Summit on Wrongful Convictions to be held May 8 at Texas State Capitol

In the last few days there have several news stories about the growing number of exonerations of prioners in Texas who were convicted for serious crimes. Due to the work of the Innocense Project of New York City and the determination of the new Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins, 17 men have been exonerated so far by DNA evidence in Dallas County, which has more DNA exonerations than any other county in the nation. At the state level in Texas, 31 people have been exonerated, more than any other state.
( Source: DNA frees man who spent almost 23 years in prison for rape, By Jeff  Carlton )

“As a result of the unprecedented number of exonerations in Texas, key leaders from across the state will gather in Austin on May 8 for a landmark Summit on Wrongful Convictions. Judges, lawmakers, defense attorneys, prosecutors, exonerees, professors and many others will come together for the Summit. The Summit will mark the first time any state’s criminal justice leaders have initiated a high-level meeting themselves to address wrongful convictions. Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis is spearheading the Summit, and Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck will attend. The Summit will be open to the public.”
( Source; As 18th Person is Freed Based on DNA in Dallas, Summit on Wrongful Convictions in Texas Is Set for May 8 )

The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal clinic affiliated with the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and created by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld in 1992. The project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. As a clinic, law students handle case work while supervised by a team of attorneys and clinic staff.

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Other coverage of story:

18th Innocent Man Freed in 1 Texas County; Officials Vow Change
By Martha Neil, ABA Journal, Apr 30, 2008

Two Incredible Men - One in jail, and one that got him out.
The Freedom Files, columnist: RS Davis

Student helps free man imprisoned in Dallas 27 years
By MAX B. BAKER, Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Comments

[The Freedom Files]

Hey, thanks for referencing my work!

Rick

The Freedom Files
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