Tag: Newsroom

Prosecutor Agrees to Commutation of Nancy Smith’s Sentence

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/10/31/prosecutor-says-hell-agree-to-commute-nancy-smiths-sentence-to-time-served/ This is a very encouraging development. DA Dennis Will has heretofore been inflexible in striving to put Smith and her co-defendant, Joseph Allen, back in prison. The NCRJ has been sponsoring Nancy Smith and Joseph Allen for many years. You can review the basics of he case here: http://www.crimemagazine.com/shame-lorain-ohio NCRJ Executive Director and Director… Continue reading Prosecutor Agrees to Commutation of Nancy Smith’s Sentence

Anna Vasquez, of the San Antonio Four, Granted Parole

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Parole-OK-d-for-woman-fighting-for-exoneration-3947885.php The legal team believes that the polygraph test — arranged and paid for by the NCRJ — was key to the decision to grant parole.    

Texas Four Accuser Recants

“I want my aunt and her friends out of prison,” Stephanie, 25, said by phone last week. “Whatever it takes to get them out I’m going to do. I can’t live my life knowing that four women are sleeping in a cage because of me.” Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Woman-recants-accusation-of-sex-assault-3868974.php#ixzz26dbVbncB http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Woman-recants-accusation-of-sex-assault-3868974.php

The Wrongful Conviction of Joseph Allen (and Nancy Smith)

Bob Chatelle and Emily Horowitz Directors, National Center for Reason and Justice   Joseph Allen, July 2010 Photo Credit: James D’Entremont Although most of the people wrongfully convicted in the daycare sex abuse panic of the 1980s/early 1990s have been exonerated, Joseph Allen is still fighting to clear his name. Although he was acquitted in… Continue reading The Wrongful Conviction of Joseph Allen (and Nancy Smith)

Bernard Baran and John Swomley at St. Francis College

Bernard Baran was the first case sponsored by the NCRJ. After 22 hellish years, he was finally freed in 2006 and exonerated in 2009. On April 17, 2012, Baran and his attorney, John Swomley, spoke before a criminal-justice class at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. Here is a video of their presentation.

NY Landmark Ruling Allows Expert Witnesses on False Confessions at Trials

Defendant in Case, However, Does Not Meet the Criteria Emily Horowitz Director, National Center for Reason and Justice (www.ncrj.org) On Thursday, March 29, 2012, New York’s highest court made a landmark ruling, saying that expert testimony about false confessions should be allowed at trial. Shamefully, the 5-2 decision upheld the conviction of Khemwatie Bedessie, the… Continue reading NY Landmark Ruling Allows Expert Witnesses on False Confessions at Trials