Imprisoned by a lie; set free by the truth - CBS News

I saw this on CBS News this evening.  Imprisoned by a lie; set free by the truth - CBS News

Ricky Jackson served 38 years from age 18 for a murder that he was innocent from.  The police and prosecutors pressured a then 12 year old boy Edward Vernon to falsely testify that he saw Ricky Jackson do the crime.  However at the time, Edward had been actually on a bus, and couldn't have witnessed the crime.

I have a hard time criticizing Edward Vernon for lying.  A 12 year old boy, could be easily led by police and prosecutors into lying on the stand.  I can't hold the judge or the jury liable for doing it.  The prosecutors and police, on the other hand, knew what they were doing.  They wanted a "win" at any cost.  They clearly weren't doing their job of finding justice --but were just trying to convict someone to "close the books" on the crime.

The prosecutor and police officers involved probably received positive publicity, probably received raises and promotions based upon their "success" in convicting Ricky Jackson.  Since 38 years have gone by, they may be dead or retired.  I believe that somehow they or their heirs should be held liable for what is clearly malicious prosecution.  But I doubt if anything will ever be done.



Police/Prosecutors probably think this is just part of "collateral damage" - sometimes an innocent person gets caught up in the "net."--- However, by doing what they did, they have somewhat "poisoned" future juries who may not believe testimony by police.