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Subscribe to RSSA young man and his family fight to prove his innocence after he is accused of a murder on Halloween night. Keith Morrison reports Under A Killing Moon on Friday, November 30th, at 10pm/9c.
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This is an old, old story - why is it being shown as new news? It is worth about a 2 minute update if something has changed. If not - shame on Dateline for recycling news!!!
If you were in prison for a crime you did not commit, you would want any help you could get. I have known Ryan and his family for 25 years. He did NOT commit this murder. Good for Dateline! They know he is innocent and are trying to help. Old story? Not for Ryan who lives without the freedoms you and I have. Crystal.....this injustice could happen to ANYONE!
New news is an innocent man sits in prison, Wake up Crystal There but for the grace of god go you!
This is unbelievable!!! That someone can just say that you killed someone and no DNA or any evidence to comfirm it, that a jury or judge can find you guilty!?!!?! In that case I could say I saw anyone commit a crime.....I am praying for this family and Ryan....I think he is innocent...This should scare all of us...:(
To the person that thinks a 2 minute update is sufficient for this "old story". It is obvious you have no idea how many innocent people are in jail.
I give Dateline a lot of credit for showing us their support in Ryan's story. I wish my sons accuser could have seen this before lying on the stand during his trial.
The justice system does not care if your innocent, they are only interested in having another conviction on the books. Unfortunately, the real criminal is still on the street. For the police, it means job security and a unsafe world for everyone. I have faith and will pray for Ryan's conviction to be overturned.
Crystal, this is a young mans life!!!! what if it were your son!?!? You should be ashamed.....
Crystal Glimmer, you are a prime example of the reason soooo many people are denied justice in our great country. I have never understood how such ignorance and superficiality as yours could exist. Check out my book..The Dawn of Intelligence..and maybe you can get rid of that evil self and be someone of goodness and love who can see the truth. Peace and blue skies...
Did you know that this "old, old story" STILL has an innocent man sitting in prison? I would hardly think the EIGHT years he has spent innocent in prison is only worth "a 2 minute update"
www.FreeRyanFerguson.com
Crystal. You are pathetic. I truly believe you are just on here to get under peoples skin.
To the person saying this story is old news, well, THANK YOU, but tonight is the first I've heard it.
And the judge that heard the appeal needs to have his head examined. His level of unaccountability clearly say's he is still operating pre-information age.
Ryan W. Ferguson #1137593
Jefferson City Correctional Center
House 5
8200 No More Victims Road
Jefferson City, MO 65101
I do not believe he is innocent. I won't apologise for that. I see someone that is already doing life thinking maybe he can improve his karma by recanting testimony against his partner in crime. I understand family/friend desperation - I sincerely wish you luck. You (he) is/are in the unfortunate position of proving a negative. That he did not do this. That said - I would no more lobby for his release than I would lobby for Jeffrey McDonald.
Crystal, you can believe what you want....that doesn't make it correct. I am sorry you are so willing to be so casual with a human life. That says a lot about you. Your comments are worthless and bare no merit whatsoever. No one wants your apology anyway. You are so obviously uninterested and uneducated, I am wondering why you are even commenting. Guess just to rile us up. Not gonna happen. We who know this family are dedicated and focused and well informed. And we know the facts. Something you don't the ability to file in your biased brain. Sad really.
I LOVE YOU GAYLE!!!
Crystal-do some research. You may think differently.
Wow!!! I am thankful I don't know Crystral, nor do I have anyone like her in my life. Thank you God! And, by the way, Crystal, you don't have to apologize, but at least spell it correctly. But obviously, you can't be to bright if you watched the episode twice and you still think he's guilty. YIKES! lol
It is sad and scary to think you can go to jail for a murder on someones word in this country with NO physical evidence,no prints no bloods are you kidding me ? If anyone thinks this kid is guilty is a MORON like the judge,and if it was your kid you would think alot different.
Eyewitness testimony is the most flawed "evidence " in existence. Hence the development of DNA, hair sample, impression, and other forms of concrete evidence. Yes, this can happen to anyone Crystal. Aside from wrongful conviction, you must realize that anyone can be wrongfully arrested. I had been wrongfully arrested which almost destroyed everything I had hopes of accomplishing. I was an honors nursing student and almost went to jail because my mother dropped a bottle of prescription painkillers in my car and that would have been it for me seeking any position in nursing. Although we had proof that they belonged to my mother, I was arrested. Luckily, the charges were dropped but even that was not the end of it. I still had an arrest on my record and had to petition the court for an expungement, which they could have denied. But, back to so called "eyewitness testimony" for a moment. A few years ago, I unknowingly walked into a bank that was being robbed. After the bank robber left, everyone in the bank was detained and asked to write down what they saw. We were all nervous about being involved in something so out of the ordinary and so unexpected we began talking to each other to try and process the whole thing. Out of about a dozen people, our descriptions of the robber varied greatly. Some of us saw a neatly trimmed beard while others said it was scraggly, some saw a man over six feet tall, while others said he was about 5'9", etc... This young man was convicted on the word of another person, who by his own admission had no clear memory of being involved himself and the DNA evidence suggests that not even he is guilty. The victim in this case was a large man and the scene shows he put up a fight, but with who? The hair in his hand matched neither of the guys convicted of his murder. Ryan is definitely not guilty and shame on this judge for saying that although the "eyewitness" recanted his testimony it is unlikely that it would have swayed the jury.This judge is keeping this young man in jail on the supposition that not one person in a pool of 12 even considered the testimony of this man. First of all that's opinion, not fact! Second of all, that statement, if true, is evidence that Ryan was convicted solely on the testimony of one person. Crystal, anyone can say you did something, that in and of itself doesn't make it so. If you watch the beginning of this episode, the other guy doesn't mention Ryan until after he hears that the witness saw two people. Nobody is going to sit there and say "I" killed this guy if there was someone else involved. Crystal, I do hope that you are not so naïve that you think something like this couldn't happen to you or someone you care about. It can. God bless you, Ryan and your family, you are in my thoughts and prayers for an expeditious and joyful homecoming!
I remember this story and waiting to find out the new information.
This is absolutely outrageous! How can someone be convicted of a murder without any physical evidence? How would that judge feel if that was his son sitting in jail for a crime he didn't commit and shame on those jurors for not listening to the conflicting testimony. I am sad to see that this young man has spent over a decade of his life in prison. I only home he continues to remain strong and that he is set free very soon. And this is supposed to be the land of the free - come on!!!!!!! Unbelievable.
The Columbia, MO courts and law enforcement seem riddled with corruption. Kevin Crane, a demon.
I remember this story and would like to know what new info they have.
This is outrageous! I am just disgusted and saddened by this news. How can someone be convicted of a murder without any physical evidence whatsoever? Shame on that jury for not listening to the conflicting testimony. How would that judge like it if it was his son sitting in jail for over a decade for a crime he did not commit. And this is the land of the free home of the brave? This is an embarrassment! It seems to me that the boy accusing him is CRAZY - can no one else see that? I pray for Ryan and his family that they remain strong and continue to fight for his freedom and the injustice that has been comitted.
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What a travesty! I believe Ryan is innocent. It's probably a political decision between the State Attorney's office and the Judge and has nothing to do with Ryan's innocence. I hope Ryan's attorney kicks the State's butt in their State's Supreme Court!
Our criminal system is so, so corrupt, I cannot understand it. Day after day, we hear of innocent men finally being released from incarceration after years in prison when it is ultimately realized that innocent men are being prosecuted and sentenced. I am a middle class first generation American and have lost all my idealism in the criminal justice system. For this judge not to exonerate Ryan is an absolute sin. He should be sent to prison for a travesty of justice. It seems that judges think they are so "high and mighty". They are nothing but humans like all of us and should have some sense of morality and what is right and wrong. It is better to let one guilty person free then to incarcerate so many innocent men for no good reason. Our system is greatly flawed. Prosecutors want to get their "mark" for getting someone to take a plea (when innocent) or convicted (when innocent); lawyers often work in cahoots with prosecutors (i.e. "I'll get my client to take a plea"); and many, many judges (NOT ALL) have no sense of justice (just like this one with Ryan). Fair and honest judges should be greatly respected, but it seems that they are few and far between like a certain Judge DV of Middlesex, NJ. Now he is to be respected. I have heard from so many people how he looks at each individual case and is truly fair; with no prior judgments or leanings towards the prosecution. Wish there were more like him on the bench today. Ryan should have been released long ago. For a young man to sit so long without a life is a crime. And who is paying for this travesty of justice? The taxpayer. I am glad that Dateline has the courage to look at the injustice of our so-called "justice system". Many people have NO idea how corrupt it really is. I wish Ryan an exoneration and the ability to move on to a good life. Amen.
Amen indeed, Frances Braz McDonough.
Take it from $omeone working in criminal ju$tice, the average per$son reading thi$ doe$n't have a clue how flawed (to put it lightly) the $y$tem i$. I alway$ say, our criminal ju$tice $y$tem is the be$t in the world, but it'$ not perfect... And thi$ $tory i$ a perfect example. I'm ju$t glad that occa$ionally $omeone like Dateline come$ along to give eveyone a little ta$te.
I know how broken the legal system is.
I have a story so unbelievable that no one wants to tell it….search: Kerry Walker Story
Assaulted, controlled and threatened by a very unbalanced female....I filed my Incident Report that same day..then I was falsely arrested two weeks later based on a fake crime report filed four days after the incident by the very person that perpetrated the violence against me!! Then Detective Preston Peavy set out to frame me for the crimes I not only did not commit, but where I was in truth the actual victim of violence...this is a true story.
What's the matter with you Crystal? God help your soul for your judgment of others. God said. "Judgment is mine". God forbid I would ever have to lose a child, but if I did, I would have to forgive the person, or event. God comes to give life more abundantly, the devil comes to kill steal and destroy. I can't blame God. After all, our children are a gift from God, loaned to us for a time. We need to care for them for the time we are given by God.
You'd best start understanding I am neither ignorant nor misinformed. If my comments do not bear reference or referral - do not comment. You look as you are - family and friends of a guilty man not willing to recognize that - striking out at anyone that does see guilt. I again wish you luck - I have nothing to lose here; you do. Ryan does. You must stay rational and see both sides. Overt emotion and internet cussing out will not serve any purpose - especially his. Stay on point - take this opportunity to prove the negative. Convince us that you are right - don't strike out blindly saying we (I'm) wrong.
Crystal. Your toned changed completely from your initial post to this discussion. A person in this country is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. There was no proofe in this case. The Prosecution did not prove that the defendent in this case "RYAN" wTas guilty. Their was no DNA evedence that linked him to the scene. All the prosecution had was a Janitor that at the time claimed that he seen the defendent and a ex-friend that said that Ryan was involved in the murder. If the Jury would have seen the interigation video then they would have seen that the young man was so completely confused and intoxicated that his statment was no credible. The Police Department should be on trial for wanting to pin the murder on Ryan so bad that they used scare tactics on boy barely out of his teens.
I am so surprised at the ruling of the judge. Even after seeing the interigation footage. Hearing testimony from the two individuals who were partly responsible for putting Ryan behind bars say that Ryan had nothing to do with it. The interigation video alone should have changed his mind. I am very confused and dissapointed in our Countries justice system. Especially in MO. In my opinion the Judge should step down from his position. He is supposed to hear the facts. But, he let his own opinions and emotions cloud his judgement.
This young man should be freed and apologizies from the state for how wreckless they were in this case. Whether you want to believe it or not. But, it is about politics. Who is going to get elected for a specific office or seat. I truly believe that Ryan will be found guilty. It may have to go to the Supreme level to get fair ruling.
Howie - God did not put him in jail. I did not but him in jail. Invoking God will not get him out, nor will changing my mind. Stay rational. You have an opportunity to plead his case. Do so.
I didn't see this story the 1st time it aired, so I am flabbergasted that 2 young
INNOCENT men sit in jail in Missouri. How in the world do police continue to get
away with coercing confused individuals and manipulating witnesses into finger
pointing?? Why weren’t the police going through databases to match DNA &
fingerprints from the crime scene instead of railroading innocent people??
Ryan & his family are an inspiration for their optimism, long-suffering and
keeping bitterness at bay. I can’t wait till Ryan’s finally free & they can
sue the hell out of this pathetic ‘justice’ system! What a waste of tax payer
money!! - Clearly my bitterness is not at bay!
I didn't see this story the 1st time it aired, so I am flabbergasted that 2 young
INNOCENT men sit in jail in Missouri. How in the world do police continue to get
away with coercing confused individuals and manipulating witnesses into finger
pointing?? Why weren’t the police going through databases to match DNA &
fingerprints from the crime scene instead of railroading innocent people??
Ryan & his family are an inspiration for their optimism, long-suffering and
keeping bitterness at bay. I can’t wait till Ryan’s finally free & they can
sue the hell out of this pathetic ‘justice’ system! What a waste of tax payer
money!! Clearly I can't keep my bitterness about this at bay!
It is unfortunate that this is all the buzz you got. If I were you - I'd appoint a family spokesperson and keep this thread going. This site is international - and this show was attempting to drum up some support for your cause. Just because I believe he is guilty does not mean everyone watching tonight's show has the same opinion. If I were in your position (family and friends of Ryan) I would attempt to have something memorable said here that someone would pick up and quote elsewhere. I would be saying something that hasn't been said before - cause other wise this will crash and burn and his hopes for some hope dashed. Get it together people and good luck again.
www.FreeRyanFerguson.com
Here is all the information on his case, and it is updated often.
Once you read through it all and do the research it's becomes quite clear that he could not have committed this crime. Please look at his case without an opinion already made. Only after you have researched all you possibly can, should you state one way or the other. This is what I did originally, I had no opinion on his innocence or guilt until I did some research. Quite honestly, it's now clear to me that he is innocent.
It's blatantly obvious to me that Ryan is innocent. Very few things enrage me more than injustice, especially since some of the evidence that was previous thought to have been convicting evidence was thrown out because they were lies.
The Justice System needs to be revised OR the educational program that Judges go through. I need to go cool off now.
A man is convicted of a crime based on an obvious perjury inclined person, an eyewitness who admitted to perjury, zero DNA, no fingerprints and you think that is justice? #%*^ that. I'd like to punish the detectives ( I use this word loosely to describe the idiots ) and the judge ( again for a lack of better word ) for making a mockery of our courtrooms. We've pretty much lost our rights to a fair and speedy ( lost that long ago ) trial.
This is the scariest Dateline I've ever seen. My prayers go out to Ryan and his family. There is something very wrong with the Justice System in this Country if something like this is possible.
I think it's so sad and scary that with everything that points to Ryan Ferguson being innocent that he is still in jail? I've seen this episode twice now, It blows my mind how anyone seeing this could find him anything but innocent.
When I started watching this, I thought to myself, there's no way Ryan is still locked up for this but he is. The way this whole case was brought out in court was sloppy & not looked at closely at all. I feel terrible for Ryan & his family. The people who convicted him & the people who accused him should feel terrible. I couldn't live with myself knowing I wrongly accused someone. I wish there was something I could do to help him. I will be praying for Ryan & his family every night! I hope he gets to go home soon! Keep your head up Ryan, God will not let you spend the rest of your life in prison for something you didn't do!
My prayers go out to all the familes involved....Our system is not perfect and I believe that Ryan's friend was in a "blackout" and the police convinced him that he and Ryan committed this crime.
If my son was in prison for a crime he did not commit I would not have the resources to fight the justice system.....I hope the people that saw Dateline will go to www.FreeRyanFerguson.com and make a donation to help free both of these young men.
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