Just Mercy by Isai FloresMelgar

Bryan Stevenson

453260 — 2024-10-28 18:24:48 UTC

Interned in Atlanta-based Southern Prisoners Defense.

Walter McMillen

453260 — 2024-10-29 16:58:14 UTC

He dropped out of school at the age of 9 while he was in 3rd grade. He then went to work at the fields, then started his own business and then became well-known. He got into some trouble when he had an affair with a white lady, her name was Karen. She already had a husband when the incident happened. Her husband then found out and it angered him.

Ralph Mayers

2024-10-30 18:22:13 UTC

Ralph Mayers had a tough abusive life with a criminal history, He has struggled with mental health and drug abuse. His history is what made him a target.

He was involved in criminal activities with Karen, they also did drugs together. Law enforcement used Karen to convince of Walter of lying.

Ralph never had an actual connection with any of the murders, he was just manipulated by law enforcement to lie. He went along with it to avoid bigger issues.

Walters arrest

2024-10-30 18:44:00 UTC

The gas station: Walter was last 'seen' at the gas station at the area of the crime. That led suspicion on him by people although they didn't have any direct evidence.

Charge that got him arrested: Ralph Mayers lied and changed the story around accusing Walter of the murder after he was manipulated by law enforcement.

The fish fry: Walter Mcmillen attended the fish fry the night of the murder, all his family members and friends vouch on that and it provided Walter with a solid alibi.

How the Sheriff treated Walter: He treated Walter rudely and unfairly during his arrest due to him being a black man accused of killing a white woman. He also pressured people to give false statements.

Walters trial

2024-10-30 18:58:14 UTC

They lacked evidence, ignored the alibi, and the judge showed bias towards McMillen

Walters trial was almost entirely full of white people, which contributed more to the racial bias during his case. His defense team requested to change to a different location but that request was denied and it proceeded.

He had 3 witnesses from the fish fry, testify for him, giving him an alibi. Bill Hooks was a key witness and he testified saying he saw Walter at the fish fry, but that was ignored. Ernest Welch was another witness who confirmed McMillns alibi. He said he saw Walter at the fish fry and his testimony was overlooked. Law enforcement claimed that a modified car that was similar to Walters, was near the crime scene, however, there was no real evidence linking McMillens car to the murder.

Charlies Case

453260 — 2024-11-12 17:32:43 UTC

Charlie was tried as an adult although he was a child
He was abused in adult prison, he experienced violence and abuse from other inmates
He experienced isolation and trauma.
He was neglected by the system despite his age.
Bryan Stevenson stepped into help charlie, giving him hope.

Trina, Ian, Antonio

453260 — 2024-11-12 17:42:05 UTC

Trina: she was wrongfully convicted of a murder based on a false confession. She was also very young and struggled with mental health. Trina was pressured by police to confess to the crime. Although they lacked evidence, she was still convicted.

Ian: Ian was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. He was actually misidentified as the suspect of the crime although they had no clear evidence. He did not get a fair trial and his defense was poor. He also struggled with mental health issues.

Antonio: He was also wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. His case was influenced by racial prejudice as he was a black man. He also didn't receive a fair defense during his trial. He was also pressured into admitting a crime he didn't do.

Walters exoneration

453260 — 2024-11-20 20:09:25 UTC

They did not have any physical evidence, even after he successfully passed a polygraph
He sent six years on death row although he was innocent.
Bryan Stevenson helped Walter so much on his case and uncovered evidence of false witnesses
An Abi agent admitted to manipulating evidence.
McMillian's conviction was overturned in 1993, and he was released.

Marsha Colby

453260 — 2024-11-20 20:17:29 UTC

Marsha Colby was convicted for murder on her husband in 1980
They had weak evidence against her and she claimed she was innocent
The forensic evidence used against her was then questioned
She spent 17 years in prison and real evidence was shown releasing the real killer.
This led to her exoneration in 1997

Joe, Evan

453260 — 2024-11-20 20:23:42 UTC

Joe:

He was wrongfully convicted of rape at 13 years of age
There was no evidence against him and his confession did not match the facts and it was used against him
Bryan Stevenson stepped in and reopened his case
Evan:
1. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole at the age of 14 for a murder on a man in Alabama
2. He was involved in the crime with another kid
3. They couldn't confirm if he was the one who killed the man