I've been a member of The Innocence Project for a long time. Somehow, with each exoneration, with each additional release from prison of an innocent person, I don't feel a sense of justice, I feel more outrage.
Today feels different.
I don't think it's justice that's making me feel good though. I think it's revenge.
Years ago, when I joined The Innocence Project, the number of "release" announcements was a mere trickle, increasing over the years to the point that it's fairly routine to see another innocent person released from prison now. But for every one that is exonerated, dozens await another hearing, a chance at a DNA test, or a recanting of a false witness.
Today, the regular Innocence Project email caught my eye though, not because of another release but because finally, the tables have been turned. A man who was supposed to uphold justice is being sent to jail for crimes against the innocent.
Prosecutor in Morton Case Pleads to Contempt and is Disbarred
Former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson entered a plea to criminal contempt for deliberately withholding exculpatory evidence pointing to the innocence of Michael Morton, who was exonerated by DNA evidence in 2011 after serving 25 years for his wifeâs murder. Anderson, who sent Governor Rick Perry a letter resigning as a district judge on September 23rd, received 10 days in Williamson County Jail, a $500 fine, 500 hours of community service and permanently surrendered his license to practice law. This marks an extremely rare instance, and perhaps the first time, that a prosecutor has been criminally punished for failing to turn over exculpatory evidence that led to a wrongful conviction.
If you would like to more about this case, CNN is presenting a special on Dec 5th at 9pm ET.
Keep in mind, this prosecutorial behavior is not isolated, it is frequently found in cases of innocent people languishing in our jails, but it normally goes unpublished and unpunished.
10 days in jail and a $500 fine may not seem like justice, but the publicity and the loss of this horrible man's law license is sweet revenge.