The Affects of Identity in Wrongful Convictions ASHANTI

The Affects of Identity in Wrongful Convictions ASHANTI KETCHMORE

“The news report read “Friend, Foe”; they portrayed me like I went there starting trouble, which was not the truth, like I’m the one who shot my own friend, which was not the truth”- Troy Ketchmore

Troy Ketchmore was convicted of murdering his best friend in 1995 and sentenced to 43 years in prison Today in 2013, 18 years later, Ketchmore is fighting for his freedom to prove his innocence to society 1995 2013

Reasons for Wrongful Convictions False Testimony Withheld Evidence Ineffective Lawyer

Ketchmore has many different identities placed upon him because of one single moment in his life Discourse Institutional Affinity Nature

For my research, I had the opportunity to interview Ketchmore and his mother, read over two news articles, and law books that focused on wrongful convictions

Nature identity is an identity developed from the forces within nature For example, Gender, Age, and Race

Population United States of America Prison System Blacks Whites

Prison Proportions

1/3 of Black Men Expected to go to Prison Expected to go to prison

An institutionalized identity is an identity, or position, that is authorized by authorities, within institutions

A discourse identity is an individual trait that is recognized in discourse, or dialogue, with individuals

An affinity identity is an identity based on experiences shared within a group

Being wrongfully convicted of a crime causes many different identities to be placed upon an individual Ketchmore has been fighting for his freedom for 18 years Subsequently, Ketchmore’s discourse, nature, institution, and affinity identity have all been affected