NY Daily News carries a gut-wrenching story:
"The kidnap-rape conviction of a once-promising prep football star was dismissed Thursday following a recantation by his accuser. . . .
In the summer of 2002, Banks’ future looked bright: He was a 17-year-old high school football star being heavily recruited by a number of colleges. But in a single day that changed with the accusations of kidnapping and rape by a female student. He maintained there was no rape and their sexual contact was consensual, but his lawyer urged him to plead no contest rather than risk a sentence of 41 years to life in prison if convicted. He followed the advice and went to prison for six years, shattering his dreams of gridiron glory."
The focus should be on Brian Banks, but I can't help but wonder: what is it like for a lawyer to advise an innocent client to plead guilty? (h/t: Althouse)