
PRECEDENT: Henry Alford
Sometimes we see our legal system as black or white. Innocent or Guilty. But there is a technical grey area. Room for someone to plead guilty while still maintaining their innocence. And this is only possible because of a precedent set in the case against a man named Henry Alford more than half a century ago.

For our friends in the Deaf and Signing community, you can view an ASL version of this episode.
Episode Source Material
- Cornell Law Schoolās Legal Information Institute: Alford Plea.
- HG.org: Alford Plea – What Is It and Which States Use It?
- FindLaw.com: North Carolina v. Alford.
- Oyez: North Carolina v. Alford.
- Justia Law: North Carolina v. Alford 400 U.S. 25 (1970).
- New York Times: Deal Frees āWest Memphis Threeā in Arkansas, by Campbell Robertson.
- Roberts Law Group: North Carolina criminal lawyer can help explain Alford pleas.
- Delaware Gazette: The Lasting Legacy of Henry Alford, by David Hejmanowski.
- LawCall Legal News: What Is An Alford Plea and How Does It Differ From A āNo Contestā Plea?
- Justia Law: No Contest Pleas, Conditional Pleas and Alford Pleas.
- Greensboro News and Record: Longtime Winston-Salem Attorney Dies. Fred Crumpler Helped Develop the Alford Plea, by Michael Hewlett.
- Cornell Law School: North Carolina v. Henry C. Alford Cornell Law School.
- Thought Co.: What Is an Alford Plea, by Charles Montaldo.
- H.L. Pohlman: Constitutional Debate In Action
- Supreme Court Transcript
Suggested Episodes
WANTED: Justice for Rhys Pocan & MMIW Part 2
In 2021, we set out to cover the case of Rhys Pocan, a 35-year-old Indigenous woman who was murdered in Wisconsin in the ā80s. In Part 2, we look into cases of two other female dismemberment victims in Wisconsin with striking similarities to Rhys Pocanās.
WANTED: Justice for Rhys Pocan & MMIW Part 1
In 2021, we set out to cover the case of Rhys Pocan, a 35-year-old Indigenous woman who was murdered in Wisconsin in the ā80s. But while we were in the field, we uncovered a disturbing pattern of murders with similarities to Rhysā that were just too blatant to ignore. So, we spent the next three years working with local and federal law enforcement to try and get to the bottom of it.
WANTED: The Keddie Cabin Killer
A familyās brutal murder rocks a tiny California town and leaves behind too many unanswered questions.
Join our Fan Club to listen to this episode and more!
Unlock all of the exclusive benefits and dynamic listening experience as a Crime Junkie Fan Club member.
Join the Fan Club now to reap the rewards!
