General Description of Assignment: You had to read, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row, by Anthony Ray Hinton this semester. In a 7-page paper, you will discuss the book, while also analyzing various aspects of Mr. Hinton’s case and incarceration, leading up to his exoneration as well as his life post-exoneration/release. In addition, as you discuss and analyze his case, you will tie it to information/cases we have discussed this semester—including, but not limited to material included in Mark Godsey’s book. As a note, you can also include information regarding cases we did not discuss this semester, but that you believe are relevant. See specifics of assignment below. Paper Topic/Instructions: Your paper is based on the book we read, The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton, which explores a multitude of issues related to the criminal justice system. In this paper, you will analyze the case/experience(s) of Anthony Ray Hinton, while also incorporating the book, The Sun Does Shine, as well as outside research that is connected to/relevant to your analysis of his case/experience(s). This will also allow you to tie in other material we have covered this semester (e.g., Godsey, 2019; Huff, 2002; Westervelt & Cook, 2010, among others). This may also include resources found in class PPTs this semester, but use the original source (e.g., Denov & Campbell, 2005; Kukucka et al. 2020, etc). Please ask me if you have a question about citing the original sources instead of the PPT. As mentioned above, you can also include research/sources that are relevant even if they were not discussed in class this semester. This paper gives you the opportunity to utilize what you have learned this semester by applying it to an analysis of Hinton’s case. As you write your paper and explore Hinton’s case/experience(s), these are the issues that you will discuss/analyze: Alleged Crime(s) You want to begin the discussion/analysis of the case by identifying the crime(s) Hinton was accused of committing. Pre-trial and Trial Consider what happened prior to and during the trial that played a role in Hinton’s conviction. As you discuss this, keep in mind and use in-text citations to connect this to factors/issues that can contribute to someone being wrongfully convicted as identified in the research. Be sure to identify all issues/factors. In other words, explore this aspect of his case in detail. Sentencing Outcome While you can explore this more–At minimum, this needs to include important aspects of the sentencing hearing as well as discussing/describing the sentence that Hinton received. Incarceration Experience While it may not initially appear to be tied to research on wrongful convictions, you will discuss Hinton’s experience on death row. In doing so, remember to connect this to relevant research and use in-text citations to identify the source(s). This may come from class material, but may also require you to do your own research to identify additional sources that are relevant. Post-Conviction Activity/Exoneration In discussing his fight/journey, be sure to tie this to other sources/discussions of the difficulty of fighting to secure an exoneration. This could be from the perspective of the incarcerated person as well as attorneys/others who work on these cases. Be specific about how Hinton was exonerated. Post-Exoneration Experience Be sure to discuss his experience on his first day/night out, among other experiences. In addition, connect this to other research that has explored the post-release experience of exonerees including what we discussed in class. Policy Recommendations Based on Hinton’s case, identify at least two policy recommendations/reforms you would propose to prevent–or at least reduce the likelihood–that what happened to Hinton would happen again. When discussing your policy recommendations, be sure to include in-text citations to provide support for the suggestions you make. In addition, explain why the recommendations would be necessary. Please make sure you do not just write one sentence for each recommendation. This section provides you with the opportunity to critique the criminal justice system and think about reforms that are needed within the system.
