Trial By Fire Case Study
The collection and application of evidence have become essential to criminal investigations and prosecutions. Clear and convincing evidence could prove a crime that has been committed, establish key elements of a crime, target a suspect and someone associated with a crime, exonerate the innocent, corroborate a victim’s testimony, and assist in establishing the facts of what occurred (McEwen). Although evidence plays a significant role in prosecutions, there are still many cases involving misuse of evidence, which results in the conviction of an innocent person. In the case of “Trial by Fire,” due to the misuse of evidence by the fire investigators, the State of Texas wrongfully executed Cameron Todd Willingham who was convicted of murdering
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The case of “Trial by Fire” presents how flawed expert testimony and prejudice influence a trial in a negative way. On December 23, 1991, Cameron Todd Willingham’s house burned while his three babies laid in their bedrooms sleeping, escaping with only minor injuries; he was arrested and charged with capital murder of his three daughters (Grann). The certified arson investigators stated that they found twenty indicators of arson after putting the fire out. They believed that Willingham was the one starting the fire. Thus, Willingham was offered a plea but refused and wanted to take his chances with a jury. He had always proclaimed his innocence; however, the jury made the decision to find him guilty and gave him the death penalty (Grann). Willingham was executed on the grounds that he committed arson. However, many aspects of the arson report have since been proved wrong. The central evidence relied upon at Willingham’s trial was the testimony of Fire Marshal Vasquez and Assistant Fire Chief Fogg, their findings of 20 indicators had already been subsequently discredited. The Arson Review Committee Report concludes that “each and every one of the indicators relied upon have since been scientifically proven to be invalid” (Ryan). It means that previous fire
The case of “Trial by Fire” presents how flawed expert testimony and prejudice influence a trial in a negative way. On December 23, 1991, Cameron Todd Willingham’s house burned while his three babies laid in their bedrooms sleeping, escaping with only minor injuries; he was arrested and charged with capital murder of his three daughters (Grann). The certified arson investigators stated that they found twenty indicators of arson after putting the fire out. They believed that Willingham was the one starting the fire. Thus, Willingham was offered a plea but refused and wanted to take his chances with a jury. He had always proclaimed his innocence; however, the jury made the decision to find him guilty and gave him the death penalty (Grann). Willingham was executed on the grounds that he committed arson. However, many aspects of the arson report have since been proved wrong. The central evidence relied upon at Willingham’s trial was the testimony of Fire Marshal Vasquez and Assistant Fire Chief Fogg, their findings of 20 indicators had already been subsequently discredited. The Arson Review Committee Report concludes that “each and every one of the indicators relied upon have since been scientifically proven to be invalid” (Ryan). It means that previous fire