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Outlook: Wrongfully convicted of murdering my parents

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Wrongfully convicted of murdering my parents

11/06/2020 GMT

BBC World Service - Outlook, Wrongfully convicted of murdering my parents

After 17 years in prison Marty Tankleff has been sworn in as a lawyer.

Marty Tankleff served 17 years in prison for the murder of his parents before his conviction was overturned.  He’s now a criminal defence lawyer.

One morning, when he was just 17 years old, Marty Tankleff woke to find his mother dead and his father dying.  He called 911 to get help - the police came, but instead of taking him to hospital where he wanted to go, they took him in for questioning.  

During the investigation, a detective lied, claiming that Marty’s father, before he’d died, had named Marty as the killer. After hours of interrogation Marty falsely confessed and was charged with the murders.  Despite his protestations of innocence at the trial, the prosecution hinged on an unsigned confession the police submitted.  Marty was found guilty and was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison.  

That was in 1988.  During his time inside, he taught himself the law so he could fight his case.  But it wasn’t until 2007, after he’d spent 17 years in prison, that an appeals court found key evidence in his trial was overlooked – and all charges against him were dismissed. Marty sued the State of New York and the Suffolk County police department for wrongful conviction and was awarded compensation of more than 13 million US dollars.  Adapting to a new life in a new era wasn’t always easy, but he completed his legal training and was sworn in as a lawyer earlier this year. He still wants justice for his parents and is now working on other cases of wrongful conviction, “there should be no more Marty Tankleff’s”, he says.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Thomas Harding Assinder 
Photo Credit: Benny Migs

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