Eyewitness Misidentification and DNA Evidence

What percentage of DNA exonerations in the United States were initially based on faulty eyewitness identification?

• Less than 25%

• About half

• More than three-quarters

• Nearly all

What was Jennifer's primary strategy to ensure her attacker would be caught if she survived the assault?

• She tried to escape immediately.

• She offered him all her valuables.

• She focused on memorizing his features and details.

• She screamed loudly to alert neighbors.

How did the detective instruct Jennifer to approach the photo lineup to identify her attacker?

• He told her to pick the person who looked most like her attacker.

• He advised her to take her time and stated the perpetrator might not be present.

• He pointed out Ronald Cotton's picture as a strong suspect.

• He asked her to make a quick decision based on her initial impression.

Why did Ronald Cotton's initial alibi appear false to the police?

• He refused to provide any details about his whereabouts.

• He had a history of lying to authorities.

• He confused the specific dates of his activities, making his story inconsistent.

• His friends contradicted his account of the night.

What was the jury's verdict in Ronald Cotton's trial, and how long did it take them to reach a decision?

• Not guilty, after several days of deliberation.

• Guilty on all counts, after 40 minutes.

• Hung jury, leading to a mistrial.

• Guilty of some charges, but not all, after a few hours.

What activities did Ronald Cotton engage in while incarcerated and hoping for a new trial?

• Working in the prison library and studying law

• Working in the prison kitchen, singing in the choir, and writing letters to attorneys

• Organizing inmate protests and filing numerous appeals

• Teaching other inmates and exercising regularly

What was Ronald Cotton's realization when he saw a new inmate, Bobby Pool, arrive at the prison?

• Bobby Pool was a long-lost relative he hadn't seen in years

• Bobby Pool looked exactly like the composite drawing of the suspect in his case

• Bobby Pool was the person who had framed him for the crime

• Bobby Pool was a former friend from his hometown

What was Jennifer's initial reaction when she saw Bobby Pool in the courtroom during Ronald Cotton's new trial?

• She felt a sense of relief and justice

• She was confused, as he looked different from her memory

• She felt anger towards the defense for suggesting she could be wrong

• She immediately recognized him as the true perpetrator

What did the DNA evidence from the ten-year-old rape kits ultimately reveal?

• It confirmed Ronald Cotton's guilt, leading to a third conviction

• It was inconclusive due to degradation over time

• It proved Ronald Cotton's innocence and identified Bobby Pool as the actual rapist

• It implicated a third, unknown individual in the crime

How did Jennifer react emotionally after learning that Ronald Cotton was innocent and Bobby Pool was the actual rapist?

• She felt immediate joy and relief, eager to move on

• She expressed anger at the justice system for its failure

• She experienced profound disbelief, followed by overwhelming shame and guilt

• She became withdrawn and refused to discuss the case further