The Morton story (Prosecutorial Misconduct)

Grade
9-12
Lesson Duration

From The Street Law Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center – The Innocence Project Curriculum

The Morton story: Lives Taken/Reason for Wrongful Conviction/Prosecutorial Misconduct
Go to: (pages 25-42)

http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/academic-programs/clinical-programs/our-clinics/DC-Street-Law-Program/upload/001-Lives-Taken-Fixed.pdf

The Morton story Students=detectives. Students view a note that was a critical piece of evidence in a murder investigation – a murder that the students will now investigate. Students complete a chart, “Finding
the Killer,” as each piece of evidence is introduced. They describe the evidence, state whether the evidence makes them more likely to believe Michael committed the crime, an unknown third party committed the crime, or neither, and briefly explain why.
Students are then introduces to the concept of direct vs. circumstantial evidence and discuss how prosecutorial misconduct (“PM”) played a role in Michael Morton’s wrongful conviction.

Extension Activity “What Would a Prosecutor Do?” – Students respond to prosecutorial misconduct hypotheticals

Source

The Street Law Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center: Georgetown law students designed a unit that provides students with a relevant and interesting introduction to the criminal justice system, criminal procedure, and criminal law, using the Innocence Project to explore how good lawyering, good police work, and a just and effective criminal justice system should operate.