The Texas Tribune analyzed 86 overturned convictions [from the National Registry of Exonerations], finding that in nearly one quarter of those cases courts ruled that prosecutors made mistakes that often contributed to the wrong outcome. This multi-part series explores the causes and consequences of prosecutorial errors and whether reforms might prevent future wrongful convictions.Here's a notable tidbit:
Between 1989 and 2011, at least 86 Texas defendants including Loveless and Miller had their convictions overturned, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. In an extensive analysis of court rulings, news reports and pardon statements, The Texas Tribune found that in nearly one-quarter of those cases — 21 in total — courts ruled that prosecutors made mistakes that in most instances contributed to the wrong outcome. The wrongfully convicted in those cases spent a combined total of more than 270 years in prison. (See an interactive presentation with details about all the cases.)
See related Grits posts:
- What can the Texas Legislature do to reduce prosecutor misconduct?
- Two suggestions, one radical, one modest, on prosecutorial reform
- Did prosecutor misconduct shift balance of power to Dems in the US Senate?
- Judge: Prosecutorial misconduct warrants new trial in 1997 capital murder case
- Texas Monthly roundtable on innocence, punishing prosecutors
- A 'perverse' position on prosecutors fabricating evidence ... from the Obama Administration
- State Bar should sanction prosecutor from Michael Morton case but almost certainly won't
- Oddsmaker: When judge finds willful Brady violation, what are chances state bar will discipline?
- Blackwell: Texas state bar 'not set up to oversee prosecutors'
- Michael Morton, John Thompson highlight prosecutor misconduct forum
- Study: Prosecutor misconduct in Texas rarely disciplined
- Transcript of interview with Prof. Jennifer Laurin on prosecutorial oversight
- Professor Jennifer Laurin previews forum on prosecutorial misconduct
- Why aren't prosecutors held accountable when courts find knowing misconduct?
- Eliminate judge-made immunity for prosecutor misconduct
- SCOTUS seems indifferent to prosecutorial misconduct
- Legislature should limit immunity for sleazebag prosecutors like Charles Sebesta
- Prosecutors seldom disciplined for misconduct; can they be held liable in civil court?
- Prosecutors ask SCOTUS for 'absolute immunity' when fabricating evidence
- Prosecutorial hubris, entitlement, on display in recent cases
- Improving prosecutorial accountability
- What sanctions for prosecutors who cheat to win?
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5 comments:
Only 17 cases of Brady error in 23 years? Is that all? And out of that 17, how many were deemed to be intentional rather than inadvertent?
I don't know, Grits; maybe it's just me, but out of all the cases prosecuted over the 23 year period, this hardly seems to be the "epidemic" that has been suggested.
11:07, it's just you: putting a word ("epidemic") in quotes that nobody but you used is a typical punk move. You always show up with the same anonymous schtick every time this issue is raised, and at this point I KNOW you know better. Grissom looked only at confirmed exonerations identified by one source. This is a sample of cases the same way pollsters use sampling. If a pollster questions 400 people and finds 25% believe "X," that doesn't mean only 100 people hold that view.
Most cases don't involve DNA and even when they do, in most jurisdictions it wasn't saved until recently. Your stance here is incredibly disingenuous, which of course is why you never sign your name to such absurd contortions.
Is it that prosectors make mistakes or is it their mind set. By that I mean, for the most part they don't seem to be nearly as interested in justice as they are in winning and creating a good record for themselves.
Are these exonerations cases where people were found to be actually innocent--in other words confirmed not to have committed the offense; or are we talking about convictions which were overturned for a myriad of reasons and there just wasn't enough evidence to try them again?
Hey Grits, please consider tagging 11:07 with a nickname and vett her for proof of being at least 18 before continuing to allow her to play thru the adults only section of GFB.
As it is, she seems to enjoy jacking with your head and hijacking the GFB comment section(s) forcing you to comply. When you acknowledge her she comes back for more. Unless you get a kick out of it that is. Thanks.
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