In 2003, the excellent documentary film Capturing the Friedmans told the story of a family falling apart under a 1980s investigation and subsequent trial of the father, Arnold Friedman, and his son, Jesse Friedman, for child molestation. Both pled guilty but shortly after the trial, Jesse insisted that he was innocent, had been pressured into the guilty plea, and began pushing the courts for a re-investigation. Arnold Friedman committed suicide in prison in 1995. On Monday, the Nassau County District Attorney released a new 160-page-report they say supports their investigation and prosecution of Jesse Friedman.
According to the report, "by any impartial analysis, the re-investigation process prompted by Jesse Friedman, his advocates and the 2nd Circuit, has only increased confidence in the integrity of Jesse Friedman’s guilty plea and adjudication as a sex offender."
Friedman isn't giving up though.
“Today is not the worst day of my life," he said. “I’ve had many, many worse days than today and I’m standing strong and I’ve got as much fight in me — I’ve got more fight in me — than I’ve ever, ever had before. So, game on.”
Subject of Oscar-nominated ‘Capturing the Friedmans’ vows fight for exoneration will go on (Washington Post)
"Exonerating Jesse Friedman" (FreeJesse.net)
