Anthony Caravello was convicted of rape and murder for a crime he allegedly committed in 1983 at age 15 in Florida. The prosecution sought the death penalty. Now DNA evidence from the crime scene points to another individual and may result in his exoneration. The state is not contesting his release. Caravello has an IQ of 67 and was convicted largely on the basis of his own statements, which he says were obtained from him after beatings during his interrogation. At his sentencing, the judge commented, "I'll tell you this, Anthony: If the jury had recommended death, I would have had you electrocuted." Instead, he was sentenced to life. The prosecution is still pursuing the investigation.
“The Two Lives of Napoleon Beazley” is a new play by John Fleming that explores the true story of a 17-year-old African-American defendant who was sentenced to death for a carjacking and murder in Texas. The victim was the father of a federal judge. Using a variety of factual resources, including court transcripts and media accounts, the play examines race and the criminal justice system before the Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that the death penalty for juveniles violates the Constitution. 