Archive for November, 2012

Exonerating the Friedmans

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

The compilation of new evidence, which is being made available to view online, featured interviews that Jarecki and his team conducted with children involved in the case, all of whom are now adults. In addition to Michael Epstein, several other former students say in the movie that they were, contrary to their testimony, never molested. A few of the adults interviewed admit that they lied to the police and detectives as children in order to stop the endless questioning that they had to endure. The audience reacted with gasps and sighs at the footage of Judge Abbey Boklan, who told the filmmakers while sitting in her office that she believed Jesse was guilty without needing to see any evidence and that she knew he smoked pot and did LSD.

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/117317/exonerating-the-friedmans

Witch-hunt, junk forensics? San Antonio Four fight for exoneration

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

[Attorney Mike] Ware characterizes the case as a witch-hunt based on flawed forensics, bogus witness testimony and a vendetta to lock-up the women because they are lesbians.

http://www.kens5.com/news/exoner-180233571.html

The New York Times on the San Antonio Four Case

Sunday, November 18th, 2012

“Since then, a number of advocates have fought for the exonerations. Darrell Otto, a college instructor from Canada, became aware of the case in 2006. He submitted an application to the National Center for Reason and Justice, which advocates for those believed to be wrongfully accused of crimes against children. ”

Darrell Otto did far more than just bring this case to our attention. He thoroughly researched the case, created a web site, befriended all four women and travelled frequently from Alaska to Texas to visit them. For years he was their only outside support.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/us/fighting-to-exonerate-texas-women-convicted-of-child-sexual-assault.html?pagewanted=1&ref=texas

 

 

An Interview with NCRJ Board Member Mary Sue Molnar

Friday, November 16th, 2012

“I’ve probably lost some friends along the way because they don’t understand and they don’t care to understand, but that’s okay. I know it’s the right thing to do. I sleep well at night,” Molnar said.

Read more: http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/20112540/woman#ixzz2COQlArvT

Freeing the San Antonio Four

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

From the San Antonio Current:

“I can say that these four women were convicted and falsely imprisoned for a crime they were completely innocent of,” insisted Dallas lawyer Mike Ware, the women’s attorney with Innocence Project. Before taking the case, Ware headed Dallas County’s District Attorneys office’s conviction integrity unit and was responsible for getting the wrongly convicted out of prison. “This is a crime that never even occurred,” Ware said. “What the system has done to these women is horrible.”

http://sacurrent.com/news/freeing-the-san-antonio-four-1.1402560

 

Jesse Friedman’s Team: New Evidence To Be Presented

Sunday, November 11th, 2012

Friedman said, “I had always hoped that the men, who as children had been pressured into filing charges against me, would someday step forward and say, ‘It never happened.’ I am so grateful that they have had the courage to tell their parents and to tell the DA’s office the truth…So many people were harmed and need to heal, not just me.”

http://greatneckrecord.com/2012/jesse-friedmans-team-new-evidence-to-be-presented/

Attorney Credits Polygraph For Anna Vasquez’s Release

Saturday, November 3rd, 2012

In a previous interview, Ware speculated that the parole board approved Vasquez’s release after he gave its general counsel a polygraph test taken in the past year that she passed.

 
The National Center for Reason and Justice paid for the polygraph test. The NCRJ also foud Mike Ware, the Texas Four lawyer.

Anna Vasquez, of the Texas Four, Released

Friday, November 2nd, 2012

In the days leading up to her daughter’s release, Maria Vasquez said she and her family had been preparing Anna’s room, buying a new bedroom suite, mattress, TV and blankets.

They also planned to get whatever groceries they needed for Saturday morning.

“I’m going to cook her a big breakfast just like she asked for,” Maria Vasquez said in a previous story. “She hasn’t had a good breakfast in 13 years.”

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Woman-fighting-for-exoneration-released-on-parole-4003817.php

Read more about the Texas Four.

The National Center for Reason and Justice (NCRJ) found Mike Ware, the Texas Four lawyer. Ware credits the polygraph test, paid for by the NCRJ, for convincing the Parole Board to release Anna.

NCRJ Board member Mary Sue Molnar Interviewed on KENS, San Antonio

Friday, November 2nd, 2012

“This is messed up. These laws are messed up,” Molnar adamantly stated. “A lot of these people who are on this registry for life would never hurt anyone.”

http://www.kens5.com/news/dEFENDING-SEX-OFFENDERS-176881741.html