"Lenell Geter's in Jail" | 60 Minutes Archive

Lenel Jeter's Wrongful Conviction

• Lenel Jeter, an engineer with no criminal record, was wrongly convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to life in prison.
• Jeter was accused of robbing a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Bal Springs, Texas, based on a tip from a woman who saw his car parked near a park.
• Eyewitness testimonies, including a misidentification from a photo lineup, contributed to Jeter's conviction.
• Jeter's defense attorney, Ed Seagull, believed in his innocence but faced time constraints in preparing a defense.

Evidence of Innocence

• Jeter's alibi witnesses, including his supervisor and co-workers, testified that he was at work during the time of the robbery.
• The prosecution's case relied solely on eyewitness testimony, which is known to be unreliable.
• Several eyewitnesses, including employees of the restaurant and a customer who knew Jeter personally, stated that he was not the robber.

Post-Conviction Developments

• The NAACP joined the defense in requesting a new trial, but it was denied by the same judge who tried Jeter originally.
• An appeal has been filed, and the FBI is investigating potential civil rights violations in Jeter's case.
• The South Carolina legislature and the State Attorney General have asked the Texas Attorney General to look into Jeter's case.
• Lenel Jeter was released from prison within 4 days of the 60 Minutes broadcast.