Topic: News

From Tommy Lee Walker to the Exonerated Five: 7 Ways Racism Shapes Wrongful Convictions

From Tommy Lee Walker to the Exonerated Five: 7 Ways Racism Shapes Wrongful Convictions

At the Race and Wrongful Conviction Symposium on Wrongful Conviction Day, exonerees, scholars, and Tommy Lee Walker's son traced how racism shapes a criminal case at every stage, from the first suspect to the final appeal.

10.21.26 by Alyxaundria Sanford

(Photo: ISAAC'S QUARTERLY LLC®)

At the Race and Wrongful Conviction Symposium on Wrongful Conviction Day, exonerees, scholars, and Tommy Lee Walker's son traced how racism shapes a criminal case at every stage, from the first suspect to the final appeal.

10.21.26 by Alyxaundria Sanford

It’s Time to ‘Stop Tinkering With the Machinery of Death’

It’s Time to ‘Stop Tinkering With the Machinery of Death’

Case after case has exposed the continued unreliability of our capital punishment system.

10.08.26 by Christina Swarns

(Image: Jack Duran/Innocence Project)

Case after case has exposed the continued unreliability of our capital punishment system.

10.08.26 by Christina Swarns

Social Media Toolkit: New Yorkers Challenging Wrongful Convictions

Social Media Toolkit: New Yorkers Challenging Wrongful Convictions

Wrongly convicted New Yorkers spend an average of 11.5 years in prison before they walk free — two years longer than the national average. For their families, that's two more years spent apart.

10.02.26 by Innocence Staff

Yusef Salaam introducing the criminal justice package in New York on Dec. 14, 2021 in Central Park. (Image: Elijah Craig/Innocence Project)

Wrongly convicted New Yorkers spend an average of 11.5 years in prison before they walk free — two years longer than the national average. For their families, that's two more years spent apart.

10.02.26 by Innocence Staff

Innocence Project’s Summer Associates Program Is Coming Back This Fall for Pro Bono Week

Innocence Project’s Summer Associates Program Is Coming Back This Fall for Pro Bono Week

The program, which is in its third year, introduces wrongful conviction work to the next generation of lawyers.

09.18.26 by Louise Liu

Law students during the 2026 Summer Associates Program. (Photo: Louise Liu)

The program, which is in its third year, introduces wrongful conviction work to the next generation of lawyers.

09.18.26 by Louise Liu

After 21 Years, Sheila Denton Is Exonerated in 2004 Murder

After 21 Years, Sheila Denton Is Exonerated in 2004 Murder

Her conviction rested almost entirely on what is now discredited bite mark evidence.

09.14.26 by Innocence Staff

Sheila Denton, September 2026 (Photo courtesy of the Southern Center for Human Rights.)

Her conviction rested almost entirely on what is now discredited bite mark evidence.

09.14.26 by Innocence Staff

Actor Jack Falahee Joins the Innocence Project as an Ambassador

Actor Jack Falahee Joins the Innocence Project as an Ambassador

“The work doesn't end when the credits roll … My education is just beginning, and yours can too,” said the "How to Get Away With Murder" and Broadway star.

News 09.02.26 by Innocence Staff

Actor Jack Falahee Joins the Innocence Project as an Ambassador

“The work doesn't end when the credits roll … My education is just beginning, and yours can too,” said the "How to Get Away With Murder" and Broadway star.

News 09.02.26 by Innocence Staff

Fernando Bermudez Tells His Story of Wrongful Conviction With Art You Can Proudly Wear

Fernando Bermudez Tells His Story of Wrongful Conviction With Art You Can Proudly Wear

To mark the Innocence Project’s 34th anniversary, the artist and Speakers Bureau member channeled his journey into a powerful tribute to resilience, community, and the fight for justice.

08.03.26 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Fernando Bermudez holding the piece he created for Innocence Project's anniversary collection. (Image: Daniele Selby/Innocence Project)

To mark the Innocence Project’s 34th anniversary, the artist and Speakers Bureau member channeled his journey into a powerful tribute to resilience, community, and the fight for justice.

08.03.26 by Alyxaundria Sanford

After 25 Years of Wrongful Conviction, He Watched His Favorite Team Win It All From the Business He Once Dreamed Of

After 25 Years of Wrongful Conviction, He Watched His Favorite Team Win It All From the Business He Once Dreamed Of

The New York Knicks' historic victories turned Mr. Walker's new bar into a bustling community space.

07.22.26 by Ishikaa Kothari

Jabar Walker at Lux Bar and Grill, which he co-owns with his brother, on July 28, 2026. (Image: Daniele Selby/Innocence Project)

The New York Knicks' historic victories turned Mr. Walker's new bar into a bustling community space.

07.22.26 by Ishikaa Kothari

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Portraits of a Promise Broken and Restored

Special Feature 07.08.26 by Daniele Selby with contributed reporting by Alyxaundria Sanford, Mrinali Dhembla, and Ishikaa Kothari

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Portraits of a Promise Broken and Restored

Special Feature 07.08.26 by Daniele Selby with contributed reporting by Alyxaundria Sanford, Mrinali Dhembla, and Ishikaa Kothari

Attorney Statement: Louisiana Supreme Court Affirms Lower Court’s Ruling Vacating Conviction of Jimmie “Chris” Duncan

Attorney Statement: Louisiana Supreme Court Affirms Lower Court’s Ruling Vacating Conviction of Jimmie “Chris” Duncan

Mr. Duncan wrongly spent 27 years on Louisiana's death row for a crime that never occurred.

06.29.26 by Innocence Staff

Photo: Jamal Barnes/Innocence Project

Mr. Duncan wrongly spent 27 years on Louisiana's death row for a crime that never occurred.

06.29.26 by Innocence Staff

This Police Method Is Used to Infer Guilt From 911 Calls, But It’s Not Backed by Science

This Police Method Is Used to Infer Guilt From 911 Calls, But It’s Not Backed by Science

Research shows that how you sound on a 911 call can determine whether police treat you as a victim or a perpetrator.

06.15.26 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Audio Waveform Visual on Computer Screen (Image: Envato)

Research shows that how you sound on a 911 call can determine whether police treat you as a victim or a perpetrator.

06.15.26 by Alyxaundria Sanford

8 Defining Moments from the Innocence Project’s 2026 Gala — Free At Last: A Celebration of Freedom and Justice

8 Defining Moments from the Innocence Project’s 2026 Gala — Free At Last: A Celebration of Freedom and Justice

A powerful performance, testimonies from exonerees, honoring champions of justice, and a surprise win for a particularly deserving guest.

05.29.26 by Ishikaa Kothari

Banners celebrating exonerees Scott Minton and Marvin Grimm, Jr. at the 2025

A powerful performance, testimonies from exonerees, honoring champions of justice, and a surprise win for a particularly deserving guest.

05.29.26 by Ishikaa Kothari

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