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Here’s what happened at the Innocence Project in June.
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 Paul Hildwin walking out of Hernando County jail on March 9, 2020 greeted by Kate O'Shea (left), investigator, and Lyann Goudie (right) of Goudie & Kohn, P.A. (Image: Anthony Scott/Florida Innocence Project)
Paul Hildwin Survived 35 Years of Wrongful Incarceration, Now He’s Fighting Cancer for the Fifth Time
In 1986, Paul Hildwin was wrongly convicted of murder and sexual assault in Florida. He spent 35 years in prison — including 29 years on death row — for a crime he didn’t commit. In 2003, the Innocence Project took on his case and sought new DNA testing, which proved his innocence. But in 2006, Paul was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, an incurable cancer that affects the immune system. During his incarceration, he fought and overcame cancer four times. He was granted a retrial based on this new DNA evidence and in 2020, he was finally freed. Unfortunately, Paul’s cancer has returned a fifth time, and because of his health, he’s not able to work. Right now, Paul needs our community’s support. Please donate to his personal
fundraiser right now to help cover his basic living expenses while he undergoes chemotherapy. It would make a tremendous difference.
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 John Galvan released from Cook County
Jail after 35 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit (Image: Raymond Abercrombie / Innocence Project)
John Galvan, Arthur Almendarez, and Francisco Nanez Are Exonerated in Alleged Aggravated Arson and Murder Case
John Galvan, Arthur Almendarez, and Francisco Nanez were wrongfully imprisoned for an alleged 1986 arson that led to the death of two men in a southwest Chicago neighborhood. These three men were stripped of their freedoms at the ages of 18, 20, and 22, respectively. They spent a collective 105 years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. Their case hinged on a police-coerced false confession and invalidated arson science. But last week, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed their cases and now John, Arthur (who is represented by Joshua Tepfer of the Exoneration Project), and Francisco (represented by the Office of the Cook County Public Defender) are fully exonerated. To read more about the case and their
journey to freedom, check out this article.
Please donate to their personal fundraiser to help cover expenses as they begin to restart their lives.
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 Award recipient Barry Scheck and Gregg Popovich pose for a photo together as United Justice Coalition hosts Inaugural Social Justice Summit with acclaimed activists, entertainers, attorneys, experts and more at Center415 on July 23, 2022 in New York City. (Shareif Ziyadat for United Justice Coalition)
Jay-Z's Roc Nation Honors Innocence Project Co-Founder Barry Scheck
This past weekend, Roc Nation held their inaugural United Justice Coalition Summit. It was an exciting day with captivating panels, but the highlight of the event was NBA Coach Greg Poppovich surprising our Co-founder Barry Scheck with an award celebrating his 30-year effort to free the wrongly convicted. We’re proud to partner with Roc Nation, and this recognition from them means so much. See the moment Coach Popovich surprised Barry here.
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Help Us Reach Our New Fiscal Year Goal
July marks the start of our new fiscal year, and with our 30th anniversary coming up in August, this is going to be a big one. We’re so close to reaching our goal of raising $25,000 by midnight on Sunday to support the Innocence Project’s irreplaceable work over the next 12 months. Please consider chipping in today to support our efforts to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone..
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Exonerations Around the U.S.
Center on Wrongful Convictions client Jose Crus was exonerated on July 11, 2022 after serving 28 years; Center on Wrongful Convictions client Juan Hernandez was exonerated on July 14, 2022 after serving 25 years; Exoneration Project client Rosendo Hernandez was exonerated on July 14, 2022 after serving 25 years; Exoneration Project client David Gecht was exonerated on July 18, 2022 after serving 22 years; Exoneration Project client Eruby Abrego was exonerated on July 20, 2022 after serving 23 years; Exoneration Project client Arthur Almendarez was exonerated on July 21, 2022 after serving 35 years.
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