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Artwork for For the Innocent: A Podcast About Wrongful Convictions, Legal Failures, Prison, True Crime, Forensic Science, and Criminal Ju

For the Innocent: A Podcast About Wrongful Convictions, Legal Failures, Prison, True Crime, Forensic Science, and Criminal Ju

Legal Talk Network
Wrongful Convictions
Wrongful Conviction
California Innocence Project
Criminal Justice System
Eyewitness Misidentification
Innocent People Pleading Guilty
Plea Deals
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Overcharging In Criminal Cases
War On Drugs
Criminal Justice Reform
Luis Vargas
Junk Science
Bite Mark Evidence
DNA Evidence
Angela Garcia
Public Defenders
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Forensic Science
Dark Pleas

Hosted by Michael Semanchik, For the Innocent exposes the shocking reality of wrongful convictions through raw, first-person stories from the exonerated. Season 3 returns September 9th featuring powerful accounts from Amanda Knox, JJ Velasquez, Bruce Lisker— three exonerees whose names have become synonymous with injustice— and more. Through their voices, uncover how the justice system failed them... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes35Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for For the Innocent: A Podcast About Wrongful Convictions, Legal Failures, Prison, True Crime, Forensic Science, and Criminal Ju

Latest Episodes

We trust the justice system to protect the innocent and prosecute the guilty, but what happens when it gets things catastrophically wrong? In 1981, 21-year-old William Michael Dillon became the focus of a murder investigation in Canova Beach, Florida... more

The failure rate of our prison systems is staggering, with recidivism exceeding 70% in nearly every state. What should this tell us about the success—or lack thereof—of our criminal justice system? And, how can those who are incarcerated survive the ... more

A maximum-security prison may not seem like the natural setting for a homegrown theater program. But at Sing Sing Prison in New York, just such a project has inspired scores of incarcerated men to learn and grow through the stories they step into—off... more

YouTube

In 1998, a retired NYPD officer was shot and killed inside an illegal gambling parlor. Angry cops wanted speedy justice for one of their own, and an overzealous, incautious investigation ensued. A witness to the shooting with a criminal past was put ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

John Divine G Whitfield
Writer and performer, co-founded the RTA program.
Episode: From Prison to the Oscars: The True Story Behind Sing Sing and Rehabilitation Through the Arts
Clarence Divine Eye Maclin
Formerly incarcerated, served 17 years before becoming a teaching artist and counselor.
Episode: From Prison to the Oscars: The True Story Behind Sing Sing and Rehabilitation Through the Arts
Bruce Lisker
Exoneree who spent over 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Episode: A Deceitful Detective & Manipulated Evidence – The Wrongful Conviction of Bruce Lisker
Martina Cagossi
Italian journalist, lawyer and advocate for the Italy Innocence Project
Italy Innocence Project
Episode: Breaking Down the Amanda Knox Case: Facts vs. Frenzy
Mark Olshaker
Renowned crime author and collaborator with FBI profiler John Douglas
Episode: Breaking Down the Amanda Knox Case: Facts vs. Frenzy
Amanda Knox
Wrongfully accused and imprisoned for four years for murder
Episode: Amanda Knox, JJ Velasquez, and More | For The Innocent Season 3 Trailer
JJ Velasquez
Exoneree who experienced 27 years of wrongful imprisonment
Episode: Amanda Knox, JJ Velasquez, and More | For The Innocent Season 3 Trailer
Raquel Barilla
Formerly a staff attorney at the California Innocence Project, worked on the Luis Vargas case
California Innocence Project
Episode: Evidence Preservation: Who’s Responsible and What Happens When It’s Lost or Destroyed
Alex Simpson
Associate director and resident expert for evidence preservation at the California Innocence Project
California Innocence Project
Episode: Evidence Preservation: Who’s Responsible and What Happens When It’s Lost or Destroyed

Host

Michael Semanchik
Executive Director of the Innocence Center, with extensive involvement in wrongful conviction cases and advocacy for justice reform.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 70 ratings
  • W O W

    Powerful podcast, so well done. Very important subject

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SandyCPA
    United States2 months ago
  • Listen NOWWW

    Wowwwww!!! You need to listen to this. Everybody needs to listen to this! I’m serious

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brattonab
    United Statesa year ago
  • excellent

    great podcast! check it out! just wish the episodes were a touch longer! otherwise no complaints

    Audible
    5
    Edub
    United States2 years ago
  • Must listen.

    Engaging and enraging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TEPE97
    United States2 years ago
  • I LOVE THIS PODCAST

    A friend of mine sent it over.

    Huge fan of true crime podcast but I specifically like this one because it is spreading awareness of their stories of those who were falsely convicted!

    The production is INCREDIBLE. I’m really impressed by the audio & the story telling.

    Highly reccomednd!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Watched this Manifest
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is praised as powerful and well-produced, with engaging narratives and important social topics.
Listeners highlight the impact of personal stories shared by exonerees, indicating a strong emotional connection to the content.
Audience members emphasize the necessity of listening to the critical issues raised regarding wrongful convictions, underscoring the relevance of the subject matter.
The show's storytelling is described as exceptional, with high-quality production and thorough research.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#238
Argentina/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Survivors Guide to Prison: Examining a Broken System with Matthew Cooke
Q: What do you tell people to do?
You try. You just try. You just never give up. You never give up. That's all we can do.
Zavion’s Story
Q: What were your thoughts as they were kind of diving into your case?
Zavion felt a glimmer of hope meeting the Innocence Project staff, indicating that it was a significant turning point in his case.
Zavion’s Story
Q: How scary was that?
Zavion expresses that it was extremely terrifying to be in prison surrounded by dangerous individuals, especially being so young and small.
Junk Science - Shaken Baby Syndrome
Q: Why did shaken baby syndrome gain such widespread acceptance in the medical field?
The theory gained acceptance due to early unproven hypotheses and circular reasoning in studies, which falsely identified injuries without considering other causative factors.
Junk Science - Shaken Baby Syndrome
Q: What is shaken baby syndrome, historically and scientifically?
It is historically a theory that violent shaking of infants causes certain brain injuries, but modern research shows these injuries can arise from various alternative causes, including accidental falls.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focus on wrongful convictions and the failures within the justice system is central to the content, highlighting the stories of exonerees and the complexities surrounding their experiences. Through first-hand narratives and discussions with legal and criminal experts, issues such as false confessions, eyewitness misidentifications, and problematic forensic science are examined in-depth. Notably compelling is the way personal stories are interwoven with broader systemic critiques, aiming to shed light on the injustices faced by many who have been wrongfully accused and imprisoned. This unique approach to true crime transcends mere storytelling, offering listeners a thought-provoking perspective on the failings of the justice system and its i... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Undisclosed: Toward Justice
2. Wrongful Conviction
3. Truth & Justice with Bob Ruff
4. Betrayal: Weekly
5. The Binge Cases: Watching You

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. John Divine G Whitfield
2. Clarence Divine Eye Maclin
3. Bruce Lisker
4. Martina Cagossi
5. Mark Olshaker
6. Amanda Knox
7. JJ Velasquez
8. Raquel Barilla

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