An innocent man convicted of murder tells Marc and ML why he signed a false confession – and how the same cop may be responsible for getting other men locked up for crimes they didn’t commit.

STRAIGHT DOPE: 

Shawn is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but not to look for Jimmy Hoffa. Marc explains.

One of Mark Craighead’s best friends was murdered. Police twice interviewed him. Police twice told him he was in the clear. Then a Detroit police detective known as “The Closer” picked up the case. What happened next sent Mark to prison on a 5-15 year sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.

Mark’s story – and the stories of other men wrongfully accused and convicted – are the subject of Steve Neavling’s latest investigation for the Metro Times. Listen and learn how they got tricked – and who tricked them. Then read the full series here.

Steve says wrongful convictions are not just tragic, they’re expensive. Taxpayers – that’s you and me – are shelling out about $8 million per lawsuit when the victims of these injustices sue the police who put them away.

Marc asks about one of the crucial pieces of evidence that might have cleared Mark, and why no one could produce it.

ML marvels over how Mark was convicted on a confession that doesn’t even match the facts of the case.

You may be thinking: “I would never sign a false confession to get out of a cell after a day or two if it meant copping to a charge that could put me in prison for years.” ML asks Mark what made him sign the dastardly document.

Learn all about the “Reid Technique,” a practice police used for decades to get confessions out of suspects, that sounds an awful lot like brainwashing.

Barry Scheck, the lawyer famous for getting innocent people out of prison, turned down Mark’s case. Find out who took the case, and got Mark exonerated.

ML is terrified about how every aspect of the criminal justice system failed to prevent an innocent man from being convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Steve explains what he thinks made it impossible for Mark to get justice.

ML broke a big story last week about a prominent pastor charged with criminal sexual assault involving a young man in his neighborhood. Hear who is in trouble with the law, and the surprising response ML got from one of his flock. Unlike most of ML’s work, you don’t need a subscription to read this report.

Please support the show and join the Soul Patrol by becoming a Patreon member. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like ad-free episodes and video of the show. For $15 a month, you get the bonus episode. At the $25 and $60 a month levels, you get free swag and exclusive merchandise. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on Patreon

GEEK OF THE WEEK:

If you thought ML was going to name the Michigan Wolverines after YET ANOTHER report on the Connor Stalions scandal, you’d be wrong. Instead, he chooses the dope fiend who sawed off and tried to melt a Jackie Robinson statue.

ROOM 7609:

Listener Donald says Mr. Kitty’s “After Dark” sounds a lot like new New Wave. ML agrees, before Marc finds something dark about Mr. Kitty involving kiddies. Send us your favorite deep cut or obscure band – and a story about them or why they mean something to you – by writing to [email protected].

FEEDBACK:

Dennis lavishes praise – and cash – on Marc and Shawn for coming down hard on ML. Another listener, who read ML’s pastor piece, offers a brief lesson on “on the downlow.” And Van Halen gets lots of love. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected]

SAVE WITH THE SOUL:

Use promo code SOUL to get 10% off your registration for sports leagues with Come Play Detroit atwww.comeplaydetroit.com and promo code MLSOUL to save $40 off a 15-person pedal pub ride with Michigan Pedaler at www.michiganpedaler.com

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