Legal Terminology: Trial by Fire

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Across
  1. 4. A high-temperature stage in a fire where every exposed flammable surface in an enclosed area ignites simultaneously. Understanding this concept was crucial in debunking the original arson evidence.
  2. 5. The killing of one person by another.
  3. 6. A substance (like gasoline or kerosene) used to aid the spread of a fire.
  4. 9. To officially absolve someone from blame or find them not guilty after a previous conviction.
  5. 11. An extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property.
  6. 14. Method: The systematic observation, measurement, and experiment used to test hypotheses—the lack of which, according to experts in the story, led to Willingham's wrongful conviction.
  7. 17. Burnt or blackened by fire.
  8. 18. A term used by fire investigators to describe the charred, scale-like patterns left on wood after a fire (long thought to indicate the use of an accelerant).
  9. 19. of Execution: A court order that temporarily suspends the execution of a court's judgment or sentence.
  10. 20. & Descriptive Language
  11. 21. Cleared of suspicion or blame, often through the presentation of new evidence.
  12. 23. An act of mercy or leniency by a public official (such as a Governor) to reduce a sentence or prevent an execution.
  13. 25. Row: A prison block or section for prisoners who have been sentenced to death and are awaiting execution.
Down
  1. 1. The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
  2. 2. words are used by Grann to describe the atmospheric details of the fire, the emotional weight of the case, and the scientific skepticism involved.
  3. 3. Tending to attract attention because of exuberance, confidence, and stylishness (often used to describe Willingham’s personality).
  4. 7. A collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.
  5. 8. Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon.
  6. 10. A government decision to allow a person who has been convicted of a crime to be free and to be absolved of that conviction.
  7. 12. Project: A non-profit legal organization that is committed to exonerating wrongly convicted people through the use of DNA testing and other scientific evidence.
  8. 13. A deeply distressing or disturbing experience; also refers to physical injury.
  9. 15. The theory or philosophy of law.
  10. 16. Extremely small; in this context, often referring to trace amounts of chemicals.
  11. 22. Concepts to Note
  12. 24. Punishment: The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime (the death penalty).