Summary
The Innocence Files episode 2, “The Evidence: The Truth Will Defend Me” shows how the introduction of DNA helped free Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer.
This recap of Netflix series The Innocence Files episode 2, “The Evidence: The Truth Will Defend Me” contains information regarding the subject matter. The episode discusses Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer, who were both accused and charged for murdering and raping two young girls. The Innocence Project took the cases to set them free.
What’s the subject matter of The Innocence Files episode 2, “The Evidence: The Truth Will Defend Me“?
Episode 2 is really the downfall of bite mark analysis, with Dr Michael West blabbering on about how his work is effective, while his opposite number Dr Souviron smokes him. But the subject matter of The Innocence Files episode 2, “The Evidence: The Truth Will Defend Me” is how the introduction of DNA and forensic science was the real start of the Innocence Project. The Netflix series confirms that Kennedy Brewer was not in the DNA of the semen when tested in 2001. It wasn’t that simple of course, with Forrest Allgood determined to keep the man in jail — “He may not have raped her, but he could have killed her”. Episode 2 sees Forrest Allgood pushing for a new trial, so the Innocence Project formally represent Kennedy. Episode 2, “The Evidence: The Truth Will Defend Me” sees the Innocence Project revisit the crime scene; they evaluate how easy it would have been to go through the window and grab Christine Jackson. They also look into the bitemarks — Christine was thrown into a pond nearby, which was full of crawfish. The Innocence Project tested a stillborn pig amongst live crawfish and the bites produced are oddly similar. Of course, reopening the investigation brought the Innocence Project to other similar crimes, which brings them to Levon Brooks. The crime Levon was accused of was almost like for like.
What is the basis that Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer are innocent in The Innocence Files episode 2?
The more the Innocence Project dug, the easier it became to prove Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer did not commit the crimes. We learn that Courtney’s sister’s questioning was coerced by Uncle Bunky; the young sister was saying the most outlandish statements that did not make sense. We also learn that another suspect, Justin Johnson, was dismissed even though he committed home invasions and attempted sexual assaults in the same community but because they focused on the teeth marks, he was excluded from the process. When the Innocence Project re-ran the evidence with new forensic techniques, they found that convicted felon Justin Johnson matched all the DNA and Kennedy Brewer matched none. Two confessions later — Kennedy Brewer and Levon Brooks are freed in a special hearing. And what an emotional hearing this is — such special, yet sad archive footage. These men will never get them years back.
What was the outcome of episode 2?
Both men are freed, but this was really the end of teeth analysis and the birth of the Innocence Project, who after this case, find many more instances of misused forensic evidence.
Any other observations?
The Innocence Files episode 2, “The Evidence: The Truth Will Defend Me” highlighted a few more things:
- Forrest Allgood felt extremely dismayed that the men turned out to be innocent — he claims the system failed and the system also worked.
- Dr Michael West stands by his testimony and now blabbers on about conspiracies, claiming the Innocence Project was out to hurt him because they felt he was racist. Dr Michael West, I bet you will read this because you seem obsessed — get a grip.
- Justin Johnson could have been possibly mentally ill — he says the voices in his head told him to hurt both girls. But, interestingly, he strongly denies biting the girls — the Innocence Project state the bite marks were simply made up to make a case against both men.
