Career Criminal's False Confessions Lead to Wrongful Death Row Convictions
Paul Skalnik, a career criminal, has been revealed as a key figure in sending innocent men to death row through false confessions. Skalnik, who had a history of deception and petty crimes, became a professional informant while in jail. He claimed to have received confessions from fellow inmates, which he reported to prosecutors in exchange for leniency. His testimony was instrumental in convicting at least 27 defendants, including four who were sentenced to death. Despite his dubious credibility, prosecutors relied on his statements to secure convictions. Skalnik's actions and the judicial system's reliance on his testimony are detailed in Pamela Colloff's book, 'Catch the Devil: A True Story of Murder, Deception, and Injustice on the Gulf Coast.' The book highlights the case of James Dailey, a Vietnam veteran who has spent nearly 40 years on Florida's death row, largely due to Skalnik's testimony. 
