Newsvine - Sean Penn's "Witch Hunt" - Leave questions for the producers and people featured in the program

Witch Hunt will reair on Sunday, April 26 at 3 PM ET

Please check your local listings for additional air dates.
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Please leave your questions or comments for the producers of the film, Dana Nachman and Don Hardy as well as John Stoll and other people featured in the film who will be logging in throughout the week to respond.

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For more information and resources please visit these websites:

Northern California Innocence Project
The Northern California Innocence Project embodies Santa Clara University's mission to create a more just and humane world through working to exonerate innocent prisoners and pursue legal reforms that address the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions.

Innocence Project Network List
Listing of Innocence Project for each state in the US.

Hey Jana,
I watched A Fathers Promise today with rabid interest. What a brilliant piece of education putting together the father and child relationship from inside and outside of lock up. I worked as a Chaplain for five years in Juvenile Hall in Orange County California. The population is culturally different however very much the same in the rate of children raised with out fathers in there lives. When asked about what was one of the greatest regrets that young incarcerated Mexican boys have in their lives they answered not having a father in their lives. Even though this may be a fantasy that everything in their lives would have been better with a father, these youngsters would use it as an excuse for not succeeding or for being incarcerated.
Currently, I teach parenting classes in the jails to multiracial inmates. Most of whom did not have fathers. We explore parenting styles, abuse, communication and relationship skills. I believe this production could help inside the jails as a tool for the inmates to see themselves in these three men. First seeing the false belief that these children would help them stay out of trouble, second to see the reality of single mothers raising children by themselves and thirdly to have the benefit of a twelve year check in having to listen to their own words come back to haunt them.
Will this program be available for sale sometime in the future?
Thank you for a truthful reflection on a cyclical reality of minority men, their children and the next generation of incarcerated youth.

— Mary Kay Kubota

Hey I'm so mad I missed the airing of the documentary. Will it be airing again or is there a way to get a copy of the program? please email me back afaulk32@gmail.com

— Aaron Faulkner

Hi Jana

I did enjoy your documentary. I'd like to know though if you would ever do a documentary on the flip side, fathers who want desperately to co-parent their children but between the bitter ex's, one sided family courts and lawyers who virtually throw you into poverty, walking away seems like a better choice. You don't want to, but geeze there just seems like no other choice. You try to find help and there just isn't any, anywhere... I have tried in vain to help my son and I can't. I've written to Senators and others, nothing. It seems like unless they can get their names in the paper, not a soul wants to help. It is so unjust and so unfair, mainly to the children. He cannot be the only father out there going through this emotional roller coaster thanks to our Family Court System. We, without hesitation would be a part of a documntary like that. Some bright light needs to be shed on it and hopefully get a better understanding and perhaps new laws to help fathers who do want to co-parent their children, the right way!

Thank you for your time.
Diane Caruso-Murphy
Tabernacle, NJ

— Diane-763602

Hey Jana, I must commend you for shedding light on this hugely important topic. I personally believe that the absence of fathers in the black community is the single most dominant contributor to the social & psychological problems of our black youth. I composed a song called "Daddy Come Back Home" that I would luv to email to you. This song has brought tears to grown men eyes. I believe it captures the essence of the topic.

All Blessings. Warrior..

— Black Warrior

Dear Ms. Lerner,

I was watching the Today show while they were talking about the "epidemic" of absentee fathers. I'm not sure if you discovered this during your research, but I live in Michigan and I've been a police officer for 17 years. I see the effects of absentee fathers everday. But, when I found myself in a custody dispute, I was advised by my attorney (a retired circuit court judge), that because I was unmarried, I had almost no chance of getting joint custody of my daughter. I was shocked that a man who had a career, had been a full time dad for three years, has a very nice home, a camper, a good vehicle and pays his bills, could not get joint custody. I found several bills in the state legislature to force judges to give joint custody unless the father didn't want it, couldn't possibly do it due to geographical issues or was clearly not able to be a good father. However, I also found that none of these bills have ever passed. When I talked to a friend of mine who is a current probate judge, he said he wasn't for the bill because it took the judges descretion away. I have had a unique opportunity to have contacts and relationships with people who have made decisions about custody and are currently making decisions about custody issues. I am completely frustrated by a society who clamers about a problem of absentee fathers that is at "epidemic" proportions but yet, we have a court system here in Michigan (and likely in most other states), that blocks fathers from being there for their kids. Through other conversations with court staff & friends working in the system, I've learned that the mentality of the courts is that fathers don't want to be fathers and therefore, the judges side with the mothers. It's breed into the judges from the beginning and that mentality is hard to break when the law is written to be equal but provides loop holes that allow the judges descretion to impede the parents rights to the point that the system perpetuates the problem of fathers being absent or less involved than they could be. Until a new law is passed that eliminates discretion based on errant, prejudiced lines of thought, men will continue to be blocked by a system that claims the absent men are the problem. More fathers today want to be active fathers but are stymied and forced out. I spend every extra minute I can get with my daughter. FYI: I have a friend who is a State Trooper in the neighboring county and he was married. It made little difference for him either. What we've both found out is that it depends on the judge you get and what kind of day the man/woman is having. We really need a law that eliminates the inconsistency and makes it clear cut. Not only would fathers have a chance to eliminate the "epidemic" but we would also un-clog the court system in the area of custody disputes/divorces.

Thank you for your time and anything you can do to bring this problem to the public would be appreciated by me and all fathers like me.

Shane Brown, Muskegon, MI

— Shane Brown

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{"commentId":6386871,"authorDomain":"tyler"}

tyler

IMDB page. Looks really good. I keep missing MSNBC documentaries - still haven't seen 'Dear Zachary', which everyone loved.

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2 votes

#1 - Wed Apr 8, 2009 9:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":6392655,"authorDomain":"binder"}

aabinder

Thanks, Tyler. To make sure you see our docs, please check your listings and set your DVR to record our programming on Sundays at 10P. We have something premiering practically every week in that time slot. And BTW, Dear Zachary will be back on April 26 at 11P.

{"commentId":6392655,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"binder"}

1 vote

#1.1 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 9:45 AM EDT

{"commentId":6453043,"authorDomain":"dwills"}

David Wills

This a great program, this happened to me, my wife and I were involved in a child custody case with my wife's ex-husband and him and his new wife accused me of child molestation and beating them, although there were no bumps or nothing for a while police had bought into the idea I was doing something. A child psychologist told my wife's ex-husband John that I was molestesting his kids and he took them away from us, my wife was devestated, she was so upset we had always thought that the case would only last a few months, the case lasted five years, there was a point that I did not even see the kids for an entire year. See the judge gave John tempoary custody with my wife getting visitation only if I am not left alone with the kids, the kids were questioned by police and by that child psychologist. But the oldest kids about 6 at the time kept saying that it was her step-brother, till this day I think two things happened, the child psychologist asked me on a date, I turned her down and I think she was sleeping with John. During the self-imposed of having any contact with the both girls were molested by their step-brother and the step-mom did nothing the same with child psychologist, we tapes of conversations with the girls over the phone that the youngest was being molested and the step-mom did nothing. The oldest was seen by a doctor and the doctor had asked what was going without the step-mom present and the oldest daughter told the doctor. The doctor wrote two letters, one to the police department and the other to the child psychologist, when in court if the psychologist knew the incident she was unaware of knowing who the doctor was or what the incident. In court our attorney presented the psychologist both letters one to her and one to the police department, you could have heard a pindrop, teachers at the school where the kids tried explaining to the court that since I was not around the girls that their grades have gone up, well we had the grade reports and the teachers were caught lying in court.

Well, anyway what a show it just finished WOW! I know where those guys went through, I never went to jail or prison but John and his wife were so poor and they trying to get money from me and everything. "I am going to sue you after this case is over", John kept saying, in the end, the Judge saw that John and his current wife wanted money and could not prove anything, so we had won the case and the kids and I am able to be left alone, although John still goes by the old order and not the new court order and still calls police if something happens, my wife and I don't like hear him so we blocked his number from calling our home, he always threatens to call police because that is illeagal to block his phone number from any phone line, the kids have their own line. But I can put myself in thier spot, it was tough we spent thousands on a case which we did not need to happen, I will never get that money back but it was hard to move on, I do not like the girls' father and now his ex-wife who told everybody in the apartment complex that I was a child molestor I could try to sue them but they have nothing to get. Well good show this was good, if anybody knows how I can I get this money back email me or find me.

{"commentId":6453043,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"dwills"}

#1.2 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:17 AM EDT

{"commentId":6557517,"authorDomain":"jweston98"}

J Weston

so when is the program on that slams the justice dept and social workers for being so obvioulsy wrong. I noticed nobody was charged for this huge injustice which was basically invented by our so called professional law and social people. I'd really like to see the "professionals" that screw up this bad go directly to jail without any further court time allowed to them, feed them what they dished out including the congressman or whatever he calls himself.

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#1.3 - Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:40 AM EDT

{"commentId":6398250,"authorDomain":"donhardy"}

Don Hardy

Hi everyone,

I'm Don, the Co-Director of Witch Hunt. My filmmaking partner, Dana Nachman, and I are very excited to have the world television premiere of our film on MSNBC Sunday night. We've been working on the project for almost five years and it has changed our lives.

Going into this film, I didn’t know very much about the issue of wrongful convictions in the United States. I'd always believed that only guilty people went to prison...that's one thing that sets our country apart from so many others. That's what makes us all feel safe. Making this film, meeting the people who lost years - in some cases decades - of their lives due to faults in the justice system really opened my eyes. These people are just like all of us and these injustices could happen to any of us.

I hope you all enjoy the film and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

-Don

{"commentId":6398250,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"donhardy"}

#2 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 1:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":6450755,"authorDomain":"Lostwithoutourson"}

Lost without our son

Our son is now in jail, wrongfully accused of child molestation. There was not even a DNA match. It actually positively excluded him but.....he sits in prison waiting for an appeal. I am very interested in this series and the help it could offer. Our system is extremely flawed and hopefully this will bring it to light and make change to our judicial system. Our son is losing 8-16 years of his life and never hurt a soul. This is too rampant and too many men especially sit in jail for these crimes they never committed. Our family has been destroyed beyond repair by this. I pray this brings immediate change to these type of charges. All it takes is an allegation. Once your accused, your done!

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#2.1 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452577,"authorDomain":"mbctrigg"}

Brandy-1024231

I wonder why Ed Jagels has not been brought down? It is a known fact in Bakersfield that he has ties to child molestation!! All the innocent were convicted so the guilty could go free. I lost 3 children to a molester in Kern county! He didnt get them but his parents who were retired law enforcement did, even though he lived with them!!! I DID NOTHING WRONG!! and lost 3 beautiful babies to Ed Jagels court system.

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#2.2 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452594,"authorDomain":"jeannette007"}

Jeannette-1024233

Hi Don,

What a informative documentary. You all did a great job.

I was wondering if this case happened near (geographically) another case extremely similar to this one. It started at a day care center about 12 years ago.

Thank you.

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#2.3 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452981,"authorDomain":"skyblues59"}

Dr. Sky

Just watched "Witch Hunt". Brilliant, moving and incredibly important film. I am in a profession that is open season to witch hunters and people keep asking me "How can that happen"? Well, it just does.

Question on the film: What was the first instigation of this? Did a child make a complaint? A doctor? A teacher? I'd be interested to know.

Thanks again for your incredible film.

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#2.4 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:11 AM EDT

{"commentId":6453088,"authorDomain":"a1taxpreparer"}

W B

I want to commend you for your work on this film your accuracy is beyond belief. I do hope this sends the coward D A out of our state. As far as Donny Youngblood and his explanation that is a load of bull if it wasn't for inter department cohersion this would have never happened.

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#2.5 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:21 AM EDT

{"commentId":6453143,"authorDomain":"sallykish"}

alan joseph samson

Hello Don.

Many people think of "wrongful convictions" as you described yourself as having been. That may have been perpetuated because of Attorney General Meese saying something to the effect ..."They wouldn't be charged with a crime if they weren't guilty."...

Your production was good. I like that you took the time necessary to convey the story. I remember having seen it before, perhaps it wasn't yours then, and it seemed to chop-off a lot of what could have been included; questions were left unanswered....

I hope you will have time to report some of the other stories that were playing out around the same time; Dale Aikiki and the McMartins cases come to mind. Those should be easy to look into because of the Grand Jury reports that glanced into things then.

And, of course, please dig into those cases who have not yet risen to media review; those who have been kept quiet perhaps because of the shame felt by the victims, or the tiresome effort of it all when one "knows" that who might believe them gets tired of listening to someone repeat their innocence so often.

Hope this helps.

alan joseph samson
sallykish@aol.com

I Want Justice! Webring - Ringmaster

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#2.6 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:27 AM EDT

{"commentId":6453740,"authorDomain":"donhardy"}

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the great questions. One of the most common questions we get asked is, Why did this happen to these people?

That's a real tough question to answer. The reason these people were singled out varies from case to case. It seems like as soon as your name was on the child protective services (CPS) radar, you were in trouble.

For example, John Stoll, the main character in the film, actually called CPS on his ex-wife because he feared she was trying to turn his son against him. Somehow the allegation of child molestation came back at him.

Brenda and Scott Kniffen were asked to be character witnesses for their friends and when they went to testify, they became known to CPS workers and sheriff's officers.

The truth is this kind of thing can happen to anyone. That's why it's so important that we all pay attention to what's happening in our community and our country. Be active, vote, serve on juries and be part of the solution.

-Don

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#2.7 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:54 AM EDT

{"commentId":6455386,"authorDomain":"nemosk"}

janis blanchette

how can these men, the prosecutor, the DA, and judges not be charged with a crime because surely there was a conspiracy between them . they ruined so many lives, and totally changed the children's lives- the children missed all those years with their mom and dad, and still one boy believed he was molested by his dad - no memory of anything except that. how can these men not be responsible for their actions and why are they still in positions of authority and power? there is no honor in who they are or what they do. is there no justice for the families?

{"commentId":6455386,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"nemosk"}

#2.8 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:31 AM EDT

{"commentId":6542247,"authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

dana-1024069

It's really difficult to prosecute, prosecutors... they have immunity... which is in place for good reasons I think. It's just hard when cases like this happen... we have to have a public outcry... and maybe that will help - pie in the sky, maybe.... but if we put this out there maybe it wont happen again.

Thanks for watching!

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#2.9 - Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":6555345,"authorDomain":"th3rdeye2004"}

th3rdeye

I just saw your documentary and I find myself right now trying to settle down from the multitude of emotions that was caused by this travesty. I've had an experience with CPS and have seen the abuse of authority while serving in the military and it's a shame that there is no recourse of action against those who abuse the power that they have over peoples' lives. I can't begin to imagine the psychological battle of serving time, being away from the very children that these people have been accused of harming and what damage was caused to these adults, who as children were manipulated and played like pawns for someone's political gain. Where is that District Attorney now?

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#2.10 - Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:59 AM EDT

{"commentId":6718014,"authorDomain":"legal-2"}

James Arnold Allen

Don, it is very important for the public to realize how bias the media is in under reporting or censoring stories relating to child allegations - even unfounded ones - which have created a secret court process with significant social stigma utilized to eliminate parents from the lives of children for the purpose of shielding child abuse and potential oversight. My son was taken by force and threat of murder 8 years ago this August without lawful cause, writ, or involvement by the authorities and concealed under threat of murder PRIOR false allegations alleging I abandoned him. Prejudice is such that I have been forced to pay his abductors and denied all visitation for 7 YEARS without having ever faced my accuser in court or any opportunity to enter a plea despite taking part in the legal process and appearing at all my hearings. We are now filing charges against the United States under the United Nations Resolution Against Genocide (Article 3 and 4) in this matter, after Texas rejected our prior class action on the grounds of "Sovereign Immunity" to deny my rights an un unwed father and prior sole source of support and housing for my child. Federal court rejected our appeal on the grounds that the State courts were infalable and we did not represent a "real" class (parents). This led us to the criminal venue where we were told civil and State overrode the Federal criminal charges (1201-1204, 1513e, 1519, 1951) related this activity and the use of my full legal name as a .com address to attack my business in support of the kidnapping across State and International borders by the abductors from 2002-2004 and again in explicit extortion (demands outside court proceedings) in 2008. You can read about our case at "the allen laws" dot com. The civil damages, including harassment taking 10 my real income in 2008; ending a $120,000 per year job in 2001; and direct extortion efforts against American Express cited by the abductors in 2003 to our UK and HK witnesses (International Citizens observing the case for Hague prosecution) including threats to deter their testimony and attempted murder Nov 2002 and March 2003 as well as threats of murder August 2008 after threat of bodily harm (May 2008) and vehicular sabotage (July 2008) related the kidnapping and extortion effort before additional reputable witnesses of our community. Despite this, State and Federal authorities plea "there are no laws" to protect me or my company in the United States because I was 'convicted' (in default judgement) of 'abandonment' in my child's case and the trial claim by Dallas County (2002 May). I had with me both on the day of physical abduction and on the day of threat to murder two independent witnesses who remain willing to testify. Neither have been permitted to make a formal statement by police in this matter, repeatedly (2001 Aug, 2001 Sept, 2002 Nov, 2003 March, 2007 Sept) calling it a civil matter even on presentation to the FBI of Oklahoma City after menace of our International witnesses and citation of false facts to undermine and sabotage that person's relationship with the firm (valued at $200,000 by contract).

America has a problem.

{"commentId":6718014,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"legal-2"}

#2.11 - Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":6767929,"authorDomain":"jennj8675309"}

withheld for now

Dear Don,

I am the daughter of one of the main CPS workers involved with this case and I would like to try to help those wrongly prosecuted by Kern County Child Protective Services. The information that I can provide may or may not be of relevance now that these poor people have already served their time, lost their kids etc...the corruption that I personally witnessed is disgusting and believe me it is not just isolated to this one case. I have provided my email address and I will wait to hear back from you. Prayers to the defendants and their families for all their pain and suffering I wish the best for you all.

{"commentId":6767929,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"jennj8675309"}

#2.12 - Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:47 AM EDT

{"commentId":6884590,"authorDomain":"supermamatmck"}

Shelly-1080987

Hello, my name is Shelly Vick and I am the wife of one of the defendants that was prosecuted during the Witch Hunt time in Kern County. I was very interested in your post because not too many people have came out and told the truth for all of these years. My husband is an innocent man who lives with humiliation of having to register as a sex offender each year on his birthday. It is very degrading to be labeled a child molestor. My husbands case has not been overturned and we were unable to come to the showing in Bakersfield and the rally at the courthouse, to tell you the truth I don't think my husband wanted the publicity. We are so happy that John Stole brought this about so that everyone who has judged my husband and all the others can see what the truth is. My husband did time with John Stole and some of the others as well. Thank you for your prayers and if you could please contact me to let me know about what you know I would be very interested to hear what you have to say. Thank you, Shelly Vick

{"commentId":6884590,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"supermamatmck"}

#2.13 - Mon May 4, 2009 10:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":6885095,"authorDomain":"supermamatmck"}

Hello Don and Dana, I am so happy to see that the truth about these cases are finally coming out. My husband's name is Roy Vick and he was sentenced in Kern County to 16 counts of child molestation of his two neices. They also convicted him of kidnapping. He was sentenced to 32 years in prison but served 17 years of his term. We would really like to get in touch with John Stole who served time with my husband and also had the same attorney which was Ron Jackson. We think he may be able to lead us in the right direction in order to get my husband's case overturned. We would also like to thank him for bringing the truth out for each and every one involved in these cases so that they can hold there heads high and know that the truth is finally known by everyone. We have not been able to afford to hire an attorney and at one time we was going to hire Michael Sneddeker but he wanted $10,000 just to retain him. Kern County is very crocked for what they did to destroy these innocent people's lives. God Bless you for bringing out the truth. My husband and I have suffered much humiliation, have lost friends and someone always see's him on Megan's Law and then we have to explain but no one believes this can actually happen. John if you see this posting please contact me at . Thank You, Shelly

{"commentId":6885095,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"supermamatmck"}

#2.14 - Mon May 4, 2009 11:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":6409298,"authorDomain":"justice1st"}

justice1st

Was the book by journalist Ed Humes, MEAN JUSTICE a source of information for this documentary? I hope so. I have read the book more than once, particularly chapters two and eight, the ones that focus on the "child molestation ring" witch hunt, and the entire book was truly gut-wrenching. It is my hope that "WITCH HUNT" will raise considerable awareness that wrongful convictions DO happen, with a lot more frequency than many law enforcement officials would like the American public to know. I am anxious to see this new documentary, although it will make me just as angry as the first one.

My thanks and congratulations to you, Mr. Penn, and all who worked hard to produce this story of those who were wrongfully convicted by a so-called "justice system" that deliberately put blinders on to get convictions for the state. It is good to see Mr. Stoll looking so well, and I wish him and all the others of the wrongful convictions in this case all the best.

Susan, VA

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#3 - Thu Apr 9, 2009 11:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":6542282,"authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

Yes, great book!!! Thank you!

{"commentId":6542282,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

#3.1 - Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":6419466,"authorDomain":"lucy-fur"}

lucy.fur

Think you for bringing the issue of false allegations of sexual abuse to the public's attention again. As a friend of a man who has been falsely accused by a younger, cocaine-using sister who supposedly "recovered" memories of sexual abuse she claims happened over 30 years ago (creating a convenient scapegoat for her substance abuse and marital problems), I have seen him and his family being torn apart by these accusations, while the therapist who initiated her "recovered memory therapy" continues to collect huge fees for the continued "treatment." It makes me sick. Luckily for my friend, most members of his family do not believe the accusations, and no criminal charges have been initiated.

{"commentId":6419466,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"lucy-fur"}

#4 - Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":6421491,"authorDomain":"bben"}

Grandmom-1021967

Some of us who were falsely accused were fortunate that the legal system was never involved. However, our lives were changed forever and the pain does not go away. Over twenty years ago our eldest of four daughters made accusations against my late husband, me and others. She was married at that time and had a son who was nine years old and is thirty now. She had already been diagnosed as paranoid by a psychiatrist but her therapist simply refused to acknowledge any illness other than her own diagnosis of repressed memory.

I have waited all these years in sorrow hoping that, as an adult, my grandson would want to know me and judge for himself the kind of person I am. However, he has been so brain washed that he won't respond to any effort I make to communicate with him and I have to accept that I will not see him before I die. Since I am eighty-three, and have been fighting lung cancer for over five years, I realize that it just never will happen, and yet I think about it every day. I know where he lives and his likely profession, but I don't know if he is married or has children or anything else about him.

It fills me with overwhelming sadness to know that all these years there has been no way I could help my sick daughter or my grandson who literally had his family stolen from him by his mother.

People like me are the lost and forgotten victims of this toxic therapy. Nonetheless, you are to be profoundly thanked for the impact this movie is sure to make. I will be watching on Sunday.

{"commentId":6421491,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"bben"}

3 votes

#5 - Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452599,"authorDomain":"lucy-fur"}

Grandmom, I'm so sorry for what you have gone through and are going through. It's horrible.

You might find some comfort by looking at the website of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation, www.fmsfonline.org.

{"commentId":6452599,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"lucy-fur"}

#5.1 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":6556250,"authorDomain":"canray93"}

fmsmom2006

Finally someone speaking up about False Memory Syndrome. The witch hunt still continues. Families continue to be devastated by irresponsible authorities. Mine was the mental health system.

I lost my daughter 3 years ago. She was seeking help for her problems, but because of irresponsible therapy, and than lack of, and hypnosis, she now has a reason for all of her problems. We were able to protect and preserve our innocence, but our family has been forever changed. The mental health system failed me and my family, as they failed those children involved in the Bakersfield case.

Shame on the officials in California who continue to deny their responsibility. As civil servants they promised to protect the innocent...not create evil.

I too, found it hard to believe that innocent people could be convicted of a crime they did not commit, but now I am not so naive.

Thank you for this documentary. Thank you MSNBC. Thank you Sean Penn. Thank you for speaking out.

A mother devastated by FMS

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#5.2 - Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:14 AM EDT

{"commentId":6422241,"authorDomain":"donhardy"}

Thank you both for sharing your stories. I'm very sorry to hear about what you and you families have gone through. Hopefully our film will open a few eyes to the damage that false accusations and wrongful convictions take on the families involved.

Best wishes,

Don

{"commentId":6422241,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"donhardy"}

#6 - Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":6428430,"authorDomain":"mharrin11"}

Mary Harrington

We were one of the first families to go through this.. 1989. We have lost 3 of our 11 children to this delusion. I write to them a few times a year, but no response after 20 years. We had lost a 4th, but he came to his senses after realizing that all the stories of abuse he heard in therapy were basically the same story. That did not make sense to him.

I do appreciate your producing this movie to help us grieve and to hope that our grown children will happen to watch it too. We were not arrested, although the police were sent to our home with a search warrant, when we still had 4 children at home. It is the greatest tragedy other than the murder of a child that any family could go through. The only good to come out of it is that the other 8 children are very close.

{"commentId":6428430,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"mharrin11"}

#7 - Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:06 AM EDT

{"commentId":6866072,"authorDomain":"ajclearman"}

Dr Alice

MARY HARRINGTON,

I'm so sorry to hear this! There is some very interesting recent research demonstrating that people can be more confident - adamantly so - of their false memories than their true memories. We all have plenty of false memories - but they usually are benign.

There is very promising research using PET scan imagery - it shows brain activity. A true memory of an event will show activation in the parts of the brain that experience the event. Visual cortex, auditory, etc. If it is not a true memory, those areas of the brain are not active. I have great hopes that this will lead to improvements in our criminal justice system.

There is no adequate compensation for innocent people convicted of those crimes. It is a truly horrible aspect of our society. And I so wish those "recovered memory" social workers would... er... READ THE RESEARCH!

Pet peeve of mine.

Again, I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. I cannot imagine how painful it is.

{"commentId":6866072,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"ajclearman"}

#7.1 - Sun May 3, 2009 7:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":6430022,"authorDomain":"estherbunny"}

Esther Hyman

I wish I were in the States to see Sunday's showing of your powerful documentary. Congratulations Don and Dana. May your success with "Witch Hunt" be your first of many as KTF Films. Your integrity speaks for itself. Warm wishes - Esther

{"commentId":6430022,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"estherbunny"}

#8 - Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:37 AM EDT

{"commentId":6439922,"authorDomain":"lmoney52"}

Jennaanne

I am anxious to watch the documentary tomorrow night, but why dont you do more recent cases involving prosecutorial misconduct? Such as the Anand Jon case? He has been in jail for over two years on false sexual allegations and the prosecution has threatened witnesses, destroyed eveidence, then in the recent article out there was a juror who contacted Anands sister and the judge ordered her to meet him and the DA's investigators wired her and were at the place they were going to meet at , but then intercepted the meeting and threatened the juror! They have court again on Aoril the 17th in the downtown LA court. CHeck out the website that has all the articles.. its crazy it can happen to any of us.. www.supportanandjon.org

{"commentId":6439922,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"lmoney52"}

#9 - Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":6544537,"authorDomain":"janalerner"}

Jana LernerDeleted

{"commentId":6443447,"authorDomain":"tkringlen"}

tj-1023559

My career as an investigator of child abuse ended when I was relentlessly harassed for refusing to accept as fact allegations that were in some cases clearly planted in the minds of young children who didn't even understand the actions they were describing. At other times reports came from children who had denied the allegations for years and showed no physical indications of abuse which would have been obvious to the examining medical professions. The children were rewarded for coming up wth allegations which were treated as evidence of personal improvement, sometimes after years of counseling and/or residential treatment. Release from residential treatment was the carrot held in front of them.

Repressed memories, assisted communication with autistic children and on and on. Some of the methods of investigating are unbelievably.....whatever. Politics, by this I mean what the public will tolerate is the determining factor or driving force behind much of this. Resist it and it's suggested you don't care about victims of abuse. Go along and you merely risk offendng the alleged "perverts".

By the way I don't have MSNBC available on my television. Can this be seen on the internet tonight?

{"commentId":6443447,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"tkringlen"}

#10 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:21 AM EDT

{"commentId":6444449,"authorDomain":"jambour"}

John-60002001

oh my God, when i saw the title of this movie, i thought it is movie about The Gambia, West Africa, as right now;this day and age, witch hunting is taking place there. What is most unbelievable about it is, it is being sponsored by the president of the country who according to reports brought in 'withch-doctors' from nearby countries to cleanse the country of witches. This started when the president's auntie died for which he blamed the witches.

As of now, hundreds and hundreds of people have been arrested so far and detained in a government facilities where they being forced to drink certain concoctions so as to deprive them of the powers that make them witches. Few people have died as of now.

One of the country's leading politicians who is also a sociologist started a research into matter, he was arrested and charged with treason. Fortunately for him after a lot of cries from Human Right groups, he was released.

Take a look at this youtube video:

{"commentId":6444449,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"jambour"}

#11 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:18 AM EDT

{"commentId":6450417,"authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

Hi All.

Thanks so much for watching tonight. Don and I are thrilled to bring Witch Hunt to you all!

{"commentId":6450417,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

#12 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452363,"authorDomain":"cckw2"}

lc-1024205

you should read the book mean justice, it is also about kern county and check out other murders and molestations, Glenn Fritts, Buck, Tauser

{"commentId":6452363,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"cckw2"}

#12.1 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":6453254,"authorDomain":"donhardy"}

You're right. Mean Justice is a fantastic book. Well worth your time.

{"commentId":6453254,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"donhardy"}

#12.2 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:38 AM EDT

{"commentId":6450552,"authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

Thanks so much for watching tonight. Don and I are really excited to bring Witch Hunt to you.

Dana

{"commentId":6450552,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

#13 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":6451433,"authorDomain":"honorthesabbath"}

Linda-1024142

Hi Don and Dana--I am looking forward to watching tonight's documentary because MY INNOCENT son just spent three years of his life in Colorado prisions because of this horrible accusation. He won his appeal, but now the DA's are going for the FOURTH TRIAL! How can we endure yet another one? This is insanity! This is also history in the making as Colorado has not tried anyone--ever before- four times for the same offense. My son will be the first one. We used to have a web site set up for his story, but due to financial restraints, we forced to take it down. The judges and DA's in Colorado are corrupt to the bone and something needs to be done about it. Documentaries like yours are the ONLY way to get the public educated. Child molesting charges are slam dunk wins for the state. The juries are so contaminated by the false information that the news media is constantly pumping out about 'sex offenders' that you cannot get a fair and unbiased trial in this country any more.

{"commentId":6451433,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"honorthesabbath"}

#14 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":6456070,"authorDomain":"Lostwithoutourson"}

Linda,

I know exactly how you feel. The jury in our son's case had 3 of them sleeping during the defense witness testimonies. An appeal was filed and immediately denied without a hearing. We are now filing our 1st appeal. I pray, I pray it doesn't take three years. I'll keep you in our prayers.

{"commentId":6456070,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"Lostwithoutourson"}

#14.1 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:32 AM EDT

{"commentId":6461682,"authorDomain":"honorthesabbath"}

I would like to add one more thought to this discussion. There is a huge number of grass roots groups popping up all over this country that are trying to get this sort of thing stopped. Please search the internet for a group that you would like to be associated with, join it and get active. The only way this insanity is going to stop is for WE THE PEOPLE to put a stop to it!

But another biggy in my eyes is this --MAKE FALSE ACCUSATION A FELONY WITH STIFF PENALTIES!!!! As it stands now, these vindictive women can go to the DA's office, full well knowing that even if it is proved that they are lying (which usually doesn't happen), that NOTHING is going to happen to them. But if we would do as the bible commands and give the false accusor the SAME PENALTY THAT THE ACCUSED WOULD HAVE GOTTEN, then I think we would see a great drop in these kinds of cases.

{"commentId":6461682,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"honorthesabbath"}

#14.2 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":6528850,"authorDomain":"Lostwithoutourson"}

KUDOS to you on that suggestion. Yes, if the woman KNEW they could go to jail and serve the same time the person they had convicted served I GUARANTEE we would see an immediate decrease in these types of charges.

{"commentId":6528850,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"Lostwithoutourson"}

#14.3 - Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":6451956,"authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

Linda. What a terrible ordeal! I can't imagine how hard that must be for your family!

{"commentId":6451956,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"dana-nachman"}

#15 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":6451965,"authorDomain":"jillles"}

jillles

The methods used by the detectives, therapists and doctors in California in the 80s, and debunked by many in recent years, are still being used where I practice as a public defender in upstate New York. Roland Summit, the author of the article on Child Sexual Abuse Accomodation Syndrome, and its creator, would be happy to know how many times his creation is offered by the prosecution in support of their cases. Courts allow "experts" to come in and testify to CSAAS - that whatever the child demonstrates in behavior is consistent with CSAAS. And doctors follow Astrid Heger's path - justifying injury or lack of injury as consistent with CSAAS. Some attorneys let this nonsense go unchallenged, and doctors aren't willing to testify against the so-called experts because they're all associated with the same hospitals. The most ridiculous stories are unchallenged by police and prosecutors, who will prosecute any time the complainant makes a claim. And they immediately indict the cases and threaten witnesses when they want to opt out. The witchhunt is alive and well here.

{"commentId":6451965,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"jillles"}

#16 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":6454122,"authorDomain":"rckalicki"}

Casey Kalicki

I've done some research in this area and am aware of Dr. Astrid Heger. Do you know Dr. Stephen Geurtin, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing MI. He is brilliant and helped me with my case (I have a full comment posted below).

{"commentId":6454122,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"rckalicki"}

#16.1 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:33 AM EDT

{"commentId":6456270,"authorDomain":"tkringlen"}

Dr. Stephen Ceci has done some thought provoking work in the area of child witnesses.

{"commentId":6456270,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"tkringlen"}

#16.2 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:45 AM EDT

{"commentId":6452030,"authorDomain":"bill-85"}

Bill Newmiller

Thanks to the filmmakers and to MSNBC for showing "Witch Hunt." The showing caps an Easter Sunday when our family visited our son, Todd, who is serving 31 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. In many ways, Colorado Springs, where he faced his trial and conviction is like Bakersfield, a conservative and fearful community of highly compliant people who place great trust in authority.

Since Todd's conviction, we've fought hard for his exoneration, and we continue our fight every day. But our system is an arrogant one that is unwilling to admit mistakes. Getting attention to wrongful convictions is a great challenge. So I applaud your courage in speaking the truth about how our justice system can go astray.

We keep a weblog of our thoughts and experience at .

{"commentId":6452030,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"bill-85"}

#17 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452243,"authorDomain":"mknt"}

Michaela Wilson

Dear everyone,

Unfotunately I personally am very aware of what these people have gone thru and are going thru. Have any of you ever heard of the Wenatchee Witch Hunt ? That is Wenatchee Washington. Google Wenatchee Witch Hunt. It's all in the name of the all mighty dollar. You see if there isn't any children in the care and custody of the state ( what ever state ) that state doesn't get any money. The ring leader of the Wenatchee Witch Hunt, Pat Boggess, she was my case worker from the social service office of the C.P.S. Mondale said that he didn't want it to become a business, but it has. I lost my children 5 years ago. I'm listening to Brenda on the t.v. right now and my heart goes oust to you. How can these people do this? I wish the judges would wake up and smell the damn coffee? What and the hell is wrong with these people?? I know this much, your lives will never be the same. Never, never. You all ready know that . I wish I could help each and everyone of you. Find an attorney and band together and sue them, the people of Washington sate did and as of 5 years ago they had paid out over 10 million dollars in restitution to these people. I can barely watch this show without crying, my heart is aching. Please band together and take these bastards down, each and everyone of these sick people. Please, I beg the courts to stop this insanity. You destroy so many lives. I lost my children, I know !

sincerely sickened,

Michaela Jo Wilson

{"commentId":6452243,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"mknt"}

#18 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452283,"authorDomain":"kosmicki-k-e"}

KaptKos

1980 my sister and I were molested by my mom's boyfriend and we both testified against E.J. Roberts and he only got 1 year in a minimum security prision there in Bakersfield, CA.

As for these people on this "Witch Hunt" show; yeah, they may be innocent to such accusations. They received more strigent sentences for alleged crimes than this Mr. Roberts did; even as my sister's testimony and my own testimony were not fabricated.

I know my and my sister's case were 4 years prior to this tv show's cases; however, maybe that is why the judge and the prosecutor became more gun hoe against this type of crime.

It is a sick enough of a world we live in; however, when real criminals get off with lessor punishment than innocent perpetrators do,, somethings not right!!

{"commentId":6452283,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"kosmicki-k-e"}

#19 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452417,"authorDomain":"militaryinjustice"}

Angela -1024214

Don and Dana,

I just want to applaud you for taking the time to bring this subject to light. In our society it's almost taboo to speak of this sort of thing, but we have to realize that false accusations do happen to good people. Most do not realize that it is a crime to falsely accuse/help convict someone who is innocent and once the accusation is out, the accused(s) are looked upon as child molesters for the rest of their lives.

I'm going through a similar situation right now. I am a married mother of 2 small children. My husband Edwin was active duty in the Marine Corps stationed a Camp Pendleton, CA when he was accused by his ex-wife's, best friend's daughter. He was convicted of sexual assault of a minor based on no evidence, physical or otherwise. A military judge sentenced him to 25 years at FT. Leavenworth USDB in August 2007.

Since Edwin's conviction, I have discovered that the father of the child, a religious program specialist in the Navy lied about taking his child to a naval hospital and the mother of the child, in front of a witness, said that it was my husband who did this to her.

I have also found that NCIS never reported this crime to the state or federal authorities, violating reporting requirements-yet Edwin still sits in prison for a crime he didn't commit. His ex-wife was even accused of witnessing the alleged event, which the child told NCIS on video but in a court room she couldn't remember saying any of that and the ex-wife was never brought up on any charges.

I have bought this to the attention of the Marine Corps, the Judge Advocate General, NCIS, and the prosecutors but they don't care. They refuse to do anything because it's going to make them look bad.

Our lives have been ruined because of this. Not only Ediwn's life but our children's as well. I fell terrible knowing that everyday this happens all over our country and no one wants to do anything to change it. Again, I applaud you for taking the time to do this documentary. Maybe if the people in Washington find what is going on they will make the necessary changes to stop this in the future.

Thank you again for all you hard work

Angela

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#20 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452454,"authorDomain":"barnesscott"}

Scott-1024218

Having had many years of law Enforcement experience in Kern County and knowing Ed Jagles VERY well, he was a homosexual lover of my uncle James E Poole whom Ed had appointed to the Grand Jury so Ed could learn if anyone was onto his fraudulent investigations and his own love of young boys. Ed had several marriages to make it appear he was straight, however Stan Harper and my uncle knew better. As did we who were investigating Ed Jagels and his Brother Jeff Jagels for Child Porn, he tried to set many people up on phony cases and Jagles is one man who some day will have to face all the Lies, false cases and false convictions he has done, Ed Jagles was deeply involved in a Youth program called KICK of Bakersfield where he would groom and pick what children he liked in the drug rehab program so much could be told but your story says most of it good luck, Jagles is a very Evil and Wicked Molester of kids himself he and my uncle broke up some years bakc

{"commentId":6452454,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"barnesscott"}

#21 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":6457685,"authorDomain":"cummingsconsultants"}

jaknjky

It would be great if the local media would grab your story and run w/ it. More people like you need to step up let the public know what 's going on.

{"commentId":6457685,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"cummingsconsultants"}

#21.1 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:04 AM EDT

{"commentId":6517038,"authorDomain":"mbctrigg"}

you are bery right about ed jagels!! I too lived in bakersfield although not in law enforcement. It ia a well known fact tha he (Jagels) loves little boys. Who is the power behind this man that he has never been brought to justice? then there is also the whole ED Whiting being bad too.

{"commentId":6517038,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"mbctrigg"}

#21.2 - Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:44 AM EDT

{"commentId":6855695,"authorDomain":"witchunt"}

Gail-1078680

wow,,,,,just,,,WOW,,,there you have it....

{"commentId":6855695,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"witchunt"}

#21.3 - Sat May 2, 2009 10:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452465,"authorDomain":"pwpw63"}

suetiggers

I am a mother of a 47 yr. old man who has served two of a three year prison sentence for being one day late in changing his address on the sex-offender registry. He was falsely accused over 13 years ago by a child of 8 who lived with 3 criminal uncles (one a convicted pedaphile) and a mother and older sister who were prostitutes and drug addicts. The mother and sister are now dead. My son never had more than a traffic ticket when this happened. He got connected with this family because he was mentally ill, naïve and moved into one of Baltimore's worst neighborhoods. He became friendly with the older sister of this child . He was much too trusting about people. Ken is a 100% service-connected veteran.

He was an easy scapegoat. There was no evidence except her word against his. But his attorney was terrible, never told us this was a felony and never told us a lot more he could have. Ken took an alford plea. Very big mistake even though it seemed right for over ten years. Ken's lawyer did not want to go to trial; he made that clear with his anger when I suggested we think about the plea.

Ken served his 4 yrs. probation and lived quietly until he moved into one of Baltimore's wealthy neighborhoods. His life changed radically. His name and face became a media firestorm because of the AGAIN false accusations of people saying they saw him at or near the local school. These charges were all dropped for lack of evidence and there was actually proof that he was not in the car people said they saw him in and he never owned a camera, another thing people said they saw him taking pictures of children. In the initial and then latest search warrant, absolutely not one iota of anything was found in his apartment. But, his life is ruined. Our family is in great pain and fear every day for his safety.
Please know that children need to be given polygraphs or better yet, the voice-testing (which would not harm them) when they accuse someone of this terrible crime. I worked for four years when I was younger in child abuse work and I did see occasionally a child who lied and it is horrific because most people won't be objective about this crime. These cases are not so simple and the registry is an abomination of civil rights to men (mostly) who are not dangerous people.

The girl who lied about my son finally told the truth two years ago. She gave a deposition to my son's attorney and she writes letters from prison begging my forgiveness and his. Why did she lie? She was jealous of the relationship my son had with her older sister who she was very attached to. And her grandmother and a nosy, neighborhood watchwoman thought my son looked "weird". The district attorney used that same word about him to his attorney. He was phobic about dentists so had very bad teeth and also severe skin problems. Mentally ill people often don't take care of themselves. This girl looked the victim and my son Looked guilty but it was just the opposite. He was a lamb among wolves. The girl is in prison now for prostitution and drugs like her mother and sister before her. And my son is still on the registry. His appeal was denied. It seems that it's very easy for people to believe the guilt if someone is accused in these cases. But the states attorneys and many others find it hard to believe when someone who lied finally tells the truth in these cases.

{"commentId":6452465,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"pwpw63"}

#22 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452503,"authorDomain":"bill-85"}

Thanks to the filmmakers and to MSNBC for the courage to produce and show this film.

We're watching after an Easter Sunday spent visiting our son who is serving 31 years for a murder he didn't commit. His trial was in Colorado Springs, a town somewhat like Bakersfied--conservative, populated by people very deferential to authority.

Fighting a wrongful conviction is unbelieveably challenging--the system is arrogant, always unwilling to admit error. But we soldier on every day. We keep a weblog about our experiences at .

{"commentId":6452503,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"bill-85"}

#23 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":6453435,"authorDomain":"marcia27"}

Marcia McGuire

I would also like to thank each and every person involved in making this exceptional film! So very well done! My heart goes to those innocent people, including the manipulated minds of the children, now adults attempting to cope with 'justice' and CPS abuses. The law and CPS are the actual abusers. It haunts falsely manipulated and accused people (including extended family) their entire lives.

I question why there is immunity for the 'justice' and CPS community once their own deceptions have been exposed. In too many cases, there are criminal characters in these occupations. Their primary concern is to self-promote. There is a strong lack of honor and conscience in the legal and CPS vocations. Money and political favor are motivating factors in convicting anyone. Since the money and personal advancements are foremost, it is inconsequential if 5-10% of the accused are innocent. This is unacceptable. This can happen to anyone. In Colorado, there is absolutely no compensation for wrongful convictions. Zero.

I know about Mr. Newmiller's son and the way this trial was conducted. Unbelievable!The entire weblog presents a wealth of information concerning their son's 31 year prison conviction and how the case was mishandled. The CASE SUMMARY at the top of the page will give you the facts.

Please check:

{"commentId":6453435,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"marcia27"}

#23.1 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:02 AM EDT

{"commentId":6453466,"authorDomain":"donhardy"}

I'm sorry to hear what your family is going through. Please reach out to the Innocence Project near you to see if they can help.

Innocence Project Link

{"commentId":6453466,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"donhardy"}

#23.2 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:08 AM EDT

{"commentId":6453574,"authorDomain":"marcia27"}

BearingFalseWitness.blogspot.com

{"commentId":6453574,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"marcia27"}

#23.3 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:22 AM EDT

{"commentId":6452510,"authorDomain":"barnesscott"}

As a retired Investigator who worked for a long time on Ed Jagles and know he himself is a molester himself, he and my Uncle James E Poole and Ed were lovers dating back to about 1976 to 1985 I was assigned to Investigate Jagels and his brother Jeff for his child molesting and child porn he had. Ed used a Bakerfield Youth rehab called KICK to pick and groom the young boys he liked he did the same at Kern County Youth Probation camp owen as well, Jagles was and is a lying what we call a 5150 in the Code a real ego nut job. I hope your program reveals how evil and what a molester he is as well.

{"commentId":6452510,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"barnesscott"}

#24 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":6455637,"authorDomain":"nemosk"}

they deserve to go to general population and try to survive - low life human beings with NO HONOR and has shamed their families for decades to come-

{"commentId":6455637,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"nemosk"}

#24.1 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:54 AM EDT

{"commentId":6461894,"authorDomain":"cummingsconsultants"}

Now is the time for anyone who has been victimized by Jagels to come forward, whether they were a teenager or child (now grown up) Contact the editorial dept of the Bakersfield Californian or e-mail Don and Dana

{"commentId":6461894,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"cummingsconsultants"}

#24.2 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":6452531,"authorDomain":"Mnypny"}

Kathy-1024223

Thank you for bringing light to this ugly situation. In 1994, in the state of Nevada, my brother was arrested on charges of child molestation. He was assigned a public defender that changed repeatedly. He could never find out what sort of evidence they had. He was repeatedly urged to take a plea as he would most certainly be convicted to life in prison without possibility of parole. At the time, our mother was ill with COPD and her prognosis was not good. My brother took the plea as the PD assured him he would have a chance at parole. He was sentenced to five years on one count and five to life on the second. Ultimately, after he signed away all of his civil rights, he found there was no evidence at all and the person who interviewed the little girl involved wasn't even qualified to do so. He tried every avenue of redress but was unsuccessful. Mom died in 2001, always expecting him to walk through the door at any minute. He was finally granted parole on December 29, 2008. He must stay in Nevada indefinitely (I live in California). He has been frantically seeking a job since January 3, 2009 and can find nothing. The economy isn't too friendly to a convicted felon. And if he doesn't find a job, he'll go back to prison. Would someone please, please investigate the state of Nevada? The judicial and prison systems there are unbelievably crooked. On just what he's been through I could write a book.

{"commentId":6452531,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"Mnypny"}

#25 - Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":6456555,"authorDomain":"tkringlen"}

He pleaded guilty without knowing what evidence the state had of the crime? Hmm!

{"commentId":6456555,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"tkringlen"}

#25.1 - Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:03 AM EDT

{"commentId":7367982,"authorDomain":"Lostwithoutourson"}

Don't be so quick to judge tj. Once you are accused, your life is over with or without any evidence. It most cases it is best to plea regardless because they don't need anything at all other than an allegation to put you away for years and years and years.

{"commentId":7367982,"threadId":"549616","contentId":"2652879","authorDomain":"Lostwithoutourson"}

#25.2 - Sat May 30, 2009 7:16 PM EDT

Sean Penn's "Witch Hunt" - Leave questions for the producers and people featured in the program

Witch Hunt will reair on Sunday, April 26 at 3 PM ET

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Share your thoughts on 'A Father's Promise'...

Sean Penn's "Witch Hunt" - Leave questions for the producers and people featured in the program

Sean Penn's "Witch Hunt" - Leave questions for the producers and people featured in the program

Ask "My Mother's Garden" filmmaker, Cynthia Lester, your questions.

Sean Penn's "Witch Hunt" - Leave questions for the producers and people featured in the program

Al Roker Reporting: Generation Rx - Ask Linda Surks your questions

Al Roker Reporting: Generation Rx - Ask Linda Surks your questions

Al Roker Reporting: Generation Rx - Ask Linda Surks your questions

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Sean Penn's "Witch Hunt" - Leave questions for the producers and people featured in the program

Witch Hunt will reair on Sunday, April 26 at 3 PM ET

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