Innocence Blog

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DNA evidence uncovered in Dallas murder case

Posted: June 4, 2007 12:45 pm

DNA evidence uncovered in Dallas murder case, test 060407,

After Innocence trailer - Quicktime format [video: 1:25]

After Innocence trailer - Windows Media format [video: 1:26]

This is a long title for my test entry

Posted: May 30, 2007

here's some body text

Flash Video [video: 3:28]

G blog

Posted: May 3, 2007 4:00 pm

blah blah

More hygiene fun [audio: 1 minute]

A clip showing how clippers are used. [video: 46 seconds]

Capozzi case brings renewed calls for a New York innocence commission

Posted: April 2, 2007 3:30 pm

At a hearing today in Buffalo, New York, a judge vacated the sentence of Anthony Capozzi, who has served 20 years in prison for two rapes he didn’t commit. DNA test results received by attorneys in recent weeks have proven that another man – who is currently incarcerated – committed the rapes.

Read the full story. (NY Newsday, 04/02/07)

Capozzi, who is expected to be released later this week, will become the 23rd New Yorker to be exonerated by DNA evidence. His exoneration has renewed calls statewide for an innocence commission. A bill to create such a commission is currently pending before the legislature.

Read today’s Buffalo News editorial supporting the creation of an innocence commission.

Read the Innocence Project press release in support of a New York innocence commission.

Six states have created innocence commissions and several others are considering this vital reform. Learn more here.

Antonio Beaver Exonerated: More Coverage

Posted: March 30, 2007

A smiling Antonio Beaver walked out of a St. Louis jail yesterday after serving a decade in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

"I'm happy to be in the company of good people. I'm thankful for a good meal," Beaver told reporters. "But most importantly, I'm glad I'm not back in that madhouse anymore."

Read press accounts of Beaver’s release:

Man Cleared on DNA evidence is freed. (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Video: St. Louis man innocent after a decade in prison.

Learn more about Beaver’s case.

Eyewitness misidentification has been a factor in 75 percent of DNA exonerations to date. Learn more about reforms that can prevent these injustices in the future.

Federal appeals court finds that prosecutors are accountable for snitches

Posted: March 30, 2007

In an important 3-0 decision, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled on Wednesday that prosecutors can be sued for failing to maintain and uphold policies regarding jailhouse informants.

The ruling came in a civil damages case filed by Thomas L. Goldstein, who spent 24 years in prison for a wrongful murder conviction based largely on the testimony of jailhouse informant Edward F. Fink.

The decision marked the first time that the 9th Circuit has considered this issue, and the U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on the precise question. Because of the potential ramifications for prosecutors, Loyola Law School professor Laurie L. Levenson said she thought the case might go to the Supreme Court.

"I'm really happy with the decision," Goldstein said by telephone. "Jailhouse informants have been used by prosecutors to put a lot of innocent people in prison…. The ruling by this court is the first step toward making district attorneys accountable for their actions."

Read the full story. (LA Times, 03/29/07)

Jailhouse informants are one of the most common causes of wrongful convictions, read more about this issue here.

Listen online tonight to exoneree Ken Wyniemko

Posted: March 30, 2007

Tune in to Detroit’s WPON AM 1460 tonight to hear exoenree Ken Wyniemko discuss his case. Listeners from around the country can hear the show here at 7 PM ET.

Read more about Wyniemko’s case.

Antonio Beaver Exonerated

Posted: March 29, 2007

This morning, Innocence Project client Antonio Beaver walked out of a St. Louis jail a free man after DNA testing proved he could not have committed the carjacking for which he served more than a decade in prison. Beaver is the seventh Missouri resident to be cleared by DNA testing.

Read the press release here.

Watch a video news report, with comments from Antonio Beaver. (KSDK, 03/29/07)

DNA clears New York man of rape

Posted: March 29, 2007

DNA evidence stored in a hospital drawer for more than 20 years has proven the innocence of Anthony Capozzi, 50, a Buffalo, New York, man who has served 20 years for a series of rapes he didn’t commit. DNA tests have proven that another man committed the crimes, officials say. That man was arrested in January in connection with other crimes.

The main evidence against Capozzi at trial were the identifications of the three victims, none of whom mentioned a prominent scar on Capozzi’s face. All three victims said their attacker was about 150 pounds; Capozzi was over 200 pounds. Capozzi’s lawyers and the Erie County District Attorney have said Capozzi may be released from prison within a week.

“Eyewitness testimony is devastating, but you’ve got to be very skeptical,” (Capozzi’s attorney Thomas) D’Agostino said. “In Anthony’s case, the problem was that you had three victims who came in and each one said it was him. You get to a point where jurors say, ‘Maybe the first one was wrong, but all three of them can’t be wrong — they’re all saying it was the same guy.’ ”

Read the full story. (New York Times, 03/29/07. Free registration required)

Eyewitness misidentification played a role in the wrongful convictions of more than 75 percent of those exonerated by DNA evidence to date. A man exonerated this morning in St. Louis, Antonio Beaver, was convicted almost solely on the testimony of a single victim, who chose him from a severely flawed lineup. Read more on Beaver’s case.

Read more about eyewitness misidentification.

Hear exoneree James Waller discuss his case online

Posted: March 28, 2007

Yesterday, Texas exoneree James Waller discussed his case and life after exoneration with North Carolina Public Radio.

Click here to listen, or visit American Public Media's “The Story” site for more.