Topic : 01/09 False Confessions

and while were pointing out other states corruptions lets look at the black man shot more than 55 times in new york city by 2 police men the night before he was to get married,leaving his bachelor party, hell all he did were bump the undercover cops car, and they filled him full of lead for that? damn man what kind of cops have the other states got on the force? you sure as hell wont hear about that kind of crap going on in Georgia. damn in NY if you bump a cops car the penalty is death by a firring squad.

I am new (ish) here and was wondering if it might be listed or if anyone knew the name of the guest today that. I think, was a professor or had done some sort of research on false confessions?

Thanks!

OG

The Police that do this that take a man that hasn't commited the crime and just think that they can put so much pressure on the person to get the confession should be punished or even taken off the force because that's not what our tax's are going for they are going for cops that will protect and serve justice to the people that did the crime and if they can't find the people at the time they should try their best insted of putting a kid in jail.

The cop that spoke today should have charges put to him and should never be able to be a officer again just because of what he did to that on person.

I live in SC.  On Sept 25, 2005, my home was deemed a methemphetamine lab.  My now estranged husband had apparently been allowing if not participating in the manufacturing by some of his associates while I was out of the state for two months training for a new job.  I had just returned to town two days prior to the incident.  That evening I was held at my home in handcuffs sitting in a lawn chair in my driveway for nearly five hours.  As the investigation at my residence came to a close, the officer in charge pulled me aside and stated that while he knew I had no knowledge or involvement in these crimes, he was going to charge me just to use my charges as leverage against my husband.

I was held in county jail for five days on $90,000 bond.  I had no previous arrests of any kind.  I had graduated within the year before with my degree in Criminal Justice and was currently pursuing a career in Federal Law Enforcement.  Within two days of my release, that is one week from the arrest, I passed a hair follicle drug test and over the next year passed several drug tests at the solicitor's request.  Now all of my charges have been dismissed and my record is finally in the process of being expunged.  However, my arrest will follow me in the NSA system for the rest of my life.  This will forever exclude me from any opportunities in the field I have worked very hard to enter.  Also, my arrest and mugshot was published by two local newspapers on the front page as well as the local news program.  I still face questions and comments by individuals who I cross paths with.

I cannot imagine how much worse it has been for the people on your show today.  I simply lost my career and reputation.  They have lost years of their lives with their families.

I think it is horrific that these events in most cases could have been prevented by the very officers who committed these acts.

When I look back, all I have to say is my life was completely altered by one individual who knew I was innocent, but felt it was appropriate to use me and my dreams as leverage.

I am not at all surprised by this!  I was a county worker for close to five years, working for our child support services and our probation department.  I loved the law because I trusted that law was put in place for very good reason.  About two years ago, my husband was accused of child abuse.  Before this incident, my children lived sincere and fulfilling lives.  My husband and I did our best to be role models in all that we did, said, and taught them.  They were 5 and 7 at that time.  They were active in sports, church, and in our family.  The district attorney pushed my 5 year old son to say what she wanted him to say (though unsuccessful); at the preliminary hearing, the DA questioned my FIVE YEAR OLD SON for almost AN HOUR!!  My son continued to state that the incident was an accident that occured while wrestling with my husband, but she would just re-phrase her question and try, try again!  This whole ordeal has shaken our entire family and my two sons are the ones who suffered the most.  This was the first of many legal attempts my ex-husband initiated to avoid paying child support.  I cannot even count the times I've been in court in the last couple of years, or the times I've seen a medical proffessional as the result of the stress and mental anguish!  My children have now been exposed to drinking and driving, drugs, cussing, physical violence, and emotional torture in the care of their father.  He's also taught them how to lie to avoid physical punishment.  I ache when I think of the before and after shots of my children.

I recently quit my job with the county, but this has taught me a very important lesson, whether it be law enforcement, district attorney's office, child protective services, or any other agency that is supposed to be an authoritative figure - every agency is filled with individuals who may or may not be honest, upright, or diligent.  I do not have faith in "the system"... a system I never questioned before. 

Many lives are ruined because of the destruction of families by children's services.   If they think - or want - a parent to be guilty of child abuse, they will harass, threaten and lie to make sure their charges are 'proven.'

Dr. Phil, you can save many lives and families if you look into this problem.  It is a travesty every bit as heinous as the police who coercing false confessions from innocent people.