Innocence Blog

Friday Roundup: Misconduct, Compensation and the Death Penalty

Posted: January 21, 2011 5:24 pm

The U.S. Department of Justice will create an entity that will determine how to discipline career officials who commit prosecutorial misconduct.

Innocence Project client Steven Barnes will be highlighted in next week’s audio documentary “We Were All Incarcerated” which details his wrongful conviction and ultimate exoneration. 

Even when the wrongfully convicted in California are proven innocent, many are denied compensation.

A Texas man accused of murdering his wife was freed this week when it was revealed the woman committed suicide.

Illinois governor Pat Quinn wants to hear from constituents before deciding whether or not to approve a bill abolishing the death penalty. 

A federal judge today sentenced former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge to 4.5 years in prison for perjury relating to his role in the torture of suspects during his 23 years on the force. Several people who were convicted based on confessions coerced  under Burge’s watch have since been cleared.

Paul Hildwin, a Florida death row prisoner, is seeking to have DNA evidence in his case compared to state and federal databases for possible evidence of a different perpetrator. The Innocence Project has consulted on Hildwin’s case for seven years.