Plain Error

News about nnocence Project of Florida activities and Florida criminal cases from a defense viewpoint.

Author: Seth Miller is executive director of the Innocence Project of Florida a member of the nationwide Innocence Network and a resource in the state for those who have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. Other contributors include "Yankee Interloper," "Ty," Ryan" and "Toni."

Blawg Related Categories: Criminal Justice • Prosecutors • Public Defenders • Sentencing/Post Conviction • Trials & Litigation • Evidence

Recent Posts from Plain Error

Prosecutorial bargaining involves public humiliation
I just read an amusing article from the Simple Justice blog, intrigued by this photo: The article was about two Bedford County, PA, women, Evelyn Border and her daughter, Tina Griekspoor, who stole a gift…
More About Snitch Testimony in Dillon
As we chronicled here on Tuesday, Roger Dale Chapman, who testified during William Dillon’s 1981 trial that Dillon made a jailhouse confession, attended Dillon’s compensation hearing on Monday to set the record straight. The news…
A Failure of Leadership
On Monday, William Dillon’s special claims bill was before a hearing at the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) in Tallahassee, where lawyers for the Florida Legislature are considering compensation for the 27 years Dillon spent…
NY Times Article on Dog-scent Lineups
Yesterday the New York Times ran a good article on dog-scent lineups looking particularly at cases in Texas involving that state’s version of discredited dog handler John Preston (see previous coverage of Preston here, here,…
Snitch admits to lying in Dillon’s case
Roger Dale Chapman, a jailhouse snitch whose testimony helped to convict William Dillon in 1981, admitted to lying on the stand and apologized to Dillon at yesterday’s compensation hearing. Chapman was facing sexual battery charges…
Texas’s Tenth Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty
Read more about it HERE. Related posts:Former Texas Governor Calls for Review of Death Penalty in TexasNew Mexico votes to abolish death penaltyReport Says States Looking to Cut Costs Should Consider Abandoning Death PenaltyThe Death…
Gary Bennett article in Florida Today
Last week I posted a blog about Gary Bennett, who has spent 25 years in jail due in part to John Preston and his scent dogs. Today an article runs in Florida Today outlining Gary…
Bill Dillon Compensation Hearing This Morning
This morning in Tallahassee, FL William Dillon’s attorneys will present a case for compensation for his wrongful conviction and incarceration, and will demonstrate the improprieties by the state in the investigation and prosecution of Dillon’s…
FL Supreme Court Stays Execution of Paul Beasley Johnson
Johnson was convicted for the 1981 murders of three individuals including a Lakeland deputy. Governor Crist recently signed Johnson’s death warrant at the urging of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and a 3,000 strong petition…
“One Man Innocence Project” passes away
Last weekend, Patriot-News reporter Pete Shellem died unexpectedly. During his 23 years at Patriot-News, Shellem investigated several questionable convictions which led to the freedom of several innocent people. Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Ernie Preate once…