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A Deeper Look into our Justice System | Mark Godsey | TEDxUCincinnati


this is me with my client Ricky Jackson

this is me with my client Ricky Jackson the moment he learned that he was going

the moment he learned that he was going

the moment he learned that he was going to be set free after serving almost 40

to be set free after serving almost 40

to be set free after serving almost 40 years in prison for a murder he didn’t

years in prison for a murder he didn’t

years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit

commit

commit and this is him a couple hours later

and this is him a couple hours later

and this is him a couple hours later walking out into the Cleveland air aged

walking out into the Cleveland air aged

walking out into the Cleveland air aged 57 as a free man for the first time

57 as a free man for the first time

57 as a free man for the first time since he had just turned 18 years old

since he had just turned 18 years old

since he had just turned 18 years old Ricky was convicted in 1975 when a white

Ricky was convicted in 1975 when a white

Ricky was convicted in 1975 when a white businessman was gunned down in cold

businessman was gunned down in cold

businessman was gunned down in cold blood in Ricky’s predominantly black

blood in Ricky’s predominantly black

blood in Ricky’s predominantly black neighborhood in Cleveland and as you can

neighborhood in Cleveland and as you can

neighborhood in Cleveland and as you can imagine a crowd soon gathered and a

imagine a crowd soon gathered and a

imagine a crowd soon gathered and a twelve-year-old boy stepped forward and

twelve-year-old boy stepped forward and

twelve-year-old boy stepped forward and told the police I saw who did this it

told the police I saw who did this it

told the police I saw who did this it was Ricky Jackson and his two friends

was Ricky Jackson and his two friends

was Ricky Jackson and his two friends the police believed a little boy they

the police believed a little boy they

the police believed a little boy they went and arrested Ricky and his two best

went and arrested Ricky and his two best

went and arrested Ricky and his two best friends and they disbelieved Ricky from

friends and they disbelieved Ricky from

friends and they disbelieved Ricky from that point forward they were convinced

that point forward they were convinced

that point forward they were convinced Ricky and his friends committed this

Ricky and his friends committed this

Ricky and his friends committed this murder and they twisted and spend every

murder and they twisted and spend every

murder and they twisted and spend every piece of evidence that came forward like

piece of evidence that came forward like

piece of evidence that came forward like trying to fit a square peg into a round

trying to fit a square peg into a round

trying to fit a square peg into a round hole in fact they ended up missing very

hole in fact they ended up missing very

hole in fact they ended up missing very strong leads it could have led them to

strong leads it could have led them to

strong leads it could have led them to the actual perpetrator years later

the actual perpetrator years later

the actual perpetrator years later obviously Ricky was freed but he served

obviously Ricky was freed but he served

obviously Ricky was freed but he served many years on death row and actually

many years on death row and actually

many years on death row and actually came within a few weeks of his execution

came within a few weeks of his execution

came within a few weeks of his execution date when because of a lucky

date when because of a lucky

date when because of a lucky technicality he and his two best friends

technicality he and his two best friends

technicality he and his two best friends were moved off of death row to life in

were moved off of death row to life in

were moved off of death row to life in prison so they could be alive to see

prison so they could be alive to see

prison so they could be alive to see their vindication and exoneration in

their vindication and exoneration in

their vindication and exoneration in 2015 in 2003 I co-founded the Ohio

2015 in 2003 I co-founded the Ohio

2015 in 2003 I co-founded the Ohio Innocence Project right here at U C’s

Innocence Project right here at U C’s

Innocence Project right here at U C’s college of law with now Mayor John

college of law with now Mayor John

college of law with now Mayor John Cranley and others and our mission is to

Cranley and others and our mission is to

Cranley and others and our mission is to work with law students to investigate

work with law students to investigate

work with law students to investigate the cases of Ohio inmates who claim

the cases of Ohio inmates who claim

the cases of Ohio inmates who claim they’re innocent and if we can determine

they’re innocent and if we can determine

they’re innocent and if we can determine that they’re innocent seek their freedom

that they’re innocent seek their freedom

that they’re innocent seek their freedom and this is nine of the 24 people that

and this is nine of the 24 people that

and this is nine of the 24 people that we have now freed through our work the

we have now freed through our work the

we have now freed through our work the 24 exonerees in Ohio served 450 years in

24 exonerees in Ohio served 450 years in

24 exonerees in Ohio served 450 years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit and

prison for crimes they didn’t commit and

prison for crimes they didn’t commit and they are part of 2000 exonerees

they are part of 2000 exonerees

they are part of 2000 exonerees nationally they’ve been identified in

nationally they’ve been identified in

nationally they’ve been identified in the past 25 years wrongfully convicted

the past 25 years wrongfully convicted

the past 25 years wrongfully convicted served time they didn’t commit and we

served time they didn’t commit and we

served time they didn’t commit and we know that those 20 those 2,000 are just

know that those 20 those 2,000 are just

know that those 20 those 2,000 are just the tip

the tip

the tip the iceberg because if you do this work

the iceberg because if you do this work

the iceberg because if you do this work you see that in every one of these cases

you see that in every one of these cases

you see that in every one of these cases if you look at it closely it took

if you look at it closely it took

if you look at it closely it took coincidence after coincidence miracle

coincidence after coincidence miracle

coincidence after coincidence miracle after miracle for it for you to actually

after miracle for it for you to actually

after miracle for it for you to actually spring an innocent person in most of the

spring an innocent person in most of the

spring an innocent person in most of the cases we investigate we end up the dead

cases we investigate we end up the dead

cases we investigate we end up the dead ends the witnesses have died or the DNA

ends the witnesses have died or the DNA

ends the witnesses have died or the DNA to be tested has been lost by the police

to be tested has been lost by the police

to be tested has been lost by the police I actually came to this innocence work

I actually came to this innocence work

I actually came to this innocence work by accident I was for many years a

by accident I was for many years a

by accident I was for many years a prosecutor in New York City and Here I

prosecutor in New York City and Here I

prosecutor in New York City and Here I am getting an award at the time from

am getting an award at the time from

am getting an award at the time from Attorney General Janet Reno on the far

Attorney General Janet Reno on the far

Attorney General Janet Reno on the far left is Eric Holder who later became the

left is Eric Holder who later became the

left is Eric Holder who later became the Attorney General under Obama and after I

Attorney General under Obama and after I

Attorney General under Obama and after I left the prosecutor’s office I wanted to

left the prosecutor’s office I wanted to

left the prosecutor’s office I wanted to be a law professor and my first job was

be a law professor and my first job was

be a law professor and my first job was at a different law school and they had

at a different law school and they had

at a different law school and they had an Innocence Project there but the

an Innocence Project there but the

an Innocence Project there but the professor who ran it was on sabbatical

professor who ran it was on sabbatical

professor who ran it was on sabbatical the first year so they asked me to

the first year so they asked me to

the first year so they asked me to supervise it since I had this criminal

supervise it since I had this criminal

supervise it since I had this criminal investigation background but I was

investigation background but I was

investigation background but I was extremely skeptical and had this

extremely skeptical and had this

extremely skeptical and had this prosecutors mentality

prosecutors mentality

prosecutors mentality I didn’t think innocent people were

I didn’t think innocent people were

I didn’t think innocent people were convicted in this country and I can

convicted in this country and I can

convicted in this country and I can remember one of the first meetings I sat

remember one of the first meetings I sat

remember one of the first meetings I sat in with the students they were talking

in with the students they were talking

in with the students they were talking about this guy they were investigated

about this guy they were investigated

about this guy they were investigated they were convinced he’s innocent they

they were convinced he’s innocent they

they were convinced he’s innocent they just visit him in prison and I sat there

just visit him in prison and I sat there

just visit him in prison and I sat there thinking what a load of BS this guy’s

thinking what a load of BS this guy’s

thinking what a load of BS this guy’s totally guilty but DNA testing went

totally guilty but DNA testing went

totally guilty but DNA testing went forward his DNA didn’t match the DNA

forward his DNA didn’t match the DNA

forward his DNA didn’t match the DNA from the crime scene and he was released

from the crime scene and he was released

from the crime scene and he was released and so that was a totally shocking

and so that was a totally shocking

and so that was a totally shocking experience for me it began opening my

experience for me it began opening my

experience for me it began opening my eyes to problems in the system and so

eyes to problems in the system and so

eyes to problems in the system and so from that point forward now this has

from that point forward now this has

from that point forward now this has been you know 15 or 16 years I’ve spent

been you know 15 or 16 years I’ve spent

been you know 15 or 16 years I’ve spent my life working on wrongful convictions

my life working on wrongful convictions

my life working on wrongful convictions and I’ve learned a couple things one is

and I’ve learned a couple things one is

and I’ve learned a couple things one is that we convicted and some people in

that we convicted and some people in

that we convicted and some people in this country far more than we would ever

this country far more than we would ever

this country far more than we would ever recognize and second that this is caused

recognize and second that this is caused

recognize and second that this is caused by simple human failing psychological

by simple human failing psychological

by simple human failing psychological limitations that cause investigations to

limitations that cause investigations to

limitations that cause investigations to go astray in fact the criminal justice

go astray in fact the criminal justice

go astray in fact the criminal justice system is still operating based on the

system is still operating based on the

system is still operating based on the understandings of the human mind from

understandings of the human mind from

understandings of the human mind from the 1950s I’m going to talk about three

the 1950s I’m going to talk about three

the 1950s I’m going to talk about three different things three different

different things three different

different things three different psychological phenomenons that lead to

psychological phenomenons that lead to

psychological phenomenons that lead to wrongful convictions confirmation bias

wrongful convictions confirmation bias

wrongful convictions confirmation bias malleable memories and lie detection

malleable memories and lie detection

malleable memories and lie detection deficits and the first is confirmation

deficits and the first is confirmation

deficits and the first is confirmation bias confirmation bias is a problem that

bias confirmation bias is a problem that

bias confirmation bias is a problem that all of a sudden beings tend to go into a

all of a sudden beings tend to go into a

all of a sudden beings tend to go into a situation interpret

situation interpret

situation interpret all the evidence and all the facts that

all the evidence and all the facts that

all the evidence and all the facts that come toward them and a way to confirm

come toward them and a way to confirm

come toward them and a way to confirm their pre-existing beliefs or what they

their pre-existing beliefs or what they

their pre-existing beliefs or what they hope the outcome to be so if you’re

hope the outcome to be so if you’re

hope the outcome to be so if you’re looking at a field of stars or field of

looking at a field of stars or field of

looking at a field of stars or field of evidence where everything’s pointing to

evidence where everything’s pointing to

evidence where everything’s pointing to know if you want the answer to be yes

know if you want the answer to be yes

know if you want the answer to be yes and you have an agenda to find the

and you have an agenda to find the

and you have an agenda to find the answer to be yes you’re going to be able

answer to be yes you’re going to be able

answer to be yes you’re going to be able to patch together a constellation to

to patch together a constellation to

to patch together a constellation to find that answer this exists not just in

find that answer this exists not just in

find that answer this exists not just in the criminal justice system but of

the criminal justice system but of

the criminal justice system but of course in everyday life this is the

course in everyday life this is the

course in everyday life this is the debate between gore and Bush in the 2000

debate between gore and Bush in the 2000

debate between gore and Bush in the 2000 presidential election and after the

presidential election and after the

presidential election and after the debate they did surveys of people and

debate they did surveys of people and

debate they did surveys of people and they said which candidate appeared more

they said which candidate appeared more

they said which candidate appeared more presidential more honest and answered

presidential more honest and answered

presidential more honest and answered this questions with more concrete ways

this questions with more concrete ways

this questions with more concrete ways he was going to solve the nation’s

he was going to solve the nation’s

he was going to solve the nation’s problems and of course Democrats

problems and of course Democrats

problems and of course Democrats overwhelmingly he said Oh gore was much

overwhelmingly he said Oh gore was much

overwhelmingly he said Oh gore was much more honest he gave concrete answers and

more honest he gave concrete answers and

more honest he gave concrete answers and Bush just gave you know sort of jargon

Bush just gave you know sort of jargon

Bush just gave you know sort of jargon he was more presidential Republicans

he was more presidential Republicans

he was more presidential Republicans overwhelmingly said the exact opposite

overwhelmingly said the exact opposite

overwhelmingly said the exact opposite Bush was more presidential gave more

Bush was more presidential gave more

Bush was more presidential gave more honest answers because that’s the human

honest answers because that’s the human

honest answers because that’s the human tendency to go into a situation and we

tendency to go into a situation and we

tendency to go into a situation and we see what we want to see we latch on to

see what we want to see we latch on to

see what we want to see we latch on to and re-register in our mind those pieces

and re-register in our mind those pieces

and re-register in our mind those pieces of evidence that confirm it while we

of evidence that confirm it while we

of evidence that confirm it while we discount everything else so how does

discount everything else so how does

discount everything else so how does this play on the criminal justice system

this play on the criminal justice system

this play on the criminal justice system well criminal investigations are awash

well criminal investigations are awash

well criminal investigations are awash in confirmation bias because we’re not

in confirmation bias because we’re not

in confirmation bias because we’re not recognizing advances in recent

recognizing advances in recent

recognizing advances in recent psychology but I’m going to just point

psychology but I’m going to just point

psychology but I’m going to just point out one area where you can see this and

out one area where you can see this and

out one area where you can see this and that’s in the Forensic Sciences of those

that’s in the Forensic Sciences of those

that’s in the Forensic Sciences of those 2000 people who have been identified as

2000 people who have been identified as

2000 people who have been identified as wrongfully convicted about 40 percent of

wrongfully convicted about 40 percent of

wrongfully convicted about 40 percent of them were convicted based on wrong

them were convicted based on wrong

them were convicted based on wrong forensic science testimony I’m talking

forensic science testimony I’m talking

forensic science testimony I’m talking about the CSI people you see on TV

about the CSI people you see on TV

about the CSI people you see on TV somebody at the original trial said hey

somebody at the original trial said hey

somebody at the original trial said hey this guy’s fingerprint was at the crime

this guy’s fingerprint was at the crime

this guy’s fingerprint was at the crime scene or was this defendant whose foot

scene or was this defendant whose foot

scene or was this defendant whose foot tread was in the mud next to the dead

tread was in the mud next to the dead

tread was in the mud next to the dead body but later they were proven innocent

body but later they were proven innocent

body but later they were proven innocent so the forensic scientists gave

so the forensic scientists gave

so the forensic scientists gave incorrect testimony so we started

incorrect testimony so we started

incorrect testimony so we started studying or social scientists started

studying or social scientists started

studying or social scientists started studying how could this happen and we

studying how could this happen and we

studying how could this happen and we realize a confirmation blast pays a big

realize a confirmation blast pays a big

realize a confirmation blast pays a big role before we turn to that though I’m

role before we turn to that though I’m

role before we turn to that though I’m going to have you do a real quick

going to have you do a real quick

going to have you do a real quick experiment I want you to take about 10

experiment I want you to take about 10

experiment I want you to take about 10 seconds to read that paragraph and tell

seconds to read that paragraph and tell

seconds to read that paragraph and tell me how many f’s

me how many f’s

me how many f’s you see

okay how many c1f how many see two three

okay how many c1f how many see two three four five six okay nobody saw six there

four five six okay nobody saw six there

four five six okay nobody saw six there are six F’s there and about 75% of you

are six F’s there and about 75% of you

are six F’s there and about 75% of you said there are three F’s okay there are

said there are three F’s okay there are

said there are three F’s okay there are three F’s in substantial words the other

three F’s in substantial words the other

three F’s in substantial words the other three are in the word of so if you count

three are in the word of so if you count

three are in the word of so if you count the word of there are six FS in that

the word of there are six FS in that

the word of there are six FS in that paragraph so why did you miss those

paragraph so why did you miss those

paragraph so why did you miss those words because your expert readers and

words because your expert readers and

words because your expert readers and your mind has created shortcuts to get

your mind has created shortcuts to get

your mind has created shortcuts to get to you to the result you need which is

to you to the result you need which is

to you to the result you need which is quick comprehensive reading so how does

quick comprehensive reading so how does

quick comprehensive reading so how does that play into the forensic sciences

that play into the forensic sciences

that play into the forensic sciences this is a fingerprint and a fingerprint

this is a fingerprint and a fingerprint

this is a fingerprint and a fingerprint experts job is to take on the left

experts job is to take on the left

experts job is to take on the left that’s the fingerprint found at the

that’s the fingerprint found at the

that’s the fingerprint found at the crime scene on the bloody knife and on

crime scene on the bloody knife and on

crime scene on the bloody knife and on the right is the fingerprint of the

the right is the fingerprint of the

the right is the fingerprint of the suspect the police have identified and

suspect the police have identified and

suspect the police have identified and they’ve taken him to the police station

they’ve taken him to the police station

they’ve taken him to the police station and rolled his finger in ink and there

and rolled his finger in ink and there

and rolled his finger in ink and there you go and the job of a fingerprint

you go and the job of a fingerprint

you go and the job of a fingerprint expert is to say is this the same a

expert is to say is this the same a

expert is to say is this the same a psychologist named tal djor started

psychologist named tal djor started

psychologist named tal djor started looking at these wrongful convictions

looking at these wrongful convictions

looking at these wrongful convictions and saying why do we have all this bad

and saying why do we have all this bad

and saying why do we have all this bad testimony in these forensic cases and he

testimony in these forensic cases and he

testimony in these forensic cases and he wondered if confirmation bias could play

wondered if confirmation bias could play

wondered if confirmation bias could play result so what he did was he went to

result so what he did was he went to

result so what he did was he went to leading fingerprint experts around the

leading fingerprint experts around the

leading fingerprint experts around the world and he said I need you to do

world and he said I need you to do

world and he said I need you to do something for me I’ve got fingerprints

something for me I’ve got fingerprints

something for me I’ve got fingerprints from a case where an expert years ago

from a case where an expert years ago

from a case where an expert years ago testified that there was a match but

testified that there was a match but

testified that there was a match but later DNA testing proved the person

later DNA testing proved the person

later DNA testing proved the person innocence we know the fingerprint expert

innocence we know the fingerprint expert

innocence we know the fingerprint expert made a mistake can you look at this

made a mistake can you look at this

made a mistake can you look at this fingerprint and point out the

fingerprint and point out the

fingerprint and point out the differences between the two and show me

differences between the two and show me

differences between the two and show me where the fingerprint expert made a

where the fingerprint expert made a

where the fingerprint expert made a mistake 20 years ago but what each of

mistake 20 years ago but what each of

mistake 20 years ago but what each of those fingerprint experts didn’t know

those fingerprint experts didn’t know

those fingerprint experts didn’t know was it CL drawer had gone and pulled

was it CL drawer had gone and pulled

was it CL drawer had gone and pulled from the court files one of the of the

from the court files one of the of the

from the court files one of the of the fingerprints that each expert had

fingerprints that each expert had

fingerprints that each expert had testified to was a match years before

testified to was a match years before

testified to was a match years before now fingerprint experts just look at

now fingerprint experts just look at

now fingerprint experts just look at fingerprints all day long so they don’t

fingerprints all day long so they don’t

fingerprints all day long so they don’t remember one they looked at the day

remember one they looked at the day

remember one they looked at the day before and so he had these experts look

before and so he had these experts look

before and so he had these experts look at them not knowing they were looking at

at them not knowing they were looking at

at them not knowing they were looking at one they called a match and convicted

one they called a match and convicted

one they called a match and convicted somebody based on that testimony before

somebody based on that testimony before

somebody based on that testimony before and he got 80% of them to flip their

and he got 80% of them to flip their

and he got 80% of them to flip their answer and say oh yeah this is not a

answer and say oh yeah this is not a

answer and say oh yeah this is not a match this fingerprint expert messed up

match this fingerprint expert messed up

match this fingerprint expert messed up there’s a discrepancy here here here

there’s a discrepancy here here here

there’s a discrepancy here here here here here and what this shows is

here here and what this shows is

here here and what this shows is that how you precondition experts taints

that how you precondition experts taints

that how you precondition experts taints the outcome and we’re still doing this

the outcome and we’re still doing this

the outcome and we’re still doing this in the criminal justice system when I

in the criminal justice system when I

in the criminal justice system when I was a prosecutor I did this all the time

was a prosecutor I did this all the time

was a prosecutor I did this all the time I would call it friends and experts I

I would call it friends and experts I

I would call it friends and experts I say hey man my trials starting on Monday

say hey man my trials starting on Monday

say hey man my trials starting on Monday I know the bullet came from this guy’s

I know the bullet came from this guy’s

I know the bullet came from this guy’s gun I need that report let’s goods it’s

gun I need that report let’s goods it’s

gun I need that report let’s goods it’s go let’s go

the other thing I want to talk about the

the other thing I want to talk about the next is malleable memory and most people

next is malleable memory and most people

next is malleable memory and most people think of human memory as sort of a flash

think of human memory as sort of a flash

think of human memory as sort of a flash drive or a database that we’re taking

drive or a database that we’re taking

drive or a database that we’re taking down everything we see and later when it

down everything we see and later when it

down everything we see and later when it comes time to testify in court you hit

comes time to testify in court you hit

comes time to testify in court you hit the play button and you just play it

the play button and you just play it

the play button and you just play it back now everybody recognizes that

back now everybody recognizes that

back now everybody recognizes that sometimes we forget things but most

sometimes we forget things but most

sometimes we forget things but most people think that what they remember

people think that what they remember

people think that what they remember they remember accurately in reality

they remember accurately in reality

they remember accurately in reality though we now know that human memory is

though we now know that human memory is

though we now know that human memory is more like Wikipedia it’s constantly

more like Wikipedia it’s constantly

more like Wikipedia it’s constantly changing we can edit our own memories we

changing we can edit our own memories we

changing we can edit our own memories we do it all the time and other people edit

do it all the time and other people edit

do it all the time and other people edit our memories through suggestion and the

our memories through suggestion and the

our memories through suggestion and the scary thing is when someone edits our

scary thing is when someone edits our

scary thing is when someone edits our memories through suggestion we’re not

memories through suggestion we’re not

memories through suggestion we’re not even aware of it so this comes up in a

even aware of it so this comes up in a

even aware of it so this comes up in a variety of forms in the criminal justice

variety of forms in the criminal justice

variety of forms in the criminal justice system that leads to errant outcomes

system that leads to errant outcomes

system that leads to errant outcomes this is the lineup where a woman who was

this is the lineup where a woman who was

this is the lineup where a woman who was raped had to identify the guy who raped

raped had to identify the guy who raped

raped had to identify the guy who raped her and she had described the

her and she had described the

her and she had described the perpetrator after the attack as sort of

perpetrator after the attack as sort of

perpetrator after the attack as sort of stocky with a wide face and you’ll see

stocky with a wide face and you’ll see

stocky with a wide face and you’ll see that only the guy on the far right

that only the guy on the far right

that only the guy on the far right matches that description of the rest of

matches that description of the rest of

matches that description of the rest of them are kind of skinny but she picked

them are kind of skinny but she picked

them are kind of skinny but she picked Jerome white in the middle and said I’m

Jerome white in the middle and said I’m

Jerome white in the middle and said I’m positive that was the rapist Jerome

positive that was the rapist Jerome

positive that was the rapist Jerome right served about twenty years in

right served about twenty years in

right served about twenty years in prison and DNA testing later came back

prison and DNA testing later came back

prison and DNA testing later came back and proved that he was innocent and the

and proved that he was innocent and the

and proved that he was innocent and the guy on the far right was the true

guy on the far right was the true

guy on the far right was the true perpetrator

perpetrator

perpetrator so how did she get her memory flipped up

so how did she get her memory flipped up

so how did she get her memory flipped up well the day before she came in and

well the day before she came in and

well the day before she came in and looked at these five individuals she

looked at these five individuals she

looked at these five individuals she went down to the police station and the

went down to the police station and the

went down to the police station and the police officer showed her a few photos

police officer showed her a few photos

police officer showed her a few photos of people they thought were good

of people they thought were good

of people they thought were good suspects and the only one of these five

suspects and the only one of these five

suspects and the only one of these five men that were in that group of photos

men that were in that group of photos

men that were in that group of photos was Jerome white in the middle so the

was Jerome white in the middle so the

was Jerome white in the middle so the next day when she came in and she looked

next day when she came in and she looked

next day when she came in and she looked at these five individuals she

at these five individuals she

at these five individuals she immediately jumped out and recognized

immediately jumped out and recognized

immediately jumped out and recognized Jerome white it had been suggested to

Jerome white it had been suggested to

Jerome white it had been suggested to her the day before it might be the

her the day before it might be the

her the day before it might be the perpetrator and it caused her memory to

perpetrator and it caused her memory to

perpetrator and it caused her memory to get mixed up so much that she identified

get mixed up so much that she identified

get mixed up so much that she identified him as the perpetrator and couldn’t even

him as the perpetrator and couldn’t even

him as the perpetrator and couldn’t even see the real rapist who was standing

see the real rapist who was standing

see the real rapist who was standing right in front of her and this happens

right in front of her and this happens

right in front of her and this happens all the time

all the time

all the time if you watch making a murder you saw

if you watch making a murder you saw

if you watch making a murder you saw that penny Bernstein did the same thing

that penny Bernstein did the same thing

that penny Bernstein did the same thing after police suggestion that it might

after police suggestion that it might

after police suggestion that it might have been Steven Avery who raped her she

have been Steven Avery who raped her she

have been Steven Avery who raped her she identified Steven Avery and later when

identified Steven Avery and later when

identified Steven Avery and later when DNA testing proved it was someone else

DNA testing proved it was someone else

DNA testing proved it was someone else she said on Dateline NBC even today when

she said on Dateline NBC even today when

she said on Dateline NBC even today when I look at the guy who I know raped me

I look at the guy who I know raped me

I look at the guy who I know raped me I still see Steven Avery’s face it also

I still see Steven Avery’s face it also

I still see Steven Avery’s face it also comes up in false confessions and in

comes up in false confessions and in

comes up in false confessions and in about a third of the cases of the people

about a third of the cases of the people

about a third of the cases of the people who have been exonerated they confess to

who have been exonerated they confess to

who have been exonerated they confess to a crime they didn’t commit and I know

a crime they didn’t commit and I know

a crime they didn’t commit and I know everybody’s sitting here it would say I

everybody’s sitting here it would say I

everybody’s sitting here it would say I would never in a million years confess

would never in a million years confess

would never in a million years confess to a murder I didn’t commit or a rape I

to a murder I didn’t commit or a rape I

to a murder I didn’t commit or a rape I didn’t commit but you when you study

didn’t commit but you when you study

didn’t commit but you when you study this issue you would be surprised how

this issue you would be surprised how

this issue you would be surprised how often it happens after hours and hours

often it happens after hours and hours

often it happens after hours and hours of police interrogation where they’re

of police interrogation where they’re

of police interrogation where they’re telling you you did it and suggesting

telling you you did it and suggesting

telling you you did it and suggesting you might have blacked out or you’re

you might have blacked out or you’re

you might have blacked out or you’re suppressing the memory and through their

suppressing the memory and through their

suppressing the memory and through their questioning you can learn facts about

questioning you can learn facts about

questioning you can learn facts about the case and you start to picture it in

the case and you start to picture it in

the case and you start to picture it in your mind and then here’s a dirty little

your mind and then here’s a dirty little

your mind and then here’s a dirty little secret most people don’t know that

secret most people don’t know that

secret most people don’t know that police officers are allowed to lie to

police officers are allowed to lie to

police officers are allowed to lie to suspects in the interrogation room so

suspects in the interrogation room so

suspects in the interrogation room so they do these things they come in and

they do these things they come in and

they do these things they come in and they go oh just got a call from the lab

they go oh just got a call from the lab

they go oh just got a call from the lab your DNA is at the crime scene buddy

your DNA is at the crime scene buddy

your DNA is at the crime scene buddy oh we just got your fingerprint and many

oh we just got your fingerprint and many

oh we just got your fingerprint and many people through time begin to question

people through time begin to question

people through time begin to question their own memory and then get confused

their own memory and then get confused

their own memory and then get confused on the images they’re seeing whether

on the images they’re seeing whether

on the images they’re seeing whether that’s real memory or that’s what was

that’s real memory or that’s what was

that’s real memory or that’s what was put there by the police questioning and

put there by the police questioning and

put there by the police questioning and if you think it wouldn’t happen to you

if you think it wouldn’t happen to you

if you think it wouldn’t happen to you look at a recent study that just came

look at a recent study that just came

look at a recent study that just came out of Canada where they employed real

out of Canada where they employed real

out of Canada where they employed real interrogation techniques on students

interrogation techniques on students

interrogation techniques on students college students and got 70 percent of

college students and got 70 percent of

college students and got 70 percent of them to confess to committing a serious

them to confess to committing a serious

them to confess to committing a serious felony before college and in these

felony before college and in these

felony before college and in these studies where they implant these

studies where they implant these

studies where they implant these memories on people it’s often the case

memories on people it’s often the case

memories on people it’s often the case that after they tell the subjects that

that after they tell the subjects that

that after they tell the subjects that didn’t really happen we were just

didn’t really happen we were just

didn’t really happen we were just involved in an experiment they still

involved in an experiment they still

involved in an experiment they still believed it did they call it their

believed it did they call it their

believed it did they call it their family and they say is it true that I

family and they say is it true that I

family and they say is it true that I really didn’t commit that armed robbery

the third thing I want to talk about is

the third thing I want to talk about is lie deception deficits most people in

lie deception deficits most people in

lie deception deficits most people in this country believe that human beings

this country believe that human beings

this country believe that human beings can listen to another person and watch

can listen to another person and watch

can listen to another person and watch another person telling their story and

another person telling their story and

another person telling their story and determine with accuracy while they’re

determine with accuracy while they’re

determine with accuracy while they’re telling the truth or not and police

telling the truth or not and police

telling the truth or not and police officers believe this even more because

officers believe this even more because

officers believe this even more because they’ve been trained on this psychology

they’ve been trained on this psychology

they’ve been trained on this psychology since the 1950s that they’re perfect lie

since the 1950s that they’re perfect lie

since the 1950s that they’re perfect lie detectors in fact in one of our cases

detectors in fact in one of our cases

detectors in fact in one of our cases David Ayers who spent 11 years in

David Ayers who spent 11 years in

David Ayers who spent 11 years in in prison for a murder he didn’t commit

in prison for a murder he didn’t commit

in prison for a murder he didn’t commit later when he sued the state the

later when he sued the state the

later when he sued the state the detective who arrested him was on the

detective who arrested him was on the

detective who arrested him was on the stand and she was being questioned about

stand and she was being questioned about

stand and she was being questioned about why she began focusing on David Ayers he

why she began focusing on David Ayers he

why she began focusing on David Ayers he said because I can tell immediately when

said because I can tell immediately when

said because I can tell immediately when somebody’s telling the truth or not from

somebody’s telling the truth or not from

somebody’s telling the truth or not from all my experience and I could tell that

all my experience and I could tell that

all my experience and I could tell that he was lying from the first second I

he was lying from the first second I

he was lying from the first second I started interviewing him and that led

started interviewing him and that led

started interviewing him and that led her to latch on to him as a suspect and

her to latch on to him as a suspect and

her to latch on to him as a suspect and the investigation went astray we now

the investigation went astray we now

the investigation went astray we now know through advances in psychology

know through advances in psychology

know through advances in psychology however that this is not true at all in

however that this is not true at all in

however that this is not true at all in fact human beings are about 54% accurate

fact human beings are about 54% accurate

fact human beings are about 54% accurate at telling when somebody else is telling

at telling when somebody else is telling

at telling when somebody else is telling the truth or not

the truth or not

the truth or not barely better than a coin flip they do

barely better than a coin flip they do

barely better than a coin flip they do these studies for example where they’ll

these studies for example where they’ll

these studies for example where they’ll take nursing students and they’ll say to

take nursing students and they’ll say to

take nursing students and they’ll say to the nursing students lying is an

the nursing students lying is an

the nursing students lying is an important part of your job because

important part of your job because

important part of your job because there’s many situations where you’ve got

there’s many situations where you’ve got

there’s many situations where you’ve got to keep painting a rosy picture to the

to keep painting a rosy picture to the

to keep painting a rosy picture to the patient until the doctor determines it’s

patient until the doctor determines it’s

patient until the doctor determines it’s the right time to tell them the bad news

the right time to tell them the bad news

the right time to tell them the bad news and so we’re going to test how well you

and so we’re going to test how well you

and so we’re going to test how well you can lie and you’re going to be graded on

can lie and you’re going to be graded on

can lie and you’re going to be graded on it and they divided the nursing students

it and they divided the nursing students

it and they divided the nursing students into two groups the first group watches

into two groups the first group watches

into two groups the first group watches a video of a pleasant ocean scene and

a video of a pleasant ocean scene and

a video of a pleasant ocean scene and then they’re videotaped talking about

then they’re videotaped talking about

then they’re videotaped talking about what they just saw an answer quest

what they just saw an answer quest

what they just saw an answer quest answering questions about it the second

answering questions about it the second

answering questions about it the second group is shown a bloody gory disgusting

group is shown a bloody gory disgusting

group is shown a bloody gory disgusting video but they’re told to lie and say

video but they’re told to lie and say

video but they’re told to lie and say they saw a filled with you know flowers

they saw a filled with you know flowers

they saw a filled with you know flowers and puppies running around and things

and puppies running around and things

and puppies running around and things like that and they’re videotaped

like that and they’re videotaped

like that and they’re videotaped answering questions about what they saw

answering questions about what they saw

answering questions about what they saw and then human subjects watch the two

and then human subjects watch the two

and then human subjects watch the two groups and have to determine which group

groups and have to determine which group

groups and have to determine which group of nursing students is lying and they’re

of nursing students is lying and they’re

of nursing students is lying and they’re about 54 percent accurate this is over

about 54 percent accurate this is over

about 54 percent accurate this is over more than 200 studies with more than

more than 200 studies with more than

more than 200 studies with more than 20,000 human subjects police officers go

20,000 human subjects police officers go

20,000 human subjects police officers go through the same type of testing and

through the same type of testing and

through the same type of testing and they’re barely better than regular

they’re barely better than regular

they’re barely better than regular citizens still in the 50s in terms of

citizens still in the 50s in terms of

citizens still in the 50s in terms of accuracy and they perform these with

accuracy and they perform these with

accuracy and they perform these with videos of interrogations where suspects

videos of interrogations where suspects

videos of interrogations where suspects we now know are lying because of the

we now know are lying because of the

we now know are lying because of the evidence that came out later like DNA

evidence that came out later like DNA

evidence that came out later like DNA testing and some interrogations where we

testing and some interrogations where we

testing and some interrogations where we know the person was telling the truth

know the person was telling the truth

know the person was telling the truth and police officers are also barely

and police officers are also barely

and police officers are also barely better than a coin flip at telling the

better than a coin flip at telling the

better than a coin flip at telling the truth so all of this and many other

truth so all of this and many other

truth so all of this and many other things together lead to tunnel vision

things together lead to tunnel vision

things together lead to tunnel vision where something early on the

where something early on the

where something early on the investigation happens detective believes

investigation happens detective believes

investigation happens detective believes that this person’s lying to me so they

that this person’s lying to me so they

that this person’s lying to me so they become dead set on they know what

become dead set on they know what

become dead set on they know what happened in this case and they have

happened in this case and they have

happened in this case and they have their theory or a forensic analyst makes

their theory or a forensic analyst makes

their theory or a forensic analyst makes an error

an error

an error or there’s a false confession and then

or there’s a false confession and then

or there’s a false confession and then through the rest of the investigation it

through the rest of the investigation it

through the rest of the investigation it becomes a matter of trying to fit

becomes a matter of trying to fit

becomes a matter of trying to fit everything into their theory while

everything into their theory while

everything into their theory while ignoring all other evidence that

ignoring all other evidence that

ignoring all other evidence that contradicts it my client Clarence Elkins

contradicts it my client Clarence Elkins

contradicts it my client Clarence Elkins like all of these individuals was a

like all of these individuals was a

like all of these individuals was a victim of tunnel vision he was convicted

victim of tunnel vision he was convicted

victim of tunnel vision he was convicted of murdering his mother-in-law and the

of murdering his mother-in-law and the

of murdering his mother-in-law and the only witness was a child the

only witness was a child the

only witness was a child the granddaughter of his mother-in-law who

granddaughter of his mother-in-law who

granddaughter of his mother-in-law who was spending the night at her

was spending the night at her

was spending the night at her grandmother’s house that night and she

grandmother’s house that night and she

grandmother’s house that night and she saw the perpetrator for a few seconds in

saw the perpetrator for a few seconds in

saw the perpetrator for a few seconds in the dark and as soon as the police rived

the dark and as soon as the police rived

the dark and as soon as the police rived there after it happened she said it

there after it happened she said it

there after it happened she said it looks like my uncle Clarence and with

looks like my uncle Clarence and with

looks like my uncle Clarence and with some questioning from the police after a

some questioning from the police after a

some questioning from the police after a few hours is starting to become it is my

few hours is starting to become it is my

few hours is starting to become it is my uncle Clarence and then they went out

uncle Clarence and then they went out

uncle Clarence and then they went out and arrested Clarence went on television

and arrested Clarence went on television

and arrested Clarence went on television and patted themselves on the back for

and patted themselves on the back for

and patted themselves on the back for solving the crime from that point on

solving the crime from that point on

solving the crime from that point on every piece of evidence that surfaced

every piece of evidence that surfaced

every piece of evidence that surfaced during the investigation pointed to

during the investigation pointed to

during the investigation pointed to Elkins his innocence but they completely

Elkins his innocence but they completely

Elkins his innocence but they completely ignored it

ignored it

ignored it this included alibi testimony yet people

this included alibi testimony yet people

this included alibi testimony yet people saying he was 45 minutes away from the

saying he was 45 minutes away from the

saying he was 45 minutes away from the crime scene they’re lying and they told

crime scene they’re lying and they told

crime scene they’re lying and they told the jury they were lying and forensic

the jury they were lying and forensic

the jury they were lying and forensic evidence which suggested Clarence was

evidence which suggested Clarence was

evidence which suggested Clarence was innocent they explained it away our team

innocent they explained it away our team

innocent they explained it away our team at the Innocence Project working with

at the Innocence Project working with

at the Innocence Project working with others were able to do DNA testing that

others were able to do DNA testing that

others were able to do DNA testing that not only proved Clarence innocent but

not only proved Clarence innocent but

not only proved Clarence innocent but identified someone who had just been

identified someone who had just been

identified someone who had just been released from prison who was a sex

released from prison who was a sex

released from prison who was a sex offender living two doors down from the

offender living two doors down from the

offender living two doors down from the crime scene as the true perpetrator and

crime scene as the true perpetrator and

crime scene as the true perpetrator and he’s now serving life in prison the

he’s now serving life in prison the

he’s now serving life in prison the police department that we’re

police department that we’re

police department that we’re investigating this murder were

investigating this murder were

investigating this murder were investigating that guy Earl Mann at the

investigating that guy Earl Mann at the

investigating that guy Earl Mann at the very same time but they became so hey

very same time but they became so hey

very same time but they became so hey tunnel vision they settled on Clarence

tunnel vision they settled on Clarence

tunnel vision they settled on Clarence so quickly that they did not see Earl

so quickly that they did not see Earl

so quickly that they did not see Earl Mann and what’s even worse is it came

Mann and what’s even worse is it came

Mann and what’s even worse is it came out later during the civil suit that

out later during the civil suit that

out later during the civil suit that before Clarence is trial Earl Mann had

before Clarence is trial Earl Mann had

before Clarence is trial Earl Mann had been picked up for another crime and had

been picked up for another crime and had

been picked up for another crime and had confessed to killing Clarence his

confessed to killing Clarence his

confessed to killing Clarence his mother-in-law but the police were so

mother-in-law but the police were so

mother-in-law but the police were so dead-set in their theory that they sort

dead-set in their theory that they sort

dead-set in their theory that they sort of discounted that as the ramblings of a

of discounted that as the ramblings of a

of discounted that as the ramblings of a derelict I’ve just scratched the surface

derelict I’ve just scratched the surface

derelict I’ve just scratched the surface here but I have a book coming out in

here but I have a book coming out in

here but I have a book coming out in September that talks about all these

September that talks about all these

September that talks about all these psychological problems and it makes the

psychological problems and it makes the

psychological problems and it makes the point that we’re still living in the

point that we’re still living in the

point that we’re still living in the 1950s in a criminal investigation and

1950s in a criminal investigation and

1950s in a criminal investigation and there are very simple things we can do

there are very simple things we can do

there are very simple things we can do to reduce human error in the process but

to reduce human error in the process but

to reduce human error in the process but we’re

we’re

we’re not doing them I want to leave you with

not doing them I want to leave you with

not doing them I want to leave you with one final point this is not just the

one final point this is not just the

one final point this is not just the criminal justice system where all this

criminal justice system where all this

criminal justice system where all this psychological stuff comes into play I

psychological stuff comes into play I

psychological stuff comes into play I mean the next time you’re like you know

mean the next time you’re like you know

mean the next time you’re like you know in an argument with a family member or

in an argument with a family member or

in an argument with a family member or your roommate and you’re saying hey

your roommate and you’re saying hey

your roommate and you’re saying hey somebody lost the remote control

somebody lost the remote control

somebody lost the remote control somebody walked off with it where is it

somebody walked off with it where is it

somebody walked off with it where is it and your roommate says you’re the last

and your roommate says you’re the last

and your roommate says you’re the last one that was watching TV and you say nah

one that was watching TV and you say nah

one that was watching TV and you say nah you were watching TV last night and you

you were watching TV last night and you

you were watching TV last night and you start arguing back and forth these same

start arguing back and forth these same

start arguing back and forth these same psychological phenomenons are kicking in

psychological phenomenons are kicking in

psychological phenomenons are kicking in and sometimes it’s better to just step

and sometimes it’s better to just step

and sometimes it’s better to just step back and search for the remote control

back and search for the remote control

back and search for the remote control thank you

thank you

thank you [Applause]

”

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