Innocence Blog
February 21, 2007
After Innocence documentary available on DVD
The story of seven men who spent 123 years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit, After Innocence is an unforgettable film that focuses on the difficulties exonerees face as they readjust to a changed world. Click here to view a trailer.
Village Voice review by Jennifer Gonnerman:
These men were forgotten while they were locked up, and they are forgotten again on the outside. Most receive no money and no help. They struggle to rebuild their lives and to undo the soul-destroying effects of prison. One pounds on a punching bag to release his rage; another pursues a degree in psychology. After Innocence is both riveting and disturbing. Each man's story reminds us how fallible our legal system is—and each raises the question: How many other innocent people are still locked up?
Read the full review. (Village Voice, 10/18/05)
- View a trailer of the film.
- Read more reviews of the film.
- This moving film is now available for rental or purchase. Rent it from Netflix or Blockbuster; purchase from Amazon.com.
- Read more about the men featured in After Innocence: Dennis Maher, Calvin Willis, Wilton Dedge, Vincent Moto, Nick Yarris, Herman Atkins and Scott Hornoff.
WV Senate Considers Bill to Reform Eyewitness Identifications
A West Virginia Senate committee will conduct a hearing today at 3 p.m. on a bill to reform the way eyewitness identification procedures are conducting in the state. The bill would implement blind, sequential administration of lineups (LINKS) as well as other important reforms.
The Innocence Project, along with major criminal justice groups – including the National Institute of Justice and the American Bar Association – support the proposed reforms. Innocence Project Staff Attorney and Mayer Brown Fellow Zeke Edwards will testify today on the bill.
“Science and real-world experience make two things clear: Eyewitness misidentification is a serious problem, and the reforms being considered in West Virginia are proven to increase the accuracy of identifications,” Edwards said Tuesday. “Eyewitness misidentification is by far the leading cause of wrongful convictions. Scientific research conclusively shows that these reforms are effective; this research is borne out by practical experience in jurisdictions that have already implemented these reforms.”
Read more about the bill in the Innocence Project press release.
Read the full text of the bill.
More on eyewitness identification reforms in our Fix The System section.
Connecticut Innocence Project seeks state funding to continue its work
Two years ago, the Connecticut Innocence Project took on the case of James Tillman, who was convicted of rape and kidnapping in 1988. Lawyers at the project, which is affiliated with the state Office of Chief Public Defender, obtained DNA testing on biological evidence from the crime and results came back last June, proving that another man committed the rape. Tillman was exonerated after serving 18 years for a crime he didn’t commit.
But the project needs more funding to continue its operations, according to news reports. State Senator Martin Looney has introduced a bill in Connecticut advocating for the funding of the project in 2008 and 2009.
Read the text of the bill.
Visit the Connecticut Innocence Project's website.
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