Topic: Stories

9 Powerful Moments from the Innocence Project’s 2025 Gala: A Celebration of Freedom & Justice

9 Powerful Moments from the Innocence Project’s 2025 Gala: A Celebration of Freedom & Justice

Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and featuring Savion Glover and Tony Goldwyn, this year’s gala delivered powerful performances, moving tributes to exonerees, and a renewed call for justice.

05.14.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

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

Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and featuring Savion Glover and Tony Goldwyn, this year’s gala delivered powerful performances, moving tributes to exonerees, and a renewed call for justice.

05.14.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

A Daughter’s Devotion and a Mother’s Second Chance

A Daughter’s Devotion and a Mother’s Second Chance

After nearly 23 years behind bars, Belynda Goff rebuilt her life with the unwavering support of her daughter and a bond that defied injustice.

05.07.25 by Innocence Staff

Belynda Goff and her daughter Bridgette Jones at the 2023 Innocence Network Conference in Arizona. (Kenny Karpov /Innocence Project)

After nearly 23 years behind bars, Belynda Goff rebuilt her life with the unwavering support of her daughter and a bond that defied injustice.

05.07.25 by Innocence Staff

‘Like a Family Reunion’: Reflections from the 2025 Innocence Network Conference in Seattle

‘Like a Family Reunion’: Reflections from the 2025 Innocence Network Conference in Seattle

Connection, creativity, and courage defined this year’s conference.

04.18.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Freed and exonerated community members celebrate at the 2025 Innocence Network Conference in Seattle. (Photo: Lyra Photography for Innocence Project)

Connection, creativity, and courage defined this year’s conference.

04.18.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

From COINTELPRO to Snapchat, Police Surveillance of Black People Is More Pervasive Than Ever

From COINTELPRO to Snapchat, Police Surveillance of Black People Is More Pervasive Than Ever

A Boston case shows the lack of police accountability in the surveillance of Black communities online.

02.27.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

(Photo: Connor Sovak/Innocence Project)

A Boston case shows the lack of police accountability in the surveillance of Black communities online.

02.27.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

From Shy Child to the Supreme Court: Innocence Project Executive Director Christina Swarns’ Rise in Justice Reform 

From Shy Child to the Supreme Court: Innocence Project Executive Director Christina Swarns’ Rise in Justice Reform 

Named one of America’s top lawyers, Ms. Swarns has spent decades challenging injustice. Here’s how she got there.

02.25.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

{Photo: Connor Sovak/Innocence Project)

Named one of America’s top lawyers, Ms. Swarns has spent decades challenging injustice. Here’s how she got there.

02.25.25 by Alyxaundria Sanford

After 45 Years of Incarceration, Marvin Grimm, Jr. Celebrates Christmas Without the Shadow of Wrongful Conviction

After 45 Years of Incarceration, Marvin Grimm, Jr. Celebrates Christmas Without the Shadow of Wrongful Conviction

“We carried this weight for 45 years, now it feels like we’ve lost 1,000 pounds.”

12.16.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Photo credit: Elijah Craig II

“We carried this weight for 45 years, now it feels like we’ve lost 1,000 pounds.”

12.16.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

A Special Holiday Message from the Innocence Project

A Special Holiday Message from the Innocence Project

This Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to thank our amazing community of donors, advocates, and friends around the world for your ongoing support with a special message from some of our clients.

11.19.24 by Innocence Staff

A Special Holiday Message from the Innocence Project

This Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to thank our amazing community of donors, advocates, and friends around the world for your ongoing support with a special message from some of our clients.

11.19.24 by Innocence Staff

From Prison Run-a-thons to the NYC Marathon: Exoneree Termaine Hicks Prepares for the Running World's Biggest Stage

From Prison Run-a-thons to the NYC Marathon: Exoneree Termaine Hicks Prepares for the Running World's Biggest Stage

For Mr. Hicks, the marathon is a statement of physical and emotional endurance and a celebration of freedom.

10.31.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Termaine Hicks at the 2022 Innocence Network Conference (Photo Credit: Kenny Karpov/Innocence Project)

For Mr. Hicks, the marathon is a statement of physical and emotional endurance and a celebration of freedom.

10.31.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

An Autistic Man Faces Execution: Misdiagnosis, Misjudgment, and a Life on the Line

An Autistic Man Faces Execution: Misdiagnosis, Misjudgment, and a Life on the Line

Robert Roberson, diagnosed with autism after his conviction, faces execution on Oct. 17 due to misjudgments about his demeanor during his daughter’s medical crisis.

09.27.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Robert Roberson with his daughter Nikki before she passed away. (Image courtesy of the Roberson family)

Robert Roberson, diagnosed with autism after his conviction, faces execution on Oct. 17 due to misjudgments about his demeanor during his daughter’s medical crisis.

09.27.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Florida’s Restrictive Compensation Law Fails the Innocent People for Whom It Was Intended

Florida’s Restrictive Compensation Law Fails the Innocent People for Whom It Was Intended

Only five exonerees have received compensation under the statute since it became law 16 years ago.

08.27.24 by Katherine Jeng

After nearly 40 years, Robert DuBoise, 59, accompanied by his attorney Susan Friedman, mother Myra and sister Harriett speaks at a press conference minutes after being released from Hardee Correctional Institute after compelling evidence that points to his innocence is presented with assistance of The Innocence Project on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 in Bowling Green, Fla. The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal and policy organization that uses DNA and other scientific means to help wrongfully convicted people prove their innocence. (Casey Brooke Lawson/AP Images for The Innocence Project)

Only five exonerees have received compensation under the statute since it became law 16 years ago.

08.27.24 by Katherine Jeng

Celebrating 32 Years of the Innocence Project: A Collaboration with Artist Dwight White

Celebrating 32 Years of the Innocence Project: A Collaboration with Artist Dwight White

Proceeds from the new limited-edition merchandise line will support the Innocence Project’s efforts to free wrongfully convicted individuals and reform the criminal legal system.

08.22.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Celebrating 32 Years of the Innocence Project: A Collaboration with Artist Dwight White

Proceeds from the new limited-edition merchandise line will support the Innocence Project’s efforts to free wrongfully convicted individuals and reform the criminal legal system.

08.22.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Freedom Deferred: How Juneteenth Echoes in the Case of the ‘Chester Trio’ 

Freedom Deferred: How Juneteenth Echoes in the Case of the ‘Chester Trio’ 

Despite their conviction being overturned, Morton Johnson, Sam Grasty, and Derrick Chappel remain in prison as Delaware County district attorney announced that he would appeal the decision.

Juneteenth 06.18.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford and Stephen Wentzell

Samuel Grasty, Derrick Chappell, and Morton Johnson (Image: Courtesy of the families)

Despite their conviction being overturned, Morton Johnson, Sam Grasty, and Derrick Chappel remain in prison as Delaware County district attorney announced that he would appeal the decision.

Juneteenth 06.18.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford and Stephen Wentzell

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