Mack’s wrongful conviction stemmed from a series of missteps and systemic issues that plague the criminal justice system. At the heart of this injustice were eyewitness misidentifications that played a pivotal role in his conviction.
Mack’s arrest, based largely on the victims’ identification, occurred despite several contradictions. His clothing did not match the original description given by the victims, and there were unreliable identifications. The subsequent identification procedures were highly suggestive and problematic, further compromising the integrity of the case.
Wrongful conviction
Additionally, the defense presented serological evidence that excluded Mack through blood type analysis, which the State failed to include in its case. Flawed forensic evidence was used to cast doubt on the exculpatory serology evidence presented by the defense. This kind of tunnel vision, often driven by implicit racial bias, contributes significantly to wrongful convictions.
However, in 2022, the tide began to turn in Leonard Mack’s favor when the Innocence Project collaborated with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Conviction Review Unit. They embarked on a mission to locate and test any remaining biological evidence from the crime scene.
