The Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law has released a new report entitled, The Snitch System: How Snitch Testimony Sent Randy Steidl and Other Innocent Americans to Death Row. The report highlights 51 cases of Americans who were wrongfully convicted and given death sentences based on the testimony of witnesses with incentives to lie. According to the Center, snitch testimony is the primary cause for approximately 45% of all wrongful capital convictions, making it the leading problem resulting in innocent people being sent to death row.

The report provides in-depth information on the cases of death row exonerees Verneal Jimerson, Gordon Steidl, Joseph Burrows, Perry Cobb, Steven Smith, Gary Gauger, Steven Manning, Rolando Cruz, and Madison Hobley. It concludes with recommendations on improving the reliability of testimony used to convict and sentence defendants in capital cases. (Center on Wrongful Convictions, 2004). See Resources and Innocence. Note: Snitch testimony was used to convict Cameron Willingham, who was executed in Texas in 2004. A recent investigation (see previous What’s New item) by the Chicago Tribune now indicates Willingham might have been innocent.