You have heard of the Jena 6
What about these other cases?
September 30, 2007
The recent news coverage about the Jena 6 has sparked much debate and controversy across the nation. Clearly, there are questions of racial tension hanging over Jena at present. But if you place the racism issues to the side for one moment; you will find that the question becomes focused on the issue of justice.
Looking at this specific case raises the issue of unfair accusations, and issues of consequences harsher than necessary.
Of course, this is not the first time it has happened.
Indeed, across the United States of America, there are numerous incidents of innocent people having been incarcerated for crimes they may not have committed.
Here is a look at a few cases that bring the accused individuals' guilt into a questioning light:
The West Memphis 3:
In 1993, three young children were murdered in the Robin Hood Hills area of West Memphis, Arkansas. Three men - Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley - were accused, tried and convicted for the killings. While Misskelley and Baldwin were sentenced to life in prison, Damien Echols was labeled the alleged ringleader, and received the death sentence.
During the trial, the three individuals' interest in the occult and alternative religions appeared to be deemed as a significant motive for the crime. The state brought in an expert on "occultism", who as it turns out, had taken no formal training or education in the area; and actually received his degree via mail order. Their interests in novels by Stephen King and in music by bands such as Metallica and Pink Floyd were also brought into court as evidence against them.
Perhaps more disturbing is the recorded confession by Misskelley, in which interrogators could be heard providing him with crime details, times, and corrections to his statement. This was admitted as evidence also.
Police investigations into the crime have also been highly criticized. The crime scene was not secured effectively, bodies had been moved, and paperwork and records kept by the police were said to be disorganized, haphazard, and incomplete. Evidence was also being stored in supermarket paper bags
"The West Memphis 3" have been in prison since 1995. Artists such as Henry Rollins have attempted to make their case more well-known to the public.
Finally, in 2007, 12 years after they had been imprisoned, DNA from the crime scene was tested. None was found to match DNA from Echols, Baldwin or Misskelley.
The West Memphis 3 are still in prison. Their appeals are ongoing.
West Memphis 3
Wilson v. State of Georgia:
Wilson v. State of Georgia was court case to appeal the aggravated child molestation conviction of Genarlow Wilson, a 20-year-old man. Wilson had been convicted as when he was seventeen, he had engaged in oral sex with 15-year-old girl at a party. The sexual interaction was consensual; but the age of consent in Georgia is 16. Wilson received 10 years in prison.
After the initial trial, the media coverage forced the state government to reconsider the law and subsequently changed it so that the act would be treated as a misdemeanor with a maximum of 1 year imprisonment, and no sex offender registration.
Despite this change, Wilson remains in prison. The Legislature had prohibited the change in the law from being applied retroactively. The case was appealed and was refused from being heard twice, due to the actions of the Legislature. Finally, in 2007, Judge Thomas Wilson overturned the conviction, and resentenced Genarlow to 12 months in prison with time already served.
As things looked to be progressing positively for Wilson, Georgia's Attorney General stepped in and appealed the Judge's decision; which effectively stayed Wilson's release.
The Georgia State Supreme Court heard appeals for Wilson in July. Genarlow Wilson is still in prison. The court is expected to issue a ruling in October 2007.
Genarlow Wilson - CNN Report
The Angola 3:
Robert King Wilkerson, Herman Wallace, and Albert Woodfox are known as the Angola 3. Each man was sentenced to imprisonment for different reasons during the 1960's, and brought to Angola Prison. The Angola 3 became members of the prison chapter of the Black Panther Party in 1971, in which they worked to desegregate the prison, to assist fellow prisoners in the filing of any legal paperwork, for better living conditions, and to put an end to violence and rape in the prison system.
To work towards their goals, the three men began organizing multiple sit-ins and strikes for better conditions. After this was deemed an issue (but arguably because of their political affiliations) the Angola 3 were removed the general prison population and were held in solitary confinement from 1972.
& in solitary confinement they remained.
Then, in 1997, a young law student named Scott Fleming learned that these men were still locked up in solitary confinement; and had been incarcerated in this manner for 25 years. Fleming began questioning the facts of the original investigations at Angola - an effort that aided in bringing the case of Wilkerson, Wallace, and Woodfox to the attention of the media.
Robert King Wilkerson was released after 29 years in solitary confinement after being exonerated in 2001.
Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox are still imprisoned. They remain in solitary confinement.
The recent news coverage about the 
