John,

When I was just 22 years old I was wrongfully convicted of a 1991 murder outside of a night club in New York City. I became a suspect after witnesses mistakenly picked me out in a police photo lineup. Despite four alibi witnesses saying I didn’t do it and no forensic evidence linking me to the crime, I was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 23 years to life in prison. 

It was clear to me that when the detectives looked at me, they just saw a young Latino guy and thought I was “just another criminal” — they viewed me as someone who was disposable. Instead of pursuing other suspects, they focused solely on me, ignoring all other leads. One of the detectives even asked one of my friends and alibi witnesses who is Italian why he was friends with a Latino man like me, and used a racial slur against me. 

I ended up spending 18 years in prison for a crime I didn’t commit all because of eyewitness misidentification and racial bias. I was finally exonerated in 2009. The whole experience really showed me that racism can play a huge factor in wrongful conviction.

Since I was finally freed, I’ve become an outspoken advocate for reform in our criminal legal system, and a big part of that is sharing my story and message with audiences around the world. That’s why I’m so happy to be part of the Innocence Project’s Speakers Bureau — and I’d love to share my experience with you.

If you, your school, or your company are planning an event for Latinx Heritage Month, consider booking me or another speaker from the Innocence Project to come share our stories and talk about how we can build a more just system together.

So much has happened in my life since I was freed. I started a family, became a grandfather, and furthered my career. I'd love to share my insight as an educator, commercial artist, real estate businessman, and grandfather of three whose upcoming book, Free, and film, Free Fernando, will better explain my survival story.

Thank you so much, and I look forward to hearing from you,

Fernando Bermudez
Exonerated in 2009
Innocence Project