How Systemic Failures of a Flawed System Led to a 16-Year Wrongful Incarceration
Free Kenneth Nixon was 19 when he was wrongfully convicted of the firebombing of a Detroit residence that caused the death of two children. He was 34 when he was finally exonerated this past February.
Meanwhile, justice has yet to be served — almost 16 years of Ken’s life were stolen, and the perpetrator of the crime remains at large.
However, he remains committed to raising awareness of the wrongful conviction crisis via his advocacy work with the National Organization of Exonerees.
🎙 Learn about this admirable initiative on #OpenMike: https://rb.gy/umzp8u
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119-A Firebombing & Wrongful Conviction Revealed Dark Realities of Detroit's Criminal Justice System
In 2005, Free Kenneth Nixon and his girlfriend were arrested and charged in connection with a tragic Detroit firebombing that killed two children. While Kenneth’s girlfriend was acquitted by a jury, he was given two life sentences.
Reviews by the Medill - Northwestern University Justice Project, WMU Cooley Innocence Project, and Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit determined Kenneth didn’t receive a fair trial, citing inconsistent eyewitness testimony, jailhouse snitch testimony, and a poor arson investigation. On February 18th, 2021, Nixon was released from prison, 16 years after his conviction.
In this stunning installment of #OpenMike, Kenneth reflects on the systemic biases that contributed to his wrongful conviction and provides updates about his post-release life — including inspiring advocacy work with the National Organization of Exonerees
🎙 Don’t miss this all-new episode in our wrongful conviction series!: https://rb.gy/umzp8u
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In 1996, three years into Derrick Sanders’s wrongful prison sentence, his mother received a signed affidavit from a man named Anthony Boddie.
“The only reason I told the police that Mr. Sanders did it is because they insisted that he did it,” he wrote. “I tried to tell them that he didn’t do anything, but they kept on insisting that he did it. I was scared, so I gave a false statement.”
Sanders’ mother submitted the letter to his attorney… yet Derrick was not exonerated until 2018.
Why didn’t this admission of guilt merit Derrick’s release? Why did he spend an additional 22 years in prison?
🎙 Find out more on an all-new episode of #OpenMike: https://rb.gy/t5byci
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September 30th is International Podcast Day, an annual, global celebration of the informative, storytelling power of podcasts! 🎙 🎉
Since our podcast #OpenMike dropped in 2019, we’ve had the privilege of producing 117 riveting episodes with guests ranging from professional athletes, award-winning journalists, wrongfully convicted individuals, and criminal justice experts, to name a few — and we’re just getting started!
In honor of #internationalpodcastday, binge a new podcast, donate to your favorite podcast producer, create your own podcast, and — of course — subscribe to Open Mike right here: https://www.855mikewins.com/podcast/
What are some of YOUR favorite podcasts?
#mikemorselawfirm #855mikewins #nationalpodcastday #podcastday #podcast #podcasts #podcaster #podcasting #podcastlife #podcastshow #media #content #interview #guest #tiktok #creators #entrepreneur #newpodcast #episode #spotify #youtube #iheartradio #applepodcasts #detroit #michigan #listen #industry
This Exoneree May Be Free From Prison, But His Quest for Justice Is Far From Over
One of the reasons #OpenMike features wrongful convictions is so potential jurors will hopefully see these episodes, approach trials with appropriate skepticism, and put the proper weight behind their decisions — because people’s lives are on the line.
In Eric Anderson's case, the jury simply didn’t believe him, despite multiple pieces of evidence corroborating his innocence.
While he’s been released from prison, Eric’s quest for justice is far from over.
🎙 Tune into our latest episode for more on his journey: https://rb.gy/9qbrnk
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117- Detroit Exoneree Eric Anderson Reflects on 9 Years Wrongfully Incarcerated for a Brutal Robbery
In April 2010, Eric Anderson was arrested and charged for the robbery and beating of two men outside their Detroit home. At the time of the crime, Anderson was at a Coney Island, 10 miles away, where he was shot in the foot.
Despite hospital records and security footage confirming his shooting injury, Eric would spend nine years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, asserting his innocence the entire time.
The Michigan Innocence Clinic re-investigated Anderson’s claims of innocence and, following an interview with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, his sentence was vacated on April 30th, 2019.
How did such a chain of events occur when multiple pieces of evidence corroborated Eric’s innocence? Why was he allowed to remain in prison for so long when it was clear he wasn’t present for this robbery?
🎙 Tune in to this mind-blowing, all-new installment of #OpenMike to find out: https://rb.gy/9qbrnk
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcasters #interview #guest #new #episode #wrongfulconviction #wrongfulincarceration #waynecounty #prosecutor #prison #jail #incarceration #massincarceration #crime #homicide #criminaljustice #justice #reform #justicereform #law #legal #detroit #michigan #coneyisland #innocence #michiganinnocenceclinic
On April 20th, 2021, Thelonious Searcy was released from prison after serving 17 years for a murder he did not commit.
While he credits his faith for helping him persevere prior to release, Thelonious currently awaits a retrial while under house arrest— despite multiple admissions of guilt from another state prisoner.
What are his plans as he waits a second trial — or dismissal of charges?
🎙 Find out on an all-new episode of #OpenMike: https://rb.gy/jhu2sj
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcasters #interview #guest #new #episode #wrongfulconviction #wrongfulincarceration #waynecounty #prosecutor #trial #prison #jail #incarceration #massincarceration #crime #homicide #criminaljustice #justice #reform #justicereform #law #legal
Detroiter Thelonious Searcy has wrongfully served 17 years behind bars for a murder that a self-professed hitman has confessed to committing.
Despite no evidence tying him to the scene of the alleged crime, Searcy is stuck in a holding pattern. He and his lawyer await to see if the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office appeals a ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Why is he stuck under house arrest while he awaits a second trial? Why doesn’t Prosecutor Kym Worthy dismiss his charges?
🎙Tune into this riveting episode of #OpenMike to find out: https://rb.gy/jhu2sj
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcasters #interview #guest #new #episode #outnow #live #wrongfulconviction #wrongfulincarceration #waynecounty #prosecutor #trial #prison #jail #incarceration #massincarceration #crime #homicide #criminaljustice #justice #reform #justicereform #law #legal
Cash bail effectively criminalizes poverty, as people who can’t afford bail are kept in jail for weeks or even months as they await trial.
On the other hand, it also enables the release of people who may be significant threats to public safety — merely because they can afford to post bail.
So, how can jurisdictions fix this problem?
Find out on this #OpenMike exclusive with Eli Savit - Washtenaw Prosecuting Attorney
🎙Full episode: https://rb.gy/zdyfcf
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcasters #interview #guest #episode #bail #bond #cashbail #cashbond #system #jail #prison #incarceration #prosecutor #publicservant #lawyer #attorney #law #legal #justice #washtenawcounty #michigan #official #advocate #civilrights #privilege #poverty
Eli Savit - Washtenaw Prosecuting Attorney is a nationally recognized attorney, public servant, and civil rights advocate who currently serves as the Washtenaw County Prosecutor.
Prior to his term, he served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was a civil-rights and public-interest attorney, and also had a career as a public-school teacher. In addition to serving as Washtenaw County's Prosecuting Attorney, Eli is a faculty member at University of Michigan Law School.
In this inspiring installment of #OpenMiket, Eli discusses his close relationship with late Justice Ginsburg, and how her mentorship influenced him to forge a career in public service.
Additionally, he and Mike consider the inherent problems with the American cash bail system (one of two for-profit bail systems in the world) and reflect on Eli’s recent, successful elimination of Washtenaw County’s cash bail program!
🎙 Watch now: https://rb.gy/zdyfcf
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcasters #interview #guest #new #episode #live #outnow #prosecutor #publicservant #lawyer #attorney #teacher #educator #law #legal #clerk #SCOTUS #SupremeCourt #justice #RBG #washtenawcounty #michigan #advocate #civilrights #UofM
When discussing wrongful convictions (and mass incarceration in general), people can be too quick to gloss over the profound, emotional toll confinement has on a person.
During Gilbert Poole’s 32-year-long wrongful prison sentence, his mother, father, and grandmother died, leaving him completely isolated from the outside world.
🎙 Find out how he learned to cope with his unimaginable conditions on #OpenMike : https://rb.gy/aap6eg
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcastlife #podcasters #gilbertpoole #wrongfulconviction #criminaljustice #justice #exoneration #conviction #prison #truth #interview #guest #michigan #innocent #law #legal #tragedy #mentalhealth #emotionalhealth #health #isolation #imprisonment #incarceration #massincarceration #reform #justicereform
Gilbert Poole was released from a Michigan prison just three months ago after spending 32 years wrongfully incarcerated for a murder he didn’t commit.
His exoneration is one of the first to stem from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's Conviction Integrity Unit, which was just founded in 2019.
🎙 Check out an all-new episode of #OpenMike for more info on his shocking case: https://rb.gy/aap6eg
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcastlife #podcasters #new #episode #gilbertpoole #wrongfulconviction #crime #truecrime #criminaljustice #justice #exoneration #conviction #incarceration #prison #truth #interview #guest #michigan #AG #attorneygeneral #DanaNessel #innocent #innocenceproject #law #legal
It may come as a surprise that 25% of wrongful convictions stem from false confessions. After all, who in their right mind would admit to a crime they didn’t commit?
The objective of police interrogations isn’t to discover the truth. Law enforcement is trained in interrogation tactics specifically designed to extract statements of guilt from suspects, including psychological abuse, manipulation, and downright dishonesty.
We can’t stress it enough — if you’re accused of a crime, do NOT speak to law enforcement until you have an attorney present.
🎙 For more information on ways to protect yourself from a wrongful conviction, check out this all-new episode of #OpenMike: https://rb.gy/u1j6fu
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Why Do Prosecution Offices Need a Conviction Review Unit?
Whenever consistent issues or a spectacular failure affect a given industry, investigations are normally conducted to right the wrongs and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Just look how the airline and transportation industries have pivoted over the years — so why should the criminal justice industry be any different?
The Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at Penn Law has become a national leader in reform efforts, including encouragement of conviction integrity units in prosecutors’ offices.
🎙 Tune in to an all-new #OpenMike to learn about their innovative, data-driven approach to justice reform: https://rb.gy/cbn47t
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Without adequate training or supervision, even the most well-intentioned, skilled public defenders can find themselves struggling to properly represent their clients.
When this structural lack of resources is conflated with overeager prosecutors and massive caseloads, wrongful convictions are a tragic inevitability.
However, Professor Eve Primus from University of Michigan Law School believes American public defense models can be reformed to provide equal opportunity for all citizens.
🎙 ⏮ Find out why on #OpenMike Rewind: https://rb.gy/vvcrz5
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Think the Criminal Justice System Is Permanently Broken? Think Again. Here's How We Can Help
While human error will always be present in any type of system, many errors that contribute to wrongful convictions can be prevented by implementing a variety of safeguards.
However, unless we pressure our legislators to introduce new protective laws, justice reform is relatively unlikely.
Find out how we can help on an all-new #OpenMike with guest Marla Mitchell-Cichon, Executive Director of the @WMU Cooley Innocence Project.
🎙 Watch now: https://rb.gy/4wsnel
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How Did Gilbert Poole Become a Suspect in His Original Case?
As Executive Director of the WMU Cooley Innocence Project, Marla Mitchell-Cichon is well acquainted with the procedural breakdowns that lead to wrongful convictions.
But few cases are as patently absurd as that of Gilbert Poole, a Michigan man who wrongfully served 32 years due to a combination of a disgruntled ex-girlfriend’s accusation, shoddy forensics, and bad policework.
Marla and the Innocence Project worked on Gilbert’s case for almost two decades until he was finally exonerated.
How were they able to free this innocent man?
🎙 Watch #OpenMike to find out: https://rb.gy/4wsnel
#podcast #podcasts #podcasters #podcasting #outnow #new #episode #alert #crime #justice #criminaljustice #innocent #wrongfulconviction #WMU #CooleyLaw #innocenceproject #professor #attorney #lawyer #expert #director #prison #incarceration #reform #michigan #tuesday #tuesdaythoughts #GilbertPoole
How NDS Is Ensuring All Wayne County Residents Have Access to Effective Legal Representation
The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution grants all Americans the right to a speedy, impartial trial.
However, practical application of this right can oftentimes differ from its application in theory — especially when poverty, lack of socioeconomic opportunity, and biased systems come into play.
🎙 ⏮ Check out #OpenMike rewind to learn how Neighborhood Defender Service is ensuring proper legal representation for all Wayne County residents: https://rb.gy/tkdv4s
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting #podcaster #podcastlife #criminaljustice #justice #crime #neighborhooddefenderservice #community #prison #incarceration #poverty #system #injustice #reform #justicereform #crisis #detroit #michigan #law #legal #client #harlem #waynecounty #lawyer #representation
In the Criminal Justice System, You're Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty — Unless You're Poor
Low-income people and People of Color are disproportionately present in wrongful convictions — and the criminal justice system as a whole.
A huge cause of this is ineffective legal representation from public defenders, many of whom have unmanageable caseloads and lack funds needed to conduct proper investigations.
Simply put — many people cannot afford a good lawyer and are effectively imprisoned as a result.
With bureaucratic pressure to wrap up cases as quickly as possible, and the poverty-to-prison pipeline intact as ever, is justice reform a realistic goal?
🎙 ⏮ Find out on #OpenMike Rewind: https://rb.gy/i4in6q
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