John,

Sandra Reed has six sons she loves dearly, but for the past 25 years, she hasn't been able to celebrate Mother’s Day with all of them together.

In 1998, her fourth son, Rodney, was sentenced to death in Bastrop, Texas, for the murder of Stacey Stites — a crime he’s always said he did not commit. Rodney, who is Black, had been having a consensual relationship with Stacey, a white woman who was engaged to local police officer Jimmy Fennell. Rodney has always maintained his innocence. And Officer Fennell, who was the initial prime suspect in the case, has a history of domestic violence, and even admitted to killing Stacey while serving a prison sentence for a different crime.

Crucial pieces of evidence in Rodney’s case have not been tested for DNA, and Rodney continues to fight for justice with his mom and legal team by his side.

“This is my child’s life … they are attempting to take his life on nothing. They have nothing,” said Sandra.

Please, take a moment to read more from Sandra Reed and learn about her son Rodney’s case. [[link removed]]

For Mother’s Day this year, Sandra spent the day with five of her sons, 14 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. And though Rodney couldn’t be there with her, he always sends a card.

“He’s very thoughtful, even right now,” she said. “The whole 25 years he’s been on death row, he sends Mother’s Day cards, birthday cards, and for all the occasions. His father died eight years ago, and every March 27 and Father’s Day, Rodney still sends him cards. Rodney is not the person they paint him to be.”

Rodney has a strong case of innocence that has inspired a groundswell of support, and his fight for freedom is far from over. Most recently, the Supreme Court ruled that he filed his challenge to Texas’ post-conviction DNA testing statute on time. It’s a huge step toward the goal of getting DNA testing in Rodney’s case, and ultimately proving his innocence.

Read more about Rodney’s case and here what his mom, Sandra, has to say about her son and their continued efforts to push for justice. [[link removed]]

Thank you so much,

— The Innocence Project Team


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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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