The Innocence Files recap: Episode 7, ‘Wrong Place, Wrong Time’

The Innocence Files episode 7 focuses on Chester  Hollman.

After examining the wrongful incarceration of Thomas Haynesworth, in a movie-length episode. The Innocence Files episode 7 looks at the case of Chester Hollman, who received a life sentence for the 1991 shooting death of Tae Jung Ho in Philadelphia. After spending nearly 30 years in prison, the cards were very much stacked against Hollman. However, some believed in his innocence, including The Innocence Project and Hollman’s own Attorney, Alan Tauber, who agreed to work the case for free.

Patricia Cummings, the DA’s Supervisor of Conviction Integrity Unity, also looked at the case and saw problems. However, let’s look at more specifics of the case against Hollman, which was always on the flimsy side. At the time of the crime, a witness named Sal saw a white Chevy Blazer, and inside the vehicle, there were said to be 2 men and 2 women. Witness identification only got a partial license plate number. Hollman was arrested very quickly, even though he only had one other passenger.

The Innocence Files episode 7 recap: More missing, twisted, and conflicting details

When Chester Hollman and his passenger were brought them before witnesses, none corroborated that they were the criminals. One witness — who apparently was next to the victim — says the killer was wearing red shorts, but Chester was wearing aquamarine sweatpants when apprehended. Also, no weapon was found on Hollman, or any other physical evidence linking him directly to the crime.

In little time, Chester was put into Philadelphia’s “Roundhouse,” where Chester says Detective Piree punched him in the mouth, in addition to whatever actual interview took place. Unfortunately, Deirdre Jones, Chester’s passenger on that fateful night, confessed that Chester did the crime, after inventing sordid stories about him, such as his belonging to the Junior Black Mafia. Was there any evidence of him belonging to any gang? Apparently not.

The Innocence Files episode 7 recap: Cheating?

They say no one likes a cheat, but The Innocence Files reveals how cheating may have occurred to procure a guilty verdict in this case, as in so many other cases of wrongful conviction. One way of cheating is very common: Hollman was given a deal wherein he’d only receive 5 years if he could name a gunman. Had he accepted it, it still would’ve guaranteed a sentence, and he’d still be labeled guilty of a crime he didn’t commit. However, because he wasn’t willing to possibly make a name up, he went to trial against a skilled orator named Roger King.

Another sketchy detail: Eyewitness Andre Dawkins was an ID witness despite being a full city block away, and was himself on probation (meaning he was likely under pressure to deliver results). There was similar pressure on Deirdre Jones, who now admits to lying.

To make things iffier, the police department didn’t record the interviews, deciding to just write things down (despite this being 1991, when things tape recorders and camcorders existed). Hollman also says that Detective Piree covered a key part of the sworn statement with his hand when Chester signed — which sounds almost like a perverted sleight of hand.

The Innocence Files episode 7 recap: Dissecting the story

A number of proverbial dominos fell into place to exonerate Hollman.  The Innocence Files reveals that Patricia Cummings and Alan Tauber even drove Chester’s alleged route that night, and they conclude the timings don’t add up. Also, Andre Dawkins recanted his testimony, saying he was threatened with prison time if he didn’t cooperate (a recanted testimony doesn’t always mean the person is innocent, but it does invite further scrutiny, for sure).

The Innocence Project’s Peter Neufeld suggests the relationship between police and the DA almost invites misconduct. In this case, it’s stated that Dawkins was already known for offering false reports to police. In fact, Roger King knew that Dawkins had 2 ID numbers, but decided to give Attorney Gerald Stein the one with the least criminal history. The episode also asks why Deirdre Jones was never brought to trial as an accomplice (she says she was coerced and recanted her testimony in 2005, making her fear for her safety).

The Innocence Files episode 7 recap: Coercion and fear

The Innocence Files mentions another man, Tony Wright, who had been convicted in Philadelphia under questionable circumstances.  In that case, Philadelphia Detective David Baker admitted that witnesses were coerced. It’s also said that people were prevented from seeing Lawyers. In the Chester Hollman case, it’s also suggested that Deirdre Jones didn’t want to contradict her previous sworn statement because it might have meant more legal trouble for her.

Indeed (and unfortunately), at a new evidentiary hearing, the Judge didn’t believe Deirdre Jones’ recantation, so any forced confession would have sufficed to get the desired verdict. However, press coverage of the case by Emilie Lounsberry and Michaelle Bond restored Chester’s hope, as it focused attention on his story. With the election of Larry Krasner as the new DA, things started looking up. While the door didn’t exactly swing open for Chester to walk free, there was momentum, despite a system that frequently rewards laziness, corruption, and finality.

The Innocence Files episode 7 recap: A possible alternate suspect?

This episode briefly mentions someone named Denise Combs, who had a regular pattern of renting cars and returning them damaged. She had apparently been visited by police on some anonymous tip, and Dawkins had also identified her out of photo lineup. Stein apparently wasn’t given this information.

Also, Prosecutor Roger King would come to be known for wrongfully convicting at least 5 people.  In fact, The Innocence Files suggests the FBI knew about prosecutorial misconduct in 1987 but the case was closed!

The Innocence Files episode 7 recap: June 2019: Walking free

After all this time, the exoneration of Chester Hollman was surprisingly simple. Nail clippings from the victim were tested and the DNA excluded Hollman. He was released for being “likely innocent.” Now Chester says he doesn’t want his prison term to be for nothing. He plans to fight injustice. Also, even though this series often criticizes people in power, it does note how DA Larry Krasner has exonerated 8 other black men.

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