Wrongful Conviction Day
Wrongful Conviction Day was created by the Innocence Network, a group of organizations that provide pro bono legal and investigative services. Archie Williams, pictured above at America's Got Talent, spent 37 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. How did that happen? As Archie said, "I knew I was innocent, I didn’t commit a crime, but being a poor Black kid, I didn’t have the economic ability to fight the state of Louisiana.” He now has fans around the world, including Meghan Markle.
Misidentification is a major issue. If you examine DNA exonerations, 69% of cases involve eyewitness misidentification. Of those cases, among other statistics, 84% involved misidentification by a surviving victim and 32% involved multiple misidentifications of the same person by different witnesses. Learn more about eyewitness identification reforms, misapplication of forensic science, and false confessions.
DNA evidence can help. The first DNA exoneration took place in 1989. All 50 states allow post-conviction DNA tests, but the road to exoneration is complicated as in many cases judges still have to approve the test. To date, 375 people have been freed because of DNA evidence. These are their stories.
11th hour pleas. In the worst scenarios, people face imminent executions. On December 3, 2020, Pervis Payne is scheduled to be executed by the state of Tennessee, despite his intellectual disability and a deeply flawed case. He has been in prison for thirty years. In an uphill battle against the district attorney, the Innocence Project is working tirelessly to free him.
Support the Innocence Network. The global Innocence Network is comprised of nonprofits, organizations affiliated with law schools, and pro bono sections of law firms. There are 68 incredible organizations in the network and the Innocence Project is an excellent example. On their website, you can make direct donations, purchase merchandise to help fund legal assistance, and stay up-to-date on pending cases that need amplification on social media.
Watch the Innocence Files. The Innocence Files on Netflix explores heartbreaking wrongful convictions, introducing viewers to real cases, exonerees, and debunked forensic tools, like bite mark evidence. The docuseries will inspire you to support the Innocence Network!