A murder case with six arrests in Nebraska takes a shocking turn when DNA results exclude all convicted individuals. The focus shifts to Bruce Allen Smith as the true perpetrator, leading to revelations about wrongful convictions and the search for justice. The story follows the exoneration of Joseph White and the legal battles faced by the wrongfully accused, highlighting the impact of flawed forensic analysis and the pursuit of truth amid tragedy.
DNA testing exonerated the Beatrice Six, revealing systemic injustices in the legal system.
Wrongful convictions have profound emotional and financial impacts on exonerees.
Deep dives
Joseph White's Trial and Conviction
Joseph White stood trial for the murder of Helen Wilson in 1989, with three individuals testifying against him. Despite their changing stories and lack of physical evidence tying White to the scene, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
DNA Evidence Clears White and Co-Defendants
In 2005, DNA testing on evidence from Helen Wilson's apartment excluded White and his co-defendants, leading to their release. A subsequent round of testing further proved their innocence, implicating Bruce Allen Smith as the sole contributor of the DNA found at the scene.
Legal Battles and Exoneration
The Beatrice Six sued the investigators and county, eventually winning a $28 million settlement. The investigators' questionable tactics and manufactured evidence during the investigation were acknowledged. In 2019, the jury's decision was upheld, leading to the final payments to the wrongfully convicted individuals.
Aftermath and Compensation
Despite the exoneration and compensation received, the emotional toll on the Beatrice Six was profound. Joseph White, awarded $500,000, tragically passed away in 2011. Legal battles continued, revealing systemic injustices and the struggle to reclaim their lives post-exoneration.
In 1989, three people confessed to participating in a murder. Eventually, a total of six people were arrested. But when DNA tests were run on crime scene evidence almost 20 years later - the results showed that none of them had been there at all.
This episode picks up where our last episode left off. If you haven't heard the first part yet - we recommend going back and listening to that first. It’s called Type B.
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