Wrongful Convictions At The Crux Of 'Making A Murderer' And FAILURE OF JUSTICE Who would have predicted that a Christmastime 10-part documentary on a true-crime right here in Wisconsin would spark international interest in America's criminal justice system and the plight of wrongful convictions like we've never seen before? My new true crime book, FAILURE OF JUSTICE, describes such a case, as did the Netflix series, 'Making a Murderer,' which … [Read more...]
Prosecutor Proved The Beatrice 6 Innocent And That Their Confessions Were False
John Ferak’s new book "FAILURE OF JUSTICE" about Beatrice, Nebraska brings to mind those strange days when we came face to face with the reality that five people had falsely confessed to participating in a murder. That case confirmed a belief that I have held throughout my career as a prosecutor and as defense counsel. Interrogation is not investigation. The successful solicitation of a confession is no substitute for thorough … [Read more...]
Investigator Tina Vath Unraveled Beatrice’s FAILURE OF JUSTICE Homicide Case
Nebraska Police Investigator Talks About Her Role In The Beatrice 6 Investigation In 2003, I became the Beatrice Police Department’s Criminal Investigator. At the time the department had only one investigator position. I knew the story of the Helen Wilson murder and subsequent investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of six people. I had not reviewed any of the case file and never questioned their guilt or innocence. I just believed … [Read more...]
Did A Psychic Help Solve The Helen Wilson Rape-Murder in Beatrice, Nebraska?
As of February 1988, the Helen Wilson murder investigation was in need of a fresh set of eyes - like a psychic, perhaps? By 1988, more than a hundred potential suspects had been interviewed, examined and excluded. Mostly these were southeastern Nebraska residents, but some were out of state serial rapists from the likes of Kansas and Colorado as well. It didn't matter. Wherever the Beatrice Police Department seemed to go looking, … [Read more...]
“Making A Murderer,” FAILURE OF JUSTICE Shine Light on Wrongful Convictions
Millions across the globe have watched 'Making a Murderer' on Netflix. It's the story of Wisconsin's Steven Avery. He goes to prison in the 1980s. He's a victim of a wrongful conviction for a brutal rape. Years later, he goes back to prison for murder and people are now debating whether he was victimized by a broken criminal justice in Wisconsin - again. My new book chronicles the terrible saga of Nebraska's Beatrice 6. FAILURE OF JUSTICE is … [Read more...]
Colorful Characters Brought To Life In Ferak’s True Crime Book On Beatrice 6 Case
Winters in Wisconsin can be downright frigid. Except for shoveling the snow off the driveway and the sidewalks, there isn't much motivation for going out. But back in January of 2014 I was looking forward to venturing outside for a change, even if it was for just a brief moment. It pertained to the infamous Beatrice 6 murder case. God bless the U.S. Post Office. The package arrived on time. Inside the small box was a small computer disk. … [Read more...]
