Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 11-16-18

Local
State Attorney Unveils Conviction Review Program
Among those attending the press conference to introduce the new program to the community were from left to right: Judge Chris Altenbernd, Attorney Teresa Hall, State Attorney Andrew Warren, and Judge E. J. Salcines.
tem and everything that pros- ecutors and our law enforce- ment partners stand for: public safety, fairness, and justice.”
Several years ago, Attor- ney Barry C. Scheck co- founded The Innocence Project. Since its inception, its goal has been to free innocent people in prison for crimes they did not commit. So far, more than 2,000 people have been exonerated in this coun- try, including 164 who were on death row.
Attorney Nina Morri- son, Senior Staff Attorney of The innocence project, NY, NY said, “In the last few years, dozens of innocent people have been freed from prison as a direct result of the independ- ent investigations conducted by Conviction Review Units.”
Eric Ward, former Tampa Police Chief said, “I ap- plaud State Attorney War- ren’s enduring commitment to work inside and outside the courtroom. Establishing a Conviction Review Unit is a smart move in the right direc- tion to seek justice for victims and explore reforms that strengthen the criminal justice system.”
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this week, Hillsbor- ough County State Attorney Andrew Warren imple- mented a new groundbreaking program. The Conviction Re- view Unit (CRU) is a special- ized division of the office that works to prevent, identify, and remedy wrongful convictions.
Currently, Hillsborough County is the third judicial cir- cuit in the state to implement the unit. It is one of only 35 ju- risdictions nationally to estab- lish a Conviction Review Unit.
Attorney Warren said this is one of his campaign promises. He said it will help to ensure that innocent people don’t suffer the consequences of another’s crime and that the guilty does not go unpunished.
The initiative has a staff of four that includes Assistant State Attorney Teresa Hall, 1 investigator, and 2 staff members. Attorney Hall brings to the table experience as a prosecutor, defense attor- ney, and criminal magistrate judge in Indianapolis.
The cases reviewed in
which it is plausible that the wrong person has been con- victed of a crime will be re- viewed. The CRU will confer with an Independent Review Panel of three jurists.
The Panelist
The volunteer panelist are former State Attorney and Ap- pellate Judge E. J. Sal- cines; former Second District Court of Appeal Judge Chris Altenbernd, and Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince upon her re- tirement.
Attorney Warren said his office periodically receive claims of innocence. But until now, there was no avenue available to address the claims. This unit will provide that avenue as it works to pre- vent, identify, and remedy wrongful convictions.
“I have held the hands of victims in the courtroom, and I’ve listened to men and women who were on death row for crimes they did not commit. No one benefits from convicting an innocent per- son.
“Wrongful convictions tear at the foundation of our sys-
JUDGE PEGGY QUINCE ... Panelist for new program
Mayor Appoints Senator To Transportation Oversight Committee
ATTORNEY ARTHENIA JOYNER
On Friday, Mayor Bob Buckhorn appointed a pop- ular Tampa attorney to serve on the Transportation Refer- endum Oversight Committee. Last week, voters approved a referendum for transporta- tion to span a 30-year period.
Mayor Buckhorn said, “I’m thrilled to appoint for- mer Senator Arthenia Joyner to the oversight com- mittee being formed follow- ing the passage of the recent All for Transportation refer-
MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
endum. He
further “Throughout her time in the
Florida Legislature, Senator Joyner proved to be a tire- less fiscal steward for our community while being laser focused on fighting for the needs of Tampanians, not only in her district but across the region. I trust that she will continue to provide that same focus as she ensures these new funds are appro- priately allocated.”
said,
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018