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Shining a Spotlight on Tim Cole's Conviction

By TChris, Section Innocence Cases
Posted on Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 08:22:00 AM EST
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Bump and Update: As noted in the comments, Tim Cole was exonerated. Grits for Breakfast was there.

original post:

Kathy Gill examines the case of Timothy Cole, convicted of rape in Lubbock, Texas in 1985 on almost nonexistent evidence. Ten years later, the actual rapist confessed in writing to the District Attorney who prosecuted the case. The DA ignored the confession and Cole died in prison.

Cole's only "crime" was flirting with an undercover cop. Flirting. The audacity, a black man flirting with a white woman. That's what put him in a line-up.

Cole's family is seeking a posthumous exoneration. Whether or not they succeed, Gill points to the need for political action to reform the criminal justice system in places like Lubbock. [more ...]

First, we need to keep a bright spotlight on Texas, which is a poster child for how poorly minorities fare in the criminal justice system. Second, we need to educate the public about witness misidentification, so that jurors are knowledgeable enough not to be swayed by rhetorically-gifted prosecuting attorneys. Witness misidentification is a factor in 75% of convictions overturned through DNA tests, according to the Innocence Project.

Gill makes a good case for federal action.

Rather than pouring millions down the rat hole that is the war on drugs, why not put that federal money into DNA testing? Better yet, use the power of the federal government to implement system-wide change in eyewitness identification procedures. Is it over-stepping federal authority to force jurisdictions to abandon a flawed system for one that is supported by research?

Are you listening, Eric Holder?

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    Shining a Spotlight on Tim Cole's Conviction | 4 comments (4 topical)
    diogenes, you hobgoblin (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by cpinva on Sat Feb 07, 2009 at 01:47:58 AM EST
    of boring consistency:

    1. what does this have to do with the issue at hand? (hint: nothing):

    The fact that Kwame the mayor of Detroit was a crook doesn't mean that all black mayors need to be put in the spotlight.

    2. see question 1:

    How many correct convictions were there in Texas in this period?

    3. again, see question 1:

    Whatever happened to the actual rapist?  Is he in prison for life for other rapes or was he tried for this one since he confessed and there is DNA evidence?

    geez guy, it must just truly suck to be you.

    I've said it once (none / 0) (#1)
    by jondee on Fri Feb 06, 2009 at 06:30:55 PM EST
    and I'll say it again: give that incubater of overly vindictive crackers, snake handling circuit riders and egg sucking weasal politicians back to the Mexicans and have done with it once and for all.

    What is the denominator? (none / 0) (#2)
    by diogenes on Fri Feb 06, 2009 at 07:37:29 PM EST
    The fact that Kwame the mayor of Detroit was a crook doesn't mean that all black mayors need to be put in the spotlight.  How many correct convictions were there in Texas in this period?
    Whatever happened to the actual rapist?  Is he in prison for life for other rapes or was he tried for this one since he confessed and there is DNA evidence?


    Follow Up (none / 0) (#4)
    by kegill on Sun Feb 08, 2009 at 06:42:34 PM EST
    Thanks for the link!

    Cole's name was cleared on Friday. See Grits For Breakfast

    Shining a Spotlight on Tim Cole's Conviction | 4 comments (4 topical)