Albany Times-Union Commentary Laments New York State Legislature’s Failure to Enact Reforms
07.19.13
As criminal justice reforms to prevent wrongful convictions died in the New York State Legislature for yet another year, the
Albany Times-Union
examines the human toll of the state’s failure to address wrongful convictions. Two bills, one to reduce the rate of eyewitness misidentification and another to mandate videotaping custodial interrogations, died again this year, due, in part, to fiscal concerns. Advocates for the innocent argue that preventing wrongful convictions is also an issue of public safety.
Albany Times-Union
examines the human toll of the state’s failure to address wrongful convictions. Two bills, one to reduce the rate of eyewitness misidentification and another to mandate videotaping custodial interrogations, died again this year, due, in part, to fiscal concerns. Advocates for the innocent argue that preventing wrongful convictions is also an issue of public safety.
While
Frank Sterling
, of Rochester, was wrongfully incarcerated for the murder of a 74-year-old woman, the real perpetrator, Mark Christie, went on to kill a little girl. Sterling, who would spend over 17 years in prison for the crime before DNA testing proved his innocence, was wrongfully convicted based on his false confession. Innocence Project Policy Director Stephen Saloom is quoted:
Frank Sterling
, of Rochester, was wrongfully incarcerated for the murder of a 74-year-old woman, the real perpetrator, Mark Christie, went on to kill a little girl. Sterling, who would spend over 17 years in prison for the crime before DNA testing proved his innocence, was wrongfully convicted based on his false confession. Innocence Project Policy Director Stephen Saloom is quoted:
“We’re taking unnecessary chances in protecting the public and taking someone’s liberty away, possibly for the rest of their lives,” Saloom said.
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