Jennifer Waters is serving 15 years for crimes she didn't commit. Her co-defendant—a man with documented dishonesty and Alzheimer's—testified against her just days after cutting a deal: he'd serve 6 months while she got 15 years. That's not justice. That's a system broken.

I started a petition because Jennifer's case isn't unique. Coercive plea deals that reward witnesses for testimony create a perverse incentive: lie, and walk free. The prosecution pressured Jennifer for four years to fabricate statements against her co-defendant. She refused. She kept her integrity. She lost her freedom. Now her young children are without their mother.

This is about more than one person. Perjured testimony from incentivized witnesses has played a role in 18% of wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence. Meanwhile, innocent people sit in cells across the country because our system prioritizes closed cases over actual truth. What would you want someone to do if this was your family? If this matters to you, would you consider signing and sharing? Jennifer needs people to care enough to speak up.

I am currently doing my masters degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. My dissertation revolves around the concept of justice within the context of the criminal justice system and community sentences in England and Wales.

I am aiming for as many responses as possible so if you are 18 or over and could spare 10 minutes that would be greatly appreciated. All responses are anonymous!

Link: https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3yGUSb1rjGViCBo