エピソード

  • The Amanda Knox Story: Her Fight for Justice on the Global Stage

    The Amanda Knox Story: Her Fight for Justice on the Global Stage
    2025/09/09
    Suffering is part of the human experience, but most of us are granted the dignity of processing our pain and healing in private. For Amanda Knox, that has never been an option. As she herself puts it, “The worst experience of my life is the thing that most people know about me.” Amanda recounts the harrowing story of her wrongful conviction for the murder of her roommate while studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. The 2007 crime sparked a global media frenzy that vilified Amanda at an international scale, branding her as guilty despite the absence of evidence connecting her to the crime. A combination of her own naiveté, coercive police interrogations, language barriers, and critical errors in the investigation process led to Amanda’s wrongful imprisonment. And yet, since her eventual acquittal, Amanda has found a way to live in hope and transform her painful experience into a force for good. She now focuses on finding meaning in the aftermath, using her story to expose the realities of wrongful convictions and to advocate for others who have been falsely accused. Learn more about Amanda through her books, “Waiting to Be Heard” and “Free", and her podcast, “Hard Knox”. Watch the Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox on Hulu.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    46 分
  • Amanda Knox, JJ Velasquez, and More | For The Innocent Season 3 Trailer

    Amanda Knox, JJ Velasquez, and More | For The Innocent Season 3 Trailer
    2025/09/02
    Hosted by Michael Semanchik, For the Innocent exposes the shocking reality of wrongful convictions through raw, first-person stories from the exonerated. Season 3 returns September 9th featuring powerful accounts from Amanda Knox, JJ Velasquez, Bruce Lisker— three exonerees whose names have become synonymous with injustice— and more. Through their voices, uncover how the justice system failed them, what it took to win back their freedom, and the lifelong impact of being branded guilty while innocent. Plus, hear legal and criminal experts break down the systemic flaws from false confessions and eyewitness misidentifications to flawed forensic science and corrupt police officers. This season uncovers the truth behind America’s most haunting wrongful convictions. Season One and Two are now available.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    4 分
  • Evidence Preservation: Who’s Responsible and What Happens When It’s Lost or Destroyed

    Evidence Preservation: Who’s Responsible and What Happens When It’s Lost or Destroyed
    2024/09/26
    At the moment of conviction, the incentive to safeguard evidence diminishes in the eyes of the Criminal Justice System. That’s why it is critically important to act quickly to ensure evidence remains available for future appeals. Without it, your fight for freedom could be over before it even begins. In this episode, host Michael Semanchik is joined by Raquel Barilla, former Staff Attorney and Volunteer Coordinator at the California Innocence Project; Alissa Bjerkhoel, former Litigation Coordinator at the California Innocence Project; and Alex Simpson, former Associate Director and Resident Expert for Evidence Preservation at the California Innocence Project. Together, they discuss methods for preserving evidence. Tune in to learn what to do if the unthinkable happens.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    40 分
  • The Luis Vargas Story: Misidentified as the “Teardrop Rapist”

    The Luis Vargas Story: Misidentified as the “Teardrop Rapist”
    2024/09/12
    Luis Vargas was wrongfully convicted after three separate witnesses misidentified him as the “Teardrop Rapist.” Sixteen years later, DNA linked to the uncaught serial sex offender was found in one of the victim’s clothing from the crime. But for that evidence being preserved, Luis Vargas would have spent the rest of his life behind bars. This is his story.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    32 分
  • Eyewitness Misidentifications

    Eyewitness Misidentifications
    2024/08/29
    In the first 325 DNA exonerations, false identification accounted for 72% of the wrongful convictions. But how is that possible? The simplest explanation is that we are not as good at identifying each other as we think. Add to that a frightening encounter with someone of a different race with no time for the mind to process and you have the perfect formula for getting it all wrong. Host Michael Semanchik sits down with retired Los Angeles Detective Greg McKnight, Distinguished Professor of Psychology John Wixted, and California Innocence Project Founder Justin Books to discuss the science of misidentifications and why so many people who were so sure got it so wrong.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    40 分
  • The Guy Miles Story: How Flawed Eyewitness Identification Led to 18 Years in Prison

    The Guy Miles Story: How Flawed Eyewitness Identification Led to 18 Years in Prison
    2024/08/15
    Guy Miles was wrongfully convicted after being misidentified by an eyewitness during a robbery investigation in Orange County, California. Although he had once been involved in gangs during his youth, he left that life behind and moved to Nevada for a fresh start. Unfortunately, his past followed him when his photo was included in a “six-pack lineup.” An eyewitness mistakenly identified him as one of the perpetrators, which ultimately led to a life sentence. It would take a random speeding ticket, admissions from the true criminals, DNA evidence, a recanting investigator, 18 years in prison, and a “Dark Plea” deal to finally set him free. Tune in to hear this harrowing real-life account of wrongful incarceration from the man who lived through it. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:42 Guy Miles Sets the Scene 05:16 Why Police Use a Photo Lineup 07:27 The Trial 09:53 His Family's Response 11:15 Finding an Innocence Group 12:18 Meeting the Real Perpetrator in Prison 13:17 Six Alibis Testified 14:32 The Speeding Ticket 16:25 "The California 12" 17:33 The Court of Appeal 19:22 From Rejection to Rejection to Plea Deal 25:14 Guy's Release from Prison 28:48 Life After Prison
    続きを読む 一部表示
    31 分
  • Dark Pleas: Trading Innocence for Freedom in Post Conviction Deals

    Dark Pleas: Trading Innocence for Freedom in Post Conviction Deals
    2024/08/01
    Imagine being in prison for decades. You’ve been fighting your appeal for many years. Your lawyer believes you’ll get a new trial but there is no guarantee that you’ll win your freedom. Suddenly, the prosecution offers a plea deal. You can go free but there’s a catch... You have to admit you’re guilty.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    31 分
  • Angela’s Story: A Dark Plea in Exchange for Freedom

    Angela’s Story: A Dark Plea in Exchange for Freedom
    2024/07/18
    On November 20th 1999, Angela Garcia’s home caught on fire. Surprised and crawling in the dark, she was not able to find her children before the blaze forced her to jump out of a 2nd floor window. She ran to get help but tragically her children would die before anyone could reach them. The State wrongfully accused and convicted her of arson and murdering her family. After nearly 20 years in prison, the prosecution’s case began to fall apart for lack of evidence. A “dark plea” was offered to Angela in May of 2016. If she accepted, she would be released from incarceration in 5 years. But there was a catch, she would have to admit to guilt. What would you do? This is her story.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    29 分