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Race and eyewitness ID gaps spur calls for reform
The piece recounts Jennifer Thompson-Coonino's mis identification in a 1984 rape case leading to Ronald Cotton's wrongful conviction and later DNA exoneration. It notes 218 exonerations since 1991 due to mis identification, race bias in ID, and varying jury instruction practices. It reports ABA debates over juror instructions, state reforms in North Carolina, and new software to standardize photo identifications.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Jennifer Thompson-Cannino
North Carolina
Ronald Cotton
Thompson-Cannino
Ron Cotton
Innocence Project
Boston
Gregory Gallagher
Stephan Cowans
Gallagher
Cowans
American Bar Association
California
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Utah
Scheck
Josh Marquis
Astoria
Ore
National District Attorneys Association