Why do we tell these stories?

Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin tell us the story of Peter Reilly, one of the first modern-day false confessors.

In 1973, police continued to interrogate 18-year-old Peter until he started to believe he was actually guilty of murdering his own mother. But Peter’s friends and neighbors believed in his innocence. Their small-town campaign for Peter’s freedom was eventually joined by a host of big name celebrities. 

This episode was originally the finale of Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions Season 1. We are releasing this update because of its profound impact on Laura and Steve’s work and the movement for uncovering false confessions and wrongful convictions. It inspires the work that Steve and Laura do to this day.

To learn more and get involved, visit: 

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/wrongfulconvictions/

Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leo Schofield’s parole hearing is held in Tallahassee, FL on May 3rd, 2023, before the Florida Commission on Offender Review. In the lead up to the hearing, Gilbert and Kelsey check in with Scott Cupp and Crissie Schofield. Following the commission’s decision, Leo’s friends, family, and supporters grapple with the outcome. And Leo processes the news.

For photos, images, and full transcripts of each episode visit: 

https://lavaforgood.com/bone-valley/

Bone Valley is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In preparation for the upcoming parole hearing in Tallahassee on May 3rd, Gilbert and Kelsey travel to Florida to preview what’s at stake for Leo. They visit a halfway house in Tampa, and speak to Crissie, Ashley, Jessie Saum, and Seth Miller. They also accompany Scott Cupp to meetings with Florida Senator Jonathan Martin and parole commissioners.

Leo Schofield’s parole hearing will be at 9:00 am on May 3, 2023, and is open to the public:

Florida Commission on Offender Review
Betty Easley Conference Center
4075 Esplanade Way, Room #152
Tallahassee, FL 32399

For photos, images, and full transcripts of each episode visit: https://lavaforgood.com/bone-valley/

Bone Valley is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 29, 2009, and into the following morning, James Richardson was out at The Other Place nightclub in Greenville, NC. James and another club goer exchanged words and were escorted out of the club. Shortly thereafter, a white BMW came barreling down the street, as someone in the car opened fire, killing two individuals standing outside of the club. None of the eyewitnesses identified James as the shooter, but police, prosecutors, and the media pursued him as the sole suspect. James was convicted and sentenced to serve two life sentences in prison. Maggie talks to James Richardson, Hibah Elawad, James’s fiancee, and Heather Rattelade and Dawn Blagrove, James’s attorneys. 

To learn more and get involved, visit:

https://linktr.ee/freejamesrichardson

https://change.org/freejamesrichardson

https://FreeJamesRichardson.org

Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts  in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March 2000, Tami Vance and Leigh Stubbs completed a 60-day drug rehab program. Once discharged, their friend Kim Williams joined them and they went to Kim’s boyfriend’s house. He had been in a car accident and always had an ample supply of Oxycontin to manage his pain. Kim had stolen his pain pills in the past and did so again that night. She and Tami took them while Leigh drove to a motel. Tami woke up the next morning violently ill. Kim remained asleep until Tami and Leigh found her overdosing. While Kim survived, doctors determined that she had suffered a severe sexual assault. Tami and Leigh, who identified as lesbians, were blamed. And with the help of junk bite mark science as well as a homophobic narrative, they were sentenced to 44 years in prison. Maggie talks to Tami Vance, Sandi Rabalais, Tami’s mother, and Valena Beety, Tami’s attorney. 

To learn more and get involved, visit:

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806541518/manifesting-justice/

https://innocenceproject.olemiss.edu/donate/ 

https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/145-wrongful-conviction-junk-science-bite-mark-evidence/

Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts  in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1999, Brian Neirynck and Roberta Smedley separated and got into a custody battle over their three-year-old son. In June of the following year, Smedley reported to the South Bend, IN police that Neirynck molested their son. The boy failed to implicate his father, and only after many leading and suggestive therapy sessions, did he say the abuse happened. Despite no physical signs of molestation, Neirynck was arrested, tried, and convicted of sexually assaulting his own son. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On May 7, 1993, Margaret Grondin brought her four-year-old daughter to the hospital in Lorain, OH. Grondin claimed her daughter had told her that her school bus driver, Nancy Smith, a 37 year old mother of 4, had not taken her to school that day, but instead took her to the house of a man named Joseph, who tied her up, taped her eyes shut, and sexually molested her. The doctors examined her and did not see any signs of injury to her body. And despite substantial evidence that the allegations were false, Nancy served 15 years in prison. Maggie talks to Nancy Smith, Courtney Smith, Nancy’s daughter and Mark Godsey, Nancy’s attorney.

To learn more and get involved, visit:
https://foundation.uc.edu/PhoenixInitiative

https://foundation.uc.edu/donate?id=40a16270-e34c-4ee5-971c-7bb9ed8347e8

Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts  in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On October 12, 2003, Mark Fisher was found shot and killed in a driveway in Brooklyn, NY after spending the night hanging out with a group of his peers, including John Giuca and Antonio Russo. Upon interrogation, a few of the people that Mark had been with late the night before led police to believe that John and Antonio were involved in Mark’s murder. Despite no physical evidence and no eyewitnesses linking him to the crime, John was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison solely based on witness testimony. 

To learn more and get involved, visit:

https://freejohngiuca.com/

Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On October 12, 2003, Mark Fisher was found shot and killed in a driveway in Brooklyn, NY after spending the night hanging out with a group of his peers, including John Giuca and Antonio Russo. Upon interrogation, a few of the people that Mark had been with late the night before led police to believe that John and Antonio were involved in Mark’s murder. Despite no physical evidence and no eyewitnesses linking him to the crime, John was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison solely based on witness testimony. 

To learn more and get involved, visit:

https://freejohngiuca.com/

Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leo shares a message for listeners of Bone Valley about the impact of the podcast on his life, and his hopes for freedom.

For photos, images, and full transcripts of each episode visit: https://lavaforgood.com/bone-valley/ 

Bone Valley is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.