Ep 2. Long Sought Truth

On The Case With Paula Zahn is a true crime television show that delves into some of the most captivating and mysterious criminal cases. The second episode of season 17 named Long Sought Truth focuses on a case that had remained unresolved for over 20 years.

The episode begins in Ionia County, Michigan in 1991 where a young woman named Julie Baumer is rushed to the hospital after experiencing a seizure. Medical examinations reveal that Julie is suffering from Shaken Baby Syndrome, a condition that is usually associated with infants. The doctors immediately suspect her father, Eddie Baumer, of child abuse. Eddie is arrested and charged with first-degree child abuse and attempted murder.

The prosecution presents a strong case against Eddie and convinces the jury with forensic evidence, medical reports, and eyewitness accounts that he is guilty of the crime. Eddie is found guilty and sentenced to 10-20 years in prison.

However, even after Eddie's conviction, there were lingering questions about the case, and his family had steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout. Julie's maternal aunt, Sandee Strunk, who had taken Julie into her care after the incident, was suspicious of the medical diagnosis and began to delve deeper into Julie's medical history. Sandee discovered that Julie had contracted a rare virus as a baby that explained her current medical condition and suggested that the trial may have been a miscarriage of justice.

The episode traces Sandee's tireless efforts to seek justice for her brother-in-law and her niece. She reaches out to the Innocence Project, an organization that seeks to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals. After conducting an independent investigation, the Innocence Project agreed to take on Eddie's case.

The Innocence Project utilized cutting-edge technology and forensic techniques to re-examine the evidence presented in the trial. They conducted forensic testing on Julie's hair, which revealed the presence of a virus that supported Sandee's claims. The organization also consulted with medical experts who testified that Julie's medical condition was not due to child abuse.

The episode portrays the legal battle journey of the Innocence Project and Eddie's defense team to exonerate him. They wrote several letters pleading to the district attorney's office and the state court of appeals. The fight ultimately culminated in a court of appeals hearing that granted Eddie a hearing and allowed the introduction of the new forensic and medical evidence. The episode takes the viewer through Eddie's emotional journey from his initial fears of going back to prison to his joy when he receives a new trial.

This episode of On The Case With Paula Zahn does an excellent job of showing the human side of criminal justice. It shows how the family of an innocent man kept fighting for his freedom even after he had been convicted. The episode highlights the importance of the work that organizations like the Innocence Project do in seeking justice not only for the wrongfully convicted but for victims of medical misdiagnosis, coercive interrogation, and questionable forensic science.

Overall, Long Sought Truth is a captivating episode of On The Case With Paula Zahn. It is a testament to the power of perseverance, scientific progress, and how determination can help overturn incredible injustices.