We all want to see our justice system work. The issue of capital punishment is one that always has opposing viewpoints, with arguments for and against.
There are many examples of the same, men and women, serving times for crimes they did not commit.
Just this past week Richard Lapointe, was released on bail after 26 years in a renewed effort to prove his innocence of the murder and rape of his Wife's elderly grandmother. In January Connecticut awarded Kenneth Ireland $6,000,000 for his wrongful conviction for rape and murder. I’m not certain why I decided to read it now but it could be recent headlines in my local papers. Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption has been on my list since it was published in 2009. I truly admire them both for reaching out to each other, for their bravery in telling their stories and the advocacy work they continue to do. There is no judging whose situation was worse as each is a victim in his or her own way. Their story, becomes one, as each heal, guilt is eased and forgiveness is granted. Two lives that are entwined in actions of a fateful night, two lives that continue to be entwined today. How could this have happened? How could Jennifer be so certain that Ronald raped her and how was he convicted when he was innocent? Jennifer and Ronald tell their own stories and each is as tragic as it fascinating. ”During the trial I would steal a few glances at Jennifer Thomspon, thinking, Why? Why are you doing this? She just stared back at me with hate.Īfter being in prison 11 years, a test of Ronald’s DNA proves his innocence. Ronald Cotton maintains his innocence but is convicted of the rape of Jennifer Thompson and in January 1985 is sentenced to life in prison plus fifty years. Jennifer is able to provide an excellent sketch of her assailant and eventually picks him out in a photo and then a line-up. What follows is history, the exam at the hospital, the interview with police. The man who answered is hesitant but finally realizes this naked woman wrapped in a blanket is for real and in need of help. ”Help me, please! I’ve been raped by a black man! He’s after me!” She manages to construct a plan and escapes to a neighbor’s house where she bangs on the door. Although I didn’t want to look at him, I had to. Did he have scars? Tattoos? He had close-cropped hair. I studied his face for features to identify.
”In blinks, I willed myself to note the details. She wills herself to note details of his appearance. Jennifer tries to talk him out of it, offering money. ”At five-foot two, I knew I wouldn’t win a physical struggle.”
Though terrified, she thinks about her choices. Shut up or I’ll cut you!” Jennifer is being raped at knifepoint. In the summer of July 1984, Jennifer is awakened from sleep around 3 AM, perhaps by a noise but definitely knowing something was amiss. Jennifer Thompson was a student at Elon College in Burlington, North Carolina.
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