Eyewitness misidentification applied social psychology asp. When jennifer walked in all she could think about was what would he do to her if he saw her pick him. Nc bookwatch jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton. With courage and words, she survived and was able to use her memories of the night to bring her rapist to trial. Cottons wrongful conviction what jennifer saw frontline. She was able to escape and eventually identified ronald cotton as her attacker. In 1984, jennifer thompson was a petite, blonde north carolina college student, planning to graduate with a 4. They now travel the country together to lobby for improved identification practices. Jennifer thompsoncannino, ronald cotton, erin torneo. Case file picking cotton a memoir by jennifer thompson. Mar 05, 2009 finding freedom in forgiveness jennifer thompson cannino was certain that ronald cotton was the man who raped her in 1984. Finding freedom in forgiveness jennifer thompsoncannino. Jan 01, 2009 im fascinated by redemption, forgiveness, and the power of being strong at the broken places, so picking cotton.
The book recounts the legal struggle to free an innocent man and the friendship that. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. This book will break your heart and lift it up again a touching and beautiful example of the power of faith and forgiveness. Jennifer thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into h. In their new book, jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton recount the harrowing details of their tragedy, challenging our ideas about memory. About the book jennifer thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. Ronald cotton spent 11 years in prison for a crime he was falsely accused of performing, even though he admittedly denied the accusations. Picking cotton by jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton isbn. Ronald insisted that she was mistaken but jennifer s positive identification was the compelling evidence that put him behind bars. After 11 years in jail, dna evidence proved cottons innocence. She was able to escape, and eventually positively identified ronald. Jennifer laura thompson born 1969, american stage actress. Jennifer thompson cannino was certain that ronald cotton was the man who raped her in 1984. When the case went to trial in 1986, i stood up on the stand, put my hand on the bible and swore to tell the truth.
In the parking lot, their families weeping, jennifer thompson and ronald cotton embraced. Our memoir of injustice and redemption jennifer thompsoncannino, author, ronald cotton, author. Jennifer thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while. Eleven years later, dna evidence cleared him of the crime. March 1, 2009 a rape victim and the man she falsely accusedin good faithcollaborate to share an important, affecting story of fatally mistaken identity. In their new book, jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton recount the harrowing details of their tragedy, challenging our ideas about. In july 1984, an assailant broke into jennifer thompsoncanninos apartment.
With picking cotton, jennifer and ronald tell in their own words the. Season 0 episode 16 27m 10s video has closed captioning. Jennifer thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. Picking cotton our memoir of injustice and redemption, by jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton with erin torneo read 3 nov 2019 this is a moving and fantastic book. In july 1984, jennifer thompson was raped at knifepoint by a black man in her own apartment.
In january 1985, her supposed rapist, ronald cotton, was sentenced to life in prison plus fifty years. Thompsoncannino, jennifer, cotton, ronald, torneo, erin. She was able to escape, and eventually positively identified ronald cotton as her attacker. She was certain cotton was her attacker and convinced two juries he was. In 1984, jennifer thompsoncannino testified that ronald cotton was the man who raped her. In the book, which was released earlier this year, cotton and thompson cannino tell their stories in their own words, discuss the need for improved police. Jennifer thompson and ronald cotton, now lifelong friends, speak nationally about the hazards of eyewitness misidentification and necessary. Jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton with erin torneo. This book showed how jennifer suffered from her rape, her recovery, and also how defenders and her friends and family in her every day life would often victim blame. In their new book, jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton recount the harrowing details of their tragedy, challenging our ideas about memory and. Ronald cotton also lives with his wife and daughter north carolina. Our memoir of injustice and redemption by jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton with erin torneo had me at hello, but it was the complicated shapeshifting of relationships in this story that burned this book into me.
Ronald cotton and jennifer thompson wrote the book picking cotton. Ronald cotton he just looked exactly like the man who raped me. The new york times best selling true story of an unlikely friendship forged between a woman and the man she incorrectly identified as her rapist and sent to prison for 11 years jennifer. I didnt do it told the story of jennifer thompson and ronald cotton. Steps toward healing began when thompson a caucasian woman identified ronald cotton an african american man as her attacker from a police lineup. Ronald cotton was exonerated in 1995, after spending over 10 years in prison. Later, in a photo lineup, she identified ronald cotton a 22yearold man who looked strikingly like her sketch and had previous runins with the law. Picking cotton audiobook by jennifer thompsoncannino.
Mar 05, 2009 jennifer thompsoncannino was certain that ronald cotton was the man who raped her in 1984. Im fascinated by redemption, forgiveness, and the power of being strong at the broken places, so it wasnt surprising that picking cotton. The remarkable part the heart of this story is that ronald cotton forgave his accuser, jennifer thompson, who had picked him out of a lineup, insisting he was the man who had brutally raped her. Picking cotton ebook by erin torneo, jennifer thompson. Thompson wrongly accused cotton of raping her in 1984, though she didnt do it on purpose. Ronald insisted that she was mistaken but jennifer s positive identification was. Man befriends woman who misidentified him as her rapist. Ronald and jennifer wrote a book together, picking cotton, about what went wrong. Our memoir of injustice and redemption audiobook by erin torneo, ronald cotton, jennifer thompsoncannino. In this true and inspiring story, jennifer and ronald offer an unprecedented firstperson glimpse into what happens when the system fails both the victim and the accused. Jennifer thompson cannino, who had misidentified him as her attacker. Jennifer thompsoncannino, ronald cotton, erin torneo author. We were both his victims, cotton said, and thompson nodded in agreement.
Apr 12, 2011 ronald cotton and jennifer thompson cannino are traveling the country and revisiting their painful experiences only because the stakes are so high. Now, the two have a friendship based on their belief in forgiveness. After 11 years in jail, dna evidence proved cotton s innocence. Jennifer began to say in fear if he was here, now he knew what i looked like in broad jenifer picked out ronald cotton just like the sketch and picture. And so by the time the rape actually occurred, he knew my name was jennifer. Feb 16, 2009 in their new book, jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton recount the harrowing details of their tragedy, challenging our ideas about memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound. Mar 01, 2009 by jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton with erin torneo. Soon after his release, cotton got a job in the warehouse of labcorp, the company that tested the dna evidence that proved his innocence. Based on my testimony, ronald junior cotton was sentenced to prison for life. She was a 2007 new york foundation for the arts nonfiction fellow. Picking cotton picked for dubuques all community reads.
Jennifer thompson and the second victim view a lineup of seven men. Our memoir of injustice and redemption, is a 2009 memoir written by ronald cotton and jennifer thompsoncannino. He also married, had a child, and bought a piece of land to live on. What happened in this book will change what you think of the criminal justice system in this. Thompson didnt have much money, but he drew strength from his family and found unusually receptive lawyers willing to represent him pro bono in timeconsuming, seemingly hopeless postconviction proceedings. Wearing only a blanket, she escaped and told police she was certain she could identify the man who had been inches from her face. She speaks frequently about the need for judicial reform, and is a member of the north carolina actual innocence commission, the advisory committee for active voices, and the constitution project.
And not a lot of time had elapsed between the crime and me looking at the pictures, so my memory was still very fresh. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Our memoir of injustice and redemption by jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton with erin torneo had me at hello, however it was the complicated shapeshifting of relationships in this story that burned this book into me. Picking cotton quotes showing 15 of 5 other than when im driving, i dont try to look too far ahead, and once i got out, i never wanted to look back. Thompsoncannino and cotton met for the first time after his exoneration. Ronald cotton and jennifer thompson, the wrongly accused man and the woman who mistakenly identified him, have spoken publicly together about their experiences in north carolina that started with a 1984 rape at knifepoint and later cottons 1995 exoneration. Our memoir of injustice and redemption, is a 2009 memoir written by ronald cotton and jennifer thompson cannino. As dusk fell, they made their way out of the church. After the assault, thompsoncannino, then a 22yearold college student, helped police sketch artists create a composite picture of her attacker.
The story of jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton, as told in. Mistaken identity american psychological association. The story of jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton, as told in first person voices in this gripping, wellwritten book, is exceptional. Ronald cotton celebrates 24th exoneration anniversary. Picking cotton our memoir of injustice and redemption, by jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton with erin torneo read 3 nov 2019 this is a. Exonerated man and rape survivor who mistakenly idd him to. In the prologue of picking cotton by jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton, jennifer was at her daughters soccer game while her husband and son was out bonding. While she was at the game, ronald and his daughter raven showed up to watch brittanys game and to hang out with jennifer.
Jennifer thompson cannino, ronald cotton, erin torneo. Jennifer thompsoncannino was certain that ronald cotton was the man who raped her in 1984. Their unforgettable story, told in their 2010 book picking cotton, challenges our ideas of memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness. Petersburg times even the most cynical reader will be impressed with cottons resilience and grace. Our memoir of injustice and redemption audiobook by erin torneo, ronald cotton, jennifer thompson cannino. The story of jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton, as told in firstperson voices in this gripping, wellwritten book, is exceptional.
Cotton with erin torneo read 3 nov 2019 this is a moving and fantastic book. Ronald cotton and jennifer thompson in july 1984, an assailant broke into jennifer thompson canninos apartment and sexually assaulted her. Jennifer thompson cannino and ronald cotton with erin torneo st. Jennifer thompson cannino lives in north carolina with her family.
Petersburg times even the most cynical reader will be impressed with cotton s resilience and grace. They became good friends and travel around the country working to spread the word about wrongful convictions and reforms especially for eyewitness identification procedures that can prevent future injustice. The new york times best selling true story of an unlikely friendship forged between a woman and the man she incorrectly identified as her rapist and sent to prison for 11 years. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. The innocence project was able to use dna evidence to overturn the rape conviction of a misidentified man. When she was 22, jennifer mistakenly identified ronald as the man who raped her in her apartment. Jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton talked about the book they wrote with erin torneo, picking cotton. Exonerated man and rape survivor who mistakenly idd him. Written by both the victim, jennifer thompsoncannino and the man who was wrongfully convicted, ronald cotton, this book gave amazing points of view. Ronald cotton burlington, north carolina factual background. Journalist torneo alternates between the firstperson narratives of thompsoncannino and cotton. Jennifer had to come face to face with a couple of men selected by the police. Our memoir of injustice and redemption jennifer thompson cannino, author, ronald cotton, author.
The story of jennifer thompsoncannino and ronald cotton, as told in firstperson voices in this gripping, wellwritten book, is exceptional. Paced like the most riveting of thrillers and packed with pageturning twists and turns, this unforgettable book challenges our ideas of memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness. Mar 12, 2018 ronald cotton, left, and jennifer thompson, right, are among those scheduled to speak to new orleans police department leaders during a twoday training on investigations, which is hosted by nopd. Ronald cotton is arrested after he voluntarily goes into the police station to straighten things out. Opinion i was certain, but i was wrong the new york. His convictions were based largely on flawed eyewitness identification procedures used by police at the time. Ronald cotton was exonerated in 1995, after spending over 10 years in prison for crimes he did not commit.
Jennifer thompsoncannino, author, ronald cotton, author, erin torneo, with with. He made a reference to the fact that in salem they burn witches. Mar 03, 2009 subtitled our memoir of injustice and redemption, picking cotton covers the dramatic intersection of the lives of two people who couldnt be more different. Erin torneo the story behind the unlikely friendship which developed between the accused rapist ronald cotton who served eleven years in prison for a crime he didnt commitand his accuser, jennifer thompson. What happened in this book will change what you think of the criminal justice system. What happened in this book will change what you think of the criminal justice. The textbook discussed the case of jennifer thompson, who was sexually assaulted, and then falsely identified ronald cotton of this crime. Ronald cotton was a big africanamerican high school dropout who had had some skirmishes with the law. Jennifer thompson, a critic of the reliability of eyewitness testimony following the exoneration of ronald cotton from her rape accusation. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
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