ince 1994, Texas has exonerated thirty-nine innocent people who served over 500 years in prison for crimes they did not commit. This report contains brief overviews of these thirty-nine cases, all of which have been exposed by DNA evidence, and analyzes the systemic problems that have resulted in the wrongful convictions of the innocent. By identifying the causes of wrongful convictions and implementing practical reforms, Texas can increase the fairness, accuracy, and reliability of its criminal justice system.
Because DNA evidence is only available in a fraction of cases, the wrongful convictions described in this report are only the beginning. There are many other wrongful convictions that have been cleared without the benefit of DNA. While non-DNA exonerations are more difficult to prove, they are similar to DNA cases in that they trace back to the same flawed procedures in need of reform. As such, these thirty-nine DNA cases expose a criminal justice system that is wrought with problems that lead to wrongful convictions.
Although several of the exoneration cases involve instances of intentional misconduct, inadvertent error is by far more common. It would only compound these injustices, however, to assume that these mistakes were inevitable. Texas cannot ignore its broken criminal justice system. This report addresses the common causes that lead to wrongful convictions, as echoed in each of these cases, and presents practical reforms to prevent such errors. It is critical for Texas to take action. When Texas gets it wrong and convicts an innocent person, the true perpetrator remains free to commit more crimes.
