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John —
In 2008, my sons Nathan and Philip were wrongly convicted for the 2002 murder of a young woman in Cabell County, West Virginia. It’s something I’d never wish on any parent.
Growing up, I was always taught to respect the law and to trust that there are systems in place to ensure fairness. I used to believe everything I heard on the news was fact. But watching the wrongful convictions of my sons and being by their side every step of the way for 14 years really opened my eyes to the injustices and flaws of our criminal legal system.
My sons missed holidays, weddings, birthdays, funerals — they missed being with their loving family. Their wrongful convictions deeply affected not only their lives, but my life and the lives of all our family members and community.
Without the tireless efforts of the Innocence Project, I don’t think my sons would be free and fully exonerated today.
No parent should ever have to endure the nightmare we’ve been through, and because it’s almost Giving Tuesday, I’m asking you to make a donation to the Innocence Project and help them hit their goal of $20,000.
Tammy Barnett, Philip's grandmother, Philip Barnett, and his father Philip Sr. (Image: Kyle Jenkins/Innocence Project)
My children are finally free now, which means that we, as a family, are free. The past 14 years have been the most trying and heartbreaking of our lives.
Today, we can finally begin to heal and move forward together, and that is directly because of the work of the Innocence Project.
So please, if you’re making a donation for Giving Tuesday, let it be to the Innocence Project to help make sure no mother ever experiences what I went through with my sons.
Thank you so much for your support,
Tammy Barnett
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