PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This Blog is interested in false confessions because of the disturbing number of exonerations in the USA, Canada and multiple other jurisdictions throughout the world, where, in the absence of incriminating forensic evidence the conviction is based on self-incrimination – and because of the growing body of scientific research showing how vulnerable suspects are to widely used interrogation methods such as the notorious ‘Reid Technique.’ As all too many of this Blog's post have shown, I also recognize that pressure for false confessions can take many forms, up to and including physical violence, even physical and mental torture.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog:
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PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Mulero, along with Jacqueline Montanez and Madeline Mendoza, both juveniles at the time of the murders, were convicted for the murders. Montanez, who is due to be released in 2023 because of new sentencing guidelines regarding juveniles, has confessed to being the lone gunman in the murders. A video of Montanez's confession was played at Mulero's Prisoner Review Board hearing. Mendoza has already served out her 35-year prison term. Also at issue in Mulero's case was the action of two Chicago Police Department detectives, Reynaldo Guevara and Ernest Halvorsen. They allegedly forced a confession out of Mulero after she was interrogated and physically threatened the night of the crime and manufactured false witness statements. Mulero sought to have the confession dismissed prior to her plea."
STORY: "2 persons assisted by Innocence Project by Governor," by Reporter Steve Spearie, published by The State-Journal Register on April 20, 2020.
GIST: "Two clients who the Illinois Innocence Project represented were released earlier this month by Gov. JB Pritzker.
The most celebrated of the cases was Marilyn Mulero, who was sentenced to death in 1993 for her supposed role in the deaths of two men in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago.
The Innocence Project is housed at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Mulero was granted clemency by the governor. Her plight was featured in the 2019 theatrical release "Brian Banks."
Carl Reed, who served 20 years behind bars, had his sentenced commuted by Pritzker. Reed, according to an Innocence Project post on Facebook, had extensive pre-existing health conditions that put him at high risk of death or serious illness if he contracted COVID-19 in prison.
Mulero had a clemency hearing in Chicago on Oct. 9 in front of five members of the Prisoner Review Board. Lauren Kaeseberg, a Chicago-based attorney for the Innocence Project, was one of three attorneys who argued on Mulero's behalf.
Mulero was sentenced to death after entering into a "blind plea." The sentence was later reduced to life without parole.
Mulero, along with Jacqueline Montanez and Madeline Mendoza, both juveniles at the time of the murders, were convicted for the murders. Montanez, who is due to be released in 2023 because of new sentencing guidelines regarding juveniles, has confessed to being the lone gunman in the murders.
A video of Montanez's confession was played at Mulero's Prisoner Review Board hearing.
Mendoza has already served out her 35-year prison term.
Also at issue in Mulero's case was the action of two Chicago Police Department detectives, Reynaldo Guevara and Ernest Halvorsen. They allegedly forced a confession out of Mulero after she was interrogated and physically threatened the night of the crime and manufactured false witness statements. Mulero sought to have the confession dismissed prior to her plea.
The California Innocence Project and the Exoneration Project joined with the Innocence Project in filing a new clemency petition on Mulero's behalf last year.
Kaeseberg, in an interview with The State Journal-Register in October, said that Mulero had became a model prisoner and had a job offer and a place to live pending release from prison.
The "Defenders of the Innocent" May 2 fundraiser is postponed. Amanda Knox, who was ultimately acquitted of the murder of her college roommate in Italy in a case that gained world-wide attention, was scheduled to speak and perform as a guest vocalist with the Exoneree Band. The band's five members spent a collective 92 years imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit."
The entire story can be read at:
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
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FINAL WORD: (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases): "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices."
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
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Tune into The Charles Smith Blog at:
http://www.smithforensic.blogspot.com
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Tune into The Charles Smith Blog at:
http://www.smithforensic.blogspot.com
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