Dear Friend of Justice,
A great many injustices have been caused by dangerous techniques used by psychotherapists who abhor scientific method — e.g., coercive interviewing of children (and adults) and the implantation of false memories.
An important new report has been published documenting the attitudes many therapists have about science:
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/index.cfm?journal=pspi&content=pspi/9_2
There have also been articles about this study in the Los Angeles Times (click here) and Newsweek (click here).
-Bob
From NCRJ President, Michael R. Snedeker.
Governor Rick Perry’s abrupt dissolution of the Texas Forensic Science Commission on the eve of its decision in the Cameron Todd Willingham case was an effort to cover up a state-sanctioned murder. (see, Trial by Fire,” by David Grann: New Yorker, September 7, 2009) The botched investigation of Willingham’s suspected arson recalls the sex abuse scandals that began during the same period — the early 1980s and early 1990s — and whose legacy endures to this day. People continue to be convicted of crimes that very likely never happened, based on theories that experts called scientific but which later research has shown to be nonsensical, even medieval.
As in the sexual allegations, purported crime victims in fatal, accidental home fires tend to be young children. The mere suspicion of “harm to minors” awakens deep-seated fears that stifle common sense. Willingham’s prosecutors suggested he was a member of a Satanist cult. The evidence: his heavy-metal rock posters. Day care prosecutions featured expert assertions that the accused were sociopaths and Satanists.
Shoddy arson investigations are getting scrutiny now because Willingham was executed. False convictions of child sexual abuse do not end in capital punishment (though legislatures have tried). Instead, people who are almost certainly innocent have been sentenced to centuries of time in prison. Some–including Fran and Danny Keller in Texas and James Toward and Francisco Fuster in Florida–are still there almost a generation later. The first accused daycare teacher, Bernard Baran, in Massachusetts, was finally released after 22 years and exonerated three years later. Others are released from prison, only to end up on sex offender registries. Junk science didn’t literally kill these people, but it has stolen their lives. Their cases constitute a grave injustice, and desperately need review.
Michael Snedeker
President, National Center for Reason and Justice
Dear Friend of Justice,
This morning I received the wonderful news that the acquittals in the Smith/Allen case will stand. The case is over!
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/10/07/acquittals-in-head-start-case-to-stand/
I called Joseph to congratulate him right after I heard the news, and discovered that he didn’t know about it yet. (Joseph is in Boston visiting his brother.) When I told him what had happened, he shouted, “Thank you Jesus hallelujah!” Some Boston NCRJ folks will be getting together with him this Saturday. I hope to post more after that.
-Bob Chatelle
Dear Friend of Justice,
The recent arrest of director Roman Polanski has fired an intense and emotional national debate. Most of the debate seems to be about whether Polanski is essentially a “good” man or a “bad man,” whether he should be forgiven, etc.
I take no stand on any of this because this debate obscures the fundmental issues.
As a criminal-justice advocate, my concern is whether or not Polanski received due process. Like freedom of speech, due process, according to our Constitution, is a right that is supposed to apply to all — bad people included.
Last night, Jim and I rented Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired. I highly recommend it. The movie leaves no doubt that Polansku was denied due process because of grave judicial misconduct. And the most compelling statements supporting this come not from Polanski, his lawyers, or his supporters. They come from Roger Gunson — Polanski’s prosecutor.
This movie should be required viewing for everone participating in this debate.
-Bob
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