Kirstin Lobato Wrongful Convictions

Hundreds of people each year are punished for crimes they didn’t even commit. Some have spent at least 14 years in prison, while others have spent time on death row. In 2015, up to 149 people were cleared for crimes they didn’t commit. (Ferner) This was because of DNA exonerations, eye witness identification reforms, criminal justice reform commissions, petitions, protests, news stories, preservation of evidence, and access to post-conviction DNA testing. Some causes that triggered wrongful convictions are: a younger defendant, a criminal history, a weak prosecution case, prosecution withheld evidence, and a weak defense (Predicting and Preventing Wrongful Convictions). Kirstin Lobato fits the shoe! She has been in jail for the past 15 years

At the crime scene, 19 pieces of evidence was found but never mentioned. These were some of the following items: semen, found in Bailey’s rectum; penis swabs, back in 2006 there wasn’t to tell apart 2 sets of male DNA; plastic and silver paper, that were found in Bailey’s rectum; cigarette butts and filter paper, both found on Bailey’s body; loose pubic hairs, that were found near Bailey’s genitals; and chewing gum, which had blood on it. (What Evidence Needs To Be DNA Tested In Kirstin Blaise Lobato’s Case) This evidence being revealed led to the start of petitions to get DNA testing done. Another major attempt that was done was a episode done by the TV series Snapped on Oxygen. Snapped is a crime show that does profiles on women who have been arrested for murder. On September 14th, 2014, the 12th episode of season 13 was dedicated to Kirstin’s story. The episode consisted of a background story of Kirstin, the investigation, as well as commentary done by attorneys, former police officers, and some of Kirstin’s family members, and friends. The third major attempt to help set Kirstin free was a book published. The book Kirstin Blaise Lobato’s Unreasonable Conviction: Possibility Of Guilt Replaces Proof Beyond A Reasonable Doubt was written by Hans Sherrer, who is also a writer for Justice Denied. The author himself made stated in an article he

The reason is because of the unfairness of tragic choices made. This short story describes exactly what the justice system is like today in our society.

BEFORE THE LAW stands a doorkeeper. To this doorkeeper there comes a man from the country and prays for admittance to the Law. But the doorkeeper says that he cannot grant admittance at the moment. [….] The doorkeeper gives him a stool and lets him sit down at one side of the door. There he sits for days and years. He makes many attempts to be admitted, and wearies the doorkeeper by his importunity