Winter 2010 - The Innocence Project

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
3
A FAMILY OF ADVOCATES
With the recent premiere of “Conviction,” a major motion picture that tells the story of
a wrongful conviction, hundreds of thousands of new audiences have been introduced
to the flaws in the criminal justice system. But the real heart of the story is the bond
between the wrongfully convicted brother and his sister who puts herself through law
school to help prove his innocence. It’s a beautiful movie and an inspiring true story
about Betty Anne Waters, sister of Innocence Project client Kenny Waters, who was
exonerated through DNA testing. (See “In Their Own Words,” page 12, for a Q and A
with Betty Anne Waters and Hilary Swank, the actor who portrays her in the film.)
While Betty Anne’s determination and perseverance to help Kenny was extraordinary,
family members play a vital role in both the exoneration and reintegration of many of
our clients. They are among our greatest allies, often becoming formidable advocates
for criminal justice reform. Their work ranges from local grassroots efforts to national
legal and political battles. This issue of Innocence Project in Print highlights their
contributions to all areas of our work.
See “Speaking from the Heart,” page 4, to read about our Exoneree Speakers’ Bureau,
which includes not only exonerees, but also family members of the exonerated. Exoneree
speakers and their families bring the message of reform to schools, churches, civic groups
and more – often in the very communities where the wrongful conviction occurred.
The fight to prove a loved one’s innocence can also take family members’ advocacy
to the state and national level. As you’ll read in “Tragedy in Texas” on page 7, the case
of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in 2005, has made national headlines.
Willingham was sentenced to death for the arson murder of his three daughters based
on erroneous, outdated science. Tragically, Willingham’s family lost both the three
little children and their father; now they have partnered with us in a new effort to
clear his name.
As family members of the exonerated know, a wrongful conviction can happen to
anyone – even a cherished son, beloved mother, or favorite brother. Likewise, anyone
can help improve the system and prevent injustice. Thanks to the good exposure
we’ve received through “Conviction,” people are becoming aware of the problem
of wrongful convictions more than ever before. And as the word spreads, our family
of advocates grows.
Maddy deLone
Executive Director
BULLOCK 1984 TO 1994 • DAVID SHEPHARD 1984 TO 1995 • TERRY CHALMERS 1987 TO 1995 • RONALD COTTON 1985, 1987 TO 1995 • ROLANDO CRUZ 1985 TO 1995 • ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ 1985 TO 1995 •
WILLIAM O. HARRIS 1987 TO 1995 • DEWEY DAVIS 1987 TO 1995 • GERALD DAVIS 1986 TO 1995 • WALTER D. SMITH 1986 TO 1996 • VINCENT MOTO 1987 TO 1996 • STEVEN TONEY 1983 TO 1996 • RICHARD JOHNSON
1992 TO 1996 • THOMAS WEBB 1983 TO 1996 • KEVIN GREEN 1980 TO 1996 • VERNEAL JIMERSON 1985 TO 1996 • KENNETH ADAMS 1978 TO 1996 • WILLIE RAINGE 1978, 1987 TO 1996 • DENNIS WILLIAMS 1978,