In Defense of Liberty

13: In Defense Of: Michael Morton Nov 18, 2020

Further Reading:
Getting Life: An Innocent Man's 25-Year Journey from Prison to Peace, by Michael Morton, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19302626-getting-life
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

12: Steve Brand Returns Oct 14, 2020

You can find out more about Steve Brand's criminal practice here: https://www.brcriminallaw.com/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

11: In Defense Of: John Brady Sep 30, 2020

MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

10: Ready to Fight: An Interview with Jarrod Smith Sep 16, 2020

Check out Smith and Vinson Law Firm: https://www.smithandvinson.com/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

9: In Defense Of: Cameron Todd Willingham (part 3) Sep 02, 2020

Further Reading:
The Skeptical Juror and the Trial of Cameron Todd Willingham by J. Bennett Allen
Inferno: An Inquiry Into the Willingham Fire by J. Bennett Allen
Trial by Fire by David Grann (The New Yorker, August 31, 2009), https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/07/trial-by-fire
Man Executed on Disproved Forensics by Steve Mills and Maurice Possley (Chicago Tribune, December 9, 2004)
Special thank you to Sam Bassett and Judge Charlie Baird.
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Yours Truly: An Interview with Cathy McElhaney Jul 01, 2020

MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Just Desserts: An Interview with Kristin Peterson Jun 24, 2020

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http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

8: In Defense Of: Cameron Todd Willingham (part 2) Jun 17, 2020

Further Reading:
The Skeptical Juror and the Trial of Cameron Todd Willingham by J. Bennett Allen
Inferno: An Inquiry Into the Willingham Fire by J. Bennett Allen
Trial by Fire by David Grann (The New Yorker, August 31, 2009), https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/07/trial-by-fire
Man Executed on Disproved Forensics by Steve Mills and Maurice Possley (Chicago Tribune, December 9, 2004)
Special thank you to:
Andrew McKay of Into the Portal, https://www.intotheportal.com/
Adam Ballinger of Graveyard Tales, https://www.graveyardpodcast.com/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Bonus: Answering Listener Questions Jun 10, 2020

Welcome to our first Q&A episode! Kai from The Technofunkboy brings Jen questions from listeners.
Want to submit a question?
Email jennifer@defenseoflibertypod.com or tweet me @defensepod
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Bonus: An Interview with Javier Leiva and John Taylor of Criminal Conduct Jun 03, 2020

In this episode, Jen chats with the co-hosts of Criminal Conduct.
Check out Criminal Conduct here: http://criminalconduct.net/
Also, be sure to check out Javier's show, Pretend at http://pretendradio.org/ and John's show, Twisted at http://www.twistedpodcast.com/.
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

7: In Defense Of: Cameron Todd Willingham (part 1) May 27, 2020

In 1991, a house fire claimed the lives of 2-year-old Amber Kuykendall, 1-year-old Kameron Willingham, and 1-year-old Karmon Willingham. Their father, Cameron Todd Willingham escaped. Fire investigators concluded that the fire had been deliberately set and Todd was arrested and charged with capital murder. He was executed for this crime in February 2004. Today, scientists agree that the arson evidence used to convict Todd was junk science.
Did Texas execute an innocent man? In part one, hear the case against Cameron Todd Willingham.
Further Reading:
The Skeptical Juror and the Trial of Cameron Todd Willingham by J. Bennett Allen
Inferno: An Inquiry Into the Willingham Fire by J. Bennett Allen
Trial by Fire by David Grann (The New Yorker, August 31, 2009), https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/07/trial-by-fire
Man Executed on Disproved Forensics by Steve Mills and Maurice Possley (Chicago Tribune, December 9, 2004)
Special thank you to Andrew McKay of Into the Portal, https://www.intotheportal.com/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Bonus: An Interview with Bob Ruff May 20, 2020

Bob Ruff is the host of Truth and Justice, a show that investigates wrongful convictions using the combined talents of the show's many fans. In this episode, Jen chats with Bob in the first of a series of interviews with citizen detectives.
Check out Truth and Justice at https://www.truthandjusticepod.com/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

6: In Defense Of: Ray Hightower May 13, 2020

In 1986, Ray Hightower was convicted of aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child in Abilene, Texas. The primary evidence against him was testimony that a hair found in his truck belonged to the victim. Was that testimony accurate?
Ray Hightower has maintained his innocence since 1986. Thank you to Allison Clayton of the Innocence Project of Texas for sharing his case with me.
Further reading:
A Brief History of Forensics, Radley Balko, Washington Post (April 21, 2015), https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/04/21/a-brief-history-of-forensics/
The First Criminal Trial That Used Fingerprints As Evidence, Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine (December 5, 2018), https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/first-case-where-fingerprints-were-used-evidence-180970883/
Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923)
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993)
Federal Rule of Evidence 702, https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_702
Microscopic Hair Comparisons: A Cautionary Tale, Paul C. Giannelli (April 2010), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228164710_Microscopic_Hair_Comparisons_A_Cautionary_Tale
Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, National Academies Press (August 2009), https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/228091.pdf
Invalid Forensic Science Testimony and Wrongful Convictions, Brandon L. Garrett and Peter J. Neufeld, Virginia Law Review (March 2009), https://www.virginialawreview.org/sites/virginialawreview.org/files/1-2.pdf
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Covid-19 Talk: An Interview with Steve Brand Apr 23, 2020

Jen chats with Austin criminal defense attorney Steve Brand to learn about Gov. Abbott's Executive Order No. GA-13 and other Covid-19 issues in the criminal justice world.

Bonus: An Interview with Sean O’Brien Mar 26, 2020

In this bonus episode, Jen chats with Lloyd Schlup's attorney.
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

5: In Defense Of: Lloyd Schlup Mar 18, 2020

The second case in our actual innocence series tells the story of Lloyd Schlup, who was framed for the murder of Arthur Dade, Jr. in 1984 while serving a life sentence at the infamous Missouri State Penitentiary.
FURTHER READING:
Schlup v. Delo, 513 US 298 (1995), https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14288583663922904477&q=schlup+v+delo&hl=en&as_sdt=6,44
SPECIAL THANKS:
Matt Rudolph of Graveyard Tales (https://www.graveyardpodcast.com)
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Bonus: An Interview with Justin Brooks Mar 04, 2020

Check out this bonus episode featuring an interview with the co-founder of the California Innocence Project, Justin Brooks!
California Innocence Project Website:
https://californiainnocenceproject.org/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/

Bonus: An Interview with Allison Clayton Feb 26, 2020

Check out this bonus episode featuring an interview with the Deputy Director of the Innocence Project of Texas!
IPOTX Website:
https://innocencetexas.org/
Full bio for Allison Clayton:
https://innocencetexas.org/staff
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/

4: In Defense Of: Leonel Herrera Feb 19, 2020

This week, we start a new series on actual innocence with the case of Herrera v. Collins, 506 US 390 (1993).
SPECIAL THANKS:
TJ Counihan of 4170 Productions (@4170productions)
Adam Ballinger of Graveyard Tales (https://www.graveyardpodcast.com)
Cyrus Slate
Desdymona Howard (https://desdymona.com)
Chris Williamson of Chasing Earhart, Vanished, and Me and My Friends
https://www.chasingearhart.com/
https://www.vanishedshow.com/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com

Bonus: Interview with Kenneth Williams Feb 12, 2020

“I used to always tell my clients, where there’s life, there’s hope.”
In this bonus episode, listen to South Texas College of Law Professor Kenneth Williams discuss the Stickland standard and what it's like to work on death penalty cases.
CHECK OUT PROF. WILLIAMS HERE:
http://www.stcl.edu/about-us/faculty/kenneth-williams/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

3: In Defense Of: David Leroy Washington Feb 05, 2020

"If there was anything, short of selling my soul to the devil, I could do to bring them back to their families or stop the suffering or pay back what I did, I would be willing to do it. But I know there ain't no way I can do that. I'm always thinking about these people I killed, every day, every day. That's why it just don't bother me if these people take my life."
- David Leroy Washington
In the final installment of our 3-part series on the right to counsel, learn about the story behind the Strickland standard.
FURTHER READING:
Deathwork: Defending the Condemned by Michael Mello, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18614426-deathwork
Slow Coming Dark: Interviews on Death Row by Doug Magee, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2161298.Slow_coming_dark
Strickland v. Washington, 466 US 668 (1984), https://www.oyez.org/cases/1983/82-1554
MORE FROM ROB KRISTOFFERSEN:
(Our Strange Skies)
https://www.ourstrangeskies.com/about
https://audioboom.com/channels/4938828
https://twitter.com/ourstrangeskies?lang=en
(The Coda: A Music Podcast)
https://thecoda.fireside.fm/
https://twitter.com/thecodapodcast
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

Bonus: Interview with Mark Thiessen Jan 29, 2020

In this bonus episode, listen to Houston criminal defense attorney Mark Thiessen talk about defending citizens accused of alcohol and drug crimes.
CHECK OUT THE THIESSEN LAW FIRM HERE:
https://www.thetexastrialattorney.com/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

2: In Defense Of: Clarence Earl Gideon Jan 16, 2020

"Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet..."
Judges 6:34
In part 2 of this 3-part series on the right to counsel, Jennifer tells the story of Clarence Earl Gideon, whose conviction for breaking and entering was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in a groundbreaking opinion that would forever change the legal landscape in America.
FURTHER READING:
Gideon's Trumpet by Anthony Lewis, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27404.Gideon_s_Trumpet
Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 US 335 (1963), https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/372/335/#tab-opinion-1944169
CHECK OUT ADAM BALLINGER IN GRAVEYARD TALES PODCAST:
https://www.graveyardpodcast.com/
https://twitter.com/GrveYrdPodcast
https://www.facebook.com/GraveYardTalesPodcast/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

Bonus: A Conversation with Geoffrey Corn Jan 09, 2020

“It doesn’t matter how obviously guilty a defendant may be. We as a society are not judged on the fact that we were able to convict and punish the individual. We’re judged on the fairness of the process that’s used to get to that outcome.”
FULL BIO FOR GEOFFREY CORN:
http://www.stcl.edu/about-us/faculty/geoffrey-s-corn/
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

1: In Defense Of: The Scottsboro Boys Jan 01, 2020

In the first full episode, hear the story of nine black teenagers who were falsely accused of rape by two young white women in 1931. In this case, the United States Supreme Court held for the first time that a trial conducted in state court violated the 14th Amendment due process clause by failing to adequately provide counsel.
This is the first episode in our 3-part series on the 6th Amendment right to counsel.
FURTHER READING:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2657.To_Kill_a_Mockingbird The Last of the Scottsboro Boys: An Autobiography by Clarence Norris and Sybil D. Washington, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1757715.The_Last_of_the_Scottsboro_Boys Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45 (1932), https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/287/45/#tab-opinion-1933739
MORE FROM ROB KRISTOFFERSEN:
(Our Strange Skies)
https://www.ourstrangeskies.com/about
https://audioboom.com/channels/4938828
https://twitter.com/ourstrangeskies?lang=en
(The Coda: A Music Podcast)
https://thecoda.fireside.fm/
https://twitter.com/thecodapodcast
MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:
http://technofunkboy.com/
MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:
https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

Episode 0: An Introduction Jan 01, 2020