Honoree: Frances Watson
Justice Through Science honors Frances Watson with Justice Award
Frances Watson has always tackled difficult cases. After earning her J.D. in 1980 from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney (IU McKinney) School of Law, she became a public defender. She passionately advocates for the rights of the guilty—and the rights of the innocent—to make a real difference in real lives. For that reason, Justice Through Science has selected her as its first Justice Award honoree.
Professor Watson first taught at IU McKinney from 1990-1992. She left from 1993-1995 to serve as the first Chief Public Defender of the Marion County Public Defender's Agency in Indianapolis. She assisted indigent defendants, providing tireless support to those in need of representation.
In 1995, Professor Watson returned to IU McKinney to continue directing the law school's Criminal Defense Clinic. There, she also developed and directed the Wrongful Conviction Clinic. She and her students have helped to clear the names of innocent men. These men include William Barnhouse (May 2017), Roosevelt Glenn (January 2017) and co-defendant Darryl Pinkins (April 2016).
In the case of Glenn and Pinkins, Professor Watson encountered incredibly complex DNA evidence. Older analysis methods were unable to find answers from the mixtures of several people's DNA. But Watson heard of TrueAllele® technology. With pro bono scientific computing, TrueAllele found the true assailants of the crime—so Professor Watson could successfully advocate for the exonerations of Glenn and Pinkins.
Professor Watson's dedication to justice, use of scientific technology, and pro bono efforts exemplify the mission of Justice Through Science. JTS is pleased to recognize her as the Justice Award honoree at its November 3, 2017 CLE/CJE conference on "Bringing Modern DNA Evidence into the Courtroom."
Justice Through Science is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit public charity. Its mission is bringing better science into criminal justice through forensic education and public service.
Professor Watson first taught at IU McKinney from 1990-1992. She left from 1993-1995 to serve as the first Chief Public Defender of the Marion County Public Defender's Agency in Indianapolis. She assisted indigent defendants, providing tireless support to those in need of representation.
In 1995, Professor Watson returned to IU McKinney to continue directing the law school's Criminal Defense Clinic. There, she also developed and directed the Wrongful Conviction Clinic. She and her students have helped to clear the names of innocent men. These men include William Barnhouse (May 2017), Roosevelt Glenn (January 2017) and co-defendant Darryl Pinkins (April 2016).
In the case of Glenn and Pinkins, Professor Watson encountered incredibly complex DNA evidence. Older analysis methods were unable to find answers from the mixtures of several people's DNA. But Watson heard of TrueAllele® technology. With pro bono scientific computing, TrueAllele found the true assailants of the crime—so Professor Watson could successfully advocate for the exonerations of Glenn and Pinkins.
Professor Watson's dedication to justice, use of scientific technology, and pro bono efforts exemplify the mission of Justice Through Science. JTS is pleased to recognize her as the Justice Award honoree at its November 3, 2017 CLE/CJE conference on "Bringing Modern DNA Evidence into the Courtroom."
Justice Through Science is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit public charity. Its mission is bringing better science into criminal justice through forensic education and public service.
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