The case of Kevin Cooper, a man convicted and set to be executed for the high profile murder of four people in Chino Hills, California in 1983 is once again garnering national attention. Conflicting evidence, a racially charged trial and outspoken concern from prominent legal scholars suggests that Cooper may have been framed. Despite growing concerns about the accuracy of the conviction, Governor Jerry Brown is not allowing DNA testing that could be critical to determining whether or not Cooper is innocent. Nicholas Kristof, who wrote an in-depth column about the case for New York Times, joins Forum to discuss what this legal battle reveals about the country’s criminal justice system.
Guests:
Nicholas Kristof, columnist, New York Times; two-time award winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Related:
Nickolas Kristof’s column about Kevin Cooper (New York Times)