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Chatman prosecutor: 'Let's get this system fixed'

James Fry, a former Dallas ADA and protoge' of District Attorney Henry Wade who prosecuted recent DNA-exoneree Charles Chatman's case nearly 30 years ago, reflects on his role in the false conviction and the implications of recent DNA exonerations for the justice system in an excellent Dallas Morning News op ed titled, "I put away an innocent man," which concludes: Chatman's case was not a capital crime, but the problems that led to his wrongful conviction raise the question: How can we continue carrying out executions in Texas when we know the system is so prone to error? For years, Texas has led the nation in the number of executions. Why don't we now strive to lead the nation in a new direction: reforming a justice system in urgent need of reform? For years I supported capital punishment, but I have come to believe that our criminal justice system is incapable of adequately distinguishing between the innocent and guilty...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on May 15, 2009 (boomark / email).