Wrongful Convictions

            In Early January year 2003, The New York Times Metro Section printed out the story of Anthony Faison and Charles Shepherd. The two black males were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 14 years. Jean Ulysses was the delivery cab driver in Brooklyn who was said to be the victim of the shooting. The two men were convicted of murdering Jean Ulysses, and were placed under custody solely because of the testimony of a woman who claimed to have seen them shoot the cab driver. Later the woman had admitted she had lied for a 1,000 reward.

            In 2001 a police officer, reviewed the case and discovered the fingerprints on the livery cab belonged to Arlet Cheston. The man, who then confessed and pleaded guilty for the murder of Jean Ulysses.  In New York State Court of Claims, Anthony Faison and Charles Shepherd, sued under the states 1984 law permitting awards in wrongful conviction cases. The attorney generals office settled with the two men before a ruling from the judge. Lawyers criticized the state for fighting the claim, and arguing the terrible police work done which could have been avoided. Mr. Faison and Mr. Shepherd argued they had children, who never had the chance to be with their father for most of their young lives. Mr Shepherd confessed to writing 60,000 letters everyday pleading his innocence.  Now the men have received $1.65 Million each.

            In New York State many people have been wrongfully accused.  In a case of Vincent Jenkins, who was wrongfully convicted of rape in a case in Buffalo, received

 $2 million dollars settlement in New York State. I cannot believe how easily one can be wrongly convicted. No money in the world can justify the wrongdoing of the System. An individual can easily be stripped of his liberties.   And then be granted a large sum of money which still is debated upon if it be settled in court is wrong. The justice systems keep settling out of court because it is an embarrassment. The wrongfully accused are the true victims and should be rewarded with honor. I believe large sums of money will last them for a good amount of time but their integrity is valuable as well. There is no method in restoring the dignity of those who are wrongful accused and placed under jail for no apparent reason.