Danny Escobedo Goes to Jail
In 1961, a young Chicagoan, Danny Escobedo was given a 20-year jail sentence
for first degree murder. Danny confessed to complicity in the killing of
his brother-in-law after the police had refused  to allow him to see his
lawyer. Actually, Danny was tricked into blaming a friend for the liquidation
of his sister's husband, therefore establishing himself as an accomplice. 
Despite the fact that Danny later recanted his confession, he was found
culpable and jailed. Danny had been stereotyped as a hoodlum and nobody 
raised an eyebrow over the hapless felon's troubles.

woolgathering--When the young genius should have been doing his homework,
he was frequently engaged in woolgathering.
(absentimindedness or daydreaming)