This is Lorenzo Cat Johnson. Has the justice system turned into a “just us” system? When a man or woman’s innocence is on the line, there shouldn’t be a competition to determine which attorney, whether prosecutor or defense attorney, is a better litigator. It should be about justice, not continued unjust punishment.
If prosecutors continue to withhold favorable evidence that can show a person’s innocence, give deals to people on their pending criminal charges to give false testimony against innocent people; hide exculpatory evidence or DNA evidence; vouch for a witness when they know their witness is not telling the truth; maliciously continue to prosecute with reckless abandonment for human life. This is just a few examples of how the justice system is failing the innocent.
It’s sad to say but in some situations, innocent people have died in prison. Now, on the flip side, defense attorneys have also been crucial in wrongful convictions, failing to properly prepare or investigate thoroughly – not wanting to go that extra mile knowing his or her client is innocent – failing to introduce witnesses or evidence that could clear their client. On appeal, they fail to acknowledge they was ineffective in prior stages by using inexcusable excuses continuing the imprisonment of an innocent person. Once again, this is only a couple examples of many that innocent prisoners suffer from.
Now society; the truth is the above is all admissible in the “Just Us” system. Why? Because, if it wasn’t, the people behind wrongful convictions should be held fully responsible and not have immunity, such as prosecutors, when they are liable. The day the police, lawyers, and prosecutors are held criminally accountable for their wrong doing, wrongful convictions will slow down. For instance, at the time of this writing, I spent 18 years in prison, innocent.
Now, if the culprits responsible had to go to prison for 18 years for their role, it would make all future people with corrupt thoughts think twice. What’s really sad? Exonerations of innocent prisoners is at an alarming rate, and unlike other states, Pennsylvania still do not have a free standard innocent claim. Wow, the pain within. Free the innocent. Lorenzo Cat Johnson.
These commentaries are recorded by Noel Hanrahan of Prison Radio.
