Inadequate Legal Defense in Capital Cases

Capital defendants who receive inadequate investigation or expert assistance can face irreversible consequences from errors that a stronger defense might expose.

Why it matters in capital cases

Connected exoneration cases

– Jesse Lee Johnson — Oregon; convicted 2004, exonerated 2023. – Anthony Ray Hinton — Alabama; convicted 1985, exonerated 2015. – Glenn Ford — Louisiana; convicted 1984, exonerated 2014. – Gary Drinkard — Alabama; convicted 1995, exonerated 2001. – Ronald Keith Williamson — Oklahoma; convicted 1988, exonerated 1999. – Sabrina Butler-Smith — Mississippi; convicted 1990, exonerated 1995.

Research standard

Source

– Death Penalty Information Center — Innocence Database.