In this episode of The Lawmas Podcast, host Lacey welcomes guest attorney Aimee Zmroczek to discuss the exoneration of Gary Bennett, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 18 years in prison before being acquitted in a retrial. Amy was part of the pro bono defense team that helped prove Gary's innocence.

Amy explains how she got involved in Gary Bennett's case through the South Carolina Defense Lawyers Association. She gives the details of the brutal murder of Marie, who worked at Taco Bell with Gary's wife, along with the critical timeline evidence that established Gary's alibi.

Physical evidence at the crime scene was mishandled by investigators. The co-defendant falsely implicated Gary to secure his own deal. Forensic evidence proving the killer was right-handed while Gary is left-handed Aimee discusses the jury's reaction to the co-defendant's testimony and outburst during cross-examination, along with the impact of 18 years of wrongful imprisonment on Gary's life and relationships.

Aimee also talks about Gary's life after exoneration. Lacey and Aimee discuss the importance of jury duty and critical evaluation of testimony from co-defendants or "snitches" who may be motivated to lie for their own benefit.

Aimee Zmroczek is a defense attorney in Columbia, SC, who worked pro bono on Gary Bennett's successful retrial and exoneration.

Questions or comments? Email thelawmaspodcast@gmail.com

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In this episode of The Lawmas Podcast, Lauren and Lacey continue their book club discussion about wrongful convictions in the book Framed by John Grisham.

But first, Lauren recommends "Love on the Spectrum," highlighting it as a respectful reality show following individuals with autism seeking relationships (with special mention of contestant Tanner from South Carolina)

Lauren and Lacey discuss two tragic cases from their book club selection:

• Lacey covers Todd Willingham's case - wrongfully executed for allegedly setting a fire that killed his children, later exonerated posthumously due to flawed arson evidence.
• Lauren discusses a case involving Dr. Hayne (medical examiner) and Dr. West (dentist) whose questionable "expert" testimony led to a wrongful conviction based on fabricated bite mark analysis

Next week Lauren and Lacey wrap up their book club episodes and discuss a case Lacey worked on involving a client she believes is innocent. They welcome episode requests from listeners, mentioning they've already received requests including one about the Memphis Three!

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In this episode of The Lawmas Podcast, Lauren and Lacey continue their Book Club discussion of "Framed" by John Grisham. The cases discussed this week are Joe Bryan and Carrie Cook.

Lacey opens the episode sharing her week of medical appointments with her 7-year old son, Luke, who has Down syndrome. Lauren talks about the universal struggles of motherhood.

• Elementary school sweethearts Joe and Mickey Blue were both teachers in a small Texas town
• Mickey was brutally murdered while Joe was at a conference 120 miles away
• Police started unfounded rumors about Joe being gay to create a motive
• Blood spatter "expert" with minimal training provided questionable testimony
• Despite physical evidence proving Joe couldn't have committed the crime (time constraints), he was convicted
• Joe was eventually released due to COVID prison reductions but never exonerated

• Linda Jo Edwards was brutally murdered in her apartment
• Her roommate identified Jim Mayfield (Linda's former lover) at the scene
• Despite DNA evidence implicating Mayfield, police focused on Cook based on a fingerprint and unreliable jailhouse informant testimony
• Cook was tried three times, receiving death penalty twice
• Eventually took a plea deal for time served and was later exonerated
• Lauren and Lacey discuss how homophobia was weaponized in both cases to secure convictions

• Would you have accepted a plea deal guaranteeing freedom (like Cook did) or risked a fourth trial?

Send any questions or requests to thelawmaspodcast@gmail.com

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