John,

In 2008, I was wrongly convicted for the 2002 murder of a young woman in Cabell County, West Virginia. I spent a decade in prison until DNA proved my innocence and I was released — but it wasn’t until three years later that I was fully exonerated.

I’ve got to say, re-entering the world outside of prison after years of wrongful incarceration isn’t easy for anyone. And because I was released before being fully exonerated, I still had to bear the label of “convicted felon” for several years, which can really weigh on you, your family, your friendships, and potential job opportunities. I struggled to get by.

So when I was finally exonerated, being able to access the Innocence Project’s Exoneree Fund was critical to helping me get back on my feet.

Right now, the Innocence Project needs your help to make sure that the fund will be there for the next exonerees who need it. Please take a moment today to help replenish it by making a donation that will support future exonerees with necessities like health care and housing.

The fund helped me pay off some bills and cover rent for me and my kids. It even helped me with moving expenses so that I could be closer to my mom in another state. It’s because of this support that I have the life I have now, and I’m so grateful.

But there are so many exonerees that still need this resource. The Innocence Project relies on generous support from people like you to keep it fully funded so that we are prepared for any hurdle or sudden, urgent need from an exoneree that might arise.

So please, make a donation right now to help rebuild the Exoneree Fund so that innocent people like me have the support they need after years of wrongful incarceration.

Thanks,

Philip Barnett
Exonerated in 2021