Echols v. Arkansas

Amicus curiae brief of the Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in support of appellant.

Brief filed: 09/17/2009

Documents

Echols v. Arkansas

Arkansas Supreme Court; Case No. 08-1493

Prior Decision

On appeal from Craighead County Circuit Court on Change of Venue from Crittenden County Circuit Court (unreported), Circuit Court No. CR 93-450a (Hon. David Burnett, Judge).

Argument(s)

Due to the potent nature of confession evidence, the Misskelley confession strongly influenced the jury’s verdict, even though it was not admitted at trial. Standard police interrogation tactics have been shown to induce false confessions, particularly in juveniles and the mentally impaired. Even while the Misskelley confession strongly influenced the jury’s decision to convict, it bears all the hallmarks of a false confession.

Author(s)

Laura H. Niridir and Steven A. Drizin, Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth at Northwestern University School of Law; Barbara Bergman, Amicus Committee Co-Chair, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.