Ep 9. John Is Calling

John Is Calling is the ninth episode of the second season of True Conviction, a true crime documentary series that follows the work of exonerated ex-convicts as they investigate wrongful convictions and fight for justice on behalf of other the wrongly convicted.

In this episode, we meet John Grisham, a man who was convicted of sexually abusing his stepdaughters in 1993 and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The prosecution's case rested almost entirely on the testimony of the two girls, who claimed that John had abused them repeatedly over a period of several years. However, John maintained his innocence and always maintained that the accusations were fabricated.

Now, more than two decades later, John is out of prison and determined to clear his name. He has enlisted the help of Christopher Scott, Johnnie Lindsey, and Steven Phillips, the trio of exonerees who run the Innocence Project of Texas. The team is known for their tireless efforts to investigate wrongful convictions and help exonerate the innocent.

As they begin to dig into John's case, they quickly discover that the evidence against him was flimsy at best. There was no physical evidence linking John to the crime, no eyewitnesses, and no confession. Instead, the entire case hinged on the testimony of the two girls, who had a troubled history and had previously accused others of abuse.

As they investigate further, the team uncovers a litany of other problems with the case. For starters, John was represented at trial by a court-appointed attorney who failed to investigate key evidence or interview key witnesses. In addition, the prosecution failed to disclose evidence that could have undermined the girls' testimony, including medical records that contradicted their claims of abuse.

As they build their case for John's innocence, the team faces a number of challenges, including obstacles posed by the state's legal system and a lack of witnesses who are willing to come forward and testify. But despite these obstacles, they remain determined to see justice served.

In the end, it's a race against time as John's health begins to fail. But the team never gives up, and their persistence pays off when they uncover a stunning piece of evidence that casts doubt on the entire case. With this new evidence in hand, they make a final push to clear John's name and secure his release from a wrongful conviction.

Overall, John Is Calling is a powerful episode that highlights the dedication and perseverance of the Innocence Project of Texas team as they fight to right the wrongs done to John Grisham and the countless other innocent individuals who have been falsely accused and imprisoned. Whether you're a fan of true crime documentaries or simply believe in the power of justice, this is an episode that's definitely worth watching.