US man given $4.1m payout for wrongful conviction admits to murder over $1,200
GuardianDec 08
Exonerated After 24 Years, Man Admits to Murder Over $1.2K Debt
Above: A general view shows the Liberty Bell tower in Philadelphia, Penn., on Nov. 8, 2022. Image copyright: Ed Jones/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Shaurn Thomas, 50, who served 24 years in prison for a 1990 murder before being exonerated in 2017, last week pleaded guilty to killing Akeem Edwards, 38, over a $1.2K drug debt.
Thomas received a $4.1M settlement from the city in 2020, after his original conviction — which he challenged with the help of the Innocence Project — was overturned due to police failing to verify his alibi and using questionable witness testimonies.
The Spin
Narrative A
This case epitomizes the fraudulent nature of groups like the Innocence Project, which champion controversial cases over obvious wrongful convictions. By portraying criminals as victims of society, it conflates fairness with defending the indefensible, eroding confidence in reform and misrepresenting its mission. Thanks to this professional activism, a real murderer was let loose and even given $4M of taxpayer money.
Narrative B
While groups like the Innocence Project aren't right 100% of the time, the US justice system isn't either, which is why wrongful conviction cases are necessary. In America, where false confessions, misconduct, and faulty evidence often lead to wrongful convictions, legal activist groups work to uphold fairness, prevent future errors, and strengthen public confidence in the legal system. This isn't a zero-sum debate.
Metaculus Prediction
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