Never Such Innocence Again Robert Meyer
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- Franz Kafka, The Trial
"Ada is…pecan country; on the outskirts are commercial pecan orchards; in the grassy yards of many houses are i or more pecan copse. In the fall, when the pecans are ripe, the adults knock them off the
"Where was the judge he had never seen? Where was the Loftier Court he had never reached? He raised his hands and spread out all his fingers. Only the hands of 1 of the men closed round his throat, merely as the other drove the pocketknife deep into his heart and turned it twice."- Franz Kafka, The Trial
"Ada is…pecan land; on the outskirts are commercial pecan orchards; in the grassy yards of many houses are ane or more pecan trees. In the fall, when the pecans are ripe, the adults knock them off the trees with long poles. The children assemble the fallen ones from the footing. The nuts non intended for commercial use are taken to the pecan cracker. At that place, in the small-scale white building, the pecans are dumped into the funnel-like tops of machines…One by one the hard pecans autumn into moving gears. The top set of gears cracks open up the largest pecans. Smaller pecans autumn through, untouched, to another set of gears. These mesh closer and crack autonomously the smaller pecans. Still some escape and fall again: to another set of gears. These gears mesh tighter still; like steel claws they crack autonomously even the smallest pecans. Few pecans are too small-scale, few shells too hard, to exist croaky and cleaved…"
- Robert Mayer, The Dreams of Ada
"They say I killed a girl…They told me I killed her and that I'll become the death sentence. Merely I didn't do it…I didn't confess…I told them a dream I had. Information technology was simply a dream. But they say information technology'south true…"
- Tommy Ward, convicted murderer of Donna Denise Haraway
I practiced criminal police force equally a public defender for almost nine years. It is the kind of job that requires constant explanation to family, friends, and people yous meet at parties. Whenever I told someone what I did, I received a variation of the same response: How can yous defend guilty people? My answer, depending on how much I'd been drinking, coalesced around this reply: How do you know they're guilty?
Doing a chore like that (and I won't claim I was great at information technology), requires a lot of skepticism, a certainty that there is no certainty, and a willingness to accept that yes, a lot of the people you meet are, in fact, guilty.
As well, though, a lot of people are not.
Of grade, if a criminal offense isn't serious, you volition observe that a lot of defendants would rather take a plea bargain for a shorter sentence than validate their constitutional rights in a slow-moving and uncertain procedure. Thus, a lot of the solar day-to-24-hour interval work of criminal justice is comprised of folks belongings their noses and pretending the system works just fine.
Often, it takes a hard example – a tough murder – to show you lot the systemic flaws.
The murder of Donna Denise Haraway was only such a example.
Robert Mayer's The Dreams of Ada covers it with meticulous enquiry, expansive telescopic, and a keen sense of place.
In April 1984, Haraway disappeared from her job at a convenience store in Ada, Oklahoma. 2 young men, Karl Fontenot and Tommy Ward, were eventually accused of her rape and murder, despite a lack of hard show (including her body, which had not been found). Unfortunately, Karl and Tommy were not the freshest sandwiches in the picnic handbasket. They were brought into the law station and interrogated for hours and hours and hours. During that time, they never said the magic word (hint: it starts with "L" and ends with LAWYER), and and so were at the mercy of constabulary enforcement's coercive techniques.
At the finish of the ceaseless badgering, both men copped to the crime, despite the fact that their stories were contradictory, implausible, and unsupported by physical evidence. The twist in this tale is that the "confession" of Ward was extracted after he mentioned a dream he'd had. That dream became reality for the police, and an unending nightmare for Ward. With and so little to go on, the putative admissions of the defendants were the linchpin of the cases confronting them.
(It is worth noting, for those who believe they'd never falsely confess: 20-five percent of convictions overturned as a effect of DNA testing were based on simulated confessions. It does happen. It does happen a lot).
Equally crazy as the "dream confession" sounds, it was also the basis of another conviction in Ada, that of Ron Williams, accused of raping and killing a woman named Debbie Carter two years before Haraway's death. Eventually, Williams had his conviction and capital punishment, a story told by John Grisham in his estimable The Innocent Man.
The lesson, I suppose, is stay clear of Ada if yous accept an agile nocturnal subconscious.
The Dreams of Ada is a distressing, tragic volume. There are no winners, just a string of losers: a young, missing woman; two men with stunted futures bedevilled by an overzealous prosecutor, with incompetent defence force counsel; the multiple families mourning the losses of their sons and daughter; and justice itself, masquerading as infallible. You encounter, in The Dreams of Ada, how hard people will try, how far they will go, to protect the organisation, and their place within information technology. The men and women in the machinery do non matter. They are the pecans, poured into the cracker. Information technology is the illusion that matters. The illusion that our scheme of justice is not riddled with fault lines that typically eat the most vulnerable: the poor; minorities; the developmentally challenged; the young.
Mayer does a fantastic job with this material. There's a real feel for the town and its small-time dreamers. It'southward like Friday Night Lights filtered through Dateline and mixed with CSI, if every cast-member of CSI used the constitution to wipe their noses. More than that, he makes a huge endeavour at explaining all the steps along the way, without dumbing annihilation down. For instance, at 1 point, he takes united states all the way back to 1909, to tell the story of the showtime no-body murder example in Oklahoma.
The all-time mode to explain The Dreams of Ada is to say it is absorbing. When I read it, it enveloped me. It also infuriated me.
Nothing about the instance against Tommy and Karl feels right. The story they told was ridiculous, and it kept changing. The cops kept searching the area where they said they buried the body and found nothing. They said they burned her. They said they stabbed her. Years later, after the trial, Haraway's torso was establish by hunters. She had died from a single gunshot. No bone-scarring from a knife. No signs of called-for. The confession was a dream, not just of Tommy and Kirk, but of a law enforcement organization bent on attaining a conviction.
Innocent people are jailed. Innocent people take been executed. Those exonerees who manage the Sisyphean task of overturning their convictions typically take a lot of aid, help that oft comes in the class of exterior interest. The West Memphis Three, for example, needed the Dixie Chicks and Peter Jackson. The case of Tommy Ward and Kirk Fontenot never really became a crusade célèbre. That may change now that Netflix has turned Grisham's The Innocent Human being into its latest installment of prestige true crime.
Even with the publicity, it is unlikely that Ward and Fontenot volition be sprung, barring a phenomenon. They have rotted in prison for decades, despite all the flaws and errors that put them there in the start place. Too much is stacked against them. Not but the careers and reputations of those who prosecuted them, just the fantasy that a guilty verdict is actually as meaningful equally we pretend.
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*Some spoilers for those who aren't aware of this case* - In 1984, a young woman named Donna Denice Haraway was allegedly abducted 1 evening from the convenience sto
It'south always a little unsettling to say that I "loved" or even "enjoyed" a true-law-breaking story. How can anyone dearest or enjoy true tales of abduction, rape, murder, torture or any number of heinous crimes? I'yard not sure either of those words even really describe my feelings near the book, then I'll merely say I was absorbed in the story.*Some spoilers for those who aren't aware of this case* - In 1984, a young woman named Donna Denice Haraway was allegedly abducted 1 evening from the convenience store in Ada, Oklahoma where she worked. A witness, driving up to the store, saw two men walking a woman out of the store and into a pickup truck. Based on descriptions of the men, Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot were later arrested and convicted of her kidnapping and murder, even though her body had not been located even by the time they went to trial. Both men had confessed to the murder, although Tommy Ward insisted that his confession was but a dream that he had told the police, and Karl Fontenot stated that his confession was simply given due to interrogation tactics. Neither confession matched the actual details of what was later adamant to have happened.
Much of the volume deals with the trials of these two men, and although this was a little tedious, I also found it interesting and typical of what we run across at times in regard to some lawyers and their tactics and antics both in the courtroom and in grooming for trial. There were horrible missteps within the Ada police section, some intentional and some non, and at that place were also what seemed to exist prejudicial actions by the court itself. 1 such action was glaring and incredulous to many, in that both men were convicted of murder although no body had been found, then in that location was no proof the woman was really dead.
Although it may seem from my comments above that by the end I was convinced that both men were innocent, but that'due south non the situation. I thought the author did a good job of presenting both sides of the case, the details, the bear witness or lack thereof, and the pain of the family members of all. I constitute myself consistently going back and forth on whether I idea the defendants were guilty or innocent. I would never even assume to make that judgement anyway, as I wasn't at that place, I don't know all the facts, and as I indicated higher up, neither the defense team nor the prosecution squad seemed to exist above twisting things to suit their purpose. But the writer did a good task giving us the details as he found them.
For those who don't know the outcome (and I didn't earlier I read the volume), I won't give anything else away. Make your own decision on guilt or innocence, if you volition. Merely certainly make your ain determination nigh whether you lot liked the book or non. I thought it was...absorbing.
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THE DREAMS OF ADA is all well-nigh the downside of a bad rep in a small-scale town. Ada isn't a very large town (population almost 16,000 during the time these unfortunate events accept identify),
Two significant books about the same miscarriage of justice are ready in the same Oklahoma town (Ada) and concern the aforementioned scapegoat (Ron Williamson), who was unfairly sent to jail for a local murder. Ane of those books was THE INNOCENT MAN past John Grisham (2006); this one, by Robert Mayer, was first published in 1987.THE DREAMS OF ADA is all about the downside of a bad rep in a small boondocks. Ada isn't a very large town (population virtually xvi,000 during the fourth dimension these unfortunate events have place), and even though it boasts a public iv-year college, it does not seem to rank very high in jurisprudence. This volume is a little more detailed; John Grisham's, unsurprisingly, shows its sympathy more patently (and was the celebrated author'due south beginning nonfiction book). Either -- or both -- are well worth reading, though I adopt this ane: it offers more depth and assay.
Personally I intend never to set foot inside Ada, Oklahoma, if I can aid it.
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On Apr 28, 1984, Donna Denice Haraway vanished from McAnally's, a convenience store in the small town of Ada, OK. Three men arrived at the store and saw a young couple leaving. When the men entered the shop, they establish that the clerk, Denice, is missing and the cash drawer was open and nearly empty. The law immediately tried to locate the light-colored, older model pickup that was seen leaving the area. This is just the offset of a example that will haunt Ada for yea
3 1/2 stars rounded upOn Apr 28, 1984, Donna Denice Haraway vanished from McAnally'due south, a convenience store in the pocket-sized town of Ada, OK. Three men arrived at the store and saw a young couple leaving. When the men entered the store, they institute that the clerk, Denice, is missing and the greenbacks drawer was open up and nearly empty. The police immediately tried to locate the light-colored, older model pickup that was seen leaving the area. This is just the beginning of a case that volition haunt Ada for years.
Two immature men, Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, were charged with Denice'south death, though her body had non been found at the time of their initial trials. Though the men insisted on their innocence, they likewise provided damning video statements albeit their guilt. There were some problems with the confessions, though. Initially, Odell Titsworth, a Native American, was implicated as the driving force behind the criminal offence. All the same, he had a cleaved arm at the time, and had been unable to take part in the alleged abduction, rape, and murder of Denice Haraway. Ward was provided with an excuse by relatives.
In that location was photographic proof that Ward and Fontenot had brusque hair at the time of Denice's disappearance, while the suspects were described as having long hair. There were several other men who were identified every bit possible suspects in place of Ward and Fontenot, including a pair (given pseudonyms in the book for legal reasons) who appeared to be very skilful suspects. And so in that location was Denice's body - when information technology was found, it was discovered that she had been shot, not stabbed like Ward and Fontenot had claimed in their confessions.
Mayer's volume makes a compelling argument for the innocence of Ward and Fontenot. I'm actually amazed that Fontenot was even convicted due to the weakness of the witness identification (or complete lack of it). John Grisham wrote a non-fiction book, The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Boondocks, based on an eerily like instance in Ada involving many of the aforementioned players. Fortunately, the 2 men in that example, Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz, were cleared. Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot remain in jail, though they are no longer on death row.
Why the 3 1/2 star rating? The book's focus is on Tommy Ward and his family unit. Nosotros become to know all of them - Miz Ward (the family matriarch), Tommy Ward, and his seven siblings, particularly Tricia, his oldest sister. Karl Fontenot shows upward periodically for what I would call "cameos." He's not a terribly likeable character, and I never really cared about him. At that place is slight emphasis on the Haraways and Denice Haraway's family. They and Denice never really come to life at all. They are simply names. We actually see more than of Tommy Ward's defense squad than nosotros do of the victim'south family unit.
I take the Kindle edition of this book and I have noticed some typos in information technology - It's Lovelady, not Dearest Lady, and Mercury Grand Marquis, not "Mercury Marquee" (seriously?). Improve proofreading would have helped.
Overall, a good, interesting book and a quick read, simply missing something. It's basically a book virtually Tommy Ward and his family unit.
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But dissimilar the "Innocent Man," the accused in Mayer'due south volume are never exonerated. At least i of them still sits on expiry row today. This book is a disturbing testament to how the presumption of innocence has been lost. How practice we find information technology over again? Will these ii lost souls Ever have their names cleared?
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When composite sketches brought Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot to the attention of the police, they were brought in and questioned
In 1984, in the "town" of Ada, Oklahoma, Denice Haraway left her job at a convenience store/gas station with a man (they merely looked like a couple). When the people who saw them exit went within, the clerk (Denice) was no where to be constitute. It appeared that the place had also been robbed. Information technology was only afterwards that they realized the adult female they saw leaving was the clerk.When blended sketches brought Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot to the attention of the police, they were brought in and questioned. When both confessed on camera, that pretty much sealed the bargain. It wasn't long before they recanted – said they thought their confessions (given under pressure) would hands be exposed equally lies. Only, despite a LOT of inconsistencies in those confessions, the two were arrested and charged.
I didn't know the outcome of this. I may have when I heard near the book, but by the fourth dimension of reading it now, I didn't remember. I don't want to say too much if anyone wants to read the volume to see what happened and not find out things ahead of time. Fifty-fifty behind my spoiler tag, I haven't specifically said, just I expect one might be able to figure it out, then you are warned!
(view spoiler)[Wow, I couldn't believe information technology! Wow, I'm appalled! And to this day… Ugh! (hide spoiler)] There were parts in the book that were a little more dry out – sections that included things written by Tommy (he'south not very literate), and other legal details – but overall, it was interesting, particularly once they had the private investigator on the instance. And suspenseful during the trials. This was originally published in 1987, simply a new edition (with a new afterword) was published in 2006; the 2006 is the 1 I read.
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The detectives refused to follow up on any other leads. The offense itself was a kidnapping and murder of a convenience story clerk. The detectives literally ignored the string of kidnapping/murders of other convenience story clerks and the show that indicated that the defendants could not have done information technology. In the stop, non a SINGLE part of the dream confessions were truthful..the adult female had been shot in the head and left in the woods-not stabbed and left in the field, as the defendants "confessed." Neither the prosecutors nor the detectives cared.
At that place are so many agonizing aspects of this story, I had to wait awhile before I could review it. It scares me that the detectives and prosecution want a sure set of people to be guilty, they ignore the truth and valid evidence and let a Series KILLER roam complimentary. Just like in the Innocent Man, the mob mentality of people who refused to think for themselves prevailed.
The main deviation between this book and the Innocent Man is that this really is an epic failure of the system. The defendants are however in jail, despite the fact that information technology is abundantly obvious that neither of the defendants could take committed this offense. The difference? THese defendants were sentenced to life, not to exist executed. They dont become the automatic appeals and actress review processes that those on death row get. Who would ever think it'south really better to exist sentenced to death, and so to life in prison, if yous are an innocent man.
After I finished the book, I started pondering if the death sentence SHOULD be abolished given all the checks and balances in identify. I truly believed that the defendants would walk free if they were afforded more appeals. THere is just likewise much evidence that they could not have committed this law-breaking. Merely I guess the greater question I accept now is-should it affair how the courtroom organization ends a life earlier y'all are afforded the appeals that those on decease row are afforded? Isnt your life over whether you live information technology out in prison or are eventually executed afterwards at least a decade, and maybe more, on death row? Shouldnt we accept the same checks and balances in place for an innocent man sentenced to life in prison in his twenties? The corruption of power and mob mentality apparently rampant in Ada, Oklahoma concluded these men's lives...just in a unlike mode.
The Innocent Human left me angry. The Dreams of Ada left me feeling feeling sad and hopeless and similar our system really doesnt piece of work.
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This volume serves equally almost the most direct case written report of this phenomenon that y'all could think of. Mayer details the investigation into the disappearance of a immature woman in Ada, Oklahoma, and the subsequent trial of the two suspects who were identified. When I say detailed, I mean detailed - I now know a lot more than about eastern Oklahoma than I ever expected to (pecans are manifestly a big matter at that place), and perhaps more than was strictly necessary to motion the story forward. There was as well a ton of personal information, intended, I imagine, to make the reader more invested in the characters, particularly the suspects and their families. It probably could accept used a stronger editor, only the details worked - I cared about the characters and I enjoyed the read for the most part.
** slight spoiler alert **
The reason this volume is so interesting has to do in part with another book, this one written by John Grisham. I haven't read the Grisham book, just it describes another Ada law-breaking, the investigation, and conviction of two local suspects. Those suspects were later exonerated by Dna bear witness. In the Mayer book, there was no body recovered by the time the suspects went to trial (itself an interesting fact, at least from a lawyer'southward perspective), so there was no Deoxyribonucleic acid. However, because the two crimes took identify very close in time, many of the characters, including the atomic number 82 local investigator and the prosecutor, were the same. Knowing that those same people got it incorrect in the Grisham book, Mayer explores whether they also got it wrong here.
** bigger spoiler alert **
The guys Mayer writes well-nigh are still in jail, one without possibility of parole. There'south a lot in the book that suggests they are innocent, and a lot to advise that they're not. For instance, both suspects confessed. As an intelligent adult with legal preparation, it'due south hard for me to imagine any reason why a person would confess to a criminal offense he didn't commit. But on the other hand, Dna has proven that it happens, and I think there'due south plenty of textile in the book that hints that these men were mentally non quite correct, and not very bright to boot.
To sum up this foolishly long review, I think this volume is unique in that it examines a crime that has all the trappings of the now-familiar wrongful confidence theme, except that we don't know the answer for certain. Information technology'south much more hard to consider police techniques and prosecutorial choices without the security of twenty/xx hindsight. It'southward also going to be more than hard to pay attending to these issues at all, every bit the number of provable wrongful convictions dwindle over the next few years.
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He detailed every moment and specially near the end at 'count down' time. I highly recommen This is a haunting, true and bewildering story of a young girl gone missing from a small-scale boondocks. The boondocks must evangelize justice even though the two young suspects are poor and uneducated men. I find it heartbreaking and I am sure information technology happens multi-times over in every corner of the world. It stayed with me and how distressing for everyone...this author did a truly remarkable job in bringing all the town folks to life.
He detailed every moment and especially near the terminate at 'count downward' time. I highly recommend information technology. ...more
Anyway, all that said, the volume was tedious. Too detailed, too verbose, too repetitive, as well much in the defendants' vernacular. I plowed through to the stop, but it bored me. ...more
This is a very good book. It tells the truthful story of how ii men were convicted of murder, with no prove except confessions. It explains how this could happen and what happened to the men.
Excellent book. More than wrongful convictions. A must read for anyone who has been awakened to the tens of thousands or peradventure more than innocent men and women bedevilled of crimes they did not commit
I am shocked after reading this volume that these two men are in jail after so long with the flimsy evidence and prolonged interrogation. Specially afterward the body of the victim is found to accept been shot and not stabbed.
The discipline was interesting simply was a chip too deep into the weeds for me. Summaries of the transcripts of the confessions and other materials would accept been sufficient.
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