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Here’s what’s been going on at the Innocence Project this month.
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Tyrone Day is exonerated on May 24, 2023 in Dallas, TX. (Image: Montinique Monroe for the Innocence Project)
Today is International Wrongful Conviction Day
Today is the tenth annual International Wrongful Conviction Day — a day in which we call out the causes and remedies of wrongful conviction, and lift up the stories of those who have been most impacted by this issue. Each year, our friends and partners at the Innocence Network dedicate this day to advocate for a more fair, just, and compassionate criminal legal system and invite new people to join the innocence movement. Take a look at some of the ways you can get involved today and in the future.
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Innocence Project client Leonard Mack exonerated after 47 years in White Plains, New York on Sept. 5, 2023 (Image: Elijah Craig II/Innocence Project)
Hit in DNA Database Proves Leonard Mack’s Innocence After 47 Years of Wrongful Conviction
Earlier in September, Leonard Mack was finally exonerated in White Plains, New York after 47 years of wrongful conviction. New DNA testing of crime scene evidence found in a post-conviction investigation by the Innocence Project and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Conviction Review Unit proved Leonard did not commit the crime. His wrongful conviction is the longest to be overturned based on new DNA evidence known to the Innocence Project. “I never lost hope that one day that I would be proven innocent. Now the truth has come to light and I can finally breathe. I am finally free," said Leonard after being exonerated. Please take a moment to read more about Leonard’s story and share the news of his
long-awaited exoneration, and then donate to his personal fundraiser today.
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 Death Row building at the Louisiana State Penitentiary Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 in Angola, La. (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni)
9 Reasons Why the Historic Mass Clemency Effort in Louisiana May Save Innocent People From Execution
Louisianans have a historic chance to prevent innocent people on death row from being executed. There are currently 57 defendants on Louisiana’s death row, including Innocence Project client Jimmie “Chris” Duncan, who has always maintained his innocence. At least 190 innocent people have been exonerated from death row nationwide — and 12 in Louisiana alone. If we want to ensure that Louisiana does not execute an innocent person, action must be taken soon. That’s why we’re joining Innocence Project New Orleans and Capital Appeals Project in calling on Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to commute
death sentences to life in prison before he leaves office in Jan. 2024. We’ve laid out nine reasons why this mass clemency effort in Louisiana could help save innocent lives which we hope you’ll take a moment to read, and if you live in Louisiana, make your voice heard.
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 (Image: Lo Harris/Innocence Project)
When Artificial Intelligence Gets It Wrong
Police now use investigative and surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition systems, to try to identify people who committed crimes. But time and again, these technologies get it wrong. There are very real risks that cutting-edge artificial intelligence-based technology presents to innocent people, especially when such technology is neither rigorously tested nor regulated before it is put into use. Please, take a moment to read Innocence Project Executive Director Christina Swarns’ thoughts on the dangers that unregulated and untested AI poses to innocent people.
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Exonerations Around the U.S.
Exoneration Project client Francisco Benitez was exonerated on Sept. 26, 2023, after serving 34 years wrongfully incarcerated; Oregon Innocence Project client Jesse Johnson was exonerated on Sept. 5, 2023, after serving 25 years wrongfully incarcerated; Georgia Innocence Project client Joey Watkins was exonerated on Sept. 21, 2023, after serving 22 years wrongfully incarcerated; California Innocence Project client Gerardo Cabanillas was exonerated on Sept. 21 after serving 28 years
wrongfully incarcerated.
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