The DA Says He's Innocent. He Might Spend Life in Prison Anyway

The case of Russell Maze, convicted of murdering his infant son Alex, highlights the complexities of the justice system when new evidence suggests innocence. Sunny Eaton, director of the conviction-review unit in Nashville's district attorney's office, is tasked with investigating past convictions. Despite the emergence of scientific evidence that challenges the validity of the original conviction, Maze remains imprisoned. His conviction was based on the controversial diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, which has faced increasing scrutiny for its reliability. After Alex's tragic death, Maze was initially charged with aggravated child abuse, later retried for murder, and sentenced to life in prison. Eaton's role involves navigating a system that often provides limited avenues for appeal, even when evidence of innocence is presented. The challenges she faces include the lengthy and uncertain process of reinvestigating cases, as well as the need to persuade the courts to reconsider convictions based on outdated forensic practices. The Maze case exemplifies the broader issues within the criminal justice system, where wrongful convictions can persist despite new evidence and changing scientific understanding.

- Russell Maze was convicted of murdering his infant son, Alex, and sentenced to life in prison.

- The conviction was based on the now-controversial diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.

- Sunny Eaton leads the conviction-review unit in Nashville, investigating potential wrongful convictions.

- New scientific evidence has emerged that challenges the validity of the original conviction.

- The justice system often presents significant barriers to overturning wrongful convictions, even with new evidence.