The Truth About Conviction (Blog #2)

In a CNN article titled, " 21 years in jail for a crime he didn't commit", tells the story of a man named Deon Patrick who spent 21 years in jail for a murder he was falsely accused of.  Deon Patrick was one of eight to be arrested for the murder of a drug dealer and a prostitute. Deon Patrick immediately said he was innocent and there were no links or evidence to Deon for the murder. Hours of interrogations and horrible conditions for Deon, he finally confessed in hopes to end the case. This did not go so well because although he did not commit the murder, he was still sent to jail for life. Deon Patrick wanted to spread the word and his story of being falsely accused to those who are spending their time in jail for being innocent. He thanked the Center of Wrongful Convictions and the media for being able to get his story heard and be free from jail. Instead of Deon spending the rest of his life in jail, he was free after 21 years and is now able to see his two kids and grandkids. He hopes to continue school and get a job. Deon Patrick's story was very inspirational to those who are suffering from being falsely accused.
This article reminded me of our readings about negative face. Negative face is the act of parties not sharing the opposing side therefore being biased towards their opinions. I believe the article relates to negative face because the law, prison, judges, and lawyers do not want others to see what happens to those who are falsely accused. Deon Patrick knew he was innocent, but because of the never ending interrogations and horrible eating, bathroom, and pressure, he broke and confessed. If it were not for people like Deon, there will be many others who face the struggles of being falsely accused and thrown into jail. They will no longer be able to their families, friends, and continue their life because jail has taken that away from them. It is important for people to know and be aware of what is happening within the court rooms.