Trial by Fire, the Todd Willingham story

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Across
  1. 6. 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. 8. Project, A non-profit legal organization that is committed to exonerating wrongly convicted people through the use of DNA testing and other scientific evidence.
  3. 9. A collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.
  4. 11. An act of mercy or leniency by a public official (such as a Governor) to reduce a sentence or prevent an execution.
  5. 12. Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon.
  6. 13. A substance (like gasoline or kerosene) used to aid the spread of a fire.
  7. 15. Punishment, The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime (the death penalty).
  8. 16. The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
  9. 19. Extremely small; in this context, often referring to trace amounts of chemicals.
  10. 20. The killing of one person by another.
  11. 22. A deeply distressing or disturbing experience; also refers to physical injury.
  12. 23. 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.
Down
  1. 1. An extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property.
  2. 2. To officially absolve someone from blame or find them not guilty after a previous conviction.
  3. 3. 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.
  4. 4. 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.
  5. 5. The theory or philosophy of law.
  6. 7. Row, A prison block or section for prisoners who have been sentenced to death and are awaiting execution.
  7. 10. Tending to attract attention because of exuberance, confidence, and stylishness (often used to describe Willingham’s personality).
  8. 13. 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. 14. of Execution, A court order that temporarily suspends the execution of a court's judgment or sentence.
  10. 17. Cleared of suspicion or blame, often through the presentation of new evidence.
  11. 18. A government decision to allow a person who has been convicted of a crime to be free and to be absolved of that conviction.
  12. 21. Burnt or blackened by fire.