Legal thriller novelist John Grisham supports changes to prevent convictions of the innocent

Grisham says he supports changes to help innocent

DURHAM, N.C. — Novelist John Grisham has told a North Carolina gathering that he supports changes to the criminal justice system he thinks would reduce the chances of an innocent person being convicted.

The Herald-Sun of Durham reported that Grisham spoke Tuesday at an event to support the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence. The former lawyer said he thinks police should be required to videotape interrogations for serious crimes; that police procedures in witness identifications should be tighter; and that forensic experts should be nationally certified.

Grisham said his next book will be his first collection of short stories, half of which will deal with lawyers. After that book, titled “Ford Country,” is published, Grisham plans another legal thriller scheduled for November 2010.

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Information from: The Herald-Sun, www.herald-sun.com