Lecture Notes: Eyewitness Testimony and DNA Evidence

Introduction

• Courtroom dramas often depict the moment when an eyewitness identifies the perpetrator.
• In reality, eyewitness identifications happen frequently and are highly persuasive to jurors.
• DNA evidence is considered even more compelling than eyewitness testimony.

Cases of Wrongful Conviction

• 233 people have been exonerated by DNA evidence in the US.
• Over 75% of these wrongful convictions involved mistaken eyewitness identifications.

Case Study: Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton

The Crime

• July 28, 1984, Burlington, North Carolina.
• Jennifer Thompson, a 22-year-old college student, was raped in her apartment.
• She attempted to memorize details about her attacker to aid in the investigation.

Investigation and Identification

• Detective Mike Gaulden helped create a composite sketch.
• Ronald Cotton was identified from a photo lineup and later from a physical lineup.
• Jennifer was certain of Cotton's identification.

Trial and Conviction

• Cotton provided a faulty alibi due to a mix-up in dates.
• Evidence presented: Matching clothing description, foam piece from a shoe.
• Jennifer's courtroom identification was compelling; Cotton was sentenced to life plus 50 years.

Discovery of Actual Perpetrator

• Cotton noticed a fellow inmate, Bobby Poole, resembled the composite sketch.
• Poole had confessed to the rape to another inmate.
• Despite Poole's presence in court, Jennifer maintained her identification of Cotton.

DNA Exoneration

• Seven years later, DNA evidence from the crime scene exonerated Cotton and identified Poole as the perpetrator.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

On Jennifer Thompson

• Felt immense guilt and shame for wrongly identifying Cotton.
• Sought closure and healing through meeting and apologizing to Cotton.

On Ronald Cotton

• Maintained innocence, worked on legal appeals, and faced emotional turmoil.
• Demonstrated forgiveness and grace towards Jennifer.

Broader Implications

• The case highlights flaws in eyewitness testimony.
• Raises questions about human memory and identification accuracy.

Conclusion

• The importance of DNA evidence in preventing wrongful convictions.
• The need for improved methods in handling eyewitness testimony.
• The case exemplifies themes of forgiveness, healing, and justice.