“60 Minutes” is one of the few TV shows I try to watch each week. About a month ago, there was a fascinating and inspiring piece on the reliability of eye witness testimony. A woman who was raped in her early twenties identifies her rapist. She and the police are convinced he is the man who committed the crime. He, however, steadfastly holds to his claim of innocence. He is convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Ultimately, DNA testing (not available when he was convicted) proves his innocence. After eleven years in prison, he is released and the identity of the real rapist revealed. Since then the victim, Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, and Ron Cotton, the man she incorrectly identified, have become friends and speak at conventions and rallies about the need for improved procedures for identifying potential criminals. When I was contacted by Authors On the Web to see if I was interested in reviewing the new book Picking Cotton, I knew I would be interested in reading the “rest of the story.” It’s a very well-written book, and truly is a story of redemption Each person tells his/her own story in alternating chapters. The chapters about life in prison are particularly moving. That someone can spend eleven years in that kind of environment, and create a meaningful life afterwards is a testimony to his character. Jennifer, too, show great courage in admitting her terrible error, and devoting so much time and effort to seeing that others will not have to go through what either she and Ronald Cotton have endured. It’s a good book with a compelling story and an inspirational message.
