RE-EXAMINE QUESTIONABLE CONVICTIONS

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Jaws of Justice Radio

It is the intention of Jaws of Justice Radio to investigate how to achieve justice in America, this includes issues of economic injustice, political injustice and the criminal justice system. We want to put a human face on those caught in the grasp of injustice and those that are part of an unjust system. We strive to dispel the misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system.

Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We hope you will listen.

For our show on February 5th, host Latahra Smith, Founder of the KC Freedom Project, will speak about conviction integrity units.  Her guests will be exonerees who have had their sentences overturned by conviction integrity units in Jackson County, Missouri but also in other states.

There has been only one person exonerated by the Jackson County Conviction Integrity Unit since it began in 2021, and that is Kevin Strickland.  Certainly, Kevin Strickland should have been exonerated, however, it is likely that many other persons in prison in Missouri deserve that same treatment.

According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s website, the Prosecutor’s role in the criminal justice system is to vigorously and ethically prosecute those who violate the law and to protect the innocent. To that end, prosecutors have a duty to seek the truth before, during, and after conviction.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Conviction Integrity Unit examines post-conviction claims of innocence where credible evidence of innocence that was not known at the time of conviction exists.

The Conviction Integrity Unit is committed to the highest standard of professional integrity, expeditious and thorough review of post-conviction cases.

 

In order to qualify for a conviction review by the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the case and applicant must meet the following criteria:

  1. The conviction must have occurred in Jackson County Circuit Court;
  2. Applicant must be in custody, serving time on the sentence for which he/she was convicted;
  3. The conviction must be for a violent and/or serious felony as defined by Part 1 of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program;
  4. The application for review must be based on new and credible evidence of innocence which must not have been known at the time of conviction;
  5. Applicant waives his or her procedural safeguards and privileges, agrees to cooperate with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and agrees to provide full disclosure of all relevant information during the review process.

 

There are many reasons that individuals get trapped in the jaws of justice.  A conviction integrity unit is necessary because many people have been wrongfully accused and convicted for crimes they did not commit.

On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

calendar for the week of February 5th:

  • Legal Aid of Western Missouri can provide free civil legal services to low-income and vulnerable people who live in Jackson CTY MO. Interested individuals can call 816-474-6750 to apply.
  • For info about Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense meetings this week, you can go to https://momsdemandaction.org/events/. All are welcome, mothers and others.
  • Please check the calendar at https://more2.org/ for events you can attend.
  • THURS, Feb. 8th, 10 AM, Empower Missouri’s Community Justice Coalition invites you to their virtual meeting. The CJC is a multi-sector team of dedicated advocates who envision a future without mass incarceration. Through deep policy research, field work and legislative advocacy, battle the harms of mass incarceration in our communities.
  • THURS, Feb. 8th, 6 PM, Corey’s Network G.R.I.E.F. to Relief Seminar meets at the Mattie Rhodes Center at 148 N. Topping AVE, KC MO This seminar is Moving Forward – Shelley Norris is going to lead a discussion and give tips on how to move forward from the homicide. For those unable to attend in person, all sessions will be accessible via Zoom. To get the Zoom link, please visit coreysnetwork.org/contact and provide your contact details. Make sure to enter “Grief to Relief” in the Subject field. You will receive an email containing the Zoom link on the day of the seminar.
  • FRI, Feb. 9th, NOON – 1:00 PM, is Empower Missouri’s Friday Forum and the topic is the lasting impact of redlining. Marqueia Watson, Executive Director of the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness will discuss the legacy of racist housing policies and their impact across our state. You can join this virtual Friday Forum at https://empowermissouri.org/events/dec23-friday-forum-legislative-preview/
  • SAT, Feb. 10th, NOON – 2, Mothers of Incarcerated Sons & Daughters KC asks you to join them at Plexpod Westport Commons centrally located on the bus line, easy to find at 300 E. 39th St KCMO (Annex A) meeting room with convenient parking and much more. Sessions offer information, actions are shared and much more.
  • A list of services, meals, and hot lines are available at https://lawrenceprogressivecalendar.blogspot.com/.  The list is updated daily.

 

Please take care of yourselves and others. Stay safe. Be kind to each other.  Thanks for listening to Jaws of Justice.

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