American Scandal West Memphis Three | When Justice Gets It Wrong | 5
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Dec 23, 2025 David Moran, a law professor and co-founder of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, sheds light on wrongful convictions, sharing how his journey started with systemic flaws he uncovered in Detroit. He delves into the haunting dynamics of misidentification, false confessions, and the pressures of high-profile cases like the West Memphis Three. Moran discusses the stubborn persistence of flawed theories among prosecutors, the emotional toll of fighting for justice, and emphasizes the crucial role of non-DNA exonerations in the ongoing battle against wrongful convictions.
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Mislinked Phone Number Led To Conviction
- David Moran recounts Curtis Showers' wrongful conviction based on a mislinked phone number and changing witness IDs.
- Investigators ignored a matching suspect and a clear palm print that excluded Curtis, forcing a retrial and eventual charge dismissal.
Tunnel Vision Drives Wrongful Convictions
- Moran identifies tunnel vision as the core human frailty behind many wrongful convictions.
- Once investigators fix on a suspect they often ignore contradictory evidence to avoid admitting prior work was wrong.
Alibi Overturned By Implausible Theory
- Moran describes Timu Jin Kinsu's trial where nine alibi witnesses placed him hundreds of miles away.
- Prosecutors invented a no-evidence chartered flight theory and persuaded a jury despite documentary alibi proof.