Two Posthumous Pardons in South Carolina

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.