Christopher Ochoa was 22 when he was arrested and accused of the rape and murder of Nancy DePriest. After two 12-hour, extremely coercive interrogation sessions during which the police told him they had evidence against him and threatened him with execution, Ochoa concluded that his only choice was between death by lethal injection and life in prison. He chose the latter.
To avoid the death penalty, he agreed to sign confessions concocted by the police. And, as part of a plea bargain, he also agreed to testify against Richard Danzinger, who persisted in claiming to be innocent. Both were convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Christopher will speak to the CADP on Tuesday, April 04.
- At 12:15 in room 105, Christopher will speak about the work Innocence Project attorneys do and how students can get involved.
- At 3:30 in the Law School Courtroom, Christopher will speak about his personal experience with the Texas criminal justice system and his opposition to the death penalty.