JAYFORCE

You know, we try to come up with titillating titles to tempt our readers (one-time confession); but this title needed no tweaks… it just labels the story. Above: Amy Goodman, of Democracy Now, talks with former prisoner Henry James – a free man thanks to DNA evidence – who reflects on his case and 30 years of his life he will never get back. We say the brother is a former prisoner – NOT an ex-convict – because he should never have been convicted!

“We broadcast from New Orleans, Louisiana, the heart of the world’s prison capital, where more people are behind bars any other state per capita — an incarceration rate 13 times that of China. Louisiana also ranks among the highest in the country in terms of the number of people per capita who are exonerated after serving years in prison for crimes they did not commit. We are joined by Henry James, the longest-serving prisoner to be exonerated in Louisiana. James spent 30 years in the notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola prison, on a life sentence without parole for rape. At trial, the prosecution never told the jury that serology testing from the rape kit excluded James as the perpetrator. In 2011, DNA evidence found by accident proved James’ innocence, winning him his release.”

– Democracy Now

Now… James’ case is NOT a typical case. Nah, that would be ridiculous, right? BUT WAIT! James’ case is NOT typical… because evidence that could free him was actually found! It usually is not, and the convicted serve life without parole!

READ: FREED BY DNA, ANGOLA PRISONER HENRY JAMES (DEMOCRACY NOW)