Today, Hunter was joined once again by Erica Nichols Cook, the head of the Iowa State Public Defender Wrongful Conviction Unit. On today’s episode, Erica walks us through the case of Jerry Mark. In 1976, he was convicted of the murder of his brother, sister-in-law and their two children, but as you will hear, all the evidence points to the fact that Jerry Mark wasn’t even in the state when the murder happened. Guest Erica Nichols Cook, Director, Wrongful Convictions Unit, Iowa State Public Defen...
Jul 22, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 377
Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Megan Walsh and Anthony Benz from the University of Minnesota. As we did on Tuesday, Hunter sat down with these two to highlight the work of a law school clinic. This clinic focuses on combating gun violence through both offensive and defensive litigation. Guest Megan Walsh, Director, Gun Violence Prevention Clinic, University of Minnesota Anthon Benz, Student Attorney, University of Minnesota Resources: Contact Megan https://law.umn.edu/course/7408/spring-2...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Megan Graham to discuss how her law an technology clinic is helping Public Defenders deal with technology issues in their client’s cases. Guest Megan Graham, Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Director of Technology Law Clinic, University of Iowa College of Law Resources: Contact Megan https://law.uiowa.edu/people/megan-graham https://bsky.app/profile/megankgraham.bsky.social Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessP...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 375
Today, Hunter was joined by Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors of Unchained Emily Napier-Singletary and Derek Singletary. Unchained is a non-profit organization based out of New York that seeks to “empower those currently and formerly incarcerated in the state of New York through policy development, community organizing and advocacy, research, and liberation education.” On today’s episode, Derek and Emily discuss what happened both inside and outside of New York prisons during the New York C...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 374
Today, Hunter was joined by investigative journalist Anat Rubin to discuss her recent reporting on Public Defender Investigators in California. At times, investigators are the single most important person in a criminal defense case, and yet around the country, nearly all public defenders do not have access to necessary investigative resources. Today, Anat joins the show to discuss how the systemic underfunding of public defense investigators increases the risk of wrongful convictions by highligh...
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 373
Today, Hunter was joined by Dujuan “Zoe” Kennedy of Force Detroit a Community Violence Intervention organization in Detroit. For decades, Detroit was known around the country for being the poster child for the decaying state of U.S. manufacturing. With this reputation as a decaying city came a reputation for high rates of violent crime, but over the past few years, Detroit has seen some of the lowest rates of homicides, gun crimes, and violent crimes it has in 60 years. Zoe joins the podcast to ...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Today, Hunter was joined Claire Valentin and Hayley Upshaw to discuss how the intersection of criminal and immigration law impacts kids. So far on the show, Hunter and various guests have explored the “Crimmigration” intersection as it pertains to adults. Now, Hunter, Hayley, and Claire unpack the ways this already cruel system is especially cruel for kid. Guest Hayley Upshaw, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco Public Defender Officer Claire Valentin, Managing Director of Innovation and Advoc...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 371
Today, Hunter was joined by Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender in Contra Costa County, California. On this episode, Hunter and Ali discuss how Public Defenders can have a larger impact in immigration defense by bringing the services to the communities who need them the most. Guest Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender, Contra Costa County, California Resources: Contra Costa County Public Defender https://www.cocopublicdefenders.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ContraCostaPublicDefender/ https://www.inst...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Angla Chan of the San Francisco Public Defender Officer. This time, the two say down to discuss the history of sanctuary laws in California, why they are so important, and reflect on the reasons why people leave their home countries in the first place. Guest Angela Chan, Chief of Confront and Advocate, San Francisco Public Defender's Office Resources: Gov. Newsom's history with ordering juvenile probation in SF to turn youth over to ICE when he was SF Mayor...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 369
Today, Hunter was joined once again by the Chief Public Defender of Delaware, Kevin O’Connell. This time, the two focused on the see-saw history of death penalty abolition in the state of Delaware. It may come as a surprise to many, but Delaware has historically been one of the most prolific death penalty states in America, and today, Kevin and Hunter discuss the politics and policies that kept the death penalty alive and thriving in the state. Finally, they discuss what lessons those interested...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr
Today, Hunter was by the Public Defender for the state of Idaho, Eric Fredericksen. Over the past two years, Public Defense in Idaho underwent a massive overhaul. For decades, the state has operated a county-based system that functioned with serious justice by geography problems, but with pressure from ACLU lawsuits, the state needed to change. So, they finally made the decision to transition to a state wide, state funded system. The transition, however, has been anything but smooth. Eric and Hu...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 367
Today, Hunter was joined by Hans Menos and Robe Kenter of the Center for Policing Equity. They sat down to discuss the successes their organization has had in trying create a more equitable legal system and understanding of how we can create safer communities. Guest Hans Menos, VP Public Safety Innovations and Government Affairs, Center for Policing Equity Rob Kenter, Senior Director of Public Safety, Center for Policing Resources: Center for Policing Equity https://policingequity.org/?gad_sourc...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 365
Today, Hunter was joined by two San Francisco Public Defenders, Sujung Kim and Lilah Wolf, to discuss their recent Racial Justice Act Victory. This California law was designed in part to give public defenders the tools to get explicit and implicit racism out of the criminal legal system. Today, we discussed how it came to be, why it needs to be in place, and how public defenders in California and around the country could be using it. Guest Sujung Kim, Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco, Calif...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Today, Hunter was joined by two former police officers turned defense witness experts. Christina Sally and Chris Bertram joined the show to discuss their insights into the many ways in which police officers mess up the investigations into claims of child sexual assault cases. Guest Christina Sally PhD, Consultant, Defense Expert Witness, Retired Law Enforcement Officer Chris Bertram, Retired Chief of Police, Associate Professor, Defense Expert Witness Resources: Email Christina christinasallyphd...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 364
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Los Angeles County Chief Public Defender Ricardo Garcia. This time, they discuss how the new LA County DA is trying to bring back the death penalty and the impact of Prop 36 and the Los Angeles Wildfires on Public Defenders and their clients. Guest Ricardo Garcia, The Public Defender of Los Angeles County, California Resources: Contact the LA County Public Defender https://pubdef.lacounty.gov/ https://www.instagram.com/lapubdef/ https://www.facebook.com/LAC...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 363
Today, Hunter was joined once again Elisabeth Pollock and for the first time Stephanie Kollmann. On today’s episode, the three discuss the Fair Act in Illinois. This pending piece of legislation is set to be the first step for the state of Illinois to provide statewide support to Public Defense. Will it happen? Why is it necessary? All that and more on today’s episode. Guest Elisabeth Pollock, Chief Public Defender, Champagne County, Illinois Stephanie Kollmann, Policy Director, Children Family ...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 362
Today, Hunter was joined once again by the Chief Public Defender for South Carolina’s 9th Circuit, Cameron Blazer. This time, we discuss workload issues in her Circuit and how a new bail laws and immigration enforcement are making matters worse. Guest Cameron Blazer, Circuit Public Defender, 9th Circuit, Charleston and Berkley, South Carolina Resources: Email Cameron Here CBlazer@charlestoncounty.org SCCID https://sccid.sc.gov/ Bond Laws https://www.postandcourier.com/news/special_reports/bond-r...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 361
Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Andrew Crespo to continue the conversation about how we can improve how criminal law is taught. On this episode, we dive into the new criminal law text book that Andrew and his co-author, John Rappaport, recently published to learn a better way to teach criminal law. Guest Andrew Crespo, Professor of Law, Morris Wasserstein Public Interest Professor of Law Executive Faculty Director, Institute to End Mass Incarceration, Harvard University Resources: Andrew’s...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 360
Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Alice Ristroph for the first of a two-part focus on how and why we teach Criminal Law the way we do. On today’s episode, Hunter and Alice explore the historical roots of criminal law teaching, critique it, and discuss ways in which we can improve how criminal law is taught to law students. Guest Alice Ristroph, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School Resources: Contact Alice Here https://www.brooklaw.edu/contact-us/ristroph-alice/writings/ Read Alice’s Law Rev...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Mano Raju, the Elected Chief Public Defender in San Francisco. In the past couple of weeks, Mano made the difficult decision to stop accepting new case assignments one day a week. Thanks to the tough on crime policies of DA Brooke Jenkins and Prop 36, the workloads for San Francisco Public Defenders have reach unsustainable numbers. How did we get here, what comes next, and will this be a harbinger of things to come in California? All that and more on today...
May 23, 2025•52 min•Ep. 358
Today, Hunter was joined by Bob Kolstad, Maggie Bott, and Olivia Henstein to discuss why they are pushing Minnesota Public Defenders to create a new, independent union. In the past few years, the current union, organize under Teamsters, was able to secure massive salary raises for Public Defenders around the state. However, that strike threat was built without much help or support from the leadership of the Teamster’s union. As a result, rank and file members, public defenders and the staff of t...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 357
Today, Hunter was joined by longtime Louisiana Criminal Defense Lawyer and President of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer, Jim Boren. Over the past year, Hunter has discussed the erosion of public defender independence since Remy Starns became the chief public defender of the state. Now, Remy Starns is slated to fire five chief public defenders from around the state who opposed some of the policies that consolidated power into his hands. Today’s episode is all about how this h...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 356
Today, Hunter was joined by a whole host of characters from the Missouri Public Defender System. When Hunter last looked into Missouri Public Defense, he spoke with Annie Legomsky to discuss the remarkable project of implementing Holistic Defense statewide. As one of the only statewide systems with holistic defense, Missouri stands as a great example of how finding creative sources of funding can allow Public Defenders to demonstrate to legislators the potential Public Defense has to improve the...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Anthony Benedetti, Chief Counsel of the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services. This time, Hunter and Anthony dive into what can be done about the low hourly rates for CPCS’s contract counsel and how recent courage from the bench and the state house gives them hope that those pay increases are in fact possible. Guest Anthony Benedetti, Chief Counsel, Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services Resources: CPCS Website https://www.publicc...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 354
Today, Hunter was joined by Ivery Dorsey, a man who for the last 18 years was incarcerated for a homicide he did not commit. On a previous episode on the show, Hunter spoke with one of the students, Kerrie Liang, who have been fighting to prove Ivery’s innocence, but today, Ivery joins the show to tell his story. From the representation he received, the conditions of his confinement, and how he hopes to pursue his dreams of shoe design and music production, Ivery's hope for a better future is co...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 353
Today, Hunter spoke with Harris County, Texas Chief Public Defender Alex Bunin. Just over a decade ago, Public Defense in Harris County looked like it did in most of the state. A group of private defense counsel contracted with the county to provide Public Defense. Unfortunately, Harris County was not spared of the many, well documented issues, with a primarily privately contracted public defense system. Then the county established the Public Defender Office, and since then, Alex and his team ha...
May 06, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 352
Today, Hunter sat with Josh Occhiogrosso-Schwartz, a Principal at the Wren Collective, to discuss their recent report on flat rate Public Defender contracts in California. Long time listeners of the show will recall that the American Bar Association discourages the use of flat rate fees because of the negative economic incentive it creates for the attorneys working under those contracts. In what will come as a surprise to no one who studies Public Defense, the Wren Collective examined the 24 cou...
May 01, 2025•48 min
Today, Hunter spoke with Julie Ciccolini, the CEO of Techtivist. When she was working as a paralegal at the NY Legal Aid Society, Julie, like so many in a Public Defender Office, realized that there was immense amounts of data on police misconduct that was going un-used. So, Julie helped to set up a database that allowed Public Defenders to track and use this data in their cases. Realizing that this issue extended far beyond New York, Julie founded Techtivist as a way to help Public Defenders se...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 350
Today, Hunter sat down with Zachary Heiden, Carol Garvan, and Professor Eve Primus to discuss the ACLU of Maine’s major victory in the fight to change Maine’s Public Defense. Since the Sixth Amendment Center’s report came out years ago, one thing was clear about Public Defense in Maine: it was in a state of crisis. Now, there finally appears to be a path out of the crisis. Thanks in part to the lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Maine, the courage of public defenders, the judiciary, and the delayed bu...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 349
Today, Hunter is Re-Releasing his episode with Professor of Law Corinna Lain becuase her book, Secretes of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, is now available! If you haven't listened already or picked up a copy of the book, now is great time to remember the hisotry of lethal injection and what that history means for the death peanlty today! https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Killing-State-Untold-Injection/dp/1479832960 Today, Hunter spoke with Law Professor Corinna Lain to dis...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 14 min
