Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Staggering Number of Wrongly Convicted

And the numbers continue to rise!

"Five years ago, people said that the number (of exonerations) was going to dry up because there just weren't many wrongful convictions," said lawyer Barry Scheck, who co-founded the Innocence Project in 1992 to help prisoners prove their innocence through DNA evidence. "But clearly, there are plenty of innocent persons still in prison. There's no way you can look at this data without believing that." --visit HERE to read the rest and complete article.

And because of this data, I was prompted to write the Justice Seekers series....

Monday, January 30, 2012

STATE SAYS IT CONVICTED THE WRONG SERIAL KILLER

Taken from HERE:

By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
February 10, 2000

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- Cook County prosecutors announced yesterday that one of the six murders for which Hubert Geralds was convicted was actually committed by another inmate.

Three years ago, Geralds was convicted of the 1994 murder of Rhonda King. Investigators had already linked Geralds to four murders through DNA evidence, but built charges in the King killing and one other murder on his confessions.

But ten days ago, police arrested Andre Crawford. During questioning, Crawford confessed to nearly a dozen murders, including King's. In fact, he gave a much more detailed confession than Geralds.

This brings into question several of Geralds' confessions. Prosecutors want to vacate or remove Geralds' six murder convictions, one attempted murder conviction and his death sentence.

During his 1997 trial, experts testified that Geralds' IQ was between 59 and 73. His attorneys claim that police "could have gotten him to go along with anything" because of his "extremely low intelligence".


Visit the website....more frightening than the latest horror story!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Saturday Night Special

Each Saturday, I venture out of my "comfort" reading zone of Suspense/thriller/mystery/romantic suspense to bring you a recommendation in a different genre.

Today's recommendation: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck



One dress. Four women. An amazing destiny.

Charlotte Malone is getting married. Yet all is not settled in the heart of Birmingham's chic bridal boutique owner. Charlotte can dress any bride to perfection-except herself. When she discovers a vintage mint-condition wedding gown in a battered old trunk, Charlotte embarks on a passionate journey to discover the women who wore the gown before her.

Emily in 1912. Mary in 1939. And Hillary in 1968. Each woman teaches Charlotte something about love in her own unique way. Woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte's heritage, the power of faith, and the beauty of finding true love.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Innocent Man Served THIRTY Years

...."Whatever your truth is, you have to stick with it," Dupree, 51, said Tuesday, minutes after a Dallas judge overturned his conviction.

Read the complete article on THIS website.

My truth? Knowing our Department of Justice has this much power has me terrified. What about you?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Wrongful Convictions Continue to Scare Me

Is anyone else alarmed at the rising rate of wrongful convictions being overturned because of DNA testing being proof that innocent people are at risk? I'm terrified. Our legal system has become a mockery...we are so quick to convict, and in a growing percentage, INNOCENT PEOPLE.

Need more proof? Read THIS website, which states: A judge has overturned the rape conviction and life prison sentence of a Palmetto man who has served 17 years in prison.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/03/30/3072529/rape-conviction-of-palmetto-man.html#storylink=cpy

I don't know about you, but personally, I'm terrified at the power our legal system has to put innocent people in jail...or worse. This fear is what prompted me to write the Justice Seekers series.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Robin's Wednesday's Recommended Reading

Today's recommendation: The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy



Before Audrey was the baker's wife, she was the pastor's wife.

Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey.

Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey's car strikes something-or someone-at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there's no trace of a body.

Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield's wife, and he's certain that Audrey is behind Julie's disappearance.

But the case dead-ends and the detective spirals into madness. When he takes her family and some patrons hostage at the bakery, Audrey is left with a soul-damaged ex-con and a cynical teen to solve the mystery. And she'll never manage that unless she taps into something she would rather leave behind-her excruciating ability to feel other's pain.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Over 200 Wrongful Convictions Overturned...

...but how many have NOT been overturned because there's no DNA evidence to re-test?

From THIS website:
Since 1989, 206 people around the country have been exonerated by DNA testing, according to the Innocence Project, a New York-based group that works to overturn wrongful convictions.

To me, this just screams that there are more wrongfully incarcerated who have no DNA evidence to retest...and that terrifies me. That's the reason I wrote the Justice Seekers series-to show that injustices DO happen everyday. I hope you'll pick up the first book, Injustice For All, and let me know what you think!

Monday, January 23, 2012

1979-2011 Incarcerated...INNOCENT

Taken from THIS website:

A Texas man imprisoned 30 years ago on aggravated robbery charges had his conviction overturned on Tuesday after DNA evidence exonerated him.

Dallas County Judge Don Adams overturned Cornelius Dupree Jr.’s conviction Tuesday, clearing his name officially.


Visit the website to read the full story...if this doesn't convince you that our legal system needs to be overhauled, I don't know what will!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Saturday Night Special

Each Saturday, I venture out of my "comfort" reading zone of Suspense/thriller/mystery/romantic suspense to bring you a recommendation in a different genre.

Today's recommendation: Accidential Bride by Denise Hunter



When a wedding reenactment turns real, this cowgirl suddenly finds she's an accidental bride.

Shay Brandenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite her hard work, she can't seem to keep her head above water-and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high school sweetheart-the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busy body and an absent minded preacher, the wedding reenactment results in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she'll lose her home. But if she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn't sure if the recent events are God's will or just a preacher's blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

Friday, January 20, 2012

Touch DNA and Overturning Wrongful Convictions

Nine people were freed on DNA evidence, overturning wrongful convictions. A new test "touch dna" was utlized. Read all about it on THIS website.

That so many people have been wrongly convicted simply terrifies me. What is with our legal system?????

In my Justice Seekers series, each book focuses on injustice in some form. I hope you'll check out the first book, Injustice For All, which released January 1st!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble is one of my dearest friends, prayer partners, and amazing mentor. I just love her! So join with me in wishing her the happiest of birthdays today!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Robin's Wednesday's Recommended Reading

Today's Recommendation: Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy



A crazed killer invades the streets of Chicago, patterning his murders after the Old Testament’s ten plagues. Detective Keren Collins, gifted with the ability to discern good and evil spirits, is on the case, as is ex-cop, now mission pastor Paul Morris. Can they put their differences aside long enough to catch the maniacal murderer?

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Believe in the Death Penalty?

I don't. Not anymore. Not since I began researching for my Justice Seekers series and discovered how many innocent people are wrongly convicted--and put to death--for crimes they never committed.

Don't believe me? Visit HERE for some eye-opening information! That was 110-ONE HUNDRED AND TEN--people freed that were wrongly incarerated! Even one is too many for me!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Exonerated Wrongful Convictions

Information from THIS website

Wrongful convictions are as old as justice itself, and any system of criminal justice is a human endeavor, which will inevitably make mistakes. However, it wasn't until the advent of DNA testing that these mistakes were exposed beyond a shadow of a doubt. DNA has changed the criminal justice system forever: thousands of people have been convicted based on DNA evidence, and more than 220 have been exonerated. Other forms of evidence have also overturned thousands of convictions, but the standard is proof in non-DNA cases is much, much higher.

Visit the website for the complete article

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Saturday Night Special

Each Saturday, I venture out of my "comfort" reading zone of Suspense/thriller/mystery/romantic suspense to bring you a recommendation in a different genre.

Today's recommendation: Shades of Truth by Naomi Kinsman



It's Going to Be a Bear of a Year Sadie thought she'd have a perfect fresh start when she moved to Owl Creek, Michigan, but finding her place in her new school proves harder than she expected. In this divided town, Sadie's father's job mediating between bear hunters and researchers doesn't help her social life. Sadie's art instructor encourages her to explore her beliefs and express herself through her sketchbook, and things improve after Sadie befriends a kind girl from school and a researcher's son---but she can't stop worrying about the bears. As everything swirls around her, Sadie must learn what it means to have faith when you don't have all the answers.

Friday, January 13, 2012

More On DNA Evidence Overturning Convictions

Taken from this website:

It wasn’t that long ago when it was shocking to hearing that someone convicted of a serious crime was exonerated because of new DNA evidence; that people could be forced to sacrifice years of their lives – or even be killed – because of an error in the justice system was unthinkable.

Visit the website to read some sadly startling information!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

DNA Evidence Overturning Convictions

Here are some interesting facts on wrongful convictions:
There have been 273 convictions overturned on DNA evidence in the United States, 26 of them in New York State.

Texas leads the nation with 41 wrongful convictions.

17 of those wrongly convicted people served time on death row.

The average length of time they served in prison was 13 years.


Read all about it and the full article on THIS website

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Robin's Wednesday's Recommended Reading

Today's recommendation: Protection for Hire by Camy Tang




Tessa Lancaster's skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her Uncle Teruo's Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Now, three months after her release, Tessa's abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for wealthy socialite Elizabeth St. Amant and her three-year-old son. But there's a problem or two ... or three .... There's Elizabeth's abusive husband whose relentless pursuit goes deeper than mere vengeance. There's Uncle Teruo, who doesn't understand why Tessa's new faith as a Christian prevents her from returning to the yakuza. And then there's Elizabeth's lawyer, Charles Britton, who Tessa doesn't know is the one who ensured that she did maximum time behind bars. Now Tessa and Charles must work together in order to protect their client, while new truths emerge and circumstances spiral to a deadly fever pitch. Factor in both Tessa's and Charles's families and you've got some wild dynamics---and an action-packed, romantic read as Tessa and Charles discover the reality of being made new in Christ.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Why Does the Justice System need an overhaul?

Because innocent people are being convicted of crimes they didn't commit!!! Even one person is unacceptable, to me.

One website has this information: People are wrongfully imprisoned – even wrongfully put on death row – at astounding rates, which strips innocent people of their basic human rights – freedom, autonomy, dignity. Over 400 people have been exonerated by proving their innocence through DNA testing.

Visit the website HERE for the full article

Monday, January 09, 2012

More On Overhauling the Justice System

Washington, DC--Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to create a blue-ribbon commission charged with conducting an 18-month, top-to-bottom review of the nation's entire criminal justice system and offering concrete recommendations for reform. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committee, is the principal Republican cosponsor.


The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009, S.714, is the result of decades of investigation and more than two years of intensive fact-finding in the U.S. Senate. In the 110th Congress, Webb chaired two hearings of the Joint Economic Committee that examined various aspects of the criminal justice system. In October of 2008, he conducted a symposium on drugs in America at George Mason University Law Center.


[For a copy of the legislation, visit: http://webb.senate.gov/email/criminaljusticereform.html]

...read complete article HERE

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Saturday Night Special

Each Saturday, I venture out of my "comfort" reading zone of Suspense/thriller/mystery/romantic suspense to bring you a recommendation in a different genre.

Today's recommendation: Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter



With Smitten Lumber closing, residents wonder if their town can stay afloat. Then four friends and local business owners-Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese--decide the town is worth saving. How will they do it? They'll turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination!

As Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese work to save the town, each discovers romance in her own life. Meanwhile, the faith of a little child reminds the whole town what it means to have real faith in the God who is the always and forever Love.

Discover a novel written by four of Christian fiction's most popular romance novelists- friends in real life who've drawn an amazing story of four friends! Includes a Reading Group Guide as well as "Conversation over Coffee with the Authors".

Friday, January 06, 2012

Senate Passes Bill to Overhaul Justice System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 21, 2010
Contact: media@famm.org



WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that could result in an unprecedented overhaul of the nation’s criminal justice system. Sponsored by Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) and a bipartisan group of senators, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 would create a blue-ribbon commission to conduct a top-to-bottom review of the entire criminal justice system and offer concrete recommendations for reform within 18 months.

Read the complete story HERE

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Attempt to Overhaul Justice System...

..."America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace," according to Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat from Virginia.

The bill, known as the National Criminal Justice Commisson Act of 2009, is also concerned with racial disparities within the system. A recent report by the Pew Center on the States details these troubling numbers: "Black adults are four times as likely as whites and nearly 2.5 times as likely as Hispanics to be under correctional control. One in 11 black adults - 9.2 percent - was under correctional supervision at year-end 2007."

Read the full story HERE

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Robin's Wednesday's Recommended Read

Today's recommendation: Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock




I read this book on a recent flight on my kindle...Terri has done it again! Don't miss this intriguing read.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Injustice: US Criminal Justice System Needs Overhaul

Charles Young told Press TV's U.S. Desk that "the American criminal justice system needs to be overhauled from top to bottom" and he would start with the Supreme Court.

He told the U.S. Desk that "If the state does not have an absolute obligation to tell the truth in their prosecution, we're all in danger of getting locked up for any reason."


....visit HERE for the full story

Monday, January 02, 2012

NEW RELEASE

In honor of my newest release, Injustice for All, which launches the Justice Seekers series, all month long, I'll be featuring stories about injustice! I hope you'll find the information interesting and informative! I know when I was researching for the series, I was entranced with all the problems in our legal system.

In the meantime, I hope you'll pick up my book, post a review, or at least let me know what you thought of the book!

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Happy New Year!

May 2012 rain blessings down daily on each and every one of you!