Bob Ray Sanders at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram brings the details of a TV series on DNA exonerations featuring (among others) the posthumous exoneration of Timothy Cole, of whom Sanders wrote:
If ever there were a voice speaking from the grave, Timothy Brian Cole's does.
If
you're ever looking for a face to epitomize injustice in Texas and the
United States, Cole's image will be the one staring back at you.
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/12/01/4452850/national-series-to-highlight-wrongful.html#storylink=cpy
Well said. From Sanders' description of the documentary:
as a documentary series premiering Tuesday on BET (Black
Entertainment Television) shows, Cole is just one of many in this
country who have been victims of a terribly flawed criminal "justice"
system based on bad policing, over-zealous prosecution and, yes, racism.
Two
years ago a crew from the network came to North Central Texas to record
the stories of Cole and Joyce Ann Brown of Dallas as part of a
"docu-series" about people who have been exonerated after spending way
too many years in prison.
Of course, in Texas (which has the
largest number of DNA exonerations in the country) a series on this
subject could last longer than the popular television primetime soap
opera Dallas, starring the late Larry Hagman.
Titled VINDICATED
and hosted by acclaimed actor Morris Chestnut, the BET series is 11
compelling episodes which, according to network news releases, "explores
the highs and the lows of various men and women as they attempt to
rejoin society, rebuild family relationships and regain their trust in
the justice system that undeniably failed them." ...
BET kicks off its VINDICATED series with the
first of a two-part story on Cole at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The program
will air at 9 p.m. each Tuesday after that through Jan. 22.
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/12/01/4452850/national-series-to-highlight-wrongful.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/12/01/4452850/national-series-to-highlight-wrongful.html#storylink=cpy
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3 comments:
If you think Texas leads the nation in exonerations now, just imagine what the numbers would be if all Texas district attorneys were like Craig Watkins and opened their files. Hell, the numbers out of Harris county alone would be double that of the national total.
From what has happened in Dallas, it takes more than just a willingness of the DA to look into claims of innocence. The standard for exoneration (demonstration of actual innocence) places a higher burden on the defendant than at trial. So it also takes alot of retained evidence that can be tested. That hasn't been done in many jurisdictions outside Dallas County. The statewide law changed in the last legislative session, requiring retention of evidence for 40 years. That makes things better going forward, but doesn't do much for what has happened in the past.
Hey Grits, I just watched the documentary while putting up Christmas decorations and had to stop to try and get a grip.
*Post Tramatic Stress Disorder is a MoFo folks. It never ever goes away & is triggered by the simpliest shit. Thanks.
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