The Jailhouse Lawyer by Calvin Duncan and Sophie Cull

Calvin Duncan was incarcerated at age 19 for crime - murder - which he did not commit. He served 28 years before this wrong was finally righted. This narrative recounts his day at Louisian Parish Prison and the infamous Angola Prison. A young white mail was murdered on the streets of New Orleans. His girlfriend after much coaxing and nearly a month later identified Duncan in a line-up. What was never brought up in the trial was that she couldn't really be certain that Duncan was the murderer. But she was white and Duncan was black. That explains his conviction. 

Duncan had such drive to prove his innocence that he immersed himself in law books and judicial review. He worked hard to get his GED while in prison and became a jailhouse lawyer or jailhouse counsel. These were inmates who had knowledge of law who would help other prisoners to appeal sentences or offer writs to decrease their sentences, even to being released. Duncan's detailed accounts of how he tried to work the system to recognize his innocence is truly incredible. The fortitude that made him press on was a characteristic that not many in his position, especially after all the defeats, would embrace. 

Throughout his accounting, the reader meets many of the inmates he helped and they become the characters in the drama. The courts are shown as racist and for the privileged. Duncan is assigned less than able lawyers or indifferent ones. Judge Julian Parker who plays a significant role in denying appeals is a reprehensible man who does not five Duncan a fair trial. His family also come in and out of his life, especially his sister Mamie, his Aunt Gail and his daughter Ayana. 

The result of Calvin Duncans successful final appeal is for him to accept the guilty plea but be released for time served. He admits that this is the only time he every lied under oath. Upon his release from prison he worked for his bachelor's degree and eventually a law degree - the occupation for which he had always believed he was destined. Eventually, he was exonerated of the crime and his record expunged. 

Throughout the book the reader gains incredible knowledge about the appeal process, the conditions in prison and the availability of jailhouse lawyers. It was a fascinating discourse and eyeopening. Duncan's resilience and fortitude serve as an example for all who find themselves defeated by their current station in life. 

He spoke in dialogue with Sophie Cull for the Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures series on 9 February and conveyed his hope for our country and the judicial system as long as our population will vote!