NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Law Students Learn Legal System Makes Mistakes

Law Students Learn Legal System Makes Mistakes

By Eric White 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Wednesday night Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson shared their story with more than 100 future lawyers at Vanderbilt. They discussed how sometimes the legal system makes mistakes. 

In 1984 Thompson was raped in her North Carolina home. During the attack Thompson made a point to remember her assailant's face. 

"I had an incredible memory that night of what he looked like," said Thompson. 

She picked Ronald Cotton out of a police lineup. 

"It was a big shocker," said Cotton about being confronted by police. 

In 1985 a jury convicted Cotton of the crime and he was sentenced to life in prison. 

DNA evidence 10 years later proved Cotton was innocent and another man, Bobby Poole, was the guilty party. In 1995 Cotton was set free. 

Since Cotton's exoneration both he and Thompson have become close. 

"Well he's one of my best friends," said Thompson. 

Earlier this year both co-authored a book titled Picking Cotton. The autobiography details their 25 year journey. 

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