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Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

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Re: Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

#41

Post by ClintEhrlich »

mratzloff wrote: post #27
ClintEhrlich wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dateline has asked me to sit down for an interview with Keith Morrison. I may do that, but there will be no compensation involved.

You may do that? You absolutely should. You're promoting his cause. See if you can have space in the program to talk about his transition and the financial assistance campaign in particular.

There's a ton of media interest. I'm only going to appear on Dateline if I have some assurance that the new piece will be fairer than the original one that got my attention.

Re: Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

#42

Post by danso »

I've only just read about the case but from the current vantage point, it looks like a severe fuckup on the part of the district attorney. I know that suspects revealing non-public details of a homicide can lead to an investigation that uncovers more conclusive evidence...but to base an entire case around that, without any other evidence linking them to the crime? I'm looking forward to reading the post-mortem on how such a case gained enough momentum to drive the DA to prosecute on such flimsy evidence.

edit: by "severe" fuckup, I also mean, just plain incomprehensible. At least in other egregious cases, there's a mountain of quasi-science [1] or a coerced false confession [2]...if the drama that managed to propel this bumbling case this far forward doesn't result in at least a HBO miniseries a few years from now, I will be very surprised.

[1] http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/07/trial-by-fire

[2] http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/507/c...

Re: Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

#43

Post by ClintEhrlich »

gerby wrote: post #34
smoyer wrote: post #18

Ask Peter Thiel to fund his litigation against the state and to put up his living expenses until he wins.

If Peter helped this man to get on his feet and find justice, that would be a very noble act. I'm personally willing to donate this exonerated man a computer and teach him how to code user interfaces remotely if he wants. If I could afford to do more, I would. OP Please e-mail me at eddie@trycontractit.com

That's very kind of you, Eddie! I'll be in touch.

Ray actually just got a laptop, and I'm teaching him the basics of computing. It's amazing how much things have changed in 11 years!

Re: Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

#44

Post by nostrebored »

addled wrote: post #28
ClintEhrlich wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He was an infantryman. Kicked down doors in Iraq going room-to-room searching for insurgents. Until the charges are formally dismissed, it's hard to imagine any employer will actually be willing to hire him. The DA's office is really making his life hard by refusing to just immediately stipulate that he's an innocent man.

Are there any job boards for businesses that would consider hiring felons (or innocent folks waiting for record to clear)? I had no luck finding legit sites with a quick Google search, but maybe others are aware of something? If nothing exists, that sounds like an interesting development opportunity.

Bakeries are actually one of the business types that hires a large number of felons. You're separated from the cash, kept in a kitchen away from customers, and it doesn't pay the best.

But when finding other employment is hard, it's a pretty good option if you can work on the necessary skills.

Re: Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

#45

Post by 2pointsomone »

I write this knowing how bad of an idea it is but it still is a gut reaction so I will say it. Find a way to move him to Oakland and get him to be on the YC Basic Income experiment. I bet the learning to YCR from this would be extremely high, given I feel like fixing the prison system will probably be on their agenda for future research.

Re: Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

#48

Post by 2pointsomone »

2pointsomone wrote: post #45

I write this knowing how bad of an idea it is but it still is a gut reaction so I will say it. Find a way to move him to Oakland and get him to be on the YC Basic Income experiment. I bet the learning to YCR from this would be extremely high, given I feel like fixing the prison system will probably be on their agenda for future research.

I take back my terrible suggestion. His family is down there and there should be no reason he moves away from them.

Re: Ask HN: Just got an innocent man out of prison. What now?

#50

Post by joe8756438 »

There are many organizations around the country that supply free business attire to people in need. In New York City, where I'm based, main one is "Dress for Success" and in Baltimore there is "Success In Style". I'm sure there is something similar in Clint's area. There might be a directory these organizations online OR just call up either of the ones I mentioned, I bet they could connect you to a place that would help.
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