Ron Williamson was convicted of First Degree Murder in 1982. Evidence that convicted him of these charges was that he was frequently inside the building where the victim worked. He was found at the restaurant the night of the murder, and the victim had felt uncomfortable around him before the incident. Because of false confessions, false admissions, government misconduct, informants, bad lawyering, invalidated and improper forensic science, Williamson was in prison for 11 years for a crime he did not commit. Dennis Fritz, who was convicted with Williamson contacted the Innocence project for help, and DNA tests were conducted, proving neither of the men were guilty.
DNA testing technologies and processes have changed dramatically in the past century. In the early 1900s people began studying blood typing, which then progressed to studying higher powers of exclusion. In the1970s, there were rapid developments in DNA technologies. In the 1980s, scientists began to see DNA characteristics as a gateway to studying biological relationships. This led to DNA fingerprinting, which not only can determine a person’s family, but can help identify a body, or solve crimes- like the Innocence project does.
One thing I will take away from this story is that, while we often look down at things like GMOs, the progression of science is also doing great things for people who are charged and falsely accused by unreliable sources like witnesses, and Justice System bias and opinion. These things are really unreliable and with the help of DNA, people aren’t spending valuable years of their life locked up for a crime they didn’t commit. This story has changed my perception of the justice system, because it has made me realize convictions and charges are often determined by psychological things over fact. DNA testing allows people in our society who tend to be oppressed or biased against, be proven guilty, and continue living their life.
Citations:
"DNA History - The Path of DNA Technology over Time." DNA Junction - Your Resource for DNA Testing Information. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. <http://www.dnajunction.com/history/>.
"DNA Testing: Paternity Tests, Forensics, and Identification." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dna-fingerprinting>.
