Barbara Bradley Hagerty, a former NPR correspondent and author known for her investigative work on law and justice, dives into the wrongful conviction of Ben Spencer, who was sentenced to life despite lacking evidence. She unpacks the flawed system that allowed his case to persist for over three decades. The discussion reveals unsettling truths about the impact of race, socioeconomic disparities, and the inadequacies of eyewitness testimony. The podcast also highlights the arduous journey and unwavering hope of both Spencer and those fighting for his justice.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Ben Spencer's Case
Ben Spencer, a Black man, was convicted in 1987 of killing a white man in Dallas.
Despite a judge declaring him innocent 20 years later, he remained in prison due to the Texas High Court's disagreement.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Crime and Arrest
Jeffrey Young, a white businessman, was killed in Dallas on March 22, 1987.
Ben Spencer, a young Black man with no history of violence, was arrested four days later.
insights INSIGHT
The Reward and Pressure
After a $25,000 reward was posted, three eyewitnesses came forward.
Young's father being a top executive for Ross Perot added pressure to solve the case.
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A Murder, a Conviction, and the Fight to Redeem American Justice
Barbara Bradley Hagerty
In 'Bringing Ben Home', Barbara Bradley Hagerty delves into the case of Ben Spencer, an innocent Black man wrongly convicted of murder in 1987. The book intertwines two narratives: the detailed account of Spencer's ordeal within a flawed legal system and the broader context of wrongful convictions across the United States. Hagerty's extensive research includes police files, court records, and interviews with witnesses and Spencer himself, shedding light on the systemic issues and the ongoing efforts to make the legal process more equitable. The book is a compelling exploration of justice, truth, and humanity, highlighting the resilience and faith of those fighting against wrongful convictions.
In 1987, Ben Spencer, a young black man from Dallas, Texas was convicted in the killing of a white businessman. He was sentenced to life in prison by an all-white jury. There was no physical evidence linking him to the crime and he had an alibi. Over the years, eyewitnesses recanted their testimony and a judge, after reviewing all the prior evidence, declared Spencer to be an innocent man. Nonetheless, Spencer remained in prison for more than three decades. For seven of those years, former NPR correspondent Barbara Bradley Hagerty follows and followed the twists and turns of this case. Her dissection of wrongful convictions and the criminal justice system is at the heart of her new book, Bringing Ben Home: A Murder, A Conviction And The Fight to Redeem American Justice.
Today on The Sunday Story from Up First, part one of a two-part series looking at why it is so hard to get a conviction overturned even when evidence of innocence is overwhelming. Part two is also available now on the Up First podcast feed.
Up First from NPR 