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From False Confession To Wrongful Conviction: Seven Psychological Processes, Richard A. Leo, Deborah Davis
From False Confession To Wrongful Conviction: Seven Psychological Processes, Richard A. Leo, Deborah Davis
Richard A. Leo
A steadily increasing tide of literature has documented the existence and causes of false confession as well as the link between false confession and wrongful conviction of the innocent. This literature has primarily addressed three issues: the manner in which false confessions are generated by police interrogation, individual differences in susceptibility to interrogative influence, and the role false confessions have played in documented wrongful convictions of the innocent. Although the specific mechanisms through which interrogation tactics can induce false confessions, and through which they can exert enhanced influence on vulnerable individuals have been widely addressed in this literature, the processes …
Beating A Bum Rap, Richard Leo
Beating A Bum Rap, Richard Leo
Richard A. Leo
This essay focuses on the author's experience as an expert witness in the murder trial of Kenneth Cowling and his use of social science research in the courtroom. The author details the value of social science research in the context of police interrogation methods and its use in educating juries about the causes and consequences of false confessions. The essay concludes with a brief discussion of the evidence that led to Cowling's acquittal.