'$100 a Day' tells compelling story of wrongful conviction.

"It could have been you sitting in court," says Rick Walker, protagonist of the locally produced documentary "$100 a Day." The film, to be aired tonight at 6:30 p.m on PBS affiliate KTEH, raises questions about the effectiveness of the American judicial and legislative systems.

[Publican]

Anyone who thinks they know all they need about our judicial and legislative systems should see this movie.

[keepitreal]

commentor #1- you are very ignorant

[Irony]

I think, and hope, commentor #1 was being ironic. This message board has such a saturation of armchair vigilantes, it's ridiculous. The US has one of the highest percentages of population in prison of any country in the world. Why? I don't have an answer, I'm just asking.

[Mark Ligon]

My name is Mark Ligon and I'm the co-producer of $100 a Day. I would urge "Santa Cruz Local" to see our documentary first before drawing such a conclusion. Rick Walker was found "factually innocent" by the courts, he was not released on any legal technicality. The point of our documentary to fairly expose when our judicial and political systems get it wrong AND when they get it right. In this case the right thing was done by all involved.

[WhatUV]

Mark,

thank you for making such a film. I can't wait to see it. It's all too easy for frustrated victims and society to want vengence, to convict someone, anyone, and that just makes another innocent victim who is wronged...

[crystal]

I hope santa cruz local gets convicted of something he/she did not do and then maybe just maybe he/she would understand how this person feels. I have always been taught to never make judgements on something that you know nothing about.

[Serendipity]

Mark Ligon wrote:

My name is Mark Ligon and I'm the co-producer of $100 a Day. I would urge "Santa Cruz Local" to see our documentary first before drawing such a conclusion. Rick Walker was found "factually innocent" by the courts, he was not released on any legal technicality. The point of our documentary to fairly expose when our judicial and political systems get it wrong AND when they get it right. In this case the right thing was done by all involved.

I look forward to viewing this documentary, which is going to be an eye-opener for those who don't know much about the mechanisms of our justice system. And it will be inspirational for the families of others, who may be incarcerated wrongly, as well. We hear stories of inmates who are finally exonerated by present day technology after having spent years/decades in jail for a crime they did not commit. If 'Santa Cruz Local' can put himself in these inmates' shoes, perhaps he might not be spouting hate and vengence. God help him, if he ever finds himself in the same situation. It behooves him and others who share his view to see this documentary.

[Mark Ligon]

Thank you all for your comments, you are exactly right. Too many of our institutions operate in a "win-at-all-cost mentality" and innocent people do get victimized. And to be fair, DA offices across the country are under a great deal pressure to get the "bad guys" off the streets. It's a precarious balance, to be sure, one that requires honesty and fairness from our leaders while providing for the very real need of public safety.

[krazzed hipster]

Wonder why they remove a post but not the later posts that refer to it. The way this looks now t seems that several posters are thumping on Publican. In actuality his comments seem in line with their thoughts.

[Local 25 Year Lawyer]

Mark Ligon wrote:

Thank you all for your comments, you are exactly right. Too many of our institutions operate in a "win-at-all-cost mentality" and innocent people do get victimized. And to be fair, DA offices across the country are under a great deal pressure to get the "bad guys" off the streets. It's a precarious balance, to be sure, one that requires honesty and fairness from our leaders while providing for the very real need of public safety.

What is not to understand that a jury trial is when 12 people are seated to determine who has the better attorney?

The legal system is so flawed that I cannot even begin to discuss it. But let's start with the fact that in 25 years of practicing law, I have never seen a law enforcement officer tell the truth. And only rarely have I seen the prosecutors wilingly give-up exonerating evidence. It's all about conviction rates.

[Local 25 Year Lawyer]

Oh, and I can't wait to see the movie!

Good topic!

Do you remember the convicted "arsonist" who, after serving 10 years in state prison, upon release promptly walked over to the prosecutor's then private office and blew him away? Arson cases are the easiest to manufacture: Just hire an expert witness to say whatever is needed and viola, a conviction. I have watched these arson experts at work, it is very scary.

[Anon]

I have watched the Courts for thirty years as a cameraman. Film I shot at the Manson trial is still used on the air.

I have agreement with the attorney. Everyone is lying in Court. The cops are the best at it using their position of trust as a shield to question their truthfulness.

I will look for a DVD of this film because know it will bring comfort to members of my family who are suffering a father imprisoned on a false charge. It is the truth today that anyone can make you a "wennie wager" or full blown child molester with just the word of one person. Objective evidence be damned, and judges exclude what ever they feel like.

The appeals Courts are hidebound by tradition and the lack of ability to freely admit new evidence. The Courts like things to be final and done, but ignore the basic rights of each defendant to the rights spelled out in the Constitution.

I heard a judge make a public utterance "Bring in that "duce" (drunk driver) so we can give him his fair trial and send him back to jail."

[Serendipity]

Local 25 Year Lawyer wrote:

<quoted text>
What is not to understand that a jury trial is when 12 people are seated to determine who has the better attorney?
The legal system is so flawed that I cannot even begin to discuss it. But let's start with the fact that in 25 years of practicing law, I have never seen a law enforcement officer tell the truth. And only rarely have I seen the prosecutors wilingly give-up exonerating evidence. It's all about conviction rates.

I served on a jury once and the experience only confirmed my conviction that there is no justice in our system. It was painfully obvious that many of the other jurors were unbelievably uneducated and either did not understand the legalese during the trial or chose to ignore most/all of the presented evidence. I kept thinking, "This is a jury of peers??" While I (and many others) have always suspected that what you claim happens in courts, it is mind-numbing to have it confirmed by an attorney, no less. Obviously I am assuming that you are being honest as to your occupation. This is frightening. Talk about being scared straight.

[Serendipity]

Guvs wrote:

<quoted text>
The right thing should have been done during the investigation and/or trial, not after 12 years of the man's life had been wasted serving a sentence for a crime he didn't commit! Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) is attempting to address this inequity in our judicial system with a new bill. Hopefully, it will get passed without too much stalling and watering down by the Republicans.

As if.

[rita]

Local 25 Year Lawyer wrote:

Oh, and I can't wait to see the movie!
Good topic!
Do you remember the convicted "arsonist" who, after serving 10 years in state prison, upon release promptly walked over to the prosecutor's then private office and blew him away? Arson cases are the easiest to manufacture: Just hire an expert witness to say whatever is needed and viola, a conviction. I have watched these arson experts at work, it is very scary.

Texas executed a man who was convicted by faulty arson testimony. Law enforcement and expert witnesses have been known to lie. Eveb with dna evidence, since it can and is planted, can't be completely accurate. Looking forward to this doc getting a wider audience.

[Reality Check]

Local 25 Year Lawyer wrote:

<quoted text>
What is not to understand that a jury trial is when 12 people are seated to determine who has the better attorney?
The legal system is so flawed that I cannot even begin to discuss it. But let's start with the fact that in 25 years of practicing law, I have never seen a law enforcement officer tell the truth. And only rarely have I seen the prosecutors wilingly give-up exonerating evidence. It's all about conviction rates.

So you knew the facts in every case? You were there in every instance, and were coincidentally at the trial? Let me guess - you're a defense lawyer.

[Not again]

Mark Ligon wrote:

My name is Mark Ligon and I'm the co-producer of $100 a Day. I would urge "Santa Cruz Local" to see our documentary first before drawing such a conclusion. Rick Walker was found "factually innocent" by the courts, he was not released on any legal technicality. The point of our documentary to fairly expose when our judicial and political systems get it wrong AND when they get it right. In this case the right thing was done by all involved.

You, sir, are to commended. Thank you from the bottom of my heart or your work, and best regards to Mr. Walker as well.

[rita]

Great job!!!!!

[LiveOakRocks]

Mark - watched the movie with my 10 year old. Took us a full hour to get through it because I kept pausing and explaining process, words, context to her. It was incredibly powerful and truly tells a compelling story about how our lawmakers function (or don't function).

Well done. An incredibly good use of your time. I am so glad you were featured yesterday so I could see it...

[Just Joan]

and of course, defendants never lie.