Michael D. Gaines' case is a harrowing tale of justice gone awry, involving multiple violations of his constitutional rights. Gaines experienced significant breaches of his 5th and 6th Amendment rights during his arrest and illegal interrogation, where law enforcement coerced a confession. His appointed counsel did not challenge these violations, providing ineffective assistance and leaving Gaines without a solid defense. Facing threats of a death row conviction, Gaines was forced to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit. This coerced plea led to a wrongful conviction serving Life Without Parole. In this series Gaines case will highlight systemic issues within the legal system, including the consequences of ineffective counsel and the abuse of authority by law enforcement. Gaines' case underscores the critical need to uphold constitutional protections to prevent such injustices.