Roger Williams University to Host Forum on Wrongful Convictions

Rhode Island law enforcement, prosecution and judicial system professionals to discuss common issues surrounding wrongful convictions in the state

BRISTOL, R.I. (07/24/2010)(readMedia)-- Local law enforcement agencies, the legal community and policymakers in Rhode Island will gather next week to encourage further dialogue on improving practices to lessen the number of wrongful convictions. "Wrongful Convictions Forum: Improving investigative and prosecutorial practices to minimize the mistakes," will be held at Roger Williams University on Thursday, July 29.

Guest speaker Betty Anne Waters will present the incredible story of her quest to exonerate her brother, Kenneth Waters, on a false murder and robbery charge. Ms. Waters' story is the subject of the upcoming major motion picture, "Conviction," starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank.

"Police and the prosecutorial team surely want to avoid mistakes in a conviction, and this training serves as a reminder that we would rather see a guilty man set free than an innocent man incarcerated for even a day," said Col. Brendan P. Doherty, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

In addition to Col. Doherty and Ms. Waters, other presenters include Stephen Saloom, policy director at the Innocence Project; and Deputy Attorney General Gerald Coyne.

The forum is sponsored by the Roger Williams University Justice System Training & Research Institute, in partnership with the Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the University's School of Law Appellate Court Room on the Bristol Campus at One Ferry Road.

There is no cost to attend the forum, which is open to members of the law enforcement, legal and other related professional communities, but reservations are required. Seats may be reserved by contacting Liz Campo at the RWU School of Justice Studies at (401) 254-3731 or ecampo@rwu.edu.

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. In the last decade, the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.