Watch The Innocence Files

The Innocence Files is a gripping true-crime series on Netflix that uncovers the wrongful convictions of eight individuals who were sentenced to life in prison, or sometimes even death, for crimes they didn't commit. The show features prominent lawyers and forensic experts, including Peter Neufeld, Barry Scheck, and Michael West, who played instrumental roles in exposing these wrongful convictions and obtaining justice for the innocent.

The series is divided into nine episodes, with each episode focusing on one particular case. The show combines extensive archival footage with interviews of the wrongfully convicted as well as their family members, lawyers, and investigators. The series starts with the case of Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer, two men who were convicted of murdering young girls based on bite-mark analysis, a forensic technique that has been discredited by experts as lacking scientific rigor. The show details how the Innocence Project, a non-profit organization co-founded by Neufeld and Scheck, worked tirelessly for years to secure DNA testing and eventually proved the innocence of both men.

Other episodes highlight cases in which a combination of faulty eyewitness identification, police misconduct, and flawed forensic analysis led to wrongful convictions. One memorable episode is the story of Chester Hollman III, who was convicted of a murder he didn't commit, based on the testimony of a sole eyewitness who picked him out of a photo lineup. We see how biased questioning by police detectives and a lack of proper investigation led to Hollman's conviction, and we follow the efforts of his lawyers and investigators to finally exonerate him.

Another heart-wrenching episode follows the case of Alfred Dewayne Brown, a man who spent a decade on death row for a murder he didn't commit, after being wrongfully convicted based on the testimony of a co-defendant who later recanted his testimony. We see how the Harris County District Attorney's Office fought against DNA testing until a new DA came into office and eventually facilitated the testing that proved Brown's innocence.

In each case, the show reveals how the criminal justice system failed these individuals and their families, and how the tireless work of lawyers and forensic experts, often pro bono, made all the difference in proving their innocence. The series also highlights the role of reform movements that have pushed for changes in the way that forensic evidence is used in criminal trials, as well as the need for accountability for prosecutors and police officers who have engaged in misconduct.

One of the most moving aspects of the show is the humanization of the wrongfully convicted, and the impact that their incarceration had on their families and loved ones. Through interviews with family members and footage of the released men reconnecting with their families, the series powerfully conveys the pain of wrongful conviction and the joy of finally being exonerated.

Overall, The Innocence Files is a well-crafted true-crime series that sheds light on the tragedy of wrongful conviction, exposes the flaws in the criminal justice system, and celebrates the power of human resilience and perseverance. The series is a must-watch for anyone interested in justice reform and the fight for human rights.

The Innocence Files is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between April 15, 2020 and on Netflix