ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Many of the cases featured inThe Innocence Filesare those of black and Latino people.
Is this a coincidence, or is it representative of something bigger?
The Innocence Filesfeatures examples of experts and law enforcement officials who were downright deceitful, like Dr. Michael West.
Credit: Netflix
What happens to them when someone is exonerated?
NEUFELD:You know, they’re not just individuals.
So it’s not just Michael West, it’s the whole field.
BARRY SCHECK:West is some extraordinary character.
NEUFELD:Nothing happens to them as individuals, unfortunately.
There’s very little accountability.
And we venture to improve the way eyewitness identifications are conducted to reduce misidentification.
Some of the exonerated people in the documentary received cash settlements, but the amount varies.
Someone like Levon Brooks didn’t even live long enough to enjoy his paltry amount.
SCHECK:Levon did not live long enough, but the amount wasn’t even that much.
How much money would you accept to give up years of your life to live in prison?
And the prison where Levon was held used to be a plantation before it was a prison.
His mother, who was in the documentary, died recently.
This man was months away from being executed for something he didn’t do!
If his story touched viewers,we’re crowdsourcingto help him get back on his feet.
Any chance you’d highlight more of your cases in a second season?
SCHECK:I hope the documentary is well received.
The consulting fees that Peter and I get for this go right into the online grid support unit.
We really hope that these stories will have a real impact.
We’re told Netflix makes decisions on more seasons fairly early, so we need everyone to watch.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
