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Archive: October 2021

Event Recap: Henry McCollum, Leon Brown Attorneys Talk Wrongful Convictions

October 25, 2021

By Annie Han

In 1983, Red Springs, North Carolina, 19-year-old Henry McCollum and 15-year-old Leon Brown were wrongfully arrested for the rape and murder of a young Sabrina Buie. With the teens’ intellectual disabilities (McCollum’s IQ being 51 and Brown’s … Continue Reading →

#StartSmall Provides Wilson Center Almost $500,000 Gift to Fund Forensics Reform Work

September 10, 2021

The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law is excited to announce a nearly $500,000 gift from Twitter and Square co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey’s #StartSmall philanthropic initiative, to support a new project aimed at rethinking policy regarding … Continue Reading →

Wilson Center Welcomes Ben Finholt in New Role Addressing Sentencing, Racial Disparities

August 4, 2021

Ben Finholt, Director of the Just Sentencing Project, joined the Wilson Center this month. He previously worked at North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services.

Finholt’s work at the Wilson Center will aim to address extreme sentencing and racial disparities categorically through … Continue Reading →

Wilson Center Project Takes Unprecedented Look Into Plea Negotiations

July 15, 2021

DURHAM, NC – In a unique partnership with the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law, two district attorney’s offices are providing unprecedented access and information about the little-understood world of plea agreements in criminal cases.

Durham County … Continue Reading →

Wilson Center’s Fall Students Bring Excitement, Passion for Criminal Justice Work

February 1, 2021

More than 40 students worked with the Wilson Center during the fall semester, with many continuing on with their projects this spring.

The Duke University undergraduates, law students, and graduate students worked across more than 10 projects, bringing their excitement … Continue Reading →

Wilson Center Executive Director to Return to Private Practice

January 1, 2021

Thomas Maher, who has served as Executive Director at the Wilson Center, will be departing to return to private practice on January 1.

Maher, who has taught criminal trial practice to Duke Law students for nearly 30 years, joined the … Continue Reading →

Join Our Team: Wilson Center Hiring an Associate Director

November 18, 2020

The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law School is hiring an Associate Director.

From the job description:

The Wilson Center for Science and Justice aims to conduct interdisciplinary research to advance criminal justice and civil rights. The … Continue Reading →

NEW: Duke Scientific Integrity Associate Interviews Brandon Garrett About Criminal Legal System

October 7, 2020

Emilia Chiscop-Head, Ph.D. and Scientific Integrity Associate at Advancing Scientific Integrity, Services and Training (ASIST) recently caught up with Wilson Center Director Brandon Garrett about the criminal legal system, structural racism and policing reforms.

Brandon L. Garrett, JD is the … Continue Reading →

A Look at the Wilson Center’s Work for the Innocent on Wrongful Convictions Day

October 2, 2020

By: Brandon L. Garrett

Today we celebrate international Wrongful Convictions Day, for the sixth time. In those years, we have seen exonerations mount in the U.S. and around the world. New laws directed at recognizing claims of innocence, preserving and … Continue Reading →