California’s governor and Colorado’s legislature are both attempting to stop state-sanctioned executions. Given how many innocent people (a number of whom gave false confessions) have been on death row, these moves are welcome.
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PASSED
Great News that the First Step Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. Among other benefits of this law, anyone wrongly convicted — based on false confessions or any other reason — will receive better opportunities. Our entire society should benefit.
Prison Reform
I endorse Van Jones’ prison reform efforts. The need to improve conditions in prisons is all the more important when we realize how many innocent people they house — partly as a result of false confessions.
Expert Testimony On False Confessions
A trial in Louisville last week marked the 33rd case in which I have testified as a false confessions expert witness.
Good News from Michigan
A Michigan Court of Appeals recently vacated the conviction of Kenneth Grondin, whose murder conviction was based on what looks to me to be a false confession. Very good news.
SCOTUS
Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case of Brendan Massey, which likely involved a false confession. Accordingly, Massey remains incarcerated despite two courts finding that his confession was coerced. Very disappointing.
Tankleff
Last week Marty Tankleff reached a $10 million settlement with Suffolk County, New York. Tankleff, who gave a coerced false confession to killing his parents, served 17 years in prison before his conviction was vacated. His was the first case I wrote up on this website, and one of the first in which I served as a false confessions expert.
