My old buddy and former NYSACDL president, Dan Arshack, will be interviewing former Ohio AG Jim Petro on his radio show on WGXC, 90.7 FM and streamed throughout the rest of the civilized world right on your computer, this Sunday. August 7th, at 11:00 a.m.
Petro was considered a decent sort as Attorney General of Ohio, but like most who hold such positions, believed that he stood with the angels. Apparently, he learned otherwise, kicking and screaming as Jeff Gamso explained, and saw the light.
Serving as Ohio Attorney General, Petro was confronted with the nightmare of a family man convicted of murder and rape and sentenced to life in prison even when DNA proved his innocence.He was shocked, even if you’re not. But then, your career wasn’t vested in the efficacy of the system, allowing you to feel good about yourself no matter who you sent to prison (or the death chamber).
After this experience, Petro wrote a book, False Justice, Eight Myths that Convict the Innocent.
In False Justice, former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro and his wife Nancy reveal their awakening to the frightening scope of wrongful criminal conviction.
Yet, False Justice also offers a happy ending: We can do better. We can be safer. We can prevent our loved ones from being wrongfully convicted, and we can be more confident that the real criminals are apprehended. False Justice reveals how the criminal justice system really works, and why these myths are both dead wrong and highly destructive to finding true justice:Myth 1: Everyone in prison claims innocence.
Myth 2: Our system almost never convicts an innocent person.
Myth 3: Only the guilty confess.
Myth 4: Wrongful conviction is the result of innocent human error.
Myth 5: An eyewitness is the best testimony.
Myth 6: Conviction errors get corrected on appeal.
Myth 7: It dishonors a victim to question a conviction.
Myth 8: If the justice system has problems, the pros will fix them.
While this is unlikely to cause any gasps on the criminal defense side of the courtroom, that a former AG came to the realization that the system just might be wrong is surprising. For obvious but sad reasons, Petro’s advocacy of systemic changes that would improve the process and potentially save an innocent person from conviction may carry some greater weight than others.
In any event, tune in to Dan’s show and hear what Jim Petro has to say. I believe they take some calls as well, so you may have an opportunity to ask Jim Petro pointed questions, particularly important given that Ohio seems bent on giving Texas a run for its money in putting people to death. If it interferes with your tee time, they archive the shows and you can listen to it later.
It should be an interesting time. Check it out.
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