[Split Thread] Outcry - the Greg Kelley case

This thread was split from The Trials of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito Part 30 where it was off topic

Posted By:Agatha

HBO has a five-part series, "Outcry", about the wrongful conviction in Texas of Greg Kelley, of child molestation.

He'd got 25 years at his 2014 trial, but "Outcry" is noted for walking the viewer through the Texas process of finally declaring someone factually and legally innocent. Kelley received his judicial innocence in late 2019.

That case had stunning parallels to the Knox/Sollecito wrongful convictions - including the eventual exonerations.

In 2013 police conducted a flawed investigation of an actual child molestation, but ignored evidence which pointed to someone else. Because of a lack of evidence, investigators actually framed Kelley for a second crime, one that he simply could not have done.

Add to this that Kelley's original lawyer refused herself to investigate tips handed to her which pointed to the real perp. After conviction it was revealed that that lawyer had had a conflict of interest with the real perp.

Also, the prosecutor withheld other exculpatory evidence, violating full disclosure laws. After a change in personnel in the D.A.'s office, the new prosecution team reversed course and petitioned the court to vacate the original conviction.

But in Texas, such requests have to be approved by a separate State Appeal Court, the CCA, which is comprised of 9 former prosecutors. Of the 100s of cases they review, they garnered a deserved conservative reputation by denying requests for innocence and returning such people to prison.

Save for Greg Kelley, who received a rare full exoneration and declaration of innocence from the CCA.

It was as rare as Cassazione acquiting AK/RS without referral back to the Appeals level in Italy - but it was the equivalent of a full exoneration.

Outcry also follows Greg Kelley's supporters, who early on were smeared with the "Kelley's cult" label, who had had the temerity to support a child molester. Despite the full exoneration and scathing criticisms from higher courts, local police say that they stand by their investigation and deny strenuously that the second incident of child molestation had been used to frame Kelley.

But all (but the police chief) refused to cooperate with the documentary. The chief still believes that anyone doubting Kelley's guilt is a member of a cult.

Like the Perugian case, Kelley credits his family and friends with pulling him through the darkest moments of the ordeal.

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