NCJ Number
11965
Date Published
1973
Length
296 pages
Annotation
REVIEW OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF ENGLISH CRIMINAL CASES IN WHICH DEFENDANTS WERE EXONERATED BY PARDONS AND A COMPARISON TO FRENCH AND AMERICAN SYSTEMS.
Abstract
THE MATERIAL WAS COLLECTED FROM PUBLIC RECORDS AND INTERVIEWS WITH THE PEOPLE INVOLVED. AMONG THE CAUSES OF FALSE IMPRISONMENT IDENTIFIED WERE MISIDENTIFICATION, CONFESSIONS BY THE MENTALLY DEFECTIVE OR BY THOSE HOPING FOR LENIENCY, PERJURY BY WITNESSES OR OTHER SUSPECTS, MISLEADING DYING DECLARATIONS, AND MISTAKES DURING JOINT TRIALS. THE EXTRA-JUDICIAL PROCEDURES EMPLOYED BY THE DEFENDANTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND INTERESTED NEWSPAPERS ARE SURVEYED, AND THE DIFFICULTIES, BOTH SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL, FACED BY THE PARDONED MEN ARE HIGHLIGHTED.