For those of you whose loved ones are on DR but are INNOCENT:

Alan Dershowitz (an OJ attorney) from Harvard University heads up the Innocence Project. He assigns his law students to research cases where the the DR inmate is (or is probably) wrongly convicted.

The innocent project will only take on cases where there is solid DNA evidence. If the evidence is based only on testimony and forensics, they usually wont take the case. Barry Scheck actually runs the innocent projects, but I know there are others, so thanks for sharing that information. Maybe they take on cases without the DNA, but normally they wont.

So Kyla for instance does the state pay for DNA if a inmate wants to be tested? If it comes back negative then these lawyers might take the case?

The innocent projects will take on the case where there is solid DNA and yes, they will get the state to pay for the testing, and the innocent project researches the case, and gets new avenues to exonerate a person. The innocent project wont go into the courtroom though, they will help prepare the case with the clients attorney. If that makes sense.

I've tried EVERY Innocence project in the USA to try to get someone to take on Tony's case and, without exception, they all say they have far too many cases and can't cope with any more. Unless your loved one is already with one of them you stand very little chance of being accepted, no matter how good your case is.

It's frightening!!!!!!!!!

Rose

That is really scary Rostonhall, especially since there does seem to be a lot of innocent people incarcerated, good luck in your search there must be someone who can help you.........

Rostonhall
Thats why unfortunetly they are only taking on the cases with DNA evidence right now, cause there easy cases to win. Good Luck and dont give up, keep hassling them, and when they knock you back, hassle them again and again.

Kyla,

I was just reading the University of Washington School of Law site, which is where the Northwest Innocence Project is located. It did not specifically say they were taking DNA cases only, so perhaps it depends on which project the person contacts.

They did, however, state that they get 50 requests a month from the four PNW states served by the University -- Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho -- so the need is great, and unfortunately the resources not enough. It is certainly highly likely that this circumstance exists across the country.

There is a magazine I encountered while googling "Innocence Project", by the way, that some may find interesting. It is called "Justice Denied, the journal for the wrongly convicted."

Sincerely,
Shoshana

Justice Denied is a good magazine online, and helpful as well for these cases. I know from first hand experience that they are only taking on DNA cases, Barry Scheck runs it. As I said, I am sure that there are more, and its always great to have more information and resources to look into. There is so many wrongful convictions and not enough people to research them. They dont actually state DNA either, but when you actually contact them, they do specify DNA evidence is needed, and sometimes they still wont take it on. As I said, you need to just keep pushing them and pushing them. Get anti DP organisations to help with the pushing as well.

I WANT TO SAY THIS ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECTS..WE HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL BECAUSE WE(TERRANCE AND I) HAVE DNA AND FORENSIC EVIDENCE BUT NONE OF THEM WILL TAKE HIS CASE.I HAVE A LETTER FROM THEM THAT STATES THAT THEY ONLY TAKE CASES SUCH AS TERRANCES(DNA) THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO HELP US AT THIS TIME.I DO KNOW ALSO THAT BARRY SCHECK IS A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE INNOCENCE PROJECTS. JUSTICE DENIED IS MAKING TERANCES STORY A PRIORITY.THEY HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL IN HELPING HIM

Believe me, the Anti-Death Penalty organizations don't want to know anything about anyone once they leave the Row!! They've had some very sharp letters from me on this subject , and from Tony who believes, since Ryan emptied the Row in Illinois, he has been totally forgotten and left to rot.

I have the same letters as Kris and we, too, have DNA and forensic issues. We are all beating our heads against brick walls I'm afraid, and it's soul-destroying.

On top of this we have Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General, trying her best to put Tony and 31 others, back on Death Row with the Supreme Court should be ruling on this due any day now.


Rose

Rostonhall, Lisa Madigan can actually do that? Thats dreadful, I though they were all commuted due to concerns that the convictions were unsafe.

Gemini,

She's trying to have all those who had already had their sentences vacated and were awaiting retrial sent back and those, like Tony, who didn't ask for clemency. He wouldn't put in for it because he said to do so was asking for mercy for a crime committed. He said he wouldn't commit perjury by admitting to something he didn't do.

Madigan is saying that Ryan didn't have the right to commute these 32 sentences. But Ryan looked at ALL the files of those on the Row and decided he couldn't tell who was innocent and who wasn't, so emptied the Row completely.

Rose

Rose that is sooo wrong. Shame they aren't so keen on reversing things when men can actually prove their innocence and aren't even given a chance to be heard. I really hope that doesnt happen though I can understand that Tony will not ask for clemency when he didnt do anything wrong to ask clemency for. :( Good Luck

Last time I was on the website for the Innocence Project, which was a few months back, it stated that they would NOT take cases where there was already CONCLUSIVE DNA results. I gave their address to my DR penpal in Florida. They wrote him back and told him that they could only help him after ALL of his appeals had been exhausted. Personally, that seems a little late in the game to offer help. I guess they are just a last resort... :argh

to Rose and interested others I have not found one so-called anti-death penalty group willing to do anything. I do believe these groups collect donations from well- meaning individuals who believe inmates are actually being helped. I am disgusted by the whole process. I am going to compile a list of all the groups who have told me that is not in their scope of assistance,etc. ad nauseum.... Disgusted I tell you!

I'm afraid I've found exactly the same as you, Rosita. I used to give them money because I thought they were helping but the only cases the anti-death penalty groups want to help are the high profile cases were there will be a lot of brownie points earned if you are seen to be associated with them. Cases where there are police beatings leading to false confessions seem to be their favourite. I've written until I'm blue in the face but all I get back, if they do reply, is that they are not going to give up the fight to end the death penalty and against police brutality. And I don't ever remember asking them to do either!!!

I would think the majority of those innocents on the Row are there because of other reasons than having been beaten into confessing, but it seems their lives aren't worth as much as those who have. Shades of 'Animal Farm' I'm afraid and yes, I am beginning to get just a little bit bitter, but I'd better not let Tony see that or I will be in big trouble. That's the one thing he doesn't want me to get saying bitterness and anger destroys, which I know is true but I'm still guilty of both, sometimes.

Rose

a friend of mine in Ga serving natural life sentence was very recently contacted by the innocence project and they are interested in taking his case, so there is hope for you all, my friend thought no-one would help him, now he may have a chance at his freedom

I don't know anything of these projects - can anyone tell me if there's a special project for people on the row in Texas?
Anyone knows who to contact - I know it doesn't like there's a lot of luck in it - but I have to try at least :)

XXX, Anne-Kathrine

I don't know anything of these projects - can anyone tell me if there's a special project for people on the row in Texas?
Anyone knows who to contact - I know it doesn't like there's a lot of luck in it - but I have to try at least :)

XXX, Anne-Kathrine

Here is the innocent project for Texas. I do know several people in Texas and several other states the innocent projects have helped.
But be prepared to wait, they are over run and it takes forever.
You have to just keep pounding on doors and not give up.

Univ. of Houston Innocence Network
100 Law Center
Houston, TX 77204
David Dow
(713) 743-7552

The Innocence Project concentrates on the cases of inmates whose innocence can be proven by DNA testing. They are a non-profit group, but those wishing to avail themselves of their services must be prepared to pay for the DNA testing--which, unfortunately, is far from inexpensive, though I believe they will try to get the "best price" possible.

The Innocence Project can be found online at: http://www.innocenceproject.org/

I neglected in my last post to include a question I meant to ask: has anyone here ever been contacted by a group called "Victims Of Texas"? My dear friend received a note from them and asked me to get in touch by phone on her behalf. Which I did, getting an answering machine and leaving a message. A couple of days later I received a phone call from the organization in which I was asked for a lot of details (most of which I did not provide out of privacy concerns) and informed that the group would do their best to be of assistance in several very specific ways.

To my knowledge, the only result of my effort was that they sent a card to my friend and have otherwise done nothing. Has anyone else had any experience with this organization? I believed their intentions were good but now am left to wonder.

Around the nation there are various projects that will try to help DR inmates and those sentenced to life. Actually, the lifers are more likely to get help. But, you have to keep in mind that the stronger cases get attention first. As well, DP cases are really expensive and some of the groups simply can not handle the cost.

Our case has been excepted by a project, but if you read some of my old posts you will discover that our case is outrageous, as well as by a miracle the chair of the project had studied Eldon’s case for research he had done. Iam sure it did not hurt either that we are dealing with the shortest DP trial, in U.S. history, as far as we know. We have a case that was prosecuted by the same prosecutor, as Ray Krone, only two years earlier. We are blessed, however to have found the help, because there are thousands of requests made to a handful of these groups, each year.

If you can be patient, if you want names and addresses, I have them. I can tell you get online and start digging. There are not only projects, but at times large law firms will accept cases, if the injustice is there. Any DP case with merit is big news, with the right attorney, on the case. It takes no name, beyond death row.

I will try to get my scanner back online and post the lists that I have. If someone has an idea why a HP printer scanner would print but not scan, we might get it faster, because these things kick my rear! But, if I have to I can do it the old fashioned way and type it to post. It just is not my favorite way, pecking with one hand. I will get it up, though and the impatient can message me and I will try to help you get started.

First, do not give up! Write to everyone and if they will not listen, write some more. And write, Do Not Call!!!!!!!

You are more likely to have someone hear your full story, if you mail your story. I found the project by e-mail, but actually it is wiser to use a stamp, because you know for certain that your correspondence is going to land on the desk, of the person you address it to and not be deleted by a secretary that feels her boss has enough to read or disappear into cyber space, before it arrives. I have been turned down, by the best, but they respond themselves, after I pay the extra postage to have the letter signed for and know that it will go to the desk, I send it too. Right now, I am working e-mail, because I need results quick. And I am in a better place, with the project behind us, than when I started.

As for no reply, from someone, try again. I have tried several places and got no response. I figure the message has not got to the right person yet and will try again. Do not get angry, over turn downs, unanswered mail or smart *** receptionists and secretaries or you will only defeat yourself. I had a woman make me an appointment, in Phoenix, over an hour away, after I asked 3 times, if they would actually consider the case, without us having cash. When, I got there the attorney made it really clear that Eldon will die, before he lets go of his cash, for an indigent client.

Was I mad? Yes, but I kept playing around online, until I came up with the right place and got a yes, instead of a no. You can do the same. Know your case and the things that make it an injustice. Use a well written letter. My correspondence runs really long, but it likely would not be advised. I ran long on everything that I wrote, in college, with the warning that if ran over it had better be a good read. I made the same A, on them all, with some thousands of words over. Translation, if it goes long make it an easy read, because you are pestering busy people.

If writing is not your strong point, find help. But, make sure the person has a clear understanding of the details of the case and who the person they write about is. Give details and be completely truthful, even about the past that does not look so great. Eldon wears no halo, but he is an innocent man and when I wrote I knew that they would never suspect that we would bend the truth, because I told it upfront.

There are usually questionnaires that these groups have. I could have used one, but prefer a letter. You can make your case personal, in a letter. We filled out the questionnaire, after the project had started looking into the case. Personal is the key word. This is personal to each of us, but now we have to make others care, about the people, who we love. This is not always so easy to do, especially when a project is looking at the possibility of freeing dozens, who are sentenced to natural life or using the same funds, on one sentenced to death. And this is a consideration to them. None of this is just, but then if there were justice innocent people would not be in prison and certainly not on the row….

Lastly, find your faith and your hope and cling to them like an armor. You will need both to make the journey. A hard head is a plus, in this situation and for once, my rattlin’ is paying off. Talk and talk some more and never stop looking.

There are new places and new people trying to help, all the time. I have read of cases, where the wife did the investigation herself and found what was needed. As well, you can look for an investigator that believes in your case and try to find that bit of proof that will get the project or the big name attorney’s attention. Get creative, I read of a family that only got help, after they found the experts to dispute the reports, concerning the supposed blood, of the victim. No case is alike and a case that is not of interest today, very well be tomorrow, because a project may have gotten 12 other requests involving the same detective, in claims of innocence. I have also read about this

Just, DO NOT GIVE UP!

NEVER ADMIT DEFEAT! Go after what you want and pray, as you have never prayed before. We have been blessed and who is to say what is in the Creator’s plan, for anyone else?

All of you are in our prayers, may your footsteps lead to justice….

Not all of the Innocence Projects require DNA, I know Centurion Ministries is one of them. My husband was picked up Pro Bono by a Law Firm 10+ years ago. We just got the State to go for the DNA last November. We have had 2 Stays since then and one prior to that, this last one was for 6 months to do a special kind of DNA at a Private lab. Like Eldon's Wife says DO NOT GIVE UP!! DO NOT GIVE UP!!

My fiance was contacted by Barry Scheck's Innocence Project very recently. Do you think that since they contacted him, that he has a good chance of them taking his case? They have asked for transcripts, all that. I dont think they go around contacting people at random, am I right about this? The courts have denied having DNA retested for the past several years. Im praying for a miracle here, anyone else that the IP contacted them, and what happened?

Well, these are just my thoughts on this....If they are interested that is wonderful, but his transcripts have to have something usuable for them to have something to work with. I know that Innocence Projects will not waste their time if they don't have something to work with. Good Luck!! Prayers going out to you all...

i for one would like to see that list of agencies that work on innocent cases. My fiance's case was considered by the Innocent Project here in San Diego but was unalbe to locate the victim in order to question him. Even though they thought the case was a good one for them they didnt think they had a chance w/o the victim.
But like everyone has said, never give up, hold on to GOD and pray pray pray remebering GOD is still in control..."Is anything to hard to GOD?"

When the innocence project doesn't take your case, you go to Law School clinics. Make an appt to see the law professor and lay out your case. Then see if the class takes it!