Thursday 22 August 2013

The Norfolk Four

The Norfolk Four are four men, Derek Tice, Danial Williams, Joseph J. Dick Jr. and Eric C. Wilson, who were found guilty for brutal the rape and murder of Michelle Moore-Bosko in Norfolk, Virginia. Their convictions were the basis of controversy, as their convictions were mainly based on confessions made by the men, which they maintain were compelled with fears of getting the death penalty if they did not plead guilty. Organizations such as the Innocence Project objected the convictions as a "miscarriage of justice" while Moore-Bosko’s parents carry on to consider that all those convicted were participants in the crime.

Three of the four men, Tice, Williams, and Dick, were sentenced to one or more life sentences in prison without the option of parole due to them either begging guilty to or getting convicted of the murder, while Wilson was condemned of rape and sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Three other men, Geoffrey A. Farris, John E. Danser and Richard D. Pauley, Jr., were also firstly accused with the crime, but their charges were later dropped.

A fifth man, Omar Ballard, was also convicted in the crime, and was charged to 100 years in prison, 59 of which were suspended. He is the only man whose DNA matches that found at the scene, and his affirmation states that he carried out the crime by himself, with none of the other men involved. Forensic evidence is dependable with his story that there were no other members.

Friday 15 February 2013

Norfolk Four

The Norfolk Four are Derek Tice, Danial Williams, Joseph J. Dick Jr. and Eric C. Wilson. They are four of the five men convicted in the brutal rape and murder of Michelle Moore-Bosko in 1997 in Norfolk, Virginia. The convictions of the four were largely based on confessions made by the men, which they maintain were coerced. The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project considers this a miscarriage of justice.

 Moore-Bosko's parents, however, continue to believe that all those convicted were participants in the crime. Tice, Williams and Dick either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of the murder, and were sentenced to one or more life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. Wilson was convicted of rape and sentenced to 8½ years in prison. Three other men, Geoffrey A. Farris, John E. Danser and Richard D. Pauley, Jr., were also initially charged with the crime, but their charges were later dropped. The supporters of the Norfolk Four have offered evidence that purports to prove they are innocent, with no known involvement or connections to the incident.

A fifth man, Omar Ballard, was also convicted in the crime, and was sentenced to 100 years in prison, 59 of which were suspended. He is the only man whose DNA matches that found at the scene, and his confession states that he committed the crime by himself, with none of the other men involved. Forensic evidence is consistent with his story that there were no other participants.