Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption

Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption (Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, Ronald Cotton, 2009)

How I stumbled upon it: I heard about it in my senior year psychology class and picked it up the last time I was in Nashville.

What it's about: Jennifer Thompson was raped one night by a man who broke into her home and held her at knifepoint.  When called to choose a man from a lineup, she chose Ronald Cotton as her assailant. The only problem?  Ronald didn’t commit the crime. This story weaves together years of trauma for both Jennifer + Ronald; from the crime through his eleven years in prison, to his eventual release after DNA testing proved his innocence.  Somehow, in spite of everything they went through, they have found an unlikely friendship that continues to this day.

What I thought: Besides the fact that it’s quite sad, it’s a really interesting look into the inaccuracy of eyewitness testimonies.  If you are at all interested in true crime or the current functions of our justice system, this is a fascinating + quick read.

You can get it here.