Picking Cotton Essay

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After reading the book Picking Cotton, I found two journal articles that related to Jennifer Thompson- Cannino story. The first article I found is called Eyewitness Evidence: Improving Its Probative Value. The main focus on the article is about eyewitness testimony and how cases of mistaken identity are common among our justice system. The second article I found is called, Writing the Wrongs: The Role of Defense Counsel in Wrongful Convictions- A Commentary. The main focus about that article is about the courts have recognized the importance among wrongful convictions. The book Picking Cotton, is about a women name Jennifer Thompson who was raped. During her attack she made sure she had paid attention to her attacker’s features, and his voice. “Shut up or I’ll cut you!” he hissed, “while clamping a glove hand down her mouth” (Thompson- Cannino 12). The same night Jennifer was attacked another women as well was attacked. The next day Jennifer went down to the police station to meet a sketch artist. Once the sketch was done the lead detective on her case was Detective Gauldin. Detective Gauldin thought it would be best to release the sketch to the public on the local news. With the sketch of the man a name Ronald Cotton had game up, Ronald had been in trouble before with the police. Jennifer was told “Detective Gauldin is going to lay down six photos of black males for you to look at. The suspect may or may not be included in these.” (Thompson- Cannino 32) Jennifer was able to narrow the photos down to two people. “When I looked at one photo, the image of the man performing oral sex on me came back so violently I thought I would be sick right there. The memory was to sharp and clear.” “This is the one”, while she was pointing to the picture “I think this is the guy.” “It’s him” said Jennifer “you’re sure?” asked Dective Gauldin “positive”
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