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I don’t understand why a DNA test was even needed. Could his father not have identified him? How did it even get to this level?

forgetfreeman 2y ago
How it got to this level, abridged: a generic lack of accountability, shit work ethic, and qualified immunity.
- unyttigfjelltol 2y ago
  Well even the NYT didn't state the names of the prosecutor and judge that got this so egregiously and unforgivably wrong. Name and shame would be a start.
  - forgetfreeman 2y ago
    I mean, that at least sounds good, but in fact that would not be a start as it has no possible impact on these individuals on a personal or professional level.
  - Terr_ 2y ago
    I haven't found names or docket-stuff, but this page has more details like exact dates that may help someone with the right databases. > On October 31, 2019, the District Attorney’s office filed charges of identity theft and false impersonation against Woods. On December 23, 2019, Woods’s public defender expressed concern over Woods’s mental competence because he kept insisting that he was the real William Woods. > On February 10, 2020, following an examination by a physician, Woods was declared incompetent to stand trial and was sent to a California mental hospital for treatment, including psychotropic medication. https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=6790 https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedeta...
    - unyttigfjelltol 2y ago
      Turns out the villain in that story is the system itself. Woods proved himself competent but the DA was not persuaded, so at his attorney's advice (the one who threw him under the bus with the competency evaluation) Woods accepted the criminal charges, thus the court feels absolved of blame. There should be an NTSB for egregious acts of injustice, because the players in the system independently show no aptitude for reform and they all messed up badly. The way they defined their roles was wrong.
krisoft 2y ago
> Could his father not have identified him? Probably. That assumes that the father was still alive and of sound mind. Also assumes that the father had much contact with the son. If they have become strangers to each other a long time ago he might not even be able to tell who is his real son, but his DNA still can provide evidence.
- stanac 2y ago
  > the two men’s lives intersected briefly in the late 1980s in Albuquerque when, prosecutors said, both men were homeless They probably didn't have much contact since he was homeless (otherwise he wouldn't be, I guess).
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
Terr_ 2y ago
> Could his father not have identified him? Well, Woods discovered the issue when he was age ~50, homeless, and 2000+ miles away in another state, so it's plausible to think there was some breakdown in relationships.

forgetfreeman 2y ago

How it got to this level, abridged: a generic lack of accountability, shit work ethic, and qualified immunity.

unyttigfjelltol 2y ago
Well even the NYT didn't state the names of the prosecutor and judge that got this so egregiously and unforgivably wrong. Name and shame would be a start.
- forgetfreeman 2y ago
  I mean, that at least sounds good, but in fact that would not be a start as it has no possible impact on these individuals on a personal or professional level.
- Terr_ 2y ago
  I haven't found names or docket-stuff, but this page has more details like exact dates that may help someone with the right databases. > On October 31, 2019, the District Attorney’s office filed charges of identity theft and false impersonation against Woods. On December 23, 2019, Woods’s public defender expressed concern over Woods’s mental competence because he kept insisting that he was the real William Woods. > On February 10, 2020, following an examination by a physician, Woods was declared incompetent to stand trial and was sent to a California mental hospital for treatment, including psychotropic medication. https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=6790 https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedeta...
  - unyttigfjelltol 2y ago
    Turns out the villain in that story is the system itself. Woods proved himself competent but the DA was not persuaded, so at his attorney's advice (the one who threw him under the bus with the competency evaluation) Woods accepted the criminal charges, thus the court feels absolved of blame. There should be an NTSB for egregious acts of injustice, because the players in the system independently show no aptitude for reform and they all messed up badly. The way they defined their roles was wrong.

krisoft 2y ago

> Could his father not have identified him? Probably. That assumes that the father was still alive and of sound mind. Also assumes that the father had much contact with the son. If they have become strangers to each other a long time ago he might not even be able to tell who is his real son, but his DNA still can provide evidence.

stanac 2y ago
> the two men’s lives intersected briefly in the late 1980s in Albuquerque when, prosecutors said, both men were homeless They probably didn't have much contact since he was homeless (otherwise he wouldn't be, I guess).

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

Terr_ 2y ago

> Could his father not have identified him? Well, Woods discovered the issue when he was age ~50, homeless, and 2000+ miles away in another state, so it's plausible to think there was some breakdown in relationships.