Wrongful convictions and wrongful executions are ones that are truly tragic when it comes to the criminal justice system. Every day innocent people are put on death row and wrongfully executed.
There are many cases where a case is tried and that person is convicted of the crime they were accused of causing them to end up on death row and be executed, later finding evidence making them innocent. Killing that innocent person for no reason. Here is one example of many cases in accordance with the Death Penalty Information Center:
Larry Griffin
Griffin was convicted of murder in 1981 and was then executed in 1985. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, “Griffin maintained his innocence until his death, and investigators say his case is the strongest demonstration yet of an execution of an innocent man. The report notes that a man injured in the same drive-by shooting that claimed the life of Quintin Moss says Griffin was not involved in the crime, and the first police officer on the scene has given a new account that undermines the trial testimony of the only witness who identified Griffin as the murderer.” Larry Griffin’s story is one of many that could have been proved innocent but was too late. Why?
Mistaken Identity
Eyewitness testimonial is often found unreliable when more than half of it caused to be overturned in cases when DNA testing is used. Making them more likely to be inaccurate.
False Confession
In cases where DNA has proved one innocent, there have been external and internal forces where it causes them to make false statements or plead guilty knowing they did not do anything wrong.
False Forensic Evidence
DNA testing and forensic analysis have been utilizing tools to help cases when it comes to analyzing things such as bite marks, blood spatter, fingerprints, etc. But with every new technology, there is a way to fabricate or even corrupt the results in some way to make it look like one way or another.
Official Misconduct
Wrongful convictions are sometimes due to mistakes that were not purposeful, but what happens more than most is when important officials lose sight of what they are upholding; truth and justice. Where it is found negligence, fraud, and all kinds of misconduct are found when DNA testing is involved.
These reasons cause so many innocents to be put on death row, due to wrongful convictions that result in many people’s deaths. It is up to us and the justice system to uphold truth and justice as promised. Making sure that this happens less.
