How many times are innocent people convicted and in some cases executed

[LiberalFighter]

when the law enforcement and maybe even the prosecutors and legal system know they have the wrong person. And they know it is the wrong person either because of evidence or even because they know from day one and are trying to protect the guilty.

[av8rdave]

1. In Texas, I believe it has happened many times

A "successful" death penalty case is a huge career move for a prosecutor. They will pursue cases where they have the highest likelihood of putting someone to death. I don't think most of them care if they have the right person or not. It's all about which defendant gives them the greatest odds of getting him/her strapped to the table.

[styersc]

2. Your comment is all conjecture supported by no facts.

[av8rdave]

3. I will admit that what I posted is my humble opinion

Based on living in Texas for 24 years and following numerous death penalty cases.

We all form opinions based on what we observe (or what we're told, for the Fox "News" viewers).

This was, I thought, largely an opinion forum.

My profound apologies for the mental anguish I have caused.

[bemildred]

4. Lots. Nobody seems to give a shit as long as they get somebody to try.

A fake perp is OK if you can't seem to find the real perp, it takes the heat off and makes you look good.

[Greybnk48]

5. The Innocence Project has revealed (at least) 100 cases

of people on death row who were shown, through DNA evidence, to be innocent of the crime they were convicted of and sentenced to death for. Michael Moore just related these numbers/facts last night on Countdown.

http://www.innocenceproject.org/

[Stuart G]

6. Here is one where they convicted a person twice for murder and were wrong.

He sat on death row for years.



Rolando Cruz..

a five to 6 mintue read..Well worth the time.
Smart ass gang member who the cops and prosecutors wanted to get.
,,but he did not commit murder, but they wanted him anyway..

So they tried him twice.found him guilty twice
...later proved innocent.
.
Someone else did it.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolando_Cruz_...


from the two lines of the above link:

The public outcry from the Cruz case resulted in Governor George Ryan declaring a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois, asserting that the system was "fraught with error"

On March 11, 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation abolishing the death penalty in Illinois into law.

During the early 90s 25 were on death row, and 12 were later proven innocent. Ok, in a state like Texas, how many of the 300 in the last 20 years of executions, do you think were innocent? None? very very unlikely

[mikekohr]

7. Remember Todd Willingham, remember Gov. Perry had him put to death on junk science

[Hippo_Tron]

8. I don't think they initially believe they have the wrong person

I think they paint a picture in their minds that fits the person that they have. This is particularly effective if they are racist and said person is black or hispanic. If there's new evidence ex post, they don't even consider it because the picture they've painted is too strong.