Two More Exonerations Stress the Need for Credible Evidence
by John Terzano The Justice Project

Mon Oct 12, 2009 at 06:15:02 AM PDT

Two more innocent men have been freed from death row. Just last week, Yancy Douglas and Paris Powell became the 137th and 138th people to be exonerated from death row. The two men were convicted of a drive-by shooting in 1993 based on the testimony of an in-custody informant who had been offered leniency from the prosecution. The prosecutors at trial withheld information about this plea-deal from the defense, which resulted in a new trial. All charges against the two men have now been dropped because of the unreliability of the in-custody informant’s testimony, the only evidence that linked Douglas and Powell to the crime.

These exonerations highlight the power prosecutors have in securing convictions by utilizing in-custody informant testimony, even when no physical evidence links a defendant to the crime. Testimony by in-custody informants or "jailhouse snitches" as they are often referred, is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.


With little to lose, jailhouse snitches have great incentives to provide false information to prosecutors in exchange for leniency or other forms of compensation. Deals that are made between prosecutors and jailhouse snitches do not often come to light when a jury has to weigh the evidence is a case.

The exonerations of Douglas and Powell demonstrate, yet again, the very real threat of false testimony and the strong need for corroborating evidence to ensure that accurate and credible testimony is presented to juries in criminal trials. The fairness and accuracy of our justice system is at stake when jurisdictions do not require mandatory, pre-trial disclosures of all incentives given to in-custody informant witnesses, as recommended in In-custody Informant Testimony: A Policy Review.


Source: Daily Kos: Two More Exonerations Stress the Need for Credible Evidence

The whys of these exonerations.


Why 2 Death Row Inmates Were Set Free - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News,

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Not really sure if I am pro/anti death penalty.

I would tend to lean to no DNA proof, no death penalty

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The two men were convicted of a drive-by shooting in 1993 based on the testimony of an in-custody informant who had been offered leniency from the prosecution. The prosecutors at trial withheld information about this plea-deal from the defense, which resulted in a new trial. All charges against the two men have now been dropped because of the unreliability of the in-custody informant's testimony, the only evidence that linked Douglas and Powell to the crime.

See: Jail House Snitches

In-custody Informant Testimony | The Justice Project

Rolando . I am all too aware of these problems in our Criminal justice system . they are deep and profound . I hope people read all the links provided in that site also see .

The Innocence Project - Home



I know of a case in TX where a woman is serving a life sentence based primarily on false snitch testimony and perjured testimony. The TX CCA under Sharon Keller ruled this all a ”Harmless Error” ! The snitch got a deal unheard of in any state for the crime . This incredible deal was not t old to the jury . If anyone want to help this woman let me know .

I cannot speak much more on this but lest say the snitch was a had a very active part as in committing the actual crime and is a suspect in a capitol murder She got got a deal that in TX and probably any where is u heard of ,. The jury never got to hear of this deal . As did another person who who should still be doing time under TX law for his many drug crimes suffice to say he was not as “sweet and innocent” as made out to be and might get a suspect in active sexual assault cases in other states !

When we convict the innocent the real bad guy is free to doas he or she pleases. That is not justice in any way shape or from . Some how the “Tuff on Crime tm” types fail to see this and just want revenge and any one will do as long as a a human pays sometimes with their life , so what if they are innocent . . Is that not worse than he crime ? Are those who advocate such a system just as evil as the sick monsters I saw on TX DR ? I believe they are worse

Andreas can speak better on that .


Would any one be interested in helping this woman? I am very serious in this question . It is not rhetorical

. My guess is no but if she was a sick child raping killer on DR the coffers would be over flowing . Something is very wrong with this mentality be it morbid Pro DP ghouls or the deeply troubled DR groupies seen else where .

Somehow in all the nonsensical and hate filled ignorant intolerant back and forth . People like this woman who is factually innocent get lost and forgotten that is immoral no matter where you are on this issue .

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