John,

In 2008, I was wrongly convicted of the murder of a young woman in West Virginia — what made it even worse is that my brother Nathan was wrongly incarcerated for the same crime. I spent 10 years in prison until DNA evidence proved that I was innocent, and I was finally released — but it still took another few years for me to be fully exonerated.

During my long fight for justice, I learned that what happened to me is sadly not that uncommon. And that’s why I’m so grateful that an organization like the Innocence Project exists — not only for the hard work the attorneys and paralegals put into my case, but for the work the organization does to educate people around the causes of wrongful conviction and the challenges many exonerees are faced with even after they are freed.

One of the many ways they do this work is through their strong digital presence and website, which just got a refresh. Check out the new site right now — you’re going to love it! [[link removed]]

After my exoneration in 2021, the Innocence Project put together a TikTok video of me and my brother celebrating our freedom and asked me to share any advice I have for those who have been wrongly convicted.

I’m not big on social media, so I assumed maybe a few hundred people would see it. But wow, was I wrong! The video racked up more than 450,000 views and people from all over were in the comments, wishing me well and showing support. Seeing just how many people learned about my story through the Innocence Project’s digital platform gave me such a positive, hopeful feeling — especially after so many years of people not listening to me when I said I was innocent.

For exonerees like me and my brother, having our full stories — beyond just our time in prison — told and believed is so powerful. And on the Innocence Project’s website, we’re able to show our full selves by sharing the things we’re passionate about: art, poetry, gardening, or just spending time with those we love.

Having a space to share our stories beyond the worst thing that has ever happened to us is incredibly important, and that’s why I’m so excited about the Innocence Project’s brand-new website. Take a moment to look at it right now, and then share the new site on social media. [[link removed]]

Thank you so much,

Philip Barnett
Exonerated in 2021


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The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the organization is now an independent nonprofit. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism.

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