Included in the BLS Library’s most recent New Book List is an intriguing title, Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton (Call #HV6568.B87 T56 2009). The book summary states that it is the story behind the unlikely friendship which developed between the accused rapist Ronald Cotton, who served eleven years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, and his accuser, Jennifer Thompson, raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. The web site for the book has information about the authors, upcoming news and events and links to the case file including the full Motion for Appropriate Relief for those interested in procedural issues related to wrongful convictions. There is also a trailer posted on the site which is embedded below.
2 comments:
I don't know about you, but I couldn't watch this moving clip without tears welling in my eyes. The courage of this woman to face the terrible truth of her false witnessing!
In the matter of capital punishment, the certain possibility of error in conviction is, in my opinion, sufficient evidence to ban this practice. Civilized society should have a developed enough conscience not to tolerate any margin of error regarding the taking of a human life under justice.
This story also illustrates the great danger of eyewitness testimonies. The story also details the improvements that have been made is using this type of evidence and collecting it.
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