A Must Read: Exonerated Florida Death Row Inmate Juan Melendez Gives First Hand Account of His Summary Arrest, 5 Day Trial, and 18 Years on Death Row Before Being Released as an Innocent Man
Today, Emory University posted an article detailing the talk that Juan Melendez gave to Emory's new Criminal Law Society. (Amnesty International sponsored the event.) It is simply a must-read for those interested in the current criminal justice system in the State of Florida, especially those dealing with the imposition of the death penalty in our state.
Included in this article:
1. Juan Melendez's description of his arrest as he sat with his co-worker, eating lunch, on a fine sunny day;
2. His recollection of the trial itself -- the attorneys, the jury, the presentation of evidence;
3. His memories of his defense attorney at trial and thereafter;
4. What it meant to live on Death Row, including the rats, roaches, and temptation for suicide; and
5. The miraculous revelation of the true killer and the disrespectful release of Mr. Melendez thereafter by the authorities.
You must read this. Juan Melendez is telling us quite a bit here....
