Supreme Court of the United States: Innocence doesn't matter.

You can't be freed just because you're innocent.

Herrera v. Collins

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1992/91-7328

Question\
\
Was an individual sentenced to death for murder, Leonel Herrera, entitled to federal habeas corpus relief under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments when his petition was based on a claim of actual innocence without an accompanying federal constitutional violation?

Conclusion\
\
No. In a 6-3 opinion written by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, the Court held that the rejection of Herrera’s petition did not constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. Chief Justice Rehnquist concluded that evidence of Herrera’s actual innocence was not relevant to his petition for a writ of habeas corpus absent some constitutional violation by the state of Texas.

As long as the proper procedures were followed to punish you, that's justice (according to this decision). Guilt or innocence is irrelevant. It is Constitutional to imprison someone you believe is innocent, as long as the proper procedures are followed.

#scotus #supreme-court #justice #injustice #shame #disgrace #usa #america #texas