Wrong Conviction of William Mullins Johnson- Savanah Wattam by

Photo-Story of Williams Niece, Valin

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 14:48:08 UTC

Video-Mr. Big Stings

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 15:12:50 UTC

From a personal interview with William, he expresses his side of the case and how his nieces were manipulated into confessing that he was responsible for the murder of Valin. Under the Mr. Big Stings section for common causes of wrongful conviction, it is stated that police and other investigators will trick people into confession of a crime. William stated that social workers would buy his eldest niece jewelry and nice books to persuade her into admitting that her uncle was responsible for the murder of their sister. Johnson stated that the workers would independently speak with the niece, without the presence of her parents or other witnesses. He believes his niece was not allowed to speak with her free will, but was rather forced to answer leading questions.

Video-Tunnel Vision

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 15:23:51 UTC

Another common cause of most wrongful conviction cases is Tunnel Vision. Investigators often become fixated upon one suspect, rather than other circumstances that can be contributable to the crime. This video breaks down the theory of Tunnel Vision, which is likely a reason why William was convicted. William was the only "suspect" present at the time of Valin's death, therefore it was automatically assumed that William was responsible rather than focusing on other factors to her death.

Video-Autopsy of a Crime Lab

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 15:40:29 UTC

In this video, a wrongfully convicted man, by the name of Keith Haward speaks on the idea of sentencing people based on autopsy results. Another innocent person, was also sentenced to prison for a crime he did not commit because of a forensic investigator. The autopsy of Valin was inaccurately assessed by pathologist Charles Smith and other Doctors. The team of doctors and Charles Smith came to the conclusion that Valin was strangled and raped, thus leading to her death. After Valin's body was analyzed by a more reputable doctor, it was determined that she had no evident signs of physical/ sexual abuse or that she was murdered. The results of Valin's autopsy showed that her body underwent a normal process after death; leading to the conclusion that she died of natural causes. Haward states "if forensic scientists are to come into court, then they should meet a very, very high bar".

Article-Story of William Mullins-Johnson

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 15:46:39 UTC

To summarize the case of William-Mullins Johnson, a man that served 12 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, is a link to the article of this case. This case has stripped a man from his dignity and identity after falsely accused of killing his own niece.

Article-The Day of Release: 12 Years Later

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 15:55:41 UTC

This article shows insight of the day William was given his freedom back, after wrongfully taken for 12 years. During this time, William's relationship with friends and family were completely destroyed. Upon release, William had hopes that he could get his family back, and hopefully earn their trust that was once lost.

Article- The Reality of Prison

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 16:05:47 UTC

In this article, William states the reality of what prison was like for him. Instead of a place for healing, he believed he was set up to die in there. He knew that he was one of the most hated men in there, especially when accused of killing an innocent child. He was worried for his safety everyday.

Photo-Life After

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 16:19:09 UTC

Mental health is often minimized. The effects of prison played a significant role in William's mental health struggles. Although released, William lost 12 years of his life for "murdering" his niece that he greatly loved. Following the years after freedom, William developed a drug addiction and often contemplated suicide. The law system must recognize the detriment and trauma that people whom are wrongfully convicted are forced to endure.

Photo-Statistics

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 16:26:31 UTC

According to Statistics, William Mullins-Johnson's case is not uncommon. Approximately 27% of wrongfully convicted cases are due to false/ misleading testimony by forensic scientists , which Johnson was a victim of. Pathologist Charles Smith, falsely assessed Valin's body, claiming she was murdered; however actually died of natural causes. These statistics confirm that each wrongful conviction case is not uncommon, and are repeatable errors that need to be carefully addressed before putting someone behind bars.

Word Document- Case Summary & Questions

savanahwattam — 2024-04-06 17:01:04 UTC