In 1991, a house fire claimed the lives of 2-year-old Amber Kuykendall, 1-year-old Kameron Willingham, and 1-year-old Karmon Willingham. Their father, Cameron Todd Willingham escaped. Fire investigators concluded that the fire had been deliberately set and Todd was arrested and charged with capital murder. He was executed for this crime in February 2004. Today, scientists agree that the arson evidence used to convict Todd was junk science.



Did Texas execute an innocent man? In part one, hear the case against Cameron Todd Willingham. 



Further Reading: 

The Skeptical Juror and the Trial of Cameron Todd Willingham by J. Bennett Allen

Inferno: An Inquiry Into the Willingham Fire by J. Bennett Allen

Trial by Fire by David Grann (The New Yorker, August 31, 2009), https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/07/trial-by-fire

Man Executed on Disproved Forensics by Steve Mills and Maurice Possley (Chicago Tribune, December 9, 2004)



Special thank you to Andrew McKay of Into the Portal, https://www.intotheportal.com/



MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY:

http://technofunkboy.com



MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD:

https://desdymona.com


7: In Defense Of: Cameron Todd Willingham (part 1)

Criminal defense attorney Jennifer Taylor talks about the past, present, and future of criminal law in America.

In Defense of Liberty tells the stories that shaped the development of criminal law and discusses current events related to criminal justice. Main episodes are released every other Wednesday. Bonus episodes featuring interviews with law professors, criminal defense attorneys, and others impacted by the criminal justice system will occassionally be released between main episodes.

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In 1987, Michael Morton was wrongfully convicted of the murder of his wife in Williamson County, Texas. He was released in 2011 after DNA evidence revealed the true killer. After his release, Morton's advocacy lead to the Micheal Morton Act, which changed the criminal discovery rules in Texas.

13: In Defense Of: Michael Morton

In this episode, Jen interviews Austin criminal defense attorney Steve Brand of Brand & Resendez Law about defending those accused of domestic violence and sex crimes.

12: Steve Brand Returns

In 1963, the landmark Supreme Court case of Brady v. Maryland established that "suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment."

Tonight, hear John Brady's bizarre story.

11: In Defense Of: John Brady

Smith and Vinson Law Firm Partner Jarrod Smith chats with Jen about defending the Constitution, the need for zealous advocacy, and a many other important topics.

10: Ready to Fight: An Interview with Jarrod Smith

In 1991, a house fire claimed the lives of 2-year-old Amber Kuykendall, 1-year-old Kameron Willingham, and 1-year-old Karmon Willingham. Their father, Cameron Todd Willingham escaped. Fire investigators concluded that the fire had been deliberately set and Todd was arrested and charged with capital murder. He was executed for this crime in February 2004. Today, scientists agree that the arson evidence used to convict Todd was junk science. Did Texas execute an innocent man? In part two, Jen deconstructs the trial and discusses the 1991 fire investigation.

7: In Defense Of: Cameron Todd Willingham (part 1)

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