Next week, the ‘Tennessee three’ are scheduled to visit the White House and meet with President Biden. The ‘Tennessee three’ are a group of individuals who were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. Their story is one of perseverance, strength, and resilience in the face of injustice.
The ‘Tennessee three’ consists of three men: Lawrence McKinney, William L. Brawner, and Robert E. Polk. All three men were convicted of crimes they did not commit and spent decades in prison before being exonerated. Their cases highlight the flaws in the criminal justice system and the need for reform.
Lawrence McKinney was wrongfully convicted of rape and burglary in 1978 and spent 31 years in prison before being exonerated in 2009. He was awarded $1 million in compensation by the state of Tennessee, but it took years for him to receive the money due to bureaucratic red tape. McKinney’s case is a prime example of how the criminal justice system can fail innocent individuals and how difficult it can be to receive justice.
William L. Brawner was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1979 and spent 34 years in prison before being exonerated in 2013. Brawner’s case is particularly egregious because he was convicted based on the testimony of a witness who later recanted her statement. Despite this, it took decades for Brawner to be released from prison.
Robert E. Polk was wrongfully convicted of rape and robbery in 1987 and spent 15 years in prison before being exonerated in 2002. Polk’s case highlights the issue of eyewitness misidentification, which is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.
The ‘Tennessee three’ have become advocates for criminal justice reform and have spoken out about their experiences. They have called for changes to the criminal justice system, including better access to DNA testing, improved eyewitness identification procedures, and increased compensation for those wrongfully convicted.
Their visit to the White House is significant because it highlights the need for criminal justice reform at the national level. President Biden has made criminal justice reform a priority of his administration and has called for changes to the system, including ending mandatory minimum sentences and investing in rehabilitation programs.
The ‘Tennessee three’ have overcome incredible obstacles and have shown remarkable resilience in the face of injustice. Their visit to the White House is a testament to their strength and their commitment to making sure that others do not suffer the same fate they did. It is also a reminder that there is still work to be done to ensure that the criminal justice system is fair and just for all.
