Wrongful Conviction

#357 Jason Flom with Jennifer Del Prete

In December of 2002, a mother dropped off her 3 month old daughter, I.Z., at daycare in Romeoville, IL. Jennifer Del Prete was working at the daycare center and later that day, Jennifer noticed that the girl was not breathing so she called 911. I.Z. died almost a full year later. The state hypothesized that I.Z. died of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Since Jennifer was providing care for I.Z. on the day she initially showed medical issues, Jennifer was charged and convicted of murder. Since Jennifer’s conviction, the validity of many SBS diagnoses has been questioned both in and out of the courtroom. In addition, evidence has been uncovered that some of the original medical experts in the case did not actually believe that the child died of SBS. Jason talks to Jennifer Del Prete and Pat Blegen, Jennifer's attorney. To learn more and get involved, visit: <a href="https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/172-wrongful-conviction-junk-science-shaken-baby-syndrome/">https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/172-wrongful-conviction-junk-science-shaken-baby-syndrome/</a> Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Hosted by celebrated criminal justice reform advocate and founding board member of the Innocence Project Jason Flom, Pulitzer prize-winning podcast host and producer Maggie Freleng, and Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, and podcast host Lauren Bright Pacheco, Wrongful Conviction features intimate conversations with men and women who have spent years in prison for crimes they maintain they did not commit. Some have been fully exonerated and reunited with family and friends while others continue to languish, with some even facing execution on death row. Each episode peels back the layers behind the stories of those who have found themselves caught in a legal system gone wrong, with illuminating insights from lawyers and leading experts sharing their in-depth knowledge about each case, from prison visits and courtroom battles to reexamined crime scenes and witness interviews. This gripping series reveals the tragedy of injustice…as well as the triumph that is possible when people step up and demand change.