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John,
In 2003, when I was still a new mother, my life took an unimaginable turn. I was convicted of murder after a child I was babysitting was injured in a tragic accident.
In January 2021, I was released after experts testified that the child's death was an accident, but it took two more years for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn my conviction, revealing the injustice rooted in false medical evidence.
After nearly two decades of legal battles, in August 2023, Judge Karen Sage granted the dismissal of the murder charge based on my actual innocence and I was officially exonerated. It's been a journey filled with highs and lows, but here I am—standing tall and free.
The sad truth is that it’s often harder for women to achieve exoneration compared to men. Women are often convicted in cases where no crime occurred, making DNA evidence or finding an alternate perpetrator—the traditional routes to overturning a wrongful conviction—unavailable.
But through it all, I've persevered, and I want to share my story with you.
My story exemplifies the challenges faced by wrongfully convicted women and the strength required to overcome them. If you or your organization are planning events for Women's History Month, consider booking me or another speaker from the Innocence Project to share our stories and work toward building a more just criminal legal system together. I’m also comfortable speaking to audiences in Spanish or English.
Rosa Jimenez in downtown Austin, Texas, on March 4, 2021. (Image: Mary Kang/Innocence Project)
For the past 20 years, I was fighting for my freedom, my innocence, and my children. Now I have a second fight—finding a living kidney donor for a transplant that could save my life. I want to see my grandchildren grow up, spend time with my family and share my story with as many people as possible.
The Innocence Project's Speaker's Bureau connects people like you with exonerees and experts, offering a unique opportunity to hear our stories and learn about the criminal legal system. I would be honored if you would allow me to celebrate my journey with you and that of countless others.
Thank you for being a part of my story,
Rosa Jimenez
Exonerated in 2023
Innocence Project
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