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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

Jen chats with Cathy McElhaney about the importance of writing letters to actual innocence clients who are currently incarcerated.

Jen chats with Kristin Peterson, a stay-at-home-mom and a baker with a background in criminal justice who is dedicated to solving the murders of Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers.

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...

Welcome to our first Q&A episode! Kai from The Technofunkboy brings Jen questions from listeners. Want to submit a question? Email [email protected] or tweet me @defensepod MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com (http://technofunkboy.com/) MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com (https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE)

In this episode, Jen chats with the co-hosts of Criminal Conduct. Check out Criminal Conduct here: http://criminalconduct.net/ Also, be sure to check out Javier's show, Pretend at http://pretendradio.org/ and John's show, Twisted at http://www.twistedpodcast.com/. MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com (http://technofunkboy.com/) MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com (https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE)

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...

Bob Ruff is the host of Truth and Justice, a show that investigates wrongful convictions using the combined talents of the show's many fans. In this episode, Jen chats with Bob in the first of a series of interviews with citizen detectives. Check out Truth and Justice at https://www.truthandjusticepod.com/ MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com (http://technofunkboy.com/) MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com...

In 1986, Ray Hightower was convicted of aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child in Abilene, Texas. The primary evidence against him was testimony that a hair found in his truck belonged to the victim. Was that testimony accurate? Ray Hightower has maintained his innocence since 1986. Thank you to Allison Clayton of the Innocence Project of Texas for sharing his case with me. Further reading: A Brief History of Forensics, Radley Balko, Washington Post (April 21,...

Jen chats with Austin criminal defense attorney Steve Brand to learn about Gov. Abbott's Executive Order No. GA-13 and other Covid-19 issues in the criminal justice world.

In this bonus episode, Jen chats with Lloyd Schlup's attorney.  MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com (http://technofunkboy.com/) MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com (https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE)

The second case in our actual innocence series tells the story of Lloyd Schlup, who was framed for the murder of Arthur Dade, Jr. in 1984 while serving a life sentence at the infamous Missouri State Penitentiary. FURTHER READING: Schlup v. Delo, 513 US 298 (1995), https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14288583663922904477&q=schlup+v+delo&hl=en&as_sdt=6,44 SPECIAL THANKS: Matt Rudolph of Graveyard Tales (https://www.graveyardpodcast.com (https://www.graveyardpodcast.com/)...

Check out this bonus episode featuring an interview with the co-founder of the California Innocence Project, Justin Brooks! California Innocence Project Website: https://californiainnocenceproject.org/ MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com/ MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com/

Check out this bonus episode featuring an interview with the Deputy Director of the Innocence Project of Texas!  IPOTX Website: https://innocencetexas.org/ Full bio for Allison Clayton: https://innocencetexas.org/staff MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com/ MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com/

This week, we start a new series on actual innocence with the case of Herrera v. Collins, 506 US 390 (1993). SPECIAL THANKS: TJ Counihan of 4170 Productions (@4170productions) Adam Ballinger of Graveyard Tales (https://www.graveyardpodcast.com (https://www.graveyardpodcast.com/) ) Cyrus Slate Desdymona Howard (https://desdymona.com (https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE) ) Chris Williamson of Chasing Earhart, Vanished, and Me and My...

“I used to always tell my clients, where there’s life, there’s hope.” In this bonus episode, listen to South Texas College of Law Professor Kenneth Williams discuss the Stickland standard and what it's like to work on death penalty cases. CHECK OUT PROF. WILLIAMS HERE: http://www.stcl.edu/about-us/faculty/kenneth-williams/ MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com/ MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

"If there was anything, short of selling my soul to the devil, I could do to bring them back to their families or stop the suffering or pay back what I did, I would be willing to do it. But I know there ain't no way I can do that. I'm always thinking about these people I killed, every day, every day. That's why it just don't bother me if these people take my life." - David Leroy Washington In the final installment of our 3-part series on the right to counsel, learn about the story behind...

In this bonus episode, listen to Houston criminal defense attorney Mark Thiessen talk about defending citizens accused of alcohol and drug crimes. CHECK OUT THE THIESSEN LAW FIRM HERE: https://www.thetexastrialattorney.com/ MORE FROM THE TECHNOFUNKBOY: http://technofunkboy.com/ MORE FROM DESDYMONA HOWARD: https://desdymona.com/?fbclid=IwAR0H073_7OawFhOZFncFDRrh76F54TsGaP_F6--s8usu7MYzGbBD0eA90iE

"Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet..." Judges 6:34 In part 2 of this 3-part series on the right to counsel, Jennifer tells the story of Clarence Earl Gideon, whose conviction for breaking and entering was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in a groundbreaking opinion that would forever change the legal landscape in America.  FURTHER READING: Gideon's Trumpet by Anthony Lewis, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27404.Gideon_s_Trumpet Gideon v....

In this bonus episode, hear from retired Lt. Col. Geoffrey Corn give his thoughts on the Scottsboro Boys case.