Bill Peterson district attorney for the 22nd district that includes Pontotoc, Seminole and Hughes counties, in Oklahoma said he plans to retire after Jan. 1. after 27 years.
In Sept. this year less then 2 months ago, Bill Peterson decided to sue John Grisham and Doubleday Dell Publishing Group.
The lawsuit also names:
•Dennis Fritz, the author of “Journey Toward Justice.”
•Robert Mayer, author of “The Dreams of Ada.”
•Barry Scheck, one of Fritz’s lawyers who helped exonerate him, and a co-author of “Actual Innocence,” that discusses the case of Williamson and Fritz.
•The Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, publisher of “The Innocent Man” and “Actual Innocence.”
•Random House Inc., which owns Doubleday Dell.
•Broadway Books, publisher of “The Dreams of Ada.”
•Seven Locks Press and/or James C. Riordan, publisher of “Journey Toward Justice.”The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges civil conspiracy, libel, placing a person in a false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Peterson says the defendants "coordinated their efforts to launch a massive joint defamatory attack" on him.
William N. Peterson got murder convictions on two men, Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson, who did 12 years in prison before they were cleared by DNA evidence. Fritz and Williamson's experiences are chronicled in two books, John Grisham's first nonfiction book, "The Innocent Man," and Dennis Fritz's, book, "Journey Toward Justice". Bill Peterson got questionable convictions on two other men, Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, in a separate murder case.
They are still in prison.
Robert Mayer, is the author of “The Dreams of Ada.” A book written primary about the murder of Denice Haraway and the subsequent investigation, prosecution and conviction of Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot. The other Plaintiff in the lawsuit is Gary Rogers, a former agent for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.Bill Peterson and Gary Rogers were instrumental in the conviction of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz in the murder of Debbie Sue Carter in Ada, Oklahoma in 1982.
"It is something I've been thinking about for a while and came to the conclusion that it is time,” Bill Peterson" told the Ada Evening News . "I am 64 years old and came to the realization it's time to go to another phase in my life.”
UPDATE SEPT.2008 - Click Here For Update - CASE DISMISSED
Showing posts with label da bill peterson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label da bill peterson. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Mike Nifong My Good News Story I Am Sure More To Come
News anchors always wish us a Good Evening and the end of their news broadcast. With the stories of, murders, terrorist attacks and war, it is no wonder millions of people have a hard time falling asleep, much less then a Good Evening. There are a lot of sleep aid commericals, but with the list of side affect I rather count sheep...... Last week was different the news was good. I am talking about Mike Nifong and the Lacrosse members case. Mike Nifong DISBARRED. I read most main stream news, but I came across a post from a blogger I like to share.
Author William Newmiller.
This is his Blog Heading:
Bearing False Witness
Wrongful convictions: researchers estimate 130,000 to 260,000 American inmates did not commit the crime they've been convicted of. My son is one of them, convicted of murder despite exculpatory evidence. This blog is dedicated to exonerating him and others by raising our national awareness of wrongful convictions..
Here is the post:
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Will Mike Nifong Pay the Piper?
Disgraced and now disbarred, Mike Nifong, the nefarious prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse case, may (and should) face further sanctions. USA Today reports he may face a criminal investigation. About time. The real scandal, though is how many prosecutors never face consequences for violating the public trust. Bill Peterson, the Ada, Oklahoma, district attorney exposed in John Grisham's book Innocent Man, continues to practice law as the District Attorney in Ada, even though he admits to his role in sentencing an innocent man to death. On his web site, Peterson says, "I cannot change the reality that two men were convicted of a crime they did not commit." He neglects to say that had he exercised a bit of diligence and common sense while representing the people of Oklahoma, he could have prevented the wrongful conviction in the first place. The cavalier arrogance of prosecutors more concerned with the appearance of justice rather than the pursuit of justice is, simply, against the law. Prosecutors, as representatives of the people, are charged with seeking truth and justice rather than simply convictions. When their ethical compass becomes obscured by ambition, a polictical agenda, or just mean-spiritedness, they need to face consequences. They need to pay the piper.
Author William Newmiller.
This is his Blog Heading:
Bearing False Witness
Wrongful convictions: researchers estimate 130,000 to 260,000 American inmates did not commit the crime they've been convicted of. My son is one of them, convicted of murder despite exculpatory evidence. This blog is dedicated to exonerating him and others by raising our national awareness of wrongful convictions..
Here is the post:
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Will Mike Nifong Pay the Piper?
Disgraced and now disbarred, Mike Nifong, the nefarious prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse case, may (and should) face further sanctions. USA Today reports he may face a criminal investigation. About time. The real scandal, though is how many prosecutors never face consequences for violating the public trust. Bill Peterson, the Ada, Oklahoma, district attorney exposed in John Grisham's book Innocent Man, continues to practice law as the District Attorney in Ada, even though he admits to his role in sentencing an innocent man to death. On his web site, Peterson says, "I cannot change the reality that two men were convicted of a crime they did not commit." He neglects to say that had he exercised a bit of diligence and common sense while representing the people of Oklahoma, he could have prevented the wrongful conviction in the first place. The cavalier arrogance of prosecutors more concerned with the appearance of justice rather than the pursuit of justice is, simply, against the law. Prosecutors, as representatives of the people, are charged with seeking truth and justice rather than simply convictions. When their ethical compass becomes obscured by ambition, a polictical agenda, or just mean-spiritedness, they need to face consequences. They need to pay the piper.
I also thought this was great to share.
From Charlotte Observer Aug.3
By David Ingram and Mark Johnson
Remove judges or DAs: It might be called the "Mike Nifong Act" after the disgraced Durham district attorney, because this legislation provides for removing judges or district attorneys who are stripped of their law license.
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