John,

In 1994 my husband Stephen was murdered while I was asleep with our 3-year-old son in the other room. When I woke up and found his body in our front hallway, I immediately called 911.

I was in shock and completely devastated by losing him. But I soon became the main target of the investigation, and despite no physical evidence tying me to the crime, I was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in an Arkansas prison. I ended up spending more than 22 years in prison for a crime I didn’t commit, before finally being released after a Carroll County judge recognized that I’d likely be acquitted if I had a new trial.

For years, the Innocence Project team fought for my freedom, and they continued to show me support after I was released — without them, I’m not sure where I would be. Every day, they continue to fight for innocent people like me, but they can’t do this incredibly important work without support from you.

Would you be willing to make a donation right now to help to bolster the Innocence Project’s efforts to transform the criminal legal system and free those who are wrongfully incarcerated for many years to come?

John, I’m so grateful to be free and reunited with my kids and other loved ones. But reentering the world after decades of wrongful incarceration isn’t easy. When I came out of prison after 22 years, I had nothing, not even a toothbrush. I needed glasses, medical care, and help on every single level — and the Innocence Project was there for me, supporting me every step of the way. 

That’s why words can never fully express the gratitude I feel toward the Innocence Project for everything they’ve done to help me. And the truth is, there are so many others who have stories just like mine who need this team’s help. 

So please, make a donation right now to support the Innocence Project’s work, so that they can help other wrongfully convicted people the same way they helped me.

Thank you so much for your support,

Belynda Goff
Freed in 2019
Innocence Project