While reading Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice & Redemption I was faced to realize not everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Ronald Cotton is an African American male who was labeled guilty the moment an officer saw him. He was denied many chances to prove his innocence in the criminal justice system. He spent eleven years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Jennifer Thompson is a white woman who was raped and she wanted justice served. She testified in two separate trials excusing Ronald Cotton of her rape. She spent eleven years hating a man who did not rape her. Forgiveness built a relationship between these two people that will last their lifetime.
There were many reasons Ronald Cotton was wrongfully convicted and the first reason had to do with his race. Jennifer explained, "A white woman raped in her home in the middle of the night by a black man who had the audacity to outrun the police and the dogs, and then go on to rape another white woman in her home didn’t sit very well with the …show more content…
During jury selection there were four potential African American jurors and all four were dismissed. The defense tried to file a motion for a mistrial because all of the jurors were white. The judge denied the motion of a mistrial and allowed an all white jury. Allowing an all white jury was denying Ronald's right of a fair and impartial jury. An African American male who is being accused of raping two white women was faced with an all white jury. Before the trial even started the jury had already had their mind made up, Ronald was guilty. Ronald's race is one the biggest factors leading to his wrongful conviction.
Another big reason that lead to Ronald's wrongful conviction was Jennifer's determination to find justice of her rape. Jennifer stated, " I assumed they had a suspect. Why would they want me
There were many reasons Ronald Cotton was wrongfully convicted and the first reason had to do with his race. Jennifer explained, "A white woman raped in her home in the middle of the night by a black man who had the audacity to outrun the police and the dogs, and then go on to rape another white woman in her home didn’t sit very well with the …show more content…
During jury selection there were four potential African American jurors and all four were dismissed. The defense tried to file a motion for a mistrial because all of the jurors were white. The judge denied the motion of a mistrial and allowed an all white jury. Allowing an all white jury was denying Ronald's right of a fair and impartial jury. An African American male who is being accused of raping two white women was faced with an all white jury. Before the trial even started the jury had already had their mind made up, Ronald was guilty. Ronald's race is one the biggest factors leading to his wrongful conviction.
Another big reason that lead to Ronald's wrongful conviction was Jennifer's determination to find justice of her rape. Jennifer stated, " I assumed they had a suspect. Why would they want me