DNA vs The Texas System of Justice

After reading articles like the one below I often wonder
just how many black people sit in prisons today wrongly
convicted of a crime they didn't commit. Today many
such peoples innocence is being proven by a simple DNA
test and many more could walk free if this test is used in
their cases. But justice as they say moves slowly and even
slower for those already convicted of crimes. Today
more and more courts are using DNA testing to prove guilt
or innocence but it is also exposing a justice system that is
far from being perfect at least if your black. In Texas where
executions occur more often than in any other state, how
many do you think have died under false persecution?
I'll be waiting for your comments


Many men claim innocence when staring at iron bars. But James Giles knew he was no rapist — and he believed three fellow Texas prisoners who told him they too were wrongly convicted of rape. They shared their despair over games of chess and dominoes, worked on longshot appeals together in the law library, and dreamed of the day they would win exoneration from a justice system that failed them. It has taken nearly 25 years, but with the assistance of DNA testing, the men — all African American — are proving they are indeed innocent.

Two were freed from prison. A third was cleared last month, years after serving his sentence. Today, Giles is expected to clear his name and become the 13th man from Dallas County to prove with genetic testing that he was wrongly imprisoned. Giles, who spent 10 years in prison and was paroled in 1993, is seeking to vacate his 1983 conviction. New evidence suggests that another man — also named James Giles — committed the rape. Dallas County prosecutors more than two decades ago knew about the other James Giles, who lived across the street from the victim, but never told Giles' defense."I lost everything in the world," said Giles, 53.

"I just thank God we finally got someone to see that I was the wrong guy."Giles struggled to rebuild his life after he got out of prison, branded a rapist. The skilled construction laborer had a hard time finding menial jobs, and his wife, who stuck with him through his prison term, eventually sought a divorce. The Dallas County district attorney was scheduled to personally apologize to Giles today. The three wrongly convicted men whom Giles befriended in prison will be cheering in the courtroom.The wrongful convictions of these four men are some of the most dramatic examples of prosecutions in the Lone Star State that have come under increasing scrutiny.

Dallas County has had more people exonerated by DNA than all but three entire states. Texas, which leads the nation in convictions overturned by genetic testing, has had 27, Illinois, 26, and New York, 23. California has had nine exonerations.





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