Dewey Bozella
 

Hey Guys

I came across this story about Dewey Bozella, imprisoned for 26 years for a crime he didn't commit.

BBC News - Man wrongly convicted of murder makes boxing debut

Dewey Bozella - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I understand that this guy will probably be compensated for his time in jail but the Dutchess County district attorney, who originally suppressed information about this chap's innocence, what is likely to happen to him (if he is still alive).


UK Bob

Dewey Bozella's original application for compensation was turned down. I presume he can appeal.

If the Dutchess County district attorney is no longer in practice, I wonder if they really can do anything about him.

As soon as I saw the story it reminded me of a song written by Bob Dylan about something somewhat similar, called 'Hurricane'. The song was about Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer.

Is this Justice?
 

You know LOTR

It should not matter whether this Dutchess County district attorney is still in practice or not, he committed an offence while he was in office, i.e. suppressed evidence.

But you are probably right, it would be extremely difficult to prove the evidence that could have proved Dewey Bozella innocent was suppressed deliberately.

And it looks likely that Dewey will not get any compensation either.


UK Bob

Seems far out, that someone wrongly jailed for 26 years would not at least receive some compensation. 26 years minimum wage with interest sounds about right to me. Also any and all lawyer costs whether primary trial or various appeals should also be included. Since he was not in jail out of free will, nothing should be withheld due to incarceration costs.

This to me sounds like "Oops, I guess we made a mistake, but no biggie :)"

Indeed, fairness requires compensation for this man, but I doubt that he will be granted any further relief. While the evidence shows that he is likely not guilty, it does not prove his innocence; an argument that the state would likely use to withhold any reward.

This case demonstrates that no matter what reasons one has for becomming a DA, ('to get the bad guys off the street'), keeping one's job requires closing cases. That's one reason they make plea deals; an easy way to close a case while giving too little concern for the victims or the cause of justice.

heck, similar instance right here in Central Texas...

guy was imprisoned for quite a while and was finally cleared on DNA evidence...here's the rub, the Williamson County (local surf N@zi-ville) DA refused his application to have DNA testing done...an appeal made this finally happen...uh huh...looks like a grand cover up scheme and I hope the present DA, and the original DA who is now a judge, both get disbarred and put in jail too boot

Not to mention some corrupting approaches by police & prosecutors & maybe even judges, but approach in USA being "Guilty unless proven innocent". Over here it is "Innocent until proven guilty". I guess there's good & bad sides to each outlook/approach.

Unfortunately Guys

This "Dewey Bozella" situations has cemented closed any silly idea that there is such a thing as "Natural Justice", such a concept is a misnomer and nothing more.

Justice, which is an artificial human concept, depends on those that are dispensing it. And if those people are corrupt and/or bias then what they dispense will also be corrupt and bias.

It seems that in "Dewey Bozella" case, he fell foul of the system that controlled his local area and regardless of whether he was guilty or not that system wanted him locked up, and it has made no apology for what it has done.


UK Bob