The news that DNA testing has shown that the five black and hispanic youths convicted of the brutal 1989 rape of a white Central Park jogger were not the actual rapists has a black police officers' group calling for a new inquiry.

"The advocacy group questioned the manner in which the original confessions were obtained and the ability of those who initially prosecuted the case to investigate themselves. "

"We believe that because of the demand to bring someone to justice from this crime, we believe that there is a strong possibility that there may have been overzealous policing and overzealous prosecuting," said Lt. Eric Adams, a co-founder of the group, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care"

The youths have served time and been released. Another youth, not charged in the original attack, has since confessed. Atrios/Eschaton and Body and Soul have some terrific comments on this outrage.

Update Sept. 11--Read the Village Voice article on this, Guilty Until Proven Innocent