There is never an excuse or reason good enough for a wrongful conviction

1 Ryan Ferguson

2 Ryan Ferguson: “I wanted to learn and grow” in prison.

Gepubliceerd op 11 dec. 2013

 
Ryan Ferguson and “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty join the “CBS This Morning” co-hosts to discuss
how Ferguson spent his time in prison, how they overturned his wrongful conviction, and what could be his next step as a free man.

Video 2 highlights what stirs the mind when a miscarriage of justice occurs

3 Wrongly Imprisoned Ryan Ferguson Murder Conviction Overturned Set To Go Free after 12 yr

6 nov. 2013

Wrongly Imprisoned Ryan Ferguson Murder Conviction Overturned Set To Go Free after 12 yrs. COLUMBIA, Mo. — COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A state appeals court panel on Tuesday overturned the murder conviction of a Missouri man who has maintained his innocence while serving a 40-year sentence for the 2001 slaying and robbery of a newspaper sports editor.
The appeals court ruled that the prosecutor’s office withheld evidence from defense attorneys for Ryan Ferguson that could have aided him during his trial for the strangling and beating death of Columbia Daily Tribune sports editor Kent Heitholt.
“Under the facts and circumstances of this case, we conclude that Ferguson did not receive a fair trial. His verdict is not worthy of confidence,” Western District appeals court Judge Cynthia Martin wrote in the 3-0 decision.
Ferguson’s case has been the subject of numerous national TV news shows, in part, because his 2005 conviction came after his high school classmate, Chuck Erickson, testified that he had recalled from dreams several years later that the two of them had been involved in Heitholt’s slaying after a late night of Halloween partying.
Erickson received a 25-year sentence as part of a plea agreement for testifying against Ferguson.
But during an April 2012 court hearing, Erickson recanted his incrimination of Ferguson and said his memory of that night was hazy because he had been using drugs and alcohol. During that hearing, former Tribune janitor Jerry Trump also said he had testified falsely during Ferguson’s trial when he identified Ferguson and Erickson as the two men he saw in the newspaper’s parking lot where Heitholt was killed in the early morning of Nov. 1, 2001.
Cole County Judge Dan Green declined to grant Ferguson a new trial last year. Ferguson then took his case to the appeals court, which heard arguments this September. The appeals panel said Ferguson should be released if prosecutors have not filed notice of a retrial within 15 days after the court issues its formal mandate, which could take several weeks.
Ferguson’s attorney, Kathleen Zellner, said she filed a motion Tuesday seeking his release on bond while prosecutors decide whether to re-try him. She visited Ferguson in a Jefferson City prison and later read a handwritten statement from him thanking supporters during a Columbia news conference with Ferguson’s parents and girlfriend.
“We’ve won a major battle, however the war continues,” Ferguson’s statement said. “I need your help now more than ever. Look forward to sitting at the Thanksgiving table with my family if justice permits.”
His parents, Bill and Leslie Ferguson, expressed relief by the court ruling, vowed to try to also exonerate Erickson and renewed a public plea for tips that could help lead to a new suspect.
“We are looking forward to that day when he can walk out of there and truly be free,” said Leslie Ferguson, a retired school teacher.

The 10 years Ryan spent wrongfully convicted

in prison,  his entire twenties,

have resulted in his lack of a serious education.

Ryan Ferguson was wrongfully convicted for the murder of Kent Heitholt in 2001. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison based on the testimony of two witnesses who later recanted their statements.

The case against Ferguson relied heavily on the testimony of Chuck Erickson, who claimed to have memories of committing the crime with Ferguson after a night of heavy drinking. However, it was later discovered that Erickson’s memories were coerced by police and that he had no actual recollection of the events.

Another witness, Jerry Trump, also recanted his testimony implicating Ferguson in the crime, stating that he had been pressured by police into making false statements.

Furthermore, evidence was found that suggested other suspects may have been involved in the murder, including a convicted murderer who had a history of attacking women near the crime scene.

After years of appeals and legal battles, Ferguson’s conviction was finally overturned in 2013, and he was released from prison after spending almost a decade behind bars. He has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform and has worked to raise awareness about wrongful convictions.

More about Ryan Ferguson

God asks no man whether he will accept life.

That is not the choice.

You must take it. The only choice is how.

KENICHI OHMAE

6 Disappearing Car Prank

16 mei 2011

Cool, high-rolling rich guy douchebag offers people money to watch his fancy car, which disappears as soon as they look away. It probably has something to do with the fact that it’s not actually a real car, but just a cardboard cutout picture of one. Turns out this wealthy dude is actually a dud.
 
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