Play Book Tag discussion

Ghost of the Innocent Man: A True Story of Trial and Redemption by Benjamin Rachlin - 4* - My Review

This is the true story of Willie Grimes, a man unjustly convicted of rape, a crime he did not commit. It also covers the creation of the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, and the work they did that eventually led to his exoneration. It starts with the crime, and this part is horrible but over quickly, then moves to the series of events that led to Grimes’s arrest. It proceeds to trial, which would be completely unbelievable if one did not know it is all true. The author then provides details of his long incarceration, how he maintained his sanity, and his attempts to get a new trial. This proved to be more difficult than it should have been, and calls into question how the US legal system could allow such a miscarriage of justice in the first place. It also, unfortunately, shows how difficult it can be for a person of color to be treated fairly. It showcases the difficulties involved in eyewitness testimonies. The sections on the NCIIC get a little tedious, but the parts about Grimes are well-told and heartbreaking. The trial occurred in 1989, before DNA evidence became part of the normal routine, so I am hopeful that these types of obvious mistakes can be minimized if not eliminated. Recommended to those interested in the American criminal justice system and its shortcomings.

PBT Steeplechase - tagged "true crime" x57:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

BWF May Extra letter R & tagged "crime" x14:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...