Victims of Wrongful Conviction Call on NYPD to Change Procedure

Wrongfully convicted victims joined families and lawmakers on the steps of City Hall today seeking changes in how the NYPD deals with suspects.

Derrick Hamilton spent 21 years in prison for a crime he says he didn't commit. He's on parole now, and recently won a landmark ruling based on an actual innocence claim. Hamilton's case reveals Scarcella and other members of the justice system may have wrongfully imprisoned him through coercing an eyewitness.

Hamilton says he wants the NYPD to begin recording interactions with suspects from the moment of arrest to prevent false confessions.

"Judges believe police officers; they don't believe defendants," he said. "If we have the videotape, they don't have to believe us; they can go to the videotape. Go to the videotape!"

Hamilton wants Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson to expedite his investigation into other Scarcella cases.

A spokesperson for Thompson said the work by the Conviction Review Unit is being done "fairly and with integrity and has already led to the release of some defendants." She added," While we understand the need to work quickly, we are not willing to sacrifice thoroughness for speed in the pursuit of justice." 

Update: A statement from the office of the Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson was added to the story.