NY Governor Vetoes the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act

This bill likely would've helped Jesse Friedman get an Actual Innocence hearing.

Jesse Friedman case

Challenging wrongful convictions – A2878-A/S7548

Sponsored by Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry and Myrie, this bill would have made it easier for someone wrongfully convicted of a crime to have that conviction overturned, even if that person pleaded guilty, by removing procedural barriers to having new evidence heard by the court. In a veto memo, Hochul said that she supports the intent of overturning wrongful convictions and noted that she has approved numerous criminal justice reforms since taking office as well as existing avenues for post-conviction relief. But she said this bill is overly broad and would “create an unjustifiable risk of flooding the courts with frivolous claims.”

 Quoted from: Notable December 2023 NY vetoes

 

In Memoriam: Innocence Project Founding Board Member and Exoneree Calvin Johnson

 

Calvin Johnson was wrongly convicted of a crime and was fortunate that the Georgia Innocence Project assisted in securing his freedom.  I posted this comment on Facebook to Greg Hampikian, a DNA expert and guest speaker in my class over the years.  Greg helped prove Mr. Johnson's innocence, and the two wrote a book together about the experience.

In Memoriam

Posted on Greg's Facebook Page: Very sad to hear about Calvin's passing. He was an inspiring, hopeful, and forgiving person, and the two of you were a dynamic duo in writing Exit to Freedom. I remember when we brought our science and law classes to hear him speak at Clayton State in the late 1990s. You went up to him afterward to say something. That may have been the beginning of your friendship with him? My thoughts are with Calvin and supporting innocence projects in Georgia and across the country. Perry