Two Posthumous Pardons in South Carolina

categories: Death Penalty, innocence, wrongful convictions

Published October 27, 2009 @ 07:07AM PT

Last week, the South Carolina pardon board voted unanimously to clear the names of two men executed in 1915 for a murder they may not have committed. The men -- Meeks and Thomas Griffin -- were great uncles of syndicated radio talk show host Tom Joyner (left), who sought the pardons after learning last year about the men’s story.

It was the first posthumous pardon ever granted in a capital case by the state of South Carolina.

I wrote about this case a couple of weeks ago, and I’m excited to be able to report on this positive outcome. Joyner was delighted with the news:

“It’s good for the community, it’s good for the nation. Anytime you can repair racism in this country is a step forward,” he said.

Although resources in wrongful conviction cases should focus first on cases where innocent people can be freed from prison, investigating posthumous cases is also vital to progress in our system. We know that our criminal justice system has a spotty past and that the overt racism of the early 20th century dominated countless cases against people of color. Uncovering specific cases of injustice helps us understand history and inspires us to work harder to avoid such injustice today, nearly a century later.

For the facts of this case, see my last post here.

In a related case in Texas, the family of Timothy Cole is still seeking a posthumous pardon for Cole, who died in prison of a heart attack in a Texas prison while serving a 25-year sentence for a rape DNA now proves he didn’t commit. While Cole was alive, the real perpetrator in the case was writing letters to anyone who would listen -- admitting guilt in the case and trying to exonerate Cole. It's a shame that nothing was done while Cole was sitting in a prison cell for a crime he didn't commit, but now he deserves a posthumous pardon.

And of course, the case of Cameron Todd Willingham has stayed in the headlines this month: evidence shows that Willingham was wrongfully executed in Texas in 2004. He was convicted of allegedly setting a fire that killed his three young daughters, but several independent reviews of the case since his conviction have pointed to his innocence.

Seeking to prove innocence after death is important and worthy, but cases like those of Cole and Willingham show us that by investigating legitimate innocence claims now, we can save a life and avoid a posthumous pardon later.

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Comments (5)

Well, yeah Tom...thats great that you were able to do that. But do you really think you were blessed with the money and exposure you have just to help yourself and yours?

You have an obligation to stretch yourself a little wider than that, my friend.

Posted by M. Lynne Morgan on 10/27/2009 @ 12:49PM PT
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It's still a victory, only much later than due. This is also a reminder about the need to end capitol punishment. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

Posted by Rev Bookburn on 10/27/2009 @ 07:50PM PT
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The Court officials (which no doubt included Cole's prosecutor(s) who ignored the multiple attempts by Johnson to confess his guilt (and thereby exonerate Cole) should face harsh criminal (prison) and civil (monetary) penalties. Every time I read of a prosecutor who refuses to test DNA that might clear an innocent person, who refuses to, when someone s/he convicted is proven innocent, say s/he is sorry, that s/he was wrong, I am presented with the ugly truth about this country's criminal justice system: in many (if not most) jurisdictions, justice has very little to do with it. It's all about winning and climbing the career ladder. Sickening.

Posted by Antonia Myss on 10/28/2009 @ 06:06PM PT
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Hi! my name is Charlotte Ellison,We live in Cinti Ohio .I need some help Right away.my !7-old nephew is being railroad for a murder he didn't do. I don't know what to do the court appoint Attorney,has been acting very prejudice as far as represented(Mr.Yvan Tibbs)Every time he see me or my nephew the first thing come out of his mouth is he is going to die.if he don't take the pleabargain .I keep asking him the lawyer why should he plea when you don't have nothing on this child.he has been in jail,for two years.I ask Mr. Tibbs where did the police,get there information from about his case?he said that he was at the police Dept# for 13hrs all by himself.he was cold, hungry,and scared he have never been in any-kind of trouble in his life.the police went to my terminal ill-ed,sister home(Mrs. Dorothy Washington) stated that they had a subpoena for him about our nephew(Mr.Brandon Brown)whom justhad gotten kill-ed.Mr.Tibbs was standing right by him when this boy came up and shot him in the head,and killed him.Mr. tibbs said that they told him ,his grandmother,and uncle (Mr. Robert Washington)That they wanted to speak with him.once they got him to the police Dept#that when they started to talk about an another,murder case he said he kept asking for lawyer or his grandmother and they refuse to call anyone.he said he start going alone with them ,for them to leave him alone.He also said that they told him if he sign a paper that he didn't know .what is was.they would call his grandmother and THEY NEVER DID! they put him in a cold cell for about 2hrs.Then call my sister his grandmother and told her that he was being charger with Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated murder.My sister couldn't walk every-time she would waken and called to see about him the DET# would tell her he would be home soon.he's been in jail every since.Mrs. Washington never got to see him again.she has past.and the last thing she said to me was to get her baby.I'm going to do every thing in my power to help this child and I'm asking you'll to help us please free this child.thank you! Mrs.Charlotte Ellison

Posted by charlotte Ellison on 11/01/2009 @ 10:22PM PT
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More than 80% of people in prison are there because of plea bargains. Most plea bargains amount to nothing more than a public defender and DA trying to expedite cases and clear their calendars. I just watched a movie based on a true case called "American Violet". Each person has to do what's right for them but I would never accept a plea bargain if I was innocent. I suggest you contact your local ACLU Office for help. I wish your nephew luck.

Posted by Roger Anderson on 11/05/2009 @ 11:05AM PT
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Matt has worked and volunteered in various capacities in criminal justice reform for several years. When he's not blogging, he works as the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project. Views expressed here are Matt's, and don't represent the positions of the Innocence Project.