With a Chance at Freedom, They Faced an Unexpected Obstacle: Their Own Lawyers
About this episode
The episode discusses the challenges faced by convicted individuals in Pennsylvania due to their own lawyers arguing against their bids for justice.
Pennsylvania courts allow attorneys to argue against their convicted clients’ bid for justice. It has resulted in people spending years or decades in prison before being freed based on issues lawyers overlooked or rejected. By Samantha Melamed and Dylan Purcell, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Co-published with The Philadelphia Inquirer. Originally Published May 19, 2026. Recorded by News Over Audio. Support our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
More episodes of ProPublica Narrated
- On This Nearly Deserted Alaska Island, You Pay to Keep Hundreds of Empty Buildings Wired for Internet
- This MAGA Influencer Runs a Charity to Teach Kids Civics. Much of the Money Goes to Him Instead.
- My Maddening Quest to Find Out if Blueberries Come From Farms Where Workers Were Harmed
- A Youth Sports Giant Promised Reforms to Protect Kids From Sexual Abuse. Most Never Happened.
- Left in the Dust: How a Billionaire-Owned Concrete Plant Took Over a Detroit Community
- This Private School Had Students Scrub Floors and Attack a Fellow Classmate. The State Still Funds It.
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the ProPublica Narrated podcast page.