One case she described highlighted the dangers of relying solely on eyewitness testimony. It involved a man named William who was fatally shot, with the shooter fleeing the scene before anyone could get a clear look. Although witnesses reported that the suspect was dark-skinned and around six feet tall, the details were far from certain. Among the evidence collected was a cap found near the scene. Forensic analysis revealed that the sweat on the cap belonged to two different individuals. However, investigators assumed that the cap—and the more dominant sweat trace—belonged to the perpetrator, which led to the wrongful conviction of an innocent person. Ava played a crucial role in getting this individual exonerated. Eventually, the true culprit was identified as a light-skinned man standing only five feet tall—a stark contrast to the eyewitness description. This case clearly illustrates the potential pitfalls of depending solely on witness accounts.

Ava also discussed broader issues regarding the death penalty in the United States. She noted that America is one of the few countries, alongside nations like Japan, China, and several Middle Eastern countries, that continues to employ capital punishment. Additionally, she mentioned that hundreds of people are exonerated each year after being wrongfully convicted in unconstitutional cases. When asked which communities are most affected by false imprisonment, she pointed out that the Black community bears the brunt of these injustices. Recent studies have shown that prosecutors are more inclined to seek the death penalty when the defendant is Black compared to defendants of other races.

Overall, I gained a great deal from my interview with her and am eager to have more discussions in the future.