Repairs needed

Most of us can't imagine spending even one day in prison if we were innocent.

But Sunday's "A Human Tragedy" (Special section, Sunday) reveals that hundreds of people have spent years or decades there because of mistaken identification, lying testimony or official misconduct.

Why would anyone in law enforcement ignore a confession from the criminal and insist on imprisoning someone who didn't commit the crime?

And how can we repair a system that has failed so many? Any of us could be that innocent person behind bars.

Nancy Perich Daly, Houston


Justice one day

It made my heart rejoice to read that innocence had been proclaimed for these men. But what I would really enjoy reading is that justice has been served to those who are responsible for their injustices.

I know some witnesses probably made honest mistakes and will now have to live with the pain of knowing the ruination they caused. And that some cops thought they were doing a good job and now know better. But the cops who were lazy and only wanted to get a conviction and the witnesses who were dishonest need to be brought to justice.

Elizabeth Havener, Kingwood