Record of Wrong KARE 11 / TEGNA

There's a growing wave of prosecutor-led Conviction Review Units across the country. From within these units, prosecutors re-investigate their own cases to proactively find mistakes and overturn wrongful convictions. Minnesota is getting its own, led by Attorney General Keith Ellison. And in Philadelphia, DA Larry Krasner and Conviction Integrity Unit supervisor Patricia Cummings have won 21 exonerations just in the past three years. But they say it takes a lot of time, money and work - and they'll never get to everybody.


Record of Wrong is a KARE 11 podcast that delves deep into the world of the criminal justice system, from the perspective of the people appealing their convictions. This six-part series hosted by KARE 11's Emily Haavik examines the towering obstacles to prove innocence after conviction, and the burden those people carry long after they have been freed.


Learn more about the cases we cover at RecordofWrong.com.

Content warning: This episode includes a description of rape.


George Lewis spent three years in prison for a Minneapolis rape, before a federal judge threw out his conviction. He was freed and moved on with his life, until tragedy struck again. And his brother believes his wrongful conviction and incarceration were partly to blame.


Record of Wrong is a KARE 11 podcast that delves deep into the world of the criminal justice system, from the perspective of the people appealing their convictions. This six-part series hosted by KARE 11's Emily Haavik examines the towering obstacles to prove innocence after conviction, and the burden those people carry long after they have been freed.


Learn more about the cases we cover at RecordofWrong.com.

Nearly 25 years after a Wright County, Minnesota death investigation was ruled “inconclusive,” authorities reopen it as a murder case. The testimony of one man battling mental illness is used to build a case against three men in the 1979 death of Jeffrey Hammill. While one takes a deal and another is acquitted, Terry Olson is left with the murder conviction. And he still carries it - even though the chief witness has long since recanted.


Record of Wrong is a KARE 11 podcast that delves deep into the world of the criminal justice system, from the perspective of the people appealing their convictions. This six-part series hosted by KARE 11's Emily Haavik examines the towering obstacles to prove innocence after conviction, and the burden those people carry long after they have been freed.


Learn more about the cases we cover at RecordofWrong.com.

Anecdotally, innocence advocates know that their clients sometimes take deals to get out of prison - instead of continuing to fight to clear their names. Now, new research from the University of Wisconsin law school puts some numbers around this trend. The data show that these desperate deals are common - and that even people with new evidence of innocence have a hard time turning them down.

Record of Wrong is a KARE 11 podcast that delves deep into the world of the criminal justice system, from the perspective of the people appealing their convictions. This six-part series hosted by KARE 11's Emily Haavik examines the towering obstacles to prove innocence after conviction, and the burden those people carry long after they have been freed.

Learn more about the cases we cover at RecordofWrong.com.

Sherman Townsend was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a burglary he swore he had no part in. A decade later, the chief witness who identified him came forward and claimed he was the true perpetrator. He said he pointed Sherman out to avoid getting caught. So why is Sherman still carrying the conviction for that crime?

Record of Wrong is a KARE 11 podcast that delves deep into the world of the criminal justice system, from the perspective of the people appealing their convictions. This six-part series hosted by KARE 11's Emily Haavik examines the towering obstacles to prove innocence after conviction, and the burden those people carry long after they have been freed.

Learn more about Sherman's story and the other cases we cover at RecordofWrong.com.

Javon Davis spent nearly six years in prison for attempted murder before a judge overturned his conviction. He wishes there had been a public apology, so people would know he’s not the person he was portrayed to be. But Hennepin County prosecutors still believe he’s guilty - so an apology is not in the cards. In fact, they’re fighting to keep him from getting compensation for his time behind bars.

Record of Wrong is a KARE 11 podcast that delves deep into the world of the criminal justice system, from the perspective of the people appealing their convictions. This six-part series hosted by KARE 11's Emily Haavik examines the towering obstacles to prove innocence after conviction, and the burden those people carry long after they have been freed.

Learn more about Javon's story and the other cases we cover at RecordofWrong.com.