Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Grits for Breakfast

Criminal Law

: Grits for Breakfast

False confessions here, there, and yon

Our pal Rage Judicata points to a Houston case where new DNA evidence appears to contradict a recanted confession by Charles Raby, who was convicted of murdering 72-year old Edna Franklin in 1994 and currently resides on death row. According to the Houston Chronicle, "recent DNA testing on genetic material found on Franklin?s blood-caked fingernails points to someone else, Raby?s lawyers contend."In response, Rage poses a question discussed on Grits before, and which I think must bewilder every right thinking person who considers the issue of false confessions:I just don't understand how someone not guilty of murder could confess to it. Or why he was sent to death row despite a confession--usually that gets you a plea. I can see confessing to theft to get out of jail time, but murder? Of killing a small, frail, woman? The idea of confessing to such a monstrous act does seem inexplicable...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on January 19, 2009 (boomark / email).