This Week in Innocence-Related Media – March 10, 2019

Here are some highlights from this week’s innocence-related media:

“There are innocent people on death row” – Citing wrongful convictions, California Governor halts executions
On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his decision to put a moratorium on the death penalty. Governor Newsom cited wrongful convictions and the potential of executing an innocent individual as a contributing factor in his decision. The Intercept

Running for justice after 30 years wrongfully behind bars
After being wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for 30 years, Innocence Project exoneree Mark Denny will celebrate his freedom by running the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon this Sunday, March 17. The Wall Street Journal

What happens before police press ‘record’?
Last year, a new interrogation recording law was enacted in New York, requiring police departments across the state to record the custodial questioning of suspects in major felony cases. Critics of the new law say it “falls short.” The Appeal

The Case Against Adnan Syed
On Sunday, HBO premiered part one of its four-part documentary series on the case of Adnan Syed. The series explores the 1999 disappearance and murder of an 18-year-old Baltimore County high school student and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. The case was first brought to international attention by the popular Serial podcast. Watch part one here.

A man was wrongfully jailed for 46 years. Now he’s supporting himself with his art.
Detroit exoneree and artist Richard Phillips was wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for 46 years. Now, at age 72, he is selling his art to support himself. CBS Evening News

Man convicted of rape in 1976 is cleared by DNA retesting
Winston Scott was convicted of rape in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 1976, imprisoned for nearly five years and branded a convicted rapist for the past 43 years, despite conflicting physical evidence and multiple alibi witnesses. With the assistance of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, Scott has since had his conviction erased by the Virginia Supreme Court. The Washington Post

Pennsylvania Innocence Project launches support group for exonerees
The Pennsylvania Innocence Project launched a support group for exonerees—the first of its kind. The first meeting was held in North Philadelphia. KYW News Radio 1060