Criminal Justice Forum: Wrongful Conviction in Sex Offense Cases

How to Re-Examine Convictions While Protecting Victims

Professor Jonathan Witmer-Rich will lead a discussion of wrongful conviction, focusing on the case of John Thompson, who was released in October 2023 after serving ​23 years for a crime he did not commit.  The program will feature both Mr. Thompson and prominent local attorney Rufus Sims, CSU|LAW ​'87, who represented Mr. Thompson and secured his release.  Laura Greig, Director of CSU's Terry Gilbert Wrongful Conviction Clinic, will discuss problems that contribute to wrongful convictions, and will discuss the work of the Wrongful Conviction Clinic.

Mr. Thompson's case involves one of the most difficult areas of wrongful conviction – convictions for rape or sexual assault.  Attempting to exonerate a defendant wrongfully convicted of rape, especially in cases that do not involve DNA, poses a serious risk of re-traumatizing the victim.  Mr. Sims will discuss the unique aspects of this case that enabled him to convince even the prosecutors that Mr. Thompson was wrongfully convicted, without causing additional harm to the victim.