requiem for frank lee smith
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Donald Jones
A law professor at the University of Miami, Jones has carefully followed the Frank Lee Smith case. Here he tells FRONTLINE why he believes racial prejudice is an underlying factor in the case's miscarriages of justice. He also details the sloppiness, carelessness, and many errors by police and prosecutors throughout the investigation, prosecution, and post-trial appeals process.
Jonathan Simon
A law professor at the University of Miami, Simon has reviewed the Smith case at length and here assesses its many deeply troubling elements, from police errors and misconduct to lack of evidence and prosecutors more interested in holding on to a conviction than serving justice. Ultimately, he says, a prosecutor is the community's only real protection against miscarriages of justice, and he emphasizes the need to build more checks and balances into the system so that prosecutors will always be mindful of maintaining a fair, balanced commitment to each case.

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