Happy Earth Day! Today we celebrate the earth and recognize the importance of protecting this planet we call home.
In honor of the occasion, we wanted to share the story of exoneree and Innocence Project board member Marvin Anderson. At just 18 years old, Marvin was sentenced to more than two centuries in prison for crimes he didn’t commit. For 15 years, he was locked behind bars, and robbed of one of life’s simplest joys: nature.
Marvin grew up on a farm in Virginia where he developed his love of gardening and cultivating plants at a young age. After being released on parole in 1997 and later exonerated in 2002, his passion for plants was reignited and today, he takes great pride in his thriving garden.
Marvin Anderson on his front lawn at his home in Virginia. (Image: Courtesy of Marvin Anderson)
The Innocence Project exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. www.innocenceproject.org
