Bringing Ben Home: A Murder, a Conviction, and the Fight to Redeem American Justice By Barbara Bradley Hagerty

Bringing Ben Home tells the harrowing yet hopeful story of Ben Spencer, a Black man wrongfully imprisoned for thirty years for a murder he didn’t commit, and how his case highlights the flaws in the U.S. legal system. In 1987, at just twenty-two, Spencer was convicted of murdering a white businessman in Dallas, despite proclaiming his innocence from the moment of his arrest. The Texas legal system, marred by shoddy police work, paid witnesses, and prosecutorial misconduct, failed Spencer, leading to his conviction and decades of imprisonment.

For years, Spencer’s attempts to clear his name were ignored, but his persistence, coupled with the efforts of independent investigators, new witness testimonies, and even the foreman of the jury that convicted him, eventually caught the attention of a new Dallas district attorney. In 2021, after more than half his life spent behind bars, Spencer was finally released.

Award-winning journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty delves deep into Spencer’s case, exploring how such a grave miscarriage of justice could occur and what it reveals about the broader legal system. Through extensive research, including interviews with Spencer and key figures involved in his case, Hagerty uncovers the systemic issues that allowed this wrongful conviction to happen.

Bringing Ben Home is not just the story of one man’s fight for justice; it’s a narrative about how states, led by Texas, are beginning to address the deep-rooted issues that cause wrongful convictions. By implementing new reforms and practices, they aim to make the legal process more equitable and ensure that others like Ben Spencer do not suffer the same fate.

This powerful and provocative book sheds light on the transformation underway in the justice system and the ongoing efforts to prevent and overturn wrongful convictions, making it an essential read for anyone interested in justice and reform. 📚❤️