USD presents one man's journey to justice
Posted: Monday, September 15, 2008
VERMILLION, S.D. -- What happens when the innocent are wrongfully convicted and subsequently incarcerated? Where do they go for help?
Hear one man's 12-year fight for justice as the Innocence Project of South Dakota presents Dennis Fritz at 7 p.m., Thursday at the University of South Dakota School of Law courtroom.
Fritz, author of "Journey Toward Justice," was leading an ordinary life when, on May 8, 1987, he was arrested on charges of rape and murder. An overzealous prosecutor intent on winning relied on flimsy circumstantial evidence and Fritz, though innocent, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. His codefendant, Ronnie Williamson, was sentenced to death.
After 12 years in prison, with the help of Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project and DNA testing, both men were exonerated and eventually walked away from prison as free men.
The program at USD is free and open to the public. For more information about Fritz's presentation or the Innocence Project of South Dakota, contact the USD School of Law at 605-677-5443 or e-mail ipsd@usd.edu.
Hear one man's 12-year fight for justice as the Innocence Project of South Dakota presents Dennis Fritz at 7 p.m., Thursday at the University of South Dakota School of Law courtroom.
Fritz, author of "Journey Toward Justice," was leading an ordinary life when, on May 8, 1987, he was arrested on charges of rape and murder. An overzealous prosecutor intent on winning relied on flimsy circumstantial evidence and Fritz, though innocent, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. His codefendant, Ronnie Williamson, was sentenced to death.
After 12 years in prison, with the help of Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project and DNA testing, both men were exonerated and eventually walked away from prison as free men.
The program at USD is free and open to the public. For more information about Fritz's presentation or the Innocence Project of South Dakota, contact the USD School of Law at 605-677-5443 or e-mail ipsd@usd.edu.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 1 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
AnnieO wrote on Sep 15, 2008 6:11 PM:
DNA is a useful tool but should only be used to EXCLUDE suspects. DNA is too easily transfered to be reliable for convictionS based upon inclusion. "