I would like any work sited possible as I am researching this for a thesis paper for school. Thank you.
My paper is on Leonard Peltier.
2006-09-13 17:45:08 · 6 answers · asked by Amy C 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Hopefully, you've googled and done your research on Peltier. The best source I can think of for the information you are seeking is the Innocence Project. Try a search. I'm betting the information and the research experience you find is much more valuable to you that anything you'll get from here.
2006-09-13 17:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by jerry f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an incalculable question because of the word "innocent." The few cases where prisoners are let out are usually because of some new evidence that casts doubt on their guilt rather than proving their innocence. For example, someone is in prison for rape and someone else confesses. It doesn't prove he is innocent, it just means we CHOOSE to believe the confession. Or he's in prison for rape and DNA from the victim is NOT his DNA. It doesn't prove that he didn't rape the victim, it only proves someone else had sex with her. The studies of innocence and evidence in controversy all manipulate words to achieve the result the researchers are hoping for.
Leonard Peltier was an Indian activist who killed two F.B.I. agents and was found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of those crimes. His supporters now have statements from some of the witnesses saying he is innocent but at this point which statement should be believed. Those who want him released are for the most part "left-wing" political agitators who would not care about him if he were not himself a political activist and their "research" mirrors their personal convictions.
2006-09-14 00:57:21 · answer #2 · answered by RangerEsq 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, a lot of men that were judged guilty of rape have been let out over the years due to DNA evidence. Sometimes I wonder exactly how much evidence is necessary to prove rape to begin with. Rapists should obviously go to prison, but we had better be certain that they are DEFINITELY guilty first.
That being said, most of them are guilty. Prisons are full of people who love to say "I didn't do it".
2006-09-14 00:47:44 · answer #3 · answered by Down With Crack Whores And Pimps 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There was a quote from someone in one of those innocence projects who said, "about 25% of convicted persons are not guilty of the crime they were convicted of, and about 10% are not guilty of any crime at all." Sorry, I don't have a source right now. My son might know as he is studying criminal sociology.
2006-09-14 00:54:44 · answer #4 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the federal courts 81.8% of felony prosecutions resulted in conviction from October 2001-September 2002.
2006-09-14 01:05:03 · answer #5 · answered by James 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
100 say they are innocent so about 99 per cent guilty
2006-09-14 00:47:12 · answer #6 · answered by Ynot me 2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋