“When you lose your freedom, you lose something…a certain feeling about yourself, about life and itself.”
These strong words are from an unnamed exoneree associated with the Innocence Project of Florida, Inc., who recently presented two of their cases at UT.
The IPF’s main task is to represent those wrongly accused of crimes because of their inability to defend themselves.
With over 1,500 requests asking for support thus far, the hunt for freedom is constant.
Luckily, UT students and staff had the opportunity to be in the presence of two IPF exonerees, Larry Peterson of Burlington County, New Jersey and Alan Crotzer of St. Petersburg, Florida. Both were wrongly accused and convicted of serious crimes.
Larry Peterson’s situation begins on the morning of August 24, 1987.
A woman’s body was found on the side of the road in Burlington County, New Jersey.
She had been strangled and sexually assaulted.
Peterson said that two friends of the victim and her boyfriend called prosecutors reporting that he had visible “fingernail scratch marks on his arm.” Peterson said he voluntarily went to police, denying all accusations.
Three witnesses initially all agreed that they knew of Peterson’s whereabouts that night.
Yet after police interrogations, the three men confessed that on the way to work Peterson had revealed details to them about “ripping the victim’s clothing” and “having sexual relations.”
Peterson said he defended himself at his trial.
He said certain information, like how his confession to the witnesses was a hoax because he did not even work that day, and other interesting evidence did not prevent the jury for convicting him of felony murder and aggravated sexual assault.
In March 1989 he was sentenced to life plus twenty years in prison.
In 1995, the Innocence Project stumbled upon Peterson’s case. After intense research and analysis, it was discovered that Peterson’s DNA did not match up with the reliable evidence found earlier.
His conviction was vacated in July 2005 and although the prosecution demanded a retrial, Peterson was released August 2005.
Peterson said his post-conviction experience consisted of “adapting to the new society” because of all the updated technology and news feeds.
He initially went to a homeless shelter, then eventually received help from IPF.
“I was under so much intense pressure and interrogation all the time, I was almost convinced I did the crime,” he said. “Thank God for DNA.”
Once Peterson left the stage, Alan Crotzer began to tell his own story.
On July 9, 1981 Crotzer was charged and convicted with numerous crimes including sexual battery, kidnapping, burglary, aggravated assault, robbery and attempted robbery.
The crime that led to his false conviction involves three men who, on July 8,1981 forced their way into a home here in Tampa, FL, where they threatened the home owners with guns and robbery.
Two victims from the house, a 38 year old woman and 12 year old daughter were taken from the house and forced into the trunk of a car.
Later that night, both victims were brutally assaulted sexually and left in the woods.
The following day, the police ran the license plate number given to them. Photographs of different owners of the car and Douglas James, an “accomplice” and Alan Crotzer were revealed.
The 38 year-old victim made recognition of Alan Crotzer’s photo.
In addition, all the victims at the household that night took a look at the line up of photos available. Alan Crotzer was identified as the man with the shotgun who raped both victims.
Crotzer claims that his early record of trouble during his childhood let up to this rushed conviction.
“Do not make stupid decisions that can cost you in the end,” he said.
James and Crotzer were tried together.
The clash of claims was a main flaw in having the two victims tried together because James was claiming he was not involved in the rape while Crotzer was trying to prove his innocence totally.
Based on his biased trial, Crozter was convicted of all charges on April 22, 1982 and sentenced to 130 years in prison.
It was not until 2003 that the IPF obtained access to the evidence files in Crozter’s case, demanding re-testing and re-evaluating of evidence.
After DNA analysis, Crotzer’s innocence was confirmed, and James admitted that himself and Crotzer’s relationship was nonexistent until the trial.
On Jan. 23, 2006, Crotzer’s conviction was overturned and he was released from prison after spending 24 years of his life there.
Crozter is an inspiration to many current inmates and close friends and family members.
After being locked up for 24 years of his life, he still finds gratitude for the small things in life.
“Bless the individual, because there is no time to be bitter,” he said.
He spends a lot of his time talking passionately at schools and universities about the Innocence Project of Florida and how to keep kids off the streets.
“Fighting mistreatment in prison is a goal I’ve set for myself that I will achieve,” he said.
The Criminology Club, P.E.A.C.E., and the students in Criminology 102, helped bring the IPF to UT.
Corey Albright can be reached at calbright@ut.edu.
Florida’s Innocence Project Comes to UT
Published: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Updated: Thursday, October 30, 2008
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