The Innocence Institute of Point Park University
An investigative reporting organization that probes allegations of wrongful convictions.
Pittsburgh Man Now Must Max Out Sentence Due To Lie About Guilt
By Bill Moushey
Innocence Institute of Point Park University
PITTSBURGH -- Mr. Davis had known Tommy Paige since grammar school, both products of the tough streets of East Liberty. Along the way, both racked up convictions for drug and weapons possession charges.
After a wedding reception on Sept. 15, 2001, they drank at a …
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Nancy Erwin was released from a Pennsylvania prison on December 22, 2006, after serving all of her 27-54 month sentence. While she was a model prisoner, under Pennsylvania’s parole rules, she was not granted release until she served the maximum sentence because she would not accept responsibility for a crime she says she did not do. Erwin currently works in the billing and insurance department …
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Nancy Erwin Says She Lied To Help Husband, Now Claims of Innocence
By Elizabeth Perry
The Innocence Institute of Point Park University
After successfully teaching math in the Marion Center School District for 21 years, Nancy Erwin became embroiled in a series of minor disputes with a new administration and in the fall of 1999 began receiving negative performance reviews.
Then in March …
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By Bill Moushey and Elizabeth Perry
Innocence Institute of Point Park University
Nancy Erwin admitted conspiring with her alcoholic, suicidal husband in the shooting of an Indiana County school secretary in 2002 over her dismissal as a math teacher because a lawyer convinced her it was the only way to avoid a life behind bars.
Now she says it was a lie.
“I was threatened, blackmailed, …
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Did they confess? No One Will Ever Know For Sure Because of Failures to Record All Custodial Interrogations
By Bill Moushey and Elizabeth Perry
Innocence Institute of Point Park University
Attorney Francis Sichko agreed to let state police polygraph 18-year-old Tiffany Pritchett in the middle of her 1994 murder trial because if she passed the test, Washington County’s prosecutor led him to …
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Who killed baby Tequayla Pierce? Her stepfather or her mother?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
By Matthew Pavelek and Bill Moushey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
DeAnndra Day denied on the witness stand that she caused the death of her 3-year-old daughter.
But then she startled the lawyer for the man accused of the crime -- her husband, Michael Day -- during a break in his 1995 murder trial by …
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This Zip file includes affadavits, court motions, appeal rulings, letters and plea agreements related to the case.
Download the following ZIP file to view these documents
Download Hosea Davis #1 …
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Thursday, October 12, 2006
By Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
After six years of appeals and 12 years behind bars, a Washington County woman should be free some time today for the first time in her adult life.
Tiffany Pritchett, 30, of Donora, was ordered released yesterday by Washington County President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca following lengthy plea negotiations by defense …
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Friday, September 01, 2006
By Elizabeth Perry, Special to the Post-Gazette
On Dec. 13, 1993, Tiffany Pritchett, Troy Groomes and Dameon Isbell watched a movie at a friend's house in Donora, Washington County, then trekked up a snowy hill toward their neighborhood.
According to Mr. Isbell, a gang member at 19, Miss Pritchett then shot Mr. Groomes in the back of the head with a .380 …
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Friday, September 01, 2006
By Cynthia Levy, Special to the Post-Gazette
In November 1996 Brian Roberts pointed an automatic weapon at a police officer and was arrested. He was carrying 34 rocks of crack cocaine. He walked free after telling police the gun and drugs belonged to Roland Cephas.
Mr. Cephas was busted and vowed retaliation.
Ten days later, as Mr. Roberts stood on Sterrett …
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