On Point | Podcast Inside the wrongful conviction of Ben Spencer
May 20, 2025
Barbara Bradley Hagerty, a seasoned journalist and author, delves into the harrowing story of Ben Spencer, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 34 years in prison. They discuss the shocking lack of evidence and the flawed testimonies that led to his conviction. Hagerty highlights the resilience Spencer showed throughout his ordeal and the significant role advocacy groups played in his eventual exoneration. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of wrongful convictions and the need for a reform in the criminal justice system.
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Ben Spencer's Wrongful Conviction
- Ben Spencer was wrongly convicted despite an ironclad alibi and no physical evidence linking him to the murder.
- He spent 34 years in prison, maintaining his integrity and hope throughout incarceration.
Eyewitness Testimony Flaws
- Eyewitness identifications were made from distances too far and in poor lighting, making them unreliable.
- These identifications stood despite scientific evidence on the limits of accurate visual recognition at night from such distances.
High Burden for Proving Innocence
- A judge found Ben Spencer actually innocent but the Texas high court refused release due to lack of DNA evidence.
- Appellate courts rarely overturn jury verdicts, especially without forensic proof, despite evidence of innocence.
