Their unlikely friendship and bond became the basis for the New York Times best-selling book, Picking Cotton. John Grisham The story of Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton, as told in first-person voices in this gripping, well-written book, is exceptional. It is the powerful account of violence, rage, redemption, and, ultimately, forgiveness. After spending 11 years in prison as an innocent man, Cotton was released.ĭevastated that her actions led to the imprisonment of an innocent man, Thompson reached out to Cotton to apologize, and in an act of true generosity, he forgave her. Few stories of wrongful convictions have happy endings, but the one told by Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson-Cannino is far different. Years later, Thompson was asked to provide a DNA sample for further analysis of the case and a test revealed that Cotton was not her rapist. After a composite sketch, line-up identification and trial, Thompson’s testimony and memory led to a life sentence for Ronald Cotton. In 1984, Thompson was a 22-year-old college student when a man broke into her apartment, put a knife to her throat and raped her. A book signing will immediately follow the lecture at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in the Bone Student Center. The event is free and open to the public. Tuesday, April 7, in the Bone Student Center Prairie Room. Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by by Jennifer Thompson. Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton will present the week’s keynote address at 7 p.m. For complete event and registration information, visit the website. Science and Technology Week events are sponsored by the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST).Įvents during the week will include a professional development dinner for students a 5K run the induction of new members into the CAST Academy of Achievement and presentations on science and play, the work of child life specialists and the connections between perception and action. Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton, co-authors of the New York Times best-selling book Picking Cotton, will be the keynote speakers for Illinois State University’s Science and Technology Week, April 6 to 10.

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