California Assembly Bill 885, which authorizes courts to inform a jury when a prosecutor has intentionally concealed evidence of innocence, recently passed off the Assembly floor and is headed to Governor Brown’s desk to be signed. AB 885, authored by Assembly member Tom Ammiano, is the first of its kind in the United States.
NCIP exoneree Obie Anthony has been actively supporting and advocating for AB 885. Anthony spent 17 years in prison for a wrongful murder conviction before his case was overturned in 2011 after it was discovered that the prosecutor had failed to release exculpatory evidence involving Anthony’s innocence. “If a law like this had been in effect in 1994 when I was on trial, I may not have been convicted for a crime I did not commit. I wouldn’t have lost 17 years of my life,” said Anthony.
The bill is also sponsored by the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ), a statewide association of defense attorneys. According to CACJ President Scott Sugarman, “AB 885 merely asks prosecutors to provide information as required by the federal constitution, state statute and ethical duties. This legislation is a decisive victory for justice and will help prevent wrongful convictions.”
Despite heavy opposition from California District Attorneys, the state’s elected officials viewed AB 885 as a proposal to protect innocent defendants and prevent future wrongful convictions. The legislation was passed to Governor Brown on a 45-18 vote.
Read more about AB 885 here.
Watch a video about Obie Anthony’s case here.
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