In Spite Of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases [Paperback]

Michael L. Radelet (Author), Hugo Adam Bedau (Author), Constance E. Putnam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 1994

The stories of some 400 innocent Americans who were falsely convicted of capital crimes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The stories of some 400 innocent Americans who were falsely convicted of capital crimes.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Similar in style and content to Martin Yant's Presumed Guilty ( LJ 3/15/91), this book reviews cases of persons wrongly convicted of crimes carrying the death penalty. It elaborates upon the important 1987 Stanford Law Review article by Radelet and Hugo Adam Bedau, which first brought the issue of wrongful convictions to the forefront in the capital punishment debate. This volume reviews 400 cases of wrongful convictions and examines the weaknesses in the criminal justice system that lead to the convictions. For many years Radelet and Bedau have been among the most prominent of the anti-capital punishment researchers. Here they use the services of a professional journalist, Constance Putnam, to present their material in a style that is interesting and readily accessible to lay leaders. Recommended for scholars and general readers. See also Stephen Trombley's The Execu tion Protocol: Inside America's Capital Punishment Industry , reviewed below.--Ed.
- John Broderick, Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern (May 26, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555531970
• ISBN-13: 978-1555531973
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,020,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth comes out...., December 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: In Spite Of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book documenting some of the most significant failures of Justice in the 20th century. The stories presented within are both enthralling and heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book.

Another reviewer accused this book's authors of "intellectual dishonesty" for including crimes that did not result in a death sentence. However, this reviewer erroneously stated that only crimes that eventually result in the death penalty are capital crimes. This is not true. A capital crime is an crime that carries with it the _potential_ for recieving a death sentence - not just the crimes that actually do recieve such a sentence.

The authors also stated in the introduction that they would be including crimes which, at the time they were committed, constituted a capital offense, but no longer are considered death penalty-eligible (like rape).

The only "intellectual dishonesty" present is that of certain reviewers who make false statements and tarnish the reputations of well-respected researchers.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new look at the criminal justice system., November 17, 1999

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Spite Of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases (Paperback)

In our system of justice the worst case scenario is to be convicted of capitol crime and sentenced to death. Even worse than that is that fact you are innocent of the crime. This book exposes some serious miscarriages of the system.

The authors, in great detail explain how over 400 Americans were wrongly incarcerated for crimes of which they did not commit. The book is a true insight into the world of our legal system.

With great attention to the facts, you have a first hand look at people on death row. I was impressed and captured by how well the book tells the stories. I was able to finish the reading in just over 6 hours.

If your fascinated by law, have a hobby with law or just want to spend some time with a real good book, here's your chance. An excellent read from start to finish. You won't be able to put it down.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Re: Intellectual Dishonesty, June 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: In Spite Of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases (Paperback)

Just some definitional clarification in response to comments made about the "intellectual dishonesty" of the authors:

CAPITAL OFFENSE - a crime for which the death penalty may be imposed. Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Ed. 1999.

Black's is the legal system's most trusted authority on legal terminology, and while it is perhaps unfair and potentially misleading for the authors to have exploited a reader's possible misunderstanding of the nature of capital sentencing and prosecutorial dealmaking, the authors are correct in their usage of the term.