NEWSWEEK AND NEW YORK DAILY NEWS REVIEW DALLAS DNA ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL
Both Newsweek and The New York Daily News have reviewed Discovery Channel's new show on DNA and wrongful convictions. The show is about the Dallas County DA's and the newly elected DA Watkins. The office and its newly created CIU (Conviction Integrity Unit) investigates cases in which prisoners claim to have been wrongfully convicted.
In the first episode, one convict was freed after he was exonerated by DNA evidence. The other was confirmed gulilty through DNA evidence.
Newsweek says:
Dallas DNA" is compelling viewing, but not easy viewing. Like the best scripted crime dramas, it demonstrates that when it comes to crime and punishment, even the happiest endings are marbled with sadness and despair.
The New York Daily News said:
Dallas DNA" tells an important and sobering story about our justice system, and how one office is patching up a bad crack. As television, it's a curious paradox, at some points leaving big questions unasked and at other points padding footage that essentially marks time while we wait for a resolution. But by the standards of shows in this genre, "Dallas DNA" is the rare real deal."
The show recently had its season finale, but will be playing a marathon of all six episodes on 4pm to 10pm on Tuesday, June 23.
Dallas DNA is only the beginning. What happens after someone is "exonerated" ? Does that mean the police committed misconduct? Could it just be eyewitness error? Could the individual have been an accomplice and DNA was only left at the scene by another person? These are all questions that must be asked. YOU must ask them. Do not let every "exoneration" become an automatic case of police misconduct.
I would like to know why Michael Wofford is stil in prison? His DNA yesy showed conclusively that he did not rape or have sex with that woman, the same as Steven Phillips showed. Yet Steven is a free man, as he should be, but yet Michael is still behind bars because of witness identification??? This is still a travesty of justice, and will continue to be until he is released! I cannot understand how they can keep him in prison when DNA is the "Golden Standard" for convisctions or reversals.... every other person who has been charged with rape and their DNA tests showed they did not commit the crime is free, most were convicted on eyewitness testimony... why is Michael still locked up? Can someone explain it to me? Thanks...
I have the same questions as Bernard. It is a travesty. It is impossible for this man to have raped this person and not left any DNA behind. The state owes him his freedom and compensation. Legal officials who make mistakes that rob a person of their freedom need to be held accountable.
Thanks