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Here’s what’s been going on at the Innocence Project this month.
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Exonerees Cassie River (left) and Anna Vasquez (right). (Image: Erin G. Wesley/Innocence Project))
Book an Innocence Project Speaker for Pride or Juneteenth This Month
With both Pride Month and Juneteenth coming up soon, we wanted to take this opportunity to invite you to book Innocence Project’s experts or exonerees to speak about advancing criminal justice, racial justice, and equality at events you might be planning. Both staff members and exonerees can speak about their work or experiences with the criminal legal system. The work we all do is rooted in equality and anti-racism and creating fair, equitable, and compassionate systems of justice for everyone. So if you’re planning an event this month, consider booking one of the Innocence Project’s speakers — take a look now.
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 Tyrone Day, along with his wife Terry and Innocence Project attorney Vanessa Potkin and paralegal Brenda Cachay Gutiérrez, following his exoneration in Dallas, Texas on May 24, 2023. (Image: Montinique Monroe for Innocence Project)
Tyrone Day Exonerated in Dallas, 33 Years After Wrongful Conviction
Earlier this month, after 33 years of wrongful conviction, Tyrone Day was finally exonerated when a Dallas County District Court judge dismissed the 1990 sexual assault charge against him, based on new evidence of his innocence. Tyrone first wrote to the Innocence Project about his case in 2000, making him one of our longest-standing clients. To those in prison who continue to fight for vindication, Tyrone says: “Never give up. Keep pursuing your justice — your freedom. Keep pursuing the truth.” Please take a moment to read more about Tyrone’s story.
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Innocence Project Launches Refreshed and Revitalized Website to Advance a Movement for Justice
The Innocence Project’s website is the linchpin of our digital ecosystem and a rich platform on which to tell powerful stories of our work and impact. It’s where people come to learn more about our work, sign petitions, make donations, request representation, and engage with this community. We’re thrilled that earlier this month, we launched our bright and beautiful, refreshed and redesigned new website. We hope you’ll take some time to browse the new site and share it with your friends.
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 Sandra Reed in her home in Bastrop, Texas in May 2023. (Image: Montinique
Monroe/Innocence Project)
On Mother’s Day, Rodney Reed’s Mom Keeps Up the Fight for Justice
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 son Rodney was sentenced to death in Bastrop, Texas, for the murder of a white woman named Stacey Stites — a crime he’s always said he did not commit. Crucial pieces of evidence in his 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. Read more about Rodney’s case and hear what his mom, Sandra, has to say about their fight for justice.
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 Norberto Peets walking outside a Bronx courthouse with his attorney Jane Pucher following his exoneration on May 9, 2023 (Image: Elijah Craig II Innocence Project)
Norberto Peets Is Exonerated in the Bronx After 26 Years
Earlier this month, Norberto Peets was finally exonerated after the court dismissed all charges against him related to a 1996 shooting in the Bronx, New York. He spent 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, but he never gave up hope that his name would be cleared one day. Please, read more about Nortberto’s case and support him as he rebuilds his life by checking out his wishlist here.
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Supporters of Chol Soo Lee at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco in 1982. (Image: Jerry Telfer/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Four Wrongly Convicted Asian Americans You Should Know
May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month — a time to both celebrate the many cultural and historical contributions of the AAPI community, and also recognize the injustice and discrimination that the AAPI community continues to experience in so many facets of American life. In honor of the month, we highlighted the stories of four wrongly convicted Asian Americans who have demonstrated immense resilience and strength in the face of racism and injustice. Take a moment right now to read the stories of Chol Soo Lee, Han Tak Lee, Frances Choy, and Kin-Jin “David” Wong.
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