In the news this morning I read about a man named Charles Chatman, 47, Dallas Texas. He apparently has been released after serving 27 years in prison for a rape he did not commit. He was identified by the victim, when he was just 20 years old, as she was sure he was the man who raped her.
Three times over the past 27 years he was in front of the Parole Board, each time he refused to admit guilt to the crime, and was denied parole.
Recently his DNA was submitted and it did not match the DNA sample collected from the victim at the time the crime was committed. As a result - Mr. Chatman's innocence was no longer a question in anyone's mind - he was released from prison with a feeble apology from a judge.
Now watching this short video clip about the case, I am left angry, and exasperated - even this news report is so wrong on so many levels I can't begin to explain my sheer frustration.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/01/09/last.word.01.09.trutv
First off, the reporter is quick it state that the "Victim wasn't lying when she identified Chatman as her attacker, she did recognize him, only it wasn't from the rape, he happened to live in her neighbourhood"
How does the reporter know the victim wasn't lying? How does anyone know she wasn't lying? Granted during such traumatic events women are often innocently mistaken - but some have been known to flat out LIE - the reporter obviously isn't educated regarding what went on in Rosewood or many other towns where people have been mutilated, lynched, and castrated over such lies.
Next she states that this is horrible for both Mr Chatman and the victim who is obviously upset to learn her rapist was not captured. UMMMMM WHY DO WE CARE AT THIS POINT HOW UPSET SHE IS OVER HER OWN ERROR???!!! Is this reporter KIDDING ME! I don't wish that sort of violation on any woman - not ever - but like hell Imma pat her on the back because her "OOPS" 27 years ago let her attacker go free while the courts concentrated on ruining the life of an innocent man!
Another issue that is seriously bothering me is that DNA Fingerprinting was first admitted to a court of law for evidence during a case in Florida in 1988. Since then it has been virtually the back bone of the american investigation community, and has been the mitigating factor in many many cases where wrongful convictions have occurred. Why did it take almost 20 years since then to have it applied to Mr. Chatman's case? What about all the others sitting in prison waiting for DNA to exonerate them? Whats even worse to think about is - what about the wrongfully convicted who are sitting in prison somewhere in America and DNA wasn't even applicable to the crime they were convicted of? How will they prove to someone that the courts are not reliable?
Last, but certainly not least, IS SOMEONE GOING TO AT LEAST PAY MR. CHATMAN FOR THE 27 YEARS OF INCOME HE DIDN'T MAKE BECAUSE HE WAS IN JAIL ON A BOGUS CONVICTION? Lets say, for the sake of argument, that he was only going to make low income in his life for the purpose of illustrating my point here - lets say that he would have made at least 25,000 dollars a year - now over 27 years with no raise, no increases, no extra jobs, no upgrades to his education etc, just with the same income of 25G a year he stood to make at least, $675,000 dollars during that time. He went in as a 20 year old, he is coming out almost 50 years of age, his prime career building years have been stolen from him - WHO IS PAYING HIS RESTITUTION? Lets not even discuss the fact that he suffered considerably physically and mentally during this whole ordeal and is eligible for Punitive Damages - I'm just stating that he deserves AT LEAST 1 million dollars in loss of wages.
I sure hope there is a lawyer, or law student in da howse here - please phone Mr. Chatman and help him sue the American Government for this travesty that has occurred in his life. It is my understanding that some states have laws in place which prevent the wrongfully incarcerated from seeking restitution - but it is my BELIEF that the government, and those placed in the position of the administration of justice be held ACCOUNTABLE for what they do to the citizens of the country - particularly the innocent ones.
May Mr Chatman enjoy the remainder of his life in peace, and comfort.
He and his family are permanently on my prayer list.
~Shauna aka Bruisedbooty~
