Question

According to "Wrongful Convictions,” there was eyewitness error in 83 percent of the wrongful conviction cases in the study. Which detail from Just Mercy helps readers understand more about the issues with eyewitness testimony?

“The prosecution also presented testimony from a police officer who got a ‘glimpse’ of an African American youth running from the victim’s house.”
“Joe was made to say in court what the victim remembered her assailant saying to her.”
“Joe was convicted by a six-person jury after a trial that lasted only one day.”
“The defense lawyer had filed no written pleadings and uttered no more than twelve transcript lines at sentencing.”

Answer 1

“The prosecution also presented testimony from a police officer who got a ‘glimpse’ of an African American youth running from the victim’s house.”

That detail directly shows the kind of fleeting, unreliable observation that produces eyewitness error — brief viewing, poor lighting/stress, and the cross-race effect can all cause misidentification.