful convictions and the psychological and institutional biases that lead prosecutors to cling to their original theories of a case, even in the face of new evidence. It also underscores the lasting impact of these pleas on the lives of the wrongly convicted, demonstrating how they can continue to affect their freedom and social standing even after their release.

The deal, known as an Alford plea, came with what seemed like an additional carrot: Despite pleading guilty, the Alford plea would allow Owens to say on the record that he was innocent. The Alford plea was an enticing chance for Owens, by then 43, to move on as a free man. But he’d give up a chance at exoneration. To the world, and legally, he’d still be a killer.

The Confessions of Innocent Men

The Atlantic • 4 Aug 2013 • ~6100 words • Archive Link

This piece explores the fallibility of the criminal justice system through the lens of false confessions, examining the case of Felix Rodriquez and Russell Weinberger, who were wrongfully convicted of murder in Philadelphia. The author presents a detailed account of the investigation and trial, highlighting the questionable tactics used by detectives and the vulnerabilities of individuals like Weinberger, who were intellectually disabled. The article goes on to discuss the phenomenon of false confessions in general, outlining the different categories of confessions and how they are often obtained from vulnerable suspects. It also explores the difficulty of exonerating those who were wrongfully convicted, emphasizing the complexities involved in overturning a conviction and the reluctance of the legal system to acknowledge its own errors.

So the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had a problem: four men had confessed to a crime only two had committed. Almost a year later, Sylvanus pleaded guilty to four of the five murders he had admitted to for four consecutive life sentences. No question remained that he was guilty of the crimes; the judge who sentenced Sylvanus noted that he wanted to plead guilty because he did it. "He was truthfully and candidly admitting to something he had done. I was 100 percent convinced."

Innocence Lost

Texas Monthly • 26 Sep 2010 • ~14100 words • Archive Link

This article details the wrongful conviction of Anthony Graves for the 1992 murders of six people in Somerville, Texas. The case was based on the testimony of Robert Carter, who initially implicated Graves but later confessed to committing the murders himself. Despite Carter's recantations and the lack of evidence against Graves, the prosecution pressed ahead with the case, ultimately securing a death sentence.

“This was the ultimate in Brady material,” Greenwood said. “It was a one-witness case, and the witness recanted! And it was not divulged to the defense.” That fact—that in the midst of Graves’s trial, Carter had told the district attorney that he had acted alone—did not come to the attention of Graves’s lawyers until the deposition Carter gave shortly before his death. “Having Carter say it didn’t matter,” explained Cásarez. “What mattered was having Sebesta admit it, which he did, on camera. Otherwise, it would have just been Carter’s word against Sebesta’s.”

Innocence Found

Texas Monthly • 21 Jan 2013 • ~5950 words • Archive Link

This is a follow-up to the story above, published after he was released. It explores the flaws in the original investigation and prosecution, the efforts to overturn Graves' conviction, and the eventual dismissal of all charges against him after a thorough reinvestigation of the case.

“I never would have believed that an innocent man could end up there,” he said. “Never. Not until I worked this case.” He pulled out the legal pad he had carried with him during his investigation and flipped to a page on which he had scribbled two headings: “Evidence” and “Witnesses.” Below the headings, the page was empty. “I kept trying to fill in the blanks, but there was nothing there,” he said.

“It’s the Most Outrageous Thing I’ve Ever Seen. It Makes No Sense.”

Texas Monthly • 21 Oct 2020 • ~8800 words • Archive Link

The article tells the story of Lydell Grant, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 2010 based on eyewitness testimony, despite DNA evidence that later exonerated him. It explores the challenges Grant faced in proving his innocence, the systemic racism he encountered in the criminal justice system, and the ongoing legal battle to fully exonerate him even after the real perpetrator was identified.

What upsets Alcala the most is that her former colleagues are guilty of a trap she occasionally fell into as well: deploying antiseptic legal logic while an actual human life is affected. “Judges forget—people’s lives are on hold. To us, it’s a file, a piece of paper. To the person affected, he can’t get a job. He was in prison for something he didn’t do, and now he’s still in prison, just a different kind.”

The Trouble With Innocence

Texas Monthly • 21 Mar 2017 • ~13650 words

This piece explores the complex and often frustrating journey of Kerry Max Cook, a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder in Texas and spent decades on death row before being exonerated. Despite his exoneration, Cook faced challenges reintegrating into society due to his past and ongoing PTSD. His story became emblematic of the failures within the Texas criminal justice system, raising critical questions about accountability and the nature of justice.

There was little remaining evidence against Cook—the fingerprints, the changing memory of the roommate, the belated words of the reserve deputy—but many in Smith County, especially those in law enforcement, still found it difficult to believe in his innocence. Cook’s proclivities were too aberrant, his troubles in prison too disturbing. “Everyone around here thought he was guilty,” recalled one woman who worked at a law office across the street from the courthouse. “They all said really crude and ugly things about Kerry.”

Innocence lost - Part 1

Dallas Observer • 15 Jul 1999 • ~7307 words • Archive Link

This piece from Dallas Observer also covers the story of Kerry Max Cook through the lens of a different author. Part 2 is here (Archive Link)

Cook had heard enough. He walked into the large bathroom off the dining area, needing room to breathe. He had to think harder and faster than ever before in his life. It wasn't death that he feared, it was death row -- the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

A Philadelphia man was exonerated after 21 years in prison. What happened next was nothing like he expected.

iIquirer • 23 Jan 2020 • ~3200 words • Archive Link

After spending 21 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit, Terrance Lewis emerged into a world that felt foreign and overwhelming. His struggles with reintegration highlight the profound challenges faced by exonerees, from family dynamics to the lingering shadows of his past. In this reflective piece, Lewis shares not only his journey to freedom but also his determination to advocate for others still trapped in the system.

“This is my second shot at life, and it’s my time,” Lewis said. He feels pulled between his desire to support his family and his drive to pursue his own dreams. “But I’m a pleaser. Everyone wants something. Take, take, take. That’s my reality.”

Remembering the Murder You Didn’t Commit

The New Yorker • 12 Jun 2017 • ~8750 words • Archive Link

This article examines the case of Ada JoAnn Taylor, who was convicted of murder in Beatrice, Nebraska, and served nineteen years in prison before being pardoned. It explores how the case highlights the malleability of memory and the dangers of suggestive interrogation techniques. The article is a commentary on the reliability of memory, especially when it comes to trauma, and how investigative techniques can contribute to the creation of false memories.

Taylor confessed to the woman’s murder in 1989 and for two decades believed that she was guilty. She served more than nineteen years for the crime before she was pardoned. She was one of six people accused of the murder, five of whom took pleas; two had internalized their guilt so deeply that, even after being freed, they still had vivid memories of committing the crime. In no other case in the United States have false memories of guilt endured so long. The situation is a study in the malleability of memory: an implausible notion, doubted at first, grows into a firmly held belief that reshapes one’s autobiography and sense of identity.

Trial by Fire

The New Yorker • 31 Aug 2009 • ~16000 words • Archive Link

This piece by David Grann examines the controversial 1992 conviction and subsequent execution of Cameron Todd Willingham for the arson murders of his three young daughters in Corsicana, Texas. The author meticulously reconstructs the case, scrutinizing the evidence, exploring the testimonies of those involved, and investigating the validity of the arson science used to convict Willingham. Grann ultimately casts doubt on the scientific evidence presented at trial and raises questions about the thoroughness of the investigation, suggesting that Willingham may have been wrongfully executed.

Nearly two years later, the Innocence Project commissioned Lentini and three other top fire investigators to conduct an independent review of the arson evidence in the Willingham case. The panel concluded that “each and every one” of the indicators of arson had been “scientifically proven to be invalid.”

When Innocence Isn’t Enough

The New Republic • 23 Jun 2022 • ~8000 words • Archive Link

The story of Christopher Dunn reveals how a young man became ensnared in a web of false accusations and a flawed justice system. Despite maintaining his innocence, Dunn was convicted based on unreliable testimony from witnesses who were themselves vulnerable and under pressure. But more importantly, it delves into the challenges Dunn faced in trying to overturn his conviction, highlighting the systemic biases and legal obstacles that often prevent the exoneration of innocent individuals, even in the face of new evidence.

O’Brien recalled a particularly dissonant exchange during the Amrine case. A Missouri Supreme Court judge asked Frank Jung, an assistant attorney general, “Are you suggesting … even if we find that Mr. Amrine is actually innocent, he should be executed?” Jung replied, “That is correct, your honor.”

Unmaking a Murderer

Chicago Magazine • 14 Dec 2021 • ~12100 words • Archive Link

This piece explores the decades-long saga surrounding the 1960 Starved Rock murders in Illinois and the case of Chester Weger, who was convicted of the crimes and spent over 60 years in prison before being released. It delves into the controversial investigation, Weger's contested confession, and the ongoing efforts to prove his innocence through DNA testing and other evidence.

During the early days of his imprisonment, Weger remained confident he would soon be released. In his mind, there was no way that what he viewed as a grave injustice would stand. But days became months, months became years, and years slowly slipped into decades. A couple years into Weger’s sentence, when the reward money in the case was distributed, State’s Attorney Warren accepted $11,500, and deputies Dummett and Hess each took $5,000. Six years in, Weger confided in his wife, Jo Ann, that she would be wise to move on with her life. She filed for divorce.