John,

For many Americans, the Fourth of July celebrates independence and freedom. But for those who have been wrongfully convicted like Johnetta Carr and Mike VonAllmen in Kentucky, it’s often a stark reminder that their fight for freedom won’t end until they are compensated for years of wrongful incarceration.

When she was just 16 years old, Johnetta was wrongfully convicted of killing her boyfriend. She spent 13 years behind bars and on parole, until 2019, when the Kentucky Innocence Project uncovered DNA evidence that definitively proved her innocence, and she was finally pardoned. While Mike was wrongfully convicted based on eyewitness misidentification and spent 27 years in prison before his conviction was vacated in 2010.

Unfortunately, being pardoned or having a conviction thrown out didn’t bring an end to their struggles. Trying to rebuild one’s life after wrongful incarceration is incredibly hard for many exonerees.

Securing housing and work can be difficult, and not receiving compensation from the State that stole so many years of their lives has only made things harder. But in January, a bill was introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly that would finally provide compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration.

Take a moment today to read more about Kentucky House Bill 178, which could help people like Johnetta and Mike finally get the justice they deserve.
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House Bill 178 would provide exonerees with $65,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment, plus up to $25,000 for years spent on parole, in post-prison supervision, or on the sex offender registry. This money would be a lifeline for exonerees who, like Johnetta and Mike, have missed out on educational and career opportunities, as well as decades of wages and benefits.

But the bill also goes beyond just monetary compensation — it would help provide access to health care, counseling, housing assistance, and personal financial literacy assistance.

“This bill is one way to acknowledge the legacy of wrongful convictions and offer restitution to individuals who had their liberty taken from them by the state. Justice can't wait," said Winnie Ye, a state policy advocate at the Innocence Project.

Learn more about Johnetta and Mike’s stories, and how this new compensation bill would support exonerees after they’re released and beyond.
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Thank you for your support,

— The Innocence Project Team
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The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the organization is now an independent nonprofit. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism.

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