The Week's Most Talked About Book: Our Memoir of Justice and Redemption

Non Fiction
St. Martin’s Press
March 2009

“Help me, please! I’ve been raped by a black man! He’s after me!”

Frantic words depict the emotional trauma of a 22-year-old, white female, barefoot and naked beneath a blanket wrapped around her violated body, as she bolts out of her apartment door and out into the dark, wet night.

On July 29, 1984, Jennifer Thompson was the victim of a senseless rape.

“I’ve replayed this scene in my head over and over, wondering if there was any way all of this could have come out differently. What if I had worn a different shirt? What if I hadn’t gotten my dates mixed up? … That was the last time I walked in anywhere as a free man for the next eleven years.”

At the Burlington Police Department, a young, black man, also 22 years of age, attempts to clear his name. But he’s no match for Detective Gauldin, and despite his innocence, he makes several costly mistakes. A knife (a utility knife) is found in his front pocket; dates of his whereabouts are fuzzy; and the biggest mistake of all, a lawyer is not present during his interrogation.

On August 1, 1984,  Ronald Cotton was the victim of an eyewitness account gone wrong.

The paths of Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton collide — the accuser and the innocent. And no matter how you try to rationalize or dismiss the harsh reality of the falsely accused, its senselessness knocks you off your feet. ”Could this happen to me?” you ask. Questions without answers will haunt readers of the compelling, new title “Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption” by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo. 

Emotions run high as Jennifer struggles to get on with her scarred life, while Ronald, along with dedicated lawyers, fight a system of injustice. Two families are thrust into a world of turmoil as they wait and wait and wait, each searching for a positive resolution. It’s hard not to choose sides.

Powerful details deliver the punch of a novel, but unlike fiction, words are hardly enough to capture the heart-wrenching account of how an innocent, young man adapts to a potential, longer-than-life sentence. Can written words shed light on how a fractured man can forgive a stranger?

Two storytellers and one writer unite to prove the power of words. They deliver a brilliant rendition of betrayal and forgiveness. Never again, will readers see victims, criminals, lawyers, judges and the death penalty the same. And every now and then, there’s hope in the form of a bold story that alters an opinion, a person and even several lives. This is one of those stories.

According to The Innocence Project, eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide, playing a role in more than 75% of convictions overturned through DNA testing.

 Q&A with Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson-Cannino

Ronald Cotton …

What has been your biggest challenge upon being set free on June 30, 1995, 11 years later — your biggest adjustment? What is the one thing that has taken you by surprise?
Cotton: The biggest challenge was being accepted back into the community as an innocent man. The biggest adjustment was being able to trust again and figuring out all the changes that had taken place during those 11 years. The biggest surprise was being approached by women and some of the outrageous things they would say.

If you had the power to change one thing about the legal system, today, what would that one change be?
Cotton: There needs to be checks and balances put into place at all levels of investigation leading up to trial.

In one word, how would you describe Jennifer?
Cotton: Loving. 

Jennifer Thompson-Cannino …

Looking back, even before your awful experience, what was your opinion about African-American males? If, in the past, you were influenced by racial stereotypes or ideals, how have those changed?
Thompson-Cannino: I never had any racial issues before my attack and frankly that never changed afterwards. There are no bad races, religions or genders. People are responsible for their choices and blaming people because their race and religion is a cop out.

If you had the power to change one thing about the legal system, today, what would that one change be?
Thompson-Cannino: We need to hold those accountable who intentionally disregard truth or manufacture lies that lead to this type of injustice.

In one word, how would you describe Ronald?
Thompson-Cannino: Amazing.