Forgiveness and healing in a wrongful conviction tale
The piece follows two cases of misidentification leading to wrongful rapes and convictions. Jennifer Thompson Cannino and Ronald Jones recount forgiveness and reconciliation with those wrongly blamed, their journeys through trauma, sobriety, and public speaking on wrongful convictions. Jones, now a handyman in Topeka, remains wary of Joel Russell and hopes for justice. A Christmas card from the accuser marks a quiet, personal moment amid broader healing. Reporter Shaun Hittle can be reached at 832-7173 and follows on Twitter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shaun Hittle
Twitter
Shaunhittle
Victim speaks out as DNA clears wrongfully convicted man
The survivor details her decades of impact from a 1985 kidnapping and rape case in which Joe Jones spent years in prison before a DNA match identified the real assailant. She praises journalist Shaun Hittle for pursuing truth, vents about past reporting, and seeks balance and accuracy in coverage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jones
Thompson-Cannino
Cotton
Bobby Poole
North Carolina
Tam
Joe Jones
Shaun Hittle
Mr. Hittle
Joe
Nick Krug
Journal-World File Photo
Topekan
Joel L. Russell
Russell
Eyewitness issues in 1985 Jones case spark reforms
A UVA law professor cited in a 2009 Innocence Project study notes the Jones wrongful rape conviction hinged on misidentification. The victim initially chose the wrong photo in a six pack array, then identified Jones in court, prompting police to adopt sequential lineups and an independent administrator to reduce bias.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joe Jones
Topeka
Brandon Garrett
University of Virginia Law
Jones
Innocence Project
Garrett
Ald Miller
Larry Falley
Falley
Backlog in Kansas rape kit tests delays cold cases update
The Topeka Journal-World notes decades of untested DNA evidence, including a 1985 rape case linked to Russell, and a 1992 test that freed Joe Jones. It cites backlogs, lack of a national DNA data bank, and calls for registry legislation to identify untested evidence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nick Krug
Journal-World Photo
Topeka
Ronald Miller
Joe Jones
Joel L. Russell
Jones
Kansas
Joel Russell
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Freedom
Journal- World
Topeka Police
Russell
Scott Berkowitz
Berkowitz
DNA Lab
KBI Lab
Kyle Smith
KBI
Smith
Miller
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New York Times
Forgiveness Jones
Joel
Topeka Police Department
Police Department
TPD
Det. Arensdorf
Ron
The
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
Lawrencemarketplace.com
Facebook
Lawrence
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