Wrongfully convicted former inmates are drawing attention to criminal justice reform in Denton County

DENTON, Texas – Every year on October 2nd, cities around the world honor those who have been wrongfully convicted and spread awareness with their stories.

This year, the UNT Department of Criminal Justice joined the nonprofit House of Renewed Hope and hosted a Wrongful Conviction Day.

The event was attended by judges, lawyers and investigators working on actual cases of innocence. It also featured four men who spent years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit.

The former inmates wanted to make contacts with future judges, police officers and prosecutors.

Dallas County Exoneree Christopher Scott leads the House of Renewed Hope. He founded the nonprofit in 2009. He served more than 13 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The nonprofit organization works to free innocent men and women from prison and prevent future wrongful convictions.

“My case had no DNA, my case was the first case without DNA in Dallas County history. And Craig Watkins made it happen. When I was arrested I asked for a lie detector test. They rejected it. But to get me exonerated.” “I had to pass a lie detector test,” Scott said.

“The crazy thing was that the witness didn’t even identify me. The policeman did so. The policeman walked up to me with the lady and said, ‘This is the man who killed your husband.’ “It wasn’t a question, it was a statement, and they just went ahead and I was convicted of it,” he said.

The open discussion focused on changes in the justice system and those that are still being pursued.

Scott says it’s important to involve everyone involved, including the judges.

“The judges are the top brass of the courtroom, and the other people on this panel are the same people who helped me get exonerated.”

“I don’t believe any of us benefit from someone being wrongfully convicted of a crime. This is actually a disadvantage,” said Judge Stephanie Huff of the 291st Dallas County Criminal Court.

Hon. Brandon Birmingham is a judge in the 292nd District Court in Dallas County. He says, “We have all these exonerations because of him, because of his willingness to allow his prosecutors to re-examine cases and be open-minded.”

Topics included the nationally recognized work of former District Attorney Craig Watkins. Watkins pursued his mission to overturn wrongful convictions.

“I just think Craig Watkins was the key, may he rest in peace. He actually brought my case to UTA law school and those interns helped me get out of prison,” Scott said.

“The laws change,” says Judge Huff. “Now prosecutors are being held to a level where they could potentially be prosecuted themselves if they don’t do the right thing in these cases.”

Students like Katherine Hanks were also in attendance.

“I want to be a prosecutor, I want to be a prosecutor. I want to be a judge and hopefully get into Congress one day,” Hanks said.

She says she learned from the experience. “The judges, prosecutors and criminal investigators also forced this on us today. Get as much information as you can, be comprehensive and see it from both sides.”

The first International Wrongful Conviction Day was launched on October 2, 2014.

Scott was exonerated in 2009.