News Archive
Professor Watson, '80, Discusses Plight of Wrongfully Convicted in Indianapolis Star Story
01/02/2019
After exoneration and release from prison, Indiana offers nothing to those who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes. A story in the Indianapolis Star features Kristine Bunch and her non-profit, Justis 4 Justus, and quotes Professor Fran Watson, '80.
Bunch was wrongfully convicted in connection with a fire at her home in which her son died. Professor Watson was a consultant with the attorneys who led the fight to exonerate Bunch.
"Compensating these victims is one step toward righting the wrong that turned their lives upside down. They deserve to be compensated to help get their lives righted. But money is just a start," Professor Watson said in the story. Legislation that would compensate exonerees failed to make it out of the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Justice during the 2018 session. The representative who filed it plans to file new legislation during the 2019 session.
Professor Watson is the founding director of the Wrongful Conviction Clinic at IU McKinney. She is a clinical professor of law and teaches in the Criminal Defense Clinic and the Wrongful Conviction Clinic.
