The Innocence Project, founded in 1992 by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck at Cardozo School of Law, exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
The Innocence Project’s mission is to free the staggering number of innocent people who remain incarcerated, and to bring reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.
Convicted Despite DNA: The Juan Rivera Case
15 mrt 2010
Help Free Juan Rivera. Contribute online here: https://nualumni.org/donate/cwc
In May of 2009, Juan Rivera was convicted for a third time for the 1992 rape and murder of 11-year-old Holly Staker in Lake County, Illinois, despite new DNA evidence that excluded him as the source of semen found in the victims body. Rivera is currently appealing his case. To learn more about Rivera’s wrongful conviction, go to http://www.law.northwestern.edu/cwc/
Video by John Maki
Music by Nathan Urdangen
The key points of The Innocence Project can be summarized as follows:
Founded in 1992 by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck at Cardozo School of Law, The Innocence Project is a nonprofit organization that works to exonerate wrongly convicted individuals through DNA testing.
The Innocence Project aims to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
The organization provides pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit and who have exhausted their appeals.
The Innocence Project has helped to exonerate over 375 individuals in the United States, some of whom had been on death row.
The organization also works to promote policies and practices that increase the reliability and fairness of the criminal justice system, such as improving eyewitness identification procedures and reducing the use of unreliable forensic science.
The Innocence Project collaborates with law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders to achieve systemic change in the criminal justice system.
Overall, The Innocence Project is dedicated to promoting justice and fairness in the criminal justice system by exonerating the wrongly convicted and advocating for reforms that can prevent future injustices.
1 How DNA Changed the World of Forensics | Retro Report | The New York Times
20 mei 2014
2 Conversations with History: Barry Scheck
3 The Divide: New show based on career of O.J. Simpson’s attorney, Barry Scheck
Gepubliceerd op 15 jul. 2014
6 Barry Scheck & Kevin Richardson: “Innocence Project” | Talks at Google
4 okt. 2017
Co-Founder Barry Scheck speaks about The Innocence Project with Kevin Richardson, one of the men wrongly convicted in the Central Park Five case.
The Innocence Project, which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, was founded by acclaimed lawyers Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld who realized that the emerging DNA evidence that was being used to identify the perpetrators of crimes could also be used to exonerate those who had been wrongly convicted. The organization began as a legal clinic at Cardozo Law School and became an independent nonprofit (still affiliated with Cardozo) in 2004. Since its founding, 351 people have been exonerated by DNA evidence of crimes for which they didn’t commit. The Innocence Project has helped in more than half of these cases.
The Innocence Project understood early on that each wrongful conviction was a learning opportunity, exposing flaws in the system that contributed to these terrible injustices. It advocates for science- and research-based reforms to prevent wrongful convictions. The organization has worked to pass more than a hundred state laws designed to reveal and protect against wrongful convictions, including laws that protect against eye witness misidentifications and false confessions, leading contributors to wrongful convictions.
Co-Founder Barry Scheck will talk about his groundbreaking work to disrupt the status quo of the criminal justice system and introduce you to a person helped by the Innocence Project who will share his story of perseverance on the long road to justice.
7 How the Innocence Project Decides to Take a Case
8 Barry Scheck Speaks On The Netflix Series, “The Innocent Man”
15 jan. 2019
10 Innocence Project Co-Director Comments On Developments In O.J. Simpson Case
11 Overturning 258 Wrongful Convictions (And Counting)
12 Barry Scheck co-founder of The Innocence Project: Talks at GS
27 feb. 2014
15 “The Innocence Project: Reflections on Wrongful Imprisonment”
16 Charlie Rose – Barry Scheck & Peter Neufeld about the O.J. Simpson Trial
11 apr. 2015
17 Conversations with History: Peter Neufeld
18 The True Story Behind “Conviction”
16 nov. 2010
20 California Innocence Project – Release of Timothy Atkins
22 Igniting Change: Lessons from the Innocence Movement | Lara Zarowsky | TEDxUofW
24 John Grisham on The Innocent Man
Gepubliceerd op 4 jan. 2007
25 John Grisham talks new Netflix docuseries “The Innocent Man”
Gepubliceerd op 8 dec. 2018
27 Wrongful Convictions Special Part 2 of 6
Part 2 follows Frank Sterlings 18 years behind bars as an innocent man. New York has a disproportionate number of exposed wrongful convictions; more than 10 percent nationwide. Why are so many people getting wrongfully convicted and what’s being done about it? Legal Analyst Stone Grissom examines the issue of exonerations through the eyes of those who lived through it. Decades lost; families destroyed and a historic meeting as three exonerees meet for the very first time.
28 Saul Kassin: “False Confessions”
Saul Kassin discusses the remarkable phenomenon of false confessions in criminal investigations—which are far more common than one might expect. His research examines voluntary false confessions, as well as the influence of the interrogation setting, and the authority of the confession in the criminal justice system.
Professor Kassin is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
This interview is part of Vera’s Neil A. Weiner Research Speaker Series. For more information, please visit: http://www.vera.org/services/neil-wei…
The Vera Institute of Justice is an independent, nonprofit research and policy organization that combines expertise in research, demonstration projects, and technical assistance to help leaders in government and civil society improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety.
For more information about the Vera Institute of Justice, please visit: http://www.vera.org/
29 Wrongly convicted man set free
Uriah Courtney could not hold back the tears. After spending eight years in state prison for something he did not do, he was a free man.
30 VIDEO: Innocence Project
Prisoner could get sentence overturned or get a new trial
Subscribe to KOAT on YouTube now for more: http://bit.ly/1jocB9r
32 Northern California Innocence Project-Maurice Caldwell’s Story: Wrongfully Incarcerated for 20 years
Gepubliceerd op 26 mrt. 2012
33 It Could Happen to Anyone: The Wrongful Conviction of Alan Beaman
Gepubliceerd op 15 nov. 2009
34 Case analyst Edwin Grimsley on a decade at the Innocence Project
Gepubliceerd op 11 aug. 2016
36 – 2013 Double Helix Medal Recipients – Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld for the Innocence Project
The key points of The Innocence Project are:
Exoneration of the wrongly convicted: The Innocence Project aims to use DNA testing to prove the innocence of individuals who have been wrongly convicted of crimes.
Criminal justice reform: The Innocence Project advocates for reforms in the criminal justice system to prevent future wrongful convictions. They work to improve the accuracy of eyewitness identification, reform forensic science, and ensure that the rights of defendants are protected.
Legal assistance: The Innocence Project provides legal assistance to individuals who have been wrongly convicted and are seeking exoneration. They work to overturn wrongful convictions and help exonerated individuals rebuild their lives.
Education and public awareness: The Innocence Project works to educate the public about issues related to wrongful convictions and criminal justice reform. They aim to raise awareness about the prevalence of wrongful convictions and the need for systemic change.
Advocacy and policy reform: The Innocence Project engages in advocacy and policy reform efforts to promote criminal justice reform at the local, state, and national levels. They work with lawmakers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to advance reforms that will prevent future wrongful convictions.
37 The Inmate Who Studied Law To Prove He Didn’t Commit Murder | Innocence Network | Absolute Crime
Back to menu IMPORTANT CONTENT Listening recommended
25 mei 2022
On July 6, 2006, Alan Newton was exonerated of rape, robbery, and assault charges. He had asked for DNA testing in 1994, and his request was denied because evidence had been presumed to be lost. In 2005, at the Innocence Project’s request, the district attorney’s office found the rape kit after an exhaustive search. This is his story, plus the gruelling process that lawyers at the Innocence Project went through to secure his release.
Absolute Crime is your go-to channel for the best crime documentaries. Subscribe for your weekly dose of crime shows, serial killers, thieves and prison stories.
39 Guilty til Proven Innocent -The Alan Newton Story
On July 6, 2006, Alan Newton was exonerated of rape, robbery, and assault charges. He had asked for DNA testing in 1994, and his request was denied because evidence had been presumed to be lost. In 2005, at the Innocence Project’s request, the district attorney’s office found the rape kit after an exhaustive search. Post conviction DNA testing then proved that Newton was not the perpetrator of this crime.
43 Alan Newton – Forensic’s Science Project, March 29th 2023
Alan Newton was exonerated by DNA testing after serving 21 years in New York prisons for a crime he didn’t commit. The Innocence Project was instrumental in helping him prove his innocence. Here are some key points from his interview with the Innocence Project:
Alan Newton was wrongfully convicted of rape and robbery in 1985 and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
During his trial, he maintained his innocence but was found guilty based on faulty eyewitness testimony.
Over the years, Alan tried to get DNA testing done to prove his innocence, but his requests were denied.
In 2005, with the help of the Innocence Project, DNA testing was finally conducted, and it proved his innocence.
Alan was released from prison in 2006, after serving 21 years behind bars.
Alan talks about the challenges he faced after his release, including adjusting to life outside of prison and dealing with the emotional trauma of being wrongfully convicted.
He also shares his gratitude for the Innocence Project and their work to help exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals.
Overall, Alan’s story highlights the importance of DNA testing in proving innocence, as well as the crucial role that organizations like the Innocence Project play in helping those who have been wrongfully convicted.
43 The Robbery that Went Wrong: Teen Sentenced to Life (Crime Documentary) | Real Stories
5 jun 2021
New Orleans, 1984. A young delinquent is killed accidentally by his accomplice during a robbery attempt. George Toca is his best friend. He is arrested, sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to the harshest penitentiary of Louisiana.
Based on stories from the innocence network, a worldwide organisation dedicated to exonerating the wrongfully convicted, this four-part series explores the investigations and the human cost: the emotional impact experienced by those convicted and their families.
Real Stories Tapes: True Crime is a brand new podcast hosted by Emmy-nominated TV host and true-crime obsessive Stephanie Bauer (Searching For…). It takes some of the most popular true-crime documentaries on your Real Stories channel and transforms them into riveting audio, meaning you can enjoy them wherever you listen to your podcasts. https://podfollow.com/real-stories-ta…
Content licensed from All3Media International. Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com
If you loved this film, Real Stories has hundreds more full-length documentaries, click the link to enjoy: http://bit.ly/1GOzpIu
44 Innocence Project: Investigating Wrongful Convictions
24 mrt 2022 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Speakers: Timothy J. Longo, Sr. & Deirdre M. Enright
Join Lifetime Learning as we learn about the important work being done by UVA’s Innocence Project and the stories of those exonerated. The Innocence Project is a yearlong clinic where faculty and students investigate and litigate wrongful convictions of inmates throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Timothy J. Longo, Sr., UVA’s associate vice president for safety and security and the chief of police, will interview Deirdre M. Enright, professor of law and director of the Innocence Project Clinic, School of Law, University of Virginia.
45 Peter Newfeld on the Ineffective Assistance of Counsel and Forensic Evidence
46 – 7 Historic US DNA Exoneration Cases.
17 apr 2020
It’s hard to overstate the revolutionary contribution DNA has made not only to our understanding of biology, but to the realm of criminal justice. Initially discovered in 1953, it would take more than 30 years before the Nobel Prize winning discovery was viable for use in the field of forensics, following the work of British geneticist Alec Jeffreys in the early 1980’s.
While DNA was inevitably first utilized to secure convictions, it was only a few short years before its value was also realized as a tool for the wrongfully convicted. Indeed, as of 2013 all 50 states in America have passed post conviction statutes concerning access to DNA testing, and DNA evidence has been responsible for over 360 exonerations in the US since 1988.
Despite its usefulness however, you might be surprised to find out that DNA evidence has only featured in a minority of exoneration cases in the US, though legal advocacy organizations like the Innocence Project are working to change that. Combined with continuous improvements to the science, DNA testing has nevertheless earned its reputation as the gold standard of exculpatory evidence.
Today we want to take a look at some of the historic U.S. exoneration cases involving DNA, focusing on some of the scientific achievements, notable landmarks, and their importance to the overall area of criminal justice.
Before we get to the main video, don’t forget to like and subscribe to Crime Zone for more true content like this, making sure to hit the notification bell to stay up to date with our latest content.
With that out of the way, here is our list of 8 Historic US DNA Exoneration Cases.
FOOTAGE USED:
– An Exoneree Reunion: Calvin Willis and Rickey Johnson
• An Exoneree Reunion: Calvin Willis an…
– GoFundMe: Craig Richard Coley | Innocent
• GoFundMe: Craig Richard Coley | Innocent
47 Attorney frees the wrongfully convicted | Localish
48 Case in Point podcast: Wrongful Convictions
7 feb 2017
In this Case in Point podcast, John Hollway and Jason Flom discuss innocence cases and criminal justice reform. For more information and for additional viewing/listening options, go to www.caseinpoint.org.
Case in Point podcast provides smart, informative conversations about the law, society, and culture. By bringing together top scholars with experts on politics, business, health, education, and science, Case in Point gives an in-depth look at how the law touches every part of our lives.
49 Why I Care About Criminal Injustice | Jason Flom | TEDxLuziraPrison
50 When Police Corruption Puts An Innocent Man Behind Bars | Innocence Network | Real Crime
51 Justice for Rodney Reed at Cardozo Law School
52 Is Texas About to Execute an Innocent Man? Rodney Reed’s Family Demands Retrial Amid New Evidence
Rodney Reed’s case had gained significant attention and controversy due to his claims of innocence and concerns about the fairness of his trial. Here are the key points of his case up to that point:
Arrest and Conviction: Rodney Reed, an African-American man, was convicted of the 1996 rape and murder of Stacey Stites, a white woman, in Bastrop, Texas. Reed was arrested based on DNA evidence found on the victim’s body.
Allegations of Innocence: From the beginning, Reed maintained his innocence and claimed that he did not commit the crime. He alleged that he had a consensual sexual relationship with Stacey Stites, which would explain the DNA found on her body.
New Evidence and Supporters: Over the years, Reed’s case gained attention from various advocacy groups, celebrities, and legal experts who believed in his innocence. New evidence emerged, including witness statements and forensic experts challenging the timeline of the crime and the accuracy of the evidence presented at trial.
Controversial Trial: The trial itself was criticized for potential racial bias and inadequate legal representation. Some argued that Reed did not receive a fair trial due to the racial dynamics in the case and the quality of his defense.
Stay of Execution: Reed came close to being executed multiple times, but each time, his execution was stayed due to the emergence of new evidence and the growing public attention surrounding his case. These stays provided an opportunity for his legal team to present his claims of innocence in court.
Appeals and Legal Proceedings: Reed’s case went through multiple rounds of appeals and legal proceedings, with his defense team presenting new evidence and arguments challenging his conviction. The appeals process aimed to review the legitimacy of his conviction and consider the newly presented evidence.
Focus on DNA Evidence: A key point of contention was the DNA evidence found on the victim’s body. Reed’s supporters argued that this evidence should be reexamined, given the possibility of a consensual relationship between Reed and Stites.
Public Awareness and Advocacy: Reed’s case garnered widespread attention and support from activists, celebrities, and organizations advocating against the death penalty and for criminal justice reform. This spotlight led to increased scrutiny of the case and pressure on the legal system to thoroughly review the evidence and circumstances.
Ongoing Legal Developments: As of my last update in September 2021, the case was in a state of flux, with legal proceedings ongoing. The courts were considering the new evidence and arguments presented by Reed’s defense team.
53 KVUE Crime Files: The Case of Rodney Reed | KVUE
54 China Town, Chinese Rules Prank
17 apr. 2015
