Confessing to a Crime You Didn’t Commit

There is an interesting article on false confessions that was published in the NY Times in the last couple of weeks that is well worth reading. I think it is so important that people realize false confessions happen.

Most people will convict a person who admits to a crime without giving it much thought. Here are some interesting statistics of people who made false confessions from the article:

“Of the exonerated defendants in the Garrett study, 26 — more than half — were “mentally disabled,” under 18 at the time or both. Most were subjected to lengthy, high-pressure interrogations, and none had a lawyer present.”

The article talks about important it is to videotape interrogations and I think this should become the gold standard. Right now only 10 states require it for specific cases — such as death penalty cases. I believe they should be a requirement in our legal system in every state. Its the only way we can go back should we need to revisit things.

Have I seen a false confession on this blog? I believe I have. It’s the case of Ryan Ferguson and Charles Erickson. While Ryan has always maintained his innocence, Charles Erickson confessed to the crime, which I do not believe he commit.

Thanks to Nancy for sharing this.