Dennis Fritz came to California last fall to speak about the problems of wrongful convictions and informants. A bill to help curb the abuse of informants just passed the Calfiornia Senate, thanks in part to Dennis' testimony. We are all lucky that exonerees like him are out fighting for justice for all of us.

I read "The Innocent Man" and wish to thank John Grisham for pointing out what can happen in the legal system. Justice is not necessarily the name of the game. And it IS a game to convict someone if a well-known person is murdered or if the accused continues to say he is innocent. Once prosecutors have their noses on a particular scent, they stop looking for more accurate facts.

I hope that John Grisham becomes a strong advocate for the abolition of the death penalty since he has had the opportunity to see up close how the system in this country is broken and doesn't work. He influence carries a lot of weight and he can and does touch a lot of people. There is nothing worse than an innocent man being executed in the name of justice.

I have lived in the town of ada, and was recently (about a year ago) bullied by the pontotoc so called justice system! The county is a safe haven for crooked cops and district attorneys!!!! i just wish someone from a higher power would do something about the wrong doings of the police department and justice system because nothing has changed since this has happened.

They should re-examine all of the death penalty and life without parole cases of D. A. Peterson. He is suppose to prosecute to the fullest with accurate evidence. How can you believe a C.I. on 2 seperate cases with the same story? What was she doing in the jail with men in the first place? I thought men and women were kept in different cells? Pretty soon Oklahoma will be bankrupt because they are awarding millions of dollars to overturn convictions. They need to get started while they are ahead. As for Mr. Grisham....good job on exposing the justice system in Ada Oklahoma and the D. A.

I was born and raised in Ada, Okla. I no longer reside there.His last comment about him being just a proscecutor in a small town is true. He is from one of the most prominent families in Ada, Okla. John Grisham is to be commended for his newest work of non-fiction. The truth is far harder to write, and harder for the people of Ada to hear. Kudos to him for writing this book, may he write many more good non-fiction works. Yes I have read the book. Thanks

The justice system in this country is broke, it has been broke for a long time. We act so supprise when we here these stories. We need a new form of checks and balances. The police and prosecutors today have nothing to lose, so many of them have no honor, honor is something in the past. Not something we can rely on today. If the police and prosecutors had to change places with the people they wrongfully had put in jail, maybe they would work harder at getting to the truth. Is it just me, more and more each day I see or here someone is let go after alot of years in jail for something they did not do. People when we are called to be a part of this system, be aware everyone in the room might be telling a lie. Use the since your mother and your grandmother gave you. At least in this story, "white" people are innocent. In the future it will still be blacks and people from mexico, and Iraq who are jailled for no reason.

I was born and raised in Ada, Okla. I no longer reside there.Mr Peterson's last comment about him being just a proscecutor in a small town is true. He is from one of the most prominent families in Ada, Okla. John Grisham is to be commended for his newest work of non-fiction. The true story is far harder to write, and harder for the people of Ada to hear. Kudos to him for writing this book, may he write many more good non-fiction works. Yes I have read the book. Thanks

I have read the book and also debated the death penalty in a college setting. It is clear to me that there must be more standards for applying the death penatly.. I grew up in a state that did not have one and live in one that does. If there is no DNA evidence or actual witness to the crime how can you execute someone? It was very clear that the defendant in this case has severe mental issues that were not adressed. That does not make him a criminal. I have to say I was outraged at the treatment of the defendants in this case but have come to an understanding that this is typical of southern states.

First and foremost; John and Hoda; you guys are AWESOME! We poor souls who are busy chasing a living and paying our taxes in this country need people like you to bring hard facts to us via your journalism. As for Prosecutor Peterson, I have but one question to pose to this conscienceless soul: What will you say to your Maker on YOUR Judgement Day when he ask why you perpetuated the lie that has been your career? A lie that has been tantamount to ruining lives in the name of furthering your political aspirations. The fact that this man has held this office for as long as he has only screams that he sorely needs to be relieved of his position. Me thinks thou dos protest too much! The fact that Prosecutor Peterson allowed an interview which certainly made him look like the moron that he is should amaze one. But after viewing him, I can truly only pity this man for his obvious ignorance of the intelligence and resourcefulness of the US citizen! May the good Lord have mercy on his soul.

Shame on D.A. Peterson and the people of Ada, OK that tried and convicted innocent people. It's the same old story of winning the trial rather than finding the truth. The people of Ada should be very afraida because the true killer is still amongst them. They may even work for the criminal "justice" system.

I just finished watching datline nbc, and saw the story about the wrongfully accused men who were put behind bars for 12 years because of a murder case. Ron Williamson story dor some reason impacted me the most, and I just cried looking at what became of this man. He had a mental disorder and while in jail had basically withered away into a man who looked like he was 90 years old. \ In 1999 He was finally freed from prison, but after 12 years all he lived after that was about 5 more years sue to his ailment. He died at 51 years old and he looked as though he was 90. That poor mans life was destroyed for no reason. Bill Peterson was the asshole who destoyed this mans life! And he should pay for that! The very least he should be fired!

John Grisham is right on for what he is doing to help these innocent men. I didn't believe things like this happened to "innocent" people, until my brother was wrongly accused and convicted of the murder of his wife of 25 years. He is now serving 45 years in prison without parole. No one wants to believe that the people we hire to uphold the law and keep us safe will do whatever it takes to get a conviction. That includes coercing a confession, jailhouse snitches and whatever else they can think of.

Yes, i have lived in Oklahoma all my life and due to a family and goverment living trust i will always be hear. That in its self will give you an idea that Oklahoma isnt the quiet little cowboy and indian State everyone thinks it is!!! There is so much corruption in this state its scary and everyone keeps there mouth shut. And by corruption i mean our goverment officials. Brad Henry our governor is the first breath of fresh air per say that we have had in the 38 yrs ive been alive. He still has to answer to the good old boys to a certain degree, but he gives them a run for there money. At this point i feel there is no hope for Oklahoma it will remain ran like it has been, forever! There for my prayrs go out to the men and there family. God can only help them now. I wish that some how a bigger fish per say; would come and take a look at how this state is run but honestly i think they already know.

I have not read the book. But, I will. Its not only Ada Okla. It is mostly in small towns through out the U. S. Yes, our system is broken. Every where you look someone in power is trying to make a name for thier self at someone elses expense. I have always heard its not what you know it is who you know. Its so sad that it has to happen and ruin people's life just to make some else look like they are doing a good job. I have seem it first hand.

Thank you NBC for airing this show. I have lived in Oklahoma all my life and know of many,many,many cases like these that were aired on The Accused. The (in)justice system needs an overhaul and I applaud people like Mark Barrett for taking on these cases and getting innocent people out of prison. I know of a few more District Attorneys in Oklahoma who need to be brought out into the open for their underhanded dealings in a court of law. This is the tip of the iceberg. Thank you NBC, and John Grisham.

I was born and raised in Shawnee Okla. I was taught to see both sides of a story .Read Mr. Peterson's side of the story on his website before casting stones .

Can we please stop believing everything a DA (crazy egotistical) or cop, who is interregating someone, has to say? It needs to be recorded. Each and every single time! We are all at risk for the exact same treatment from start to finish. This also can happen anywhere. Not just in a little small podunk town in Oklahoma. It is really a sad situation all the way around and to add insult to injury the town has to literally pay for the stupid mistakes made. Insanely criminal. This is SUPPOSED to be America. Innocent until PROVEN guilty!!!!!!!!!

Ada Is a country town and was peaceful and fun place until certain cop like mike miller, chris ross, jess cosby when they teamed together this town went to hell, you don't go anywhere after dark you will be accused, you don't have family that is in trouble you will be accused. Let's not forget the idiot Mike baskins- nothing but pure hate in all of them

Ada,is just the way John Grisham's book reads. The justice system is corrupt.
They have sent so many to prison that didn't deserve  all the years they got. A lot of them didn't get good lawyers because they didn't have enough money to buy their freedom. My son was one of them. He was in the wrong for some of the things he had done, but he didn't deserve what he was sentenced.Thanks to a corrupt detective. a lot of people think that all of the cruel sentence's that Pontotoc County has handed down need to be looked into and investigated,  If this justice system doesn't like you, a person hasn't a chance in hell. Some of these people need real help. Not sent to a hell hole. These so called law in forcement don't care about people. As long as they can spout off and get their way. They don't care how many people lives they try to ruin, instead of trying to get the help the might need . Just like Ron Williamson, do you think they cared that he had a mental problem, NO! all the DA's was wanting was a conviction.They didn't care that sent this man to an early grave and all most killed the other one, Dennis Fritz. If  this injustice system was investigated. All of these idiots would be brought down. So anyone that hasn't read John Grisham's book, you will understand.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! When the LAW comes knockin, You should be rockin, to the nearest state line!Ada ok, is no way the only town or stste for that matter, who supplies thier own justice. I live in a small community in Missouri, and oh my GOD!!!!!!!!!!!Little Chicago is it's nickname, and you can derive whatever you wish from that, but none of it should be good or nice to think of. If you all want justice, servr some up yourselves, VOTE!!!!!!!These people who do these things, are in fact in a good ole boys club, and it is shared between each other, no boundries or state lines effect them, they all share. Maybe somewhere, there will be a place where the word peer, and clear justice can be achieved, but i know of no such place as of yet. Not to worry, I'm still looking.............

It's very hard to watch someone you love be locked up for a crime they DID NOT COMMIT. I know first hand. My brother is serving 25 to life in Greenhaven Correctional in New York State  for murder. There is & was sufficient evedince including witnesses and video tape -phone records-and DNA evedincethat was  not submitted into court showing that my brother was NOT at the scene of the crime and COULD NOT have commited this murder. I fight everyday to help him andI still get no where. Even the innocent projects have declined to help me over and over. Dept. of Socials also indicated that he is innocent. The police made a deal with the person who actually commited the murder and that person is free ,AS LONG as she NEVER has children again. The police basically allowed this person 3 different miranda statements 1 even blaming the other child and then  my brother,  so they can make an arresst.   The lawyers and DA's make deals and evedince not submitted into court to help him. It's a struggle to keep a level head at times. I always grew up believing that the system helps the innocent. It is a shame that Cops and our system would rather see a quick conviction than actually do thier jobs and investagate the case. I do vote and attend city meetings and do what ever I can to make a difference. But that still didn't matter. I am still looking for help.I would appreciate any and all help or advice. Can contact me @ aarob0@hotmail.com.

I live here in Ada and I can vouch on how the Sheriff's dept and police dept can single out people in heartbeat.  About 2 years ago my daughter and I were victims of the Ada Police Dept. we were accused of hiding out a 16 yr old boy at our house and then I was accused of not being a proper mother by one of the officers and was threated by this officer to be arrested because I told him to get off my porch and this is not the first time that they have threatened people in this town with an arrest.  It is not only the lower class people in this town that is getting arrested the minorites in this town are the main targets of this town for the sheriff's dept and the police dept. If they can get you to turn on someone they make sure that other people know that you are a snitch. I am so glad that Bill Peterson resigned as DA but I am not so glad to see Chris Ross get the position to be perfectly honest I hate the fact that Chris Ross got the position of DA.  I am so glad that John Grisham wrote this book because it shows that the high class image that Ada trys to portray is not true.  And I hope that the people of Ada will see that NO MATTER how Bill Peterson and the rest of his staff try to turn it around people will know that their office was the one who sent two innocent men to prison and one lost his life because of this.  I hope that Bill Peterson and those involved in convicting these two men suffer.  

Yes!! I am so glad that others know what a corrupt the town. Ada, OK. is. It makes you a shamed to say you are even from here. The justice system has been getting away with to much, for far to long. As for the ada's finest!!!(joke) threaten to arrest you. I know you are telling the truth . For some reason they think they are above the law. Oh, of course I forgot there is any legal law here they make it up as they go!! If only they would get caught at what they do. Yes dear, I wish they were as smart as they acted. I know what it is like to have someone locked up, for long time. He was foolish, but he was also lied on. Putting Chris Ross in there is isn't going to make it better. He has been there, he had his ass stuck-up in there on every conviction. I hope they burn in HELL.

John - you keep writing them and I'll keep reading them.  Kudos for standing up for what is right and having the courage to expose a system that is so wrong.  Keep up the good work.

I just finished reading this book, and I was amazed at the level of deceit the Peterson was willing to allow and be involved in just to make him self look better after he obviously bungled the case on Haraway. It's tragic when you realize that "good" police work and prosecution is completely wrapped around being right no matter what the evidence is screaming. It takes a real hero to stand against injustice and fight until the battle is won. My heart goes out to Ron, Dennis, Tommy, and Karl, as well as the others that have been wrongly sentenced, for having the misfortune to get shafted by an unjust system. If justice is suppose to be blind, she obviously isn't in Ada.  For some reason she seem to have eyes there, but she obviously needs glasses because she missed the mark on this one.  

My son has been wrongly convicted, the da only cares about wins and the truth is no longer an option for justice. when the conviction rates stop, the prosecutors will have no reason to arrest innocent people. We need truth justice and the american way back in our justice system. We need a total overhaul of our justice system.

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