Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault

Stranger Rape, Acquaintance Rape, and Intra-familial Child Sexual Assaults

Matthew Barry Johnson

Examines the role of racial bias, especially in Black defendant/white victim offenses
Provides compelling new analyses of well-known cases, such as The Central Park Five, Steve Avery, Ronald Cotton, and The Norfolk Four, as well as identifying lesser known illustrative cases
Sheds new light on processes contributing to criminal investigative errors
Introduces useful, innovative concepts in criminal investigation of innocence claims

Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault

Stranger Rape, Acquaintance Rape, and Intra-familial Child Sexual Assaults

Matthew Barry Johnson

Description

In Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault, Matthew Barry Johnson introduces new directions in wrongful conviction research and understanding. Citing Innocence Project and National Registry of Exoneration data, the book identifies sexual assault as the predominant offense type associated with confirmed wrongful convictions in the US. Johnson outlines the differential risk of wrongful conviction associated with stranger rape, acquaintance rape, and intra-familial child sexual abuse. He also introduces new terms and concepts such as "black box" investigation, illustrating the lack of transparency in the production of prosecution evidence; a four-part stranger rape thesis; and the "moral outrage - moral correction" process that results in cognitive and emotional factors that interfere with the evaluation of criminal evidence. The book also includes chapters on racial bias in rape prosecution, and the relationship of serial sex offending to wrongful conviction. Citing both foundational and newly-introduced conviction research, Johnson illustrates unexamined aspects of well-known wrongful conviction cases (i.e. The Central Park Five, Steve Avery, Ronald Cotton, The Norfolk Four) and presents the lessons from lesser known wrongful convictions. Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault provides valuable new perspectives and insight for psychologists, defense lawyers, prosecutors, crime investigators, and social justice scholars.

Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault

Stranger Rape, Acquaintance Rape, and Intra-familial Child Sexual Assaults

Matthew Barry Johnson

Introduction and Overview

Chapter One: The Modern Politics of Sexual Assault Prosecution

Chapter Two: Rape and Wrongful Conviction

Chapter Three: Race and Rape Prosecution in U.S. History

Chapter Four: Serial Rapists and Wrongful Conviction

Chapter Five: Child Sexual Abuse Hysteria

Chapter Six: Processes, Models, and Concepts in Wrongful Conviction

Chapter Seven: Prospective and Future Directions

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault

Stranger Rape, Acquaintance Rape, and Intra-familial Child Sexual Assaults

Matthew Barry Johnson

Author Information

Matthew Barry Johnson is an Associate Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. In addition to teaching, research, and expert witness work, Professor Johnson served on the ABA Task Force on Mental Disability and the Death Penalty, as well as the Executive Committee of New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty - the lead organization in the successful campaign that abolished the New Jersey death penalty in 2007. He also has appeared on broadcast media outlets discussing wrongful conviction and false confessions.

Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault

Stranger Rape, Acquaintance Rape, and Intra-familial Child Sexual Assaults

Matthew Barry Johnson

Reviews and Awards

"This book provides an important contribution to existing wrongful conviction literature by providing an insightful and comprehensive analysis of cases of sexual assault, rape, and child sexual abuse where innocent suspects have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. The risks of wrongful conviction which are unique to sexual offenses are specifically addressed. It is a must read." - Robert J. Ramsey, PhD, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Indiana University

"Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault is an important read. As the global world attempts to address racial justice, such an in-depth book that discusses the multi-dimensions of wrongful criminal convictions contributes to this progress. Johnson provides a thorough and rigorous analysis, which lends to building new models of addressing the inherent flaws that lead to disparate treatment within the criminal justice system." -- William T. Hoston, PhD, Associate Dean and Professor of Political Science, Prairie View A&M University

"Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault unravels the unique legal and social context, the biases, challenges, and misconceptions that surround sexual crimes, both in the public eye and in investigative and legal practices, and that make it particularly prone to wrongful arrests and convictions. A thorough analysis of the current issues, research, and justice reform needs. A must read for social scientists and criminal justice professionals alike." -- Dr. Marina Sorochinski, Investigative Psychologist, Professor of Criminal Justice, St. John's University, NY

"As a leading advocate and exoneree, I know firsthand the stigma and obstacles faced by those wrongfully convicted of sexual assaults. In Wrongful Conviction in Sexual Assault, Dr. Johnson presents the different wrongful conviction risks associated with various types of sexual assault cases, while exploring the role of the media, race, and other causes of wrongful conviction. Readers are exposed to the basic issues in the field of wrongful conviction and then introduced to Dr. Johnson's new contributions. The case illustrations are clear, comprehensive, and compelling. If you did not have a good grasp of wrongful criminal conviction before reading this book, you will afterwards. Read it!!" -- Jeffrey Deskovic, MA, JD; Founder-The Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice; Advisory Board Member- It Could Happen To You; Global Advisory Council- Restorative Justice International

"This timely book is a must for anyone interested in bias, racism, wrongful conviction and the (mis)use of science. It is a wake-up call to bring science, transparency and justice to the criminal justice system" -- Dr. Itiel Dror, Cognitive Neuroscientist, University College London