Ken Anderson, a former prosecutor who had become a judge pled guilty Nov. 8 to intentionally failing to disclose evidence. Anderson’s actions in concealing evidence led to the 25-year incarceration of an innocent in man, Michael Morton.
As a result of his crimes, Anderson will lose his license to practice law, perform 500 hours of community service and spend 10 days in jail. Anderson has already resigned from the Texas bench. This is the first time ever that a prosecutor has been found guilty of these crimes; however, his punishment is a mere slap on the wrist.
While Morton toiled in a prison cell for two and a half decades, Anderson’s career soared as he eventually became a judge.
It is important to note that this case is just the tip of the iceberg. Disclosure breaches known as Brady violations are one of the main causes of wrongful convictions according to ruling class law. Promotions, commendations and other perks are commonplace for those who perpetuate this system of oppression.
A recent study in Arizona showed that there is prosecutorial misconduct in nearly one-quarter of cases. “There seldom are consequences for prosecutors, regardless of whether the miscarriage of justice occurred because of ineptness or misconduct. In fact, they are often congratulated,” concluded an article in the Arizona Republic.
It’s no wonder that over 7 million people in the United States are in prison or on parole or probation. The United States has more prisoners than teachers. As the rich are bent on criminalizing the poor and oppressed in the U.S., it is necessary to show that it is this very profit system that is criminal to its very core.
Not only do prisons incarcerate millions, the cops and the courts also play a role in promulgating racism and racist terror in oppressed communities.
A growing movement is emerging to fight back against the horror of mass incarceration. The 10 days that Anderson will sit in a jail cell are a tiny concession by the rich to show that just maybe their system of racism and prisons can be fair and perhaps reformed. But as working and oppressed people celebrate this concession as a sign of the strength of the growing movement, the idea that the whole system must be wiped away has become all the more apparent in the minds of millions.
