POST: "Eric Kelley and Ralph Lee Walk Out of Prison After 24-Year Fight for Freedom," published by The Innocence Project on November 9, 2017.
GIST: "Today, Innocent Project client Eric Kelley and Centurion client Ralph Lee walked out of a New Jersey prison, experiencing freedom for the first time in more than 20 years. Back in September, a New Jersey Court vacated their convictions for a 1993 felony murder and robbery based on DNA evidence identifying another suspect. After the court set a bail that the two men could make, the prosecution appealed their release. Today the New Jersey Supreme Court rejected the prosecution’s arguments, paving the way for the men to post the bail. The prosecution also appealed the court’s order vacating their convictions, but now they will be free while the appeal proceeds through the courts. You can read more about their case here."
The entire post can be found at:
The entire post can be found at:
See previous post of this Blog (September 22, 2017) at the link below: (False Confessions (4): "False Confessions (4): Eric Kelley; Ralph Lee: Major Development: New Jersey court vacates 1996 murder convictions based on DNA identifying another suspect...Innocence Project; Centurion Ministries..."Lawyers for Kelley and Lee presented witnesses at the earlier hearing who testified about the false confessions, a leading cause of wrongful convictions, contributing to more than 25 percent of the 351 DNA exonerations nationwide. A forensic psychologist evaluated Kelley and determined that he is “more suggestible than approximately 98 percent of the normal population,” making him vulnerable for making a false confession during custodial interrogation. A former detective who now specializes in police interrogations identified faults in the manner in which the men were questioned and pointed out discrepancies, contradictions and the lack of corroboration in the mens’ statements. In reversing the convictions today, the court said that “this is probably one of the best examples of tunnel vision one could imagine.” The court also addressed the false confessions, noting “During the trials and this motion, the State has relied heavily on the statements given by the defendants when they were initially arrested. However, history has shown many instances where false confessions are given and DNA has proven the defendant or defendants not guilty notwithstanding a confession.”
http://smithforensic.blogspot.ca/2017/09/false-confessions-4-eric-kelley-ralph.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/c