Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
@marissab.bsky.social
Former public defender and innocence lawyer, now just trying to improve the world.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
With crime data at the center of a great deal of political debate, it's essential that we get it right and separate the signal from the noise. We're excited to listen to this new podcast from nationally renowned data (and friend of QC) @jeffasher.bsky.social:
The Jeff-alytics Podcast Is Coming!
Episode 0 is here! Episode 1 drops next Wednesday!
jasher.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
With crime data at the center of a great deal of political debate, it's essential that we get it right and separate the signal from the noise. We're excited to listen to this new podcast from nationally renowned data (and friend of QC) @jeffasher.bsky.social:
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
That's my pal @marissab.bsky.social out there doing the good work.
@quattronecenter.org Assistant Director Marissa Bluestine spoke to @nysfocus.bsky.social about the state's CIU and how it is handling wrongful convictions. https://penncareylaw.news/4pn15lz?
New York's AG Wanted to Review Innocence Claims. Politics Got in the…
The attorney general's conviction review bureau has investigated just a handful of innocence claims of the hundreds it's received since 2012.
nysfocus.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:28 PM
That's my pal @marissab.bsky.social out there doing the good work.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
Congratulations to @MariaOquendoMD (@PennPsych), @ahrensnicklas.bsky.social (@childrensphila.bsky.social / @pennmedicine.bsky.social) & @marissab.bsky.social (@PennLaw) on being named 2025 Rad Award nominees by @thephilacitizen.bsky.social! tinyurl.com/mr2zxtx4
July 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Congratulations to @MariaOquendoMD (@PennPsych), @ahrensnicklas.bsky.social (@childrensphila.bsky.social / @pennmedicine.bsky.social) & @marissab.bsky.social (@PennLaw) on being named 2025 Rad Award nominees by @thephilacitizen.bsky.social! tinyurl.com/mr2zxtx4
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
I need all of #lawsky to see this video from a Colorado appeals court livestream yesterday. I am in actual tears. Sound *incredibly* on, the subtitles will not help.
June 19, 2025 at 2:47 AM
I need all of #lawsky to see this video from a Colorado appeals court livestream yesterday. I am in actual tears. Sound *incredibly* on, the subtitles will not help.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
Impeachment now. This is not a legal gray area - this open defiance of our constitutional system.
There's no declaration of war, and no AUMF that covers this. Entering this war is wrong on the merits; we had a perfectly peaceful way to address Iran's nuclear program. It's also unlawful. A democratic republic should not be able to enter a war of choice on one man's say-so.
The US has hust dropped bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites, according to Trump, bringing American military forces into Israel’s war with Iran.
June 22, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Impeachment now. This is not a legal gray area - this open defiance of our constitutional system.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
There's no declaration of war, and no AUMF that covers this. Entering this war is wrong on the merits; we had a perfectly peaceful way to address Iran's nuclear program. It's also unlawful. A democratic republic should not be able to enter a war of choice on one man's say-so.
The US has hust dropped bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites, according to Trump, bringing American military forces into Israel’s war with Iran.
June 22, 2025 at 12:11 AM
There's no declaration of war, and no AUMF that covers this. Entering this war is wrong on the merits; we had a perfectly peaceful way to address Iran's nuclear program. It's also unlawful. A democratic republic should not be able to enter a war of choice on one man's say-so.
This is an opportunity for anyone interested in conviction integrity to learn more and contribute to the conversation. Please let me know if you have any questions. Spread the word!
Join the Quattrone Center today (live online until 6 p.m. ET, no fee) for the first session of Conference from Your Couch: Truth, Science, and Justice: Conversations About Conviction Integrity.
events.zoom.us/ev/AuAAZ1o1T...
events.zoom.us/ev/AuAAZ1o1T...
Conference from Your Couch - Conversations About Conviction Integrity
events.zoom.us
June 11, 2025 at 10:01 PM
This is an opportunity for anyone interested in conviction integrity to learn more and contribute to the conversation. Please let me know if you have any questions. Spread the word!
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
CIUs and innocence orgs are "Working Across the V" to correct wrongful convictions, but why are they both important to the puzzle? Listen to our experts explain why these two groups work best together, rather than apart. To read the full report, visit our website: www.law.upenn.edu/institutes/q...
April 2, 2025 at 2:40 PM
CIUs and innocence orgs are "Working Across the V" to correct wrongful convictions, but why are they both important to the puzzle? Listen to our experts explain why these two groups work best together, rather than apart. To read the full report, visit our website: www.law.upenn.edu/institutes/q...
They make the BEST matcha latte.
QC Advisory Board member Eugene Gilyard has opened a new coffee house in North Philadelphia. Freedom Coffee House is a tribute to his hard-earned freedom after serving over a decade imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Congratulations Gene!
How a once-wrongfully convicted man became a business owner in North Philadelphia
A new coffee shop in North Philadelphia is brewing more than just good coffee, but a powerful story of resilience.
The story of a small business owner who after being exonerated of a crime he didn't c...
www.cbsnews.com
April 8, 2025 at 10:28 AM
They make the BEST matcha latte.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
NYT report: Maverick County, Texas, rarely provides lawyers to people charged with minor crimes, and "people regularly spend months behind bars without charges filed against them, much longer than state law allows."
Forgotten in Jail Without a Lawyer: How a Texas Town Fails Poor Defendants
People in Maverick County spend months in jail waiting to be charged with minor crimes. Some are simply lost in the system.
www.nytimes.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
NYT report: Maverick County, Texas, rarely provides lawyers to people charged with minor crimes, and "people regularly spend months behind bars without charges filed against them, much longer than state law allows."
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
The DOJ appears poised to roll back policies supporting federal police oversight in cities, specifically consent decrees. Experts discuss how that will impact reform efforts in 12 cities.
Trump Is Backing Away From Police Reform. Here’s What That Means for 12 Places.
The administration appears set to end federal oversight of police, including agencies that have committed systemic civil rights violations.
www.themarshallproject.org
April 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The DOJ appears poised to roll back policies supporting federal police oversight in cities, specifically consent decrees. Experts discuss how that will impact reform efforts in 12 cities.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
Big thanks to Lucian Dervan and all of our friends at the Plea Bargaining Institute for excellent presentations and discussions at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School on Friday!
April 7, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Big thanks to Lucian Dervan and all of our friends at the Plea Bargaining Institute for excellent presentations and discussions at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School on Friday!
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
The QC team had an inspiring few days learning, sharing, and connecting at the Innocence Network conference in Seattle. We're grateful for this powerful community of exonerees, experts, and advocates all working for a more just system.
#InnocenceConference
#InnocenceConference
April 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The QC team had an inspiring few days learning, sharing, and connecting at the Innocence Network conference in Seattle. We're grateful for this powerful community of exonerees, experts, and advocates all working for a more just system.
#InnocenceConference
#InnocenceConference
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
More than 12% of exonerations in the US have involved a false confession of guilt. Our Assistant Director, @marissab.bsky.social, explains how false confessions happen and why they're one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions. Read her article in @theappeal.org: bit.ly/41qE1Hr
March 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
More than 12% of exonerations in the US have involved a false confession of guilt. Our Assistant Director, @marissab.bsky.social, explains how false confessions happen and why they're one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions. Read her article in @theappeal.org: bit.ly/41qE1Hr
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
Our Assistant Director, @marissab.bsky.social, is the latest guest on the Just Justice Podcast! Listen to her interview with host Jessica Henry on conviction integrity units and how they help to find and correct wrongful convictions. Available wherever you find your pods: linktr.ee/jessicahenry...
March 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Our Assistant Director, @marissab.bsky.social, is the latest guest on the Just Justice Podcast! Listen to her interview with host Jessica Henry on conviction integrity units and how they help to find and correct wrongful convictions. Available wherever you find your pods: linktr.ee/jessicahenry...
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
Fairfax County, VA, will open their first Conviction Integrity Unit in partnership with our friends at the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Stay tuned for our report coming soon on the state of CIUs nationwide.
Stay tuned for our report coming soon on the state of CIUs nationwide.
Fairfax prosecutor launches new unit to identify wrongful convictions
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said he hoped the initiative will help to foster public trust in the justice system.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Fairfax County, VA, will open their first Conviction Integrity Unit in partnership with our friends at the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Stay tuned for our report coming soon on the state of CIUs nationwide.
Stay tuned for our report coming soon on the state of CIUs nationwide.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
Now the whole country gets the experience of what it's like when private equity buys the place you work
February 4, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Now the whole country gets the experience of what it's like when private equity buys the place you work
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
Much of the science used to convict Russell Maze of killing his baby is considered questionable.
New evidence points so much toward innocence that the DA’s office called for his release.
He still might spend the rest of his life in prison.
By @pamelacolloff.bsky.social
New evidence points so much toward innocence that the DA’s office called for his release.
He still might spend the rest of his life in prison.
By @pamelacolloff.bsky.social
He Was Convicted of Killing His Baby. The DA’s Office Says He’s Innocent, but That Might Not Be Enough.
When new scientific evidence casts doubt on convictions, the justice system has no easy path to freedom — even when it’s the prosecutors doing the asking.
propub.li
November 28, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Much of the science used to convict Russell Maze of killing his baby is considered questionable.
New evidence points so much toward innocence that the DA’s office called for his release.
He still might spend the rest of his life in prison.
By @pamelacolloff.bsky.social
New evidence points so much toward innocence that the DA’s office called for his release.
He still might spend the rest of his life in prison.
By @pamelacolloff.bsky.social
Thankful for a drive with my son today.
November 29, 2024 at 12:01 AM
Thankful for a drive with my son today.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
In 2018, Lee Cowart was facing drug charges and jail time because sweetener found in his car returned a false positive for amphetamines on a field drug test. Share our video so people understand the risks of continuing to rely so heavily on these error-prone tests.
November 25, 2024 at 3:43 PM
In 2018, Lee Cowart was facing drug charges and jail time because sweetener found in his car returned a false positive for amphetamines on a field drug test. Share our video so people understand the risks of continuing to rely so heavily on these error-prone tests.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
I look forward to hearing all about the invasive genital checks/DNA samples for each and every Congressperson and Congressional staffer.
After all, I’m sure no one wants to selectively enforce a new rule just to bully a member of a marginalized community.
After all, I’m sure no one wants to selectively enforce a new rule just to bully a member of a marginalized community.
November 20, 2024 at 6:51 PM
I look forward to hearing all about the invasive genital checks/DNA samples for each and every Congressperson and Congressional staffer.
After all, I’m sure no one wants to selectively enforce a new rule just to bully a member of a marginalized community.
After all, I’m sure no one wants to selectively enforce a new rule just to bully a member of a marginalized community.
Reposted by Marissa Bluestine (she/her)
QC Assistant Director @marissab.bsky.social has spoken out frequently about interrogation practices. You can learn more here: www.law.upenn.edu/live/news/15...
Mandating Taped Interrogations
“[A] focus on best practices to avoid undue coercion and false confessions would go a long way to improve the quality of justice in Pennsylvania,” writes...
www.law.upenn.edu
November 19, 2024 at 4:17 PM
QC Assistant Director @marissab.bsky.social has spoken out frequently about interrogation practices. You can learn more here: www.law.upenn.edu/live/news/15...
