Comments on: Eyewitness: How Accurate Is Visual Memory?

Lesley Stahl Reports On Flaws In Eyewitness Testimony That Lead To Wrong Convictions

[barbaram99]

I am legally blind from birth. I would have to hear their voice. I could not pick a person out in a lineup much less find him/her in sitting in court.or any where. Visual memory..I don't know about that.

[roadie1966]

Its really bad what happened to Mr cotton , i know just how he feels i was with the army national gaurd and was at fort bragg when a robbery was commited when i got back i was asked about the robbery and i told them i was not in the area when it happend they did not care the police never read me my rights but i had asked for a lawer and was refused to have my lawer there then the police officer woont let me leave untill i gave him a confession he even placed his hand on his wepon in a theating manner
not only did he ruin my life but now i suffer from metal things because of this

[LindaFaye42]

I completely agree with tucano2. In today 's world you can not trust the people who are put in positions to protect and serve. These people have become power hungry and only care what kind of image or what promotion they are going to get out of ruining someone's life; to make them look good in the eyes of the community. They have the accused trial and convicted in the media and good luck with a fair trial because there isn't one. My family has gone through the same thing and still is. It amazes me as to how screwed up the system is and it all revolves around money, the more you have the more you can get away with or buy your way out of. People do not see this unless you are going through the same or in the system. It is a good thing that Mr. Cotton was cleared but really he lost 11 years of his life that he can not get back or his family. This shows just how the sytem works 11 years later the DNA proved he did not do the crime. Where was it then???? And why wasn't this brought up then, there had to be DNA then it just did not show up 11 years later.

[vzdee]

JENNIFER, PLEASE CONTACT ME, I have experienced exactly what you did. Noone has ever understood how I feel until I saw this show. In 1984 I was raped by an intruder at knifepoint in my home. He served 19 years of a life sentence then in 2004 I received a phone call saying the DNA didn't match. I was completely devastated. The fact that I my testimony put an innocent man in jail haunts me every day. I also have a strong need to speak to him. Please contact me through this medium I need some kind of closure . PLEASE!!!. I feel that I am a victim too. Editorials in the paper calling me a liar. News reports when I couldn't speak my side. A family member even said. "Why did you do such a thing?" As you know, I was positive the person convicted was the rapist POSITIVE!!!
Please I beg you to contact me.

[LeeAnn1951]

When I read this story I not only had goosebumps but tears rolling down my face. I realize there are bad people in this worl dwho do bad things, but what this man must have went to gives me goosebumps.

What amazes me even more and which I have the utmost respect for him, is that RONALD COTTON opened his heart and forgave this woman who in essence took 11 years away from his young life!

I do not blame JENNIFER THOMPSON a 100%. I come from a family of Law Enforcement (Dad, Mom, Uncles and cosins) and I know from growing up that many times the pressure from within the department is to have someone convicted. They in tunr place that pressure on the victim almost to the point of "convincing" them that the person they think it is.....really is!

BUT, I think we can all learn somehting from this story. NEVER, EVER rush to judgement. If you are not 110% proof positive, do NOT go against your instincts.

In additon, it is heartwarming that despite what Mr. Cotton endured, he has opened his heart and now he and Mrs. Thompson are friends. I will almost bet my life on it that there is NOTHING they would not do to help each other at this point. I would venture to guess that there is much love, trust and caring amongst all involved (the families and the 2 people themselves).

I am happy that both went on to marry and have children of their own. I am sure that their offspring are growing up with the deepst of compassion, caring, love and understanding. These are the ideals you want your own children to posess and these children have it firsthand!

To the THOMPSON & COTTON families, I wish you nothing but the very best of everything. Both of you have showed true courage and forgiveness, caring and compassion.

I can say without a doubt that come Christmas, everyone on my list will be getting a copy of their book "PICKING COTTON". This book should be a MUST READ for all Criminal Justice Students and Attorneys!!!

[Jimlukes]

To both Jennifer and Ronald: I am both happy and sad, but overall am full of joy about your story and how it has unfolded. The human story is amazing and you both have an amazing chapter in it's telling. The candor, honesty and humility you both display is admirable. Thank you both.

I have learned many things tonight about our judicial system and memories and I thank you both and 60 minutes and Leslie Stahl for presenting this story.

Jennifer, the only reservation I have about your story, and I hope that you respond, is when asked what face you see during the crime you say, "Nobody's." Is that truthful? I immediately questioned your answer for one reason - not that you have lied. Believe me I see and feel your remorse in this story and understand that you are a victim of rape. In fact, I propose you are so remorseful that you falsely convicted Ronald that you have told the world that "nobody's" is in your memory in order to make ongoing restitution to Ronald in front of the world.

Please help us take the analysis just a bit further in an effort to understand how accurate visual memory truly is.

My hypothesis is that you still see Ronald in your memory everytime that you recall the crime because of your guilt of convicting the wrong man, or perhaps because you have discovered forgiveness in a certain way that you answer "Nobody" because you cannot see the true rapist, Bobby Poole. Your memory has never been altered as a result of discovery of the truth (for what reason I do not know - and would like to know). In fact, you always see Ronald and will always see Ronald. Is this correct? Or is there more to this hypothesis?

Leslie Stahl should take this final question of mine to the experts or back to Jennifer so that it is resolved. Or, Jennifer should ponder my question confidently knowing that I believe that she and Ronald have made reconciliation but knowing she still can be of assistance to memory experts and law enforcement even more so that she already has. In doing so, both Leslie and Jennifer may advance memory experts and law beyond what they so wonderfully have done.

Best Regards to you all. Thank you.
Jim

[SEvans951]

I am a retired police officer................VERY interested in learning more about the software, or similar software that addresses the problems discussed on this 60 minutes episode (.Eyewitness: How Accurate Is Visual Memory?)
Can anyone help me with that.???? My email address is [e-mail].
Thank you!

[davis10oregon1]

MAY MANY ACTS OF GOODNESS CONTINUE FROM THIS FRIENDSHIP OF WARMTH, RESPECT, AND A SINCERE ABILITY TO ADMIT ONE MIGHT HAVE BEEN WRONG, AND THE OTHER HAVING ENOUGH LOVE TO FORGIVE AND MOVE FORWARD. NO REGRETS, JUST LOVE AND HAPPINESS TO SHARE AMONG THEIR FAMILIES.
MUCH SWEETNESS HERE, BITTERNESS FAR REMOVED. GOOD LUCK TO ALL !

[MsMary-Ann]

How sad that so many have missed the point of this story. Although a horrible mistake was made, who are we to refuse to forgive the system, the police or Cotton's accuser when he himself has already forgiven them. This is a beautiful story of grace and mercy and let's see it for what it is.. When we refuse to forgive, we become prisoners of bitterness. Mr. Cotton has not only given a beautiful gift of forgiveness to his enemies, he has also released himself from the prison of unforgiveness, which is a delbilitating place to be. Let's look at the beauty of what he has done and be glad for the team they've become, working in a positive way to improve the system by educating others about the problem. It's a wonderful story. Thanks CBS

[DelrayBelle]

Heart Warming Story ... it is so wonderful that these two people could become friends after this most horrible of mistakes. I think it wonderful that they have written a book, go on lecture tours with the hope of preventing this sort of thing in the future.

God Bless them both .... Mr. Cotton you are to be commended for your ability to forgive this wronged woman ..... both of you were victims. Both of you are survivors. God Bless you both.

[oranudu]

This story, with all the elements of tragedy and triumph, has further solidified my belief in the goodness of God Almighty! I will shout to the mountain top, just how wonderful God is; His Grace abides for ever. Ron Cotton, you have proven to the devil that God is All Good. God has used you for a purpose and you, my man, do not have to regret a thing for His Blessings are upon you and He is very, very proud of you. You have exhibited the Lord's Prayer as Christ taught the world and you have shown the world the ESSENCE of God in man. May those who read your life story in this fantastic T.V. report, come to know God in your act of Grace. What you have done, only the likes of mother Theresa, a Saint, are capable of doing. It is what Christ commanded us to do.
Ron, you have a full live ahead of you. You have accomplshed what many Christians only drean about for a lifetime in only 33yrs of your life. You are still young to pursue an education, probably in law or theology or both so that you van be a compassionate lawyer and help a lot of people for God's Grace is upon you. Your forgiveness for your accuser has also helped her to heal and I hope she did not pick you out of hatred for the Black man. I also pray that God Almighty, is working through her to teach Americans tolerance. This is indeed good news and the Heavens is smilling again for an angel amongst us.
God bless both of you and May His Name be Glorified for ever!
God is Good!

[Tonjabrown]

This story really warmed my heart. One day I look forward to seeing my innocent brother set free too. In my innocent brother's case we no longer have DNA available for testing, because, the District Attorney in Washoe County illegally tested the DNA and withheld the test results from us for years. We have recently taken it to court and Judge Brent Adams has stayed our Motion to compel the Washoe County DA to turn over the test results until a pending case in the Nevada Supreme Court is resolved. This case could take several years to resolve. In the meantime, we sit and wait for his freedom to come. I just say to those who are going thru what Mr. Cotton has gone thru, never give up. That is why we have written a book To Prove His Innocence. This book uncovers the truth and how far Nevada public Officials have gone to keep this innocent man's conviction.

[tucano2]

Prosecuters have known for decades, perhaps over a century, eye-witnesses are easily manipulated to tell un-truths - - - but that never has stopped prosecuters putting innocents on death row - in fact recent, and accurate, studies suggest that over 7 percent of those on death row in the USA are, in fact, completely innocent of crimes charged and for which they were convicted by gulible judges and juries, and all too often "Public Defenders".

[Defenseman]

CBS lacked the journalistic courage to focus on the true cause -- police misconduct in the officer's "confirming" for the victim that she had chosen the right picture from the photo lineup. That's not a new problem, or one the law has failed to address for many decades; it's just become more clearly embarrassing as a result of DNA exonerations.

The officer should be prosecuted as an example to other officers who violate the clearly established rules prohibiting the conduct he admitted during the piece. His attempt to excuse his conduct as somehow the result of "inadequate training" is simply false, and ought not have been so readily accepted by CBS. That we now more reasily "prove" police perjury with DNA science is no excuse for police corruption. We have long known that the product sof such corruption are: that the true perpetrator goes free; while other victims are victimized; and while an innocent citizen is wrongfully punished. It's nice that the victim who was mislead by the police offcer finds forgiveness from the wrongfully accused man who served the 11 years. But that's no excuse for CBS's failure to confront the true issue in the case -- the government corruption Jefferson and the rest warned us to guard against.

[dolores_owen]

My son was wrongfully convicted to strong-armed robbery, based on eyewitness testimony. The woman said he had stubble for hair and my son's hair was never that short! She also said he was hispanic (my son is of irish-german descent with blue eyes). She said he was several inches shorter and several years younger. But the police took my son's photo, darkened it and put it in a line-up. My son had 5 alibi witnesses, including his boss, stating he was home asleep when his car was stolen and used in the robbery across town. Everything about this case was wrong. It's been a nightmare. What would have happened to my son if the woman had been killed? He'd probably be on death row today. These police need to change the way they do line-ups. These are people's lives they're playing with.

[All4Trey]

North Carolina law enforcement has a history of putting innocent people behind bars. Too many names to name...

I pray the North Carolina justice department takes a look at cases where DNA evidence proves the convicted was not at the scene. DNA showed that Ronald Cotton was not at the scene. DNA showed Leslie Gene was not at the scene. DNA showed Ruben Wright Jr was not at the scene. Not all three men are black. These men were wrongfully convicted of rape and/or murder. These men should have been cleared based on DNA if nothing else! These are just 3 of Lord knows how many!! This is an outrage because "injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere"!
Pray for North Carolina and it's justice system (or lack thereof).

[kandiman42]

Then they got the nerve to name the book "PICKING COTTON." WOOOOOO WHITE PEOPLE DO NOT AMAZE ME PURE EVIL

[kandiman42]

This is crazy but then again only in America. White men and women have been doing this to black people forever. Now she pretends to feel guilty and decides to write a book about it with the guy shame shame shame unless she's giving him her half also. This man has given away 11 years of his life for a liar. WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IS IT TO HARD TO SAY " I DON'T KNOW OR I'M NOT FOR SURE." She will get hers and anyone else who so-called wrongly fingered someone when you really knew it wasn't the person but when it comes to white folks it's just one less negro to worry about. I hope he sues the state and he can still forgive her but SUE her also. Don't fall for the trapped get your just money because white people never forget or forgive. Because when they smile they might as well be clinching a fist of hatred.

[toots164]

Twenty five years ago my son was also erronously convicted of rape by an eye witness in PA. DNA was not available at that time. Our son was sentensed to 4 yrs plus 20 years on parole. Now that he is out prison, we have been trying to get him exonerated. The PA judge (Bucks Co) and the DA both refuse to release the girl's panties so we can do DNA. (The reason: he is no longer in prison or on parole.) Where is the justice in this and why does the judge and DA have the power to refuse this request? Are they afraid of a law suit that would hurt their reputation by proving them wrong? We have the expense of hiring another attorney, this time Federal because his civil rights have been violated. If there is anyone out there that can help us, please contact me at [e-mail].

[finnsadie]

Yes, it's a shame that 234 men were wrongly incarcerated, but how many thousands of women receive a life sentence of fear and anxiety because they have been raped and their rapist will never be found or prosecuted.