exodus WINTER 2018 • ISSUE XXII

WILBERT JONES FINALLY EXONERATED On October 11, 2018, the State of dismissed the rape charge against IPNO’s longtime client Wilbert Jones, 46 years and nine months after he was wrongly arrested for it. Mr. Jones was wrongly convicted in 1973 for the October 1971 kidnapping and rape of a female nurse at Baton Rouge General Hospital. The nurse repeatedly told investigators that she was not 100% sure in her identification of Mr. Jones Wilbert Jones (left) and Calvin Duncan (right) celebrate (who was arrested four months Wilbert’s exoneration. Calvin told IPNO about Wilbert’s after the crime) but nevertheless case in 2001. her identification – alone – was enough to convict him at a brief trial. Poor, illiterate and without anyone to help, he spent the next 40 years fighting to clear his name and - continued on page 15 We Did It! Louisiana Votes for Unanimous Juries An overwhelming majority of Louisiana citizens on November 6th voted for the return of unanimous jury verdicts in all felony jury trials. Louisiana, after 120 years, rebuked its shameful, racist past and showed the nation that we can unite on issues of fundamental fairness and justice. Sixty-four percent of Louisianan voters voted in favor of Amendment Two and a majority of voters in all but three parishes voted to bring back 12-0 verdicts. Louisiana was one of only two states (the other being Oregon) that allowed juries to return a conviction in a felony criminal case, even if one or two jurors Photo courtesy by Sean Mattison and Tom Laffay Photo courtesy by Sean Mattison and Tom - continued on page 17 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael W. Magner (Chair) Robert Jones IPNO welcomed Angélique Thomas as our first ever client services Partner Client Advocate specialist in July 2018. Previously, Angélique worked as a mitigation Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Orleans Public Defenders specialist and defense investigator on capital cases at Capital Carrere & Denegre, LLP , Louisiana Appeals Project (CAP). She obtained her Masters in Social Work New Orleans, Louisiana Judy Perry Martinez with a certification in disaster mental health and trauma studies from Tulane University. Welcome to the team, Angélique. Frank X. Neuner, Jr. (Vice Chair) Of Counsel Managing Partner Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn NeunerPate New Orleans, Louisiana Thanks again to our summer 2018 interns, pictured here at The National Memorial for Lafayette, Louisiana Ileana Ortiz Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama Navigator/Spanish Interpreter Michael Friedman (Secretary) with interns from CAP and the Promise of EdNavigator Co-Owner Justice Initiative (PJI). Pizza Delicious New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana Herschel E. Richard, Jr. IPNO Board Member Ileana Ortiz was Of Counsel John A. Nolan (Treasurer) confirmed by the New Orleans City Cook, Yancey, King & Galloway John A. Nolan, CPA LLC Council as a member of the Mayor’s Shreveport, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana Human Relations Advisory Committee Melody Chang D. Majeeda Snead as one of Mayor Cantrell’s two direct Project Manager Clinical Professor appointees to the committee. Square Button Loyola University College of Law New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana Reginald Adams took his first flight ever to Washington, D.C. in June and had a blast taking in the sites. Hon. Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. Of Counsel Robert Jones spoke at Kent Presents, an ideas festival in Duval, Funderburk, Sundbery, Connecticut this August, along with heavy hitters like Henry Richard & Watkins APLC Kissinger, Mitch Landrieu and Wynton Marsalis. Houma, Louisiana In October, Bernard Noble was invited to join the grant making circle for the Criminal Justice Initiative’s Starving the Beast grant program, which funds community based drug arrest diversion and harm reduction programs targeting previously underserved communities in partnership with Open Society Foundations. This newsletter reports on IPNO’s activities in and out of court so that our supporters and members of the public may understand what we do. Greg Bright has returned to the art and acting scene! Any information about an open case that is contained in this newsletter A photo of Mr. Bright by Michel Varisco was featured in is also contained in the public court record of the case. “Constructing the Break,” an exhibition at the Contem- porary Arts Center featuring the work of 30 regional artists. Check out Greg’s work on at @greg_bright_art. Mission: Innocence Project New Orleans (IPNO) frees innocent, life-sentenced prisoners. We support our clients living well and fully in the world after Malcolm Alexander is Jerome Morgan took his their release. We advocate for sensible criminal justice policies that reduce selling his stunning business, Real Gentlemen wrongful convictions. rocking chairs at the Barbershop, mobile this New Orleans Art Market year. Check their social at Palmer Park on the last media profiles to find out As of October 2018, IPNO has freed or exonerated 32 innocent clients. Saturday of every month. where to get your hair cut.

2 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Winter 2018 | ipno exodus 3 IPNO Conducts Training on New Law In May 2018, the Governor signed into law Act 466 that will change the way police conduct eyewitness identification procedures in Louisiana to decrease the case notes likelihood of mistaken identifications. IPNO has been working with law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders and the defense bar to develop and conduct trainings to ensure that Act 466 is implemented successfully. In September, IPNO conducted a training on eyewitness identification procedures to public defenders at their annual Defender Institute training program. In October, IPNO hosted Chief Bill Brooks from Norwood, Massachusetts, a nationally renowned and respected law enforcement expert and trainer on eyewitness identification, to conduct a training for all Louisiana chiefs of police at the annual Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Baton Rouge. IPNO is working on a training with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for December, and will participate in judicial trainings in March and June. IPNO is also planning to produce training videos for law enforcement to view at roll calls and for law enforcement certification. In order for Act 466 to be impactful, trainings and monitoring of law enforcement practices are critical. Jee Park, Fabian Blache, Jr. of the Louisiana IPNO will continue to work with our IPNO secures DNA Association of Chiefs of Police, Chief Bill Brooks, partners to ensure policy changes are IPNO staff Kia Hayes and Kara Kurland implemented successfully. testing in two cases: SUPPORT IPNO AS A BENEFICIARY IN YOUR WILL, TRUST, IPNO searches for files, 2009 OR INSURANCE POLICY IPNO recently secured DNA testing in two separate cases. One case is a 2002 armed robbery from Ascension Parish. The client’s conviction was Your future gift will Name: Innocence Project New Orleans based on the victim’s identification during a non-blind photo identification support our efforts Address: 4051 Ulloa Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 procedure four days after the crime along with testimony from two to free innocent, EIN/Tax ID: 72-1501261 witnesses who had incentives to implicate our client. The evidence to life-sentenced prisoners, be tested consists of items the prosecution said the robbery suspect support their living Sample Bequest Language: handled. This evidence includes envelopes, duct tape including a strip well and fully in the “I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Innocence used to bind the victim and a hat allegedly worn by the perpetrator. world and advocate for Project New Orleans, located at 4051 Ulloa Street, sensible criminal justice New Orleans, LA 70119, ($______specific dollar amount The State’s case rested entirely on two confessions that were policies that reduce or ______percent of my residuary estate), to further neither written nor recorded… wrongful convictions. the mission of Innocence Project New Orleans.” IPNO also secured DNA testing in a 1981 case that stemmed from a No immediate donation Once you have completed arrangements with your 1978 two-perpetrator rape in Baton Rouge. The State’s case rested is necessary. You lawyer or financial planner, please send a copy of entirely on two confessions that were neither written nor recorded and can make your gift the section of your will or trust that details your serology testing that confirmed the blood type of the suspect as Type anonymous or, with charitable plan. This will enable us to express our O, which simply narrowed down the pool of suspects to just under half your permission, we can thanks and acknowledge you for your generosity and of the black population. The victim was unable to identify the suspected publicly acknowledge commitment to our work. Of course, we understand rapists. Furthermore, a grand jury declined to indict our client’s alleged your commitment. Here your circumstances may change and you can change co-perpetrator. Biological material associated with the case has been is information you will your planned gift at any time. located and is able to be tested. This evidence includes a rape kit, jeans need to provide to your worn by the victim after the rape, bed sheets, a slip worn by the victim For more information please contact: attorney to name the during the rape, a cigarette lighter left by the perpetrators, and the Innocence Project New Jené O’Keefe Trigg victim’s checkbook that was possibly touched by a perpetrator. This Orleans as a beneficiary. 504-943-1902 [email protected] client was convicted by a non-unanimous, 10-2, jury verdict.

4 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Winter 2018 | ipno exodus 5 case update case update

The Fight for John Floyd’s Exoneration IPNO Files on Behalf of Our Continues First Female Client Every federal judge to review John Floyd’s case has agreed that he This August, IPNO filed a post-conviction application to vacate has suffered a miscarriage of justice, but his case is still not over. Cheri Hayden’s 2009 second-degree murder conviction in Jefferson Parish. In this case, an elderly victim was killed during a botched The Orleans Parish District purse snatching when she was run over by a truck in the parking Attorney insists on seeking lot. Ms. Hayden was convicted of being review before the U.S. Supreme the driver of the truck. The case against Court that Mr. Floyd’s 1982 Ms. Hayden relied on stranger eyewitness trial was not unconstitutional. identifications and the testimony of a The Supreme Court will likely known felon who was involved in the announce in November whether crime, but received a reduced charge and it will review the case. Meanwhile, sentence as a result of his cooperation. the district attorney has yet to Through our investigation, we uncovered announce if his office will retry new information that casts doubt on the Mr. Floyd. To protect Mr. Floyd in reliability and accuracy of the eyewitness the event of an attempted retrial, identifications. Additionally, we uncovered IPNO has filed 11 motions on a wealth of evidence pointing to the his behalf in state court. These actual driver of the truck—a woman who was both known to investigating law motions are set to be heard on Cheri Hayden with her children December 17th. On October 29, enforcement and who was the girlfriend the State of Louisiana’s deadline of the cooperating felon who testified When we spoke to Ms. Hayden’s from the federal district court against Ms. Hayden. IPNO learned that jurors, many were surprised to for addressing the invalidity of days following the murder, the felon’s Mr. Floyd’s original conviction girlfriend was frantically packing to leave learn about all of the available expired. IPNO has asked the town, changed her appearance by dying evidence they never got to hear federal court that its judgment her hair, and confided to friends and family at trial. be enforced. that she killed the older woman in the parking lot. In Ms. Hayden’s application, IPNO raised an ineffective All told, Mr. Floyd’s case has been assistance of counsel claim based on the lack of meaningful litigated in six different courts in investigation by her trial attorney, as well as claims relating to the the last six months. The district withholding of favorable evidence by the State. When we spoke to attorney’s office appears to be Richard Davis and John Floyd at a court hearing in September Ms. Hayden’s jurors, many were surprised to learn about all of the putting an extraordinary amount available evidence they never got to hear at trial. of resources into the case with at least four assistant district attorneys currently assigned to it, including a couple of their most senior attorneys. Their resolve to Ms. Hayden has been diagnosed with lung cancer and has brain defend an indefensible conviction from 1982 prolongs the miscarriage of justice. The tumors. IPNO intends to try to expedite Ms. Hayden’s case given District Attorney’s office has admitted they would let Mr. Floyd go, without conditions, her illnesses and precarious health. We want her to be reunited with if he would only plead guilty to something, but because Mr. Floyd has refused to her family. IPNO is asking the court to grant a hearing based on the plead guilty to a crime he did not commit, they have continued to prosecute. newly-discovered evidence and vacate Ms. Hayden’s conviction. Mr. Floyd will continue to fight until he is exonerated.

6 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Winter 2018 | ipno exodus 7 Tevin Lashley Kennadi Robinson IPNO CLERK INTERN | SUMMER 2018 IPNO CLERK INTERN | SUMMER 2018 Working at IPNO this summer was a life-changing I applied for a summer scholarship with IPNO experience. This was my second summer internship because I had an interest in exploring a at IPNO and I now know that I want a career in career in law. Since I was coming straight out criminal law. Knowing that my every day work of high school, I didn’t have any experience can help the community I come from is a working at a law office. Most of the other priceless experience. This internship took interns were entering their second year the glamour out of being a lawyer, gave of law school. We hit the ground me the opportunity to hear interesting running from the very first week. stories from people, and, lastly, narrowed There were back-to-back training sessions began to understand and appreciate my my focus on being a criminal lawyer. on subjects like what is post-convic- role as an intern more because sometimes This summer challenged me and my want to specialize in criminal law because tion relief, the appeals process, public in prison, documents are the only thing that idea of what a lawyer is. In pop culture, I want to leave the justice system better records requests and many other topics stands between freedom and a life behind you see law as exciting and thrilling and, than my generation found it. There are I knew nothing about. The law clerks bars, and I was lucky enough to have while sometimes it is, that is not the many groups working diligently to solve and interns were asking questions that access to hundreds of these documents day-to-day experience. Being a lawyer numerous issues that plague the justice didn’t even cross my mind and, at times, that could potentially help someone. I was is not just about being in the courtroom. system. Specializing in criminal law will I wondered if I was in way over my head. given the opportunity to do juror interviews and actually talk to people about what It’s really all the stuff outside of the allow me to join the fight and help people My main goal was to learn more about courtroom that makes the difference in a going through an unjust system. Another made them decide to put someone in the court system and figure out how prison for the rest of their lives. case. Outside of the courtroom, there are reason why I want to go into criminal law I wanted to fit myself into it once I people who may or may not be lawyers is that I grew up in an area where I saw finished college. In the very beginning, All of the assignments that I received this that investigate and try to find evidence the effects of the policies that contribute I was sure that I wanted to be a defense summer led me to the same conclusion: that will help the case. Before I interned to mass incarceration. I want to enact lawyer who helped dismantle a corrupt being a lawyer isn’t my only option. I at IPNO, I had no idea such people policy change to end mass incarceration. justice system, but as I received more learned that investigators do a lot of the existed and that a legal career does not Interning at IPNO this past summer assignments, I began to realize that work outside of the office and are the mean you must be a lawyer and need changed me. I became more aware of being a lawyer was not my only option. ones that get to find all of the weirdly not be in a courtroom. Also, a big part of the practical ways I could enact change, For the majority of the summer, I worked interesting facts about a case. At IPNO, being a lawyer is helping clients through was exposed to people who inspired under investigators who did most of the there were lawyers, investigators, a personal ups and downs, and working at me to go into the legal field, and, casework outside of the courtroom. paralegal and other interns that I learned IPNO gave me a firsthand look at how lastly, it gave me the opportunity to do During one assignment in particular, from and asked questions of, and they close and sacred that relationship can be. meaningful work that helped a cause that I transcribed dozens of jail calls for were truly the greatest resource I could Within the legal field, there are a number I’m deeply passionate about. I want to one of IPNO’s clients. I often spent ask for while trying to figure out what I of different types of law you can specialize thank IPNO and hope they keep offering days hunched over a printer, scanning wanted to do with my life. My experience in, but for me, and this summer affirmed this internship to high school students to documents and notes. at IPNO was an amazing catalyst and it for me, unless I do a complete 180, I get the opportunity I received. resource to jumpstart my future in law, I was also able to talk to exonerees, and whatever that may be.

8 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Winter 2018 | ipno exodus 9 ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE: PROSECUTORIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Prosecutors are one of the main the clear racist origins of the 1898 and how communities can keep them gatekeepers of the criminal justice non-unanimous jury law, and only 10 accountable and transparent. system. They hold immense power, district attorney publicly supported Prosecutors must be held accountable IPNO believes responsibility and discretion. They the unanimous jury amendment. for their gross misconduct (i.e. we must confront determine who to charge, what Representation matters. withholding favorable evidence or charges to bring, who goes to prison DAs are supposed to serve the interests allowing perjured testimony) that robs drivers of mass and for how long. Yet there is very of the people who live in their parish or defendants of a fair process or leads little accountability and transparency county. Communities across the country to a conviction of an innocent person. incarceration and on how they conduct their business are no longer tolerating prosecutors Only one prosecutor in Louisiana of prosecution. racial bias if we who pledge to be tough on crime and has been publicly disciplined for What we do know is that of the 42 contribute to mass incarceration. Larry misconduct, and recently the Louisiana are going to not elected prosecutors in Louisiana, only Krasner, a former civil rights attorney Supreme Court declined to discipline three are black. That is less than 1% and public defender, was elected a prosecutor whose misconduct only free innocent of elected prosecutors, while 66% DA in Philadelphia on a platform of resulted in 15 years of wrongful of Louisiana’s prison population is de-incarceration and prison alternatives conviction and imprisonment for our prisoners, but black. Representation matters. When for nonviolent offenders. Citizens of client Mike Williams. more importantly, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Chicago and recently elected Every district attorney position is Cannizzaro was asked by filmmaker prosecutors promising less reliance on up for election in Louisiana in 2020. prevent them Harry Moses in the recently released cash bail and pulling back on low level We encourage you to engage: who documentary “Guilty Until Proven charges. Reform-minded progressives represents you? Do they reflect your from being Guilty” whether “the criminal justice have challenged incumbents in Durham, and your communities’ values of convicted in the system in your opinion [is] inherently Dallas, Birmingham, San Antonio and de-incarceration and racial equity? Is unfair to poor people, to black people, other cities across the country. Even if your DA transparent and accountable? first place. here in New Orleans,” DA Cannizzaro progressive candidates do not all win, Should prosecutors be held accountable answered without hesitation, “No.” they are changing the dialogue about for misconduct? Change will occur only The Louisiana District Attorneys the role of the prosecutor, what they if we care to pay attention. Association failed to repudiate must do to end mass incarceration,

10 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Winter 2018 | ipno exodus 11 from the inside from the outside

Cheri Hayden sat down with us to talk about her case, her life and her experiences Q: Tell our readers a little bit about you, Greg. being wrongly incarcerated. A: My name is Greg Bright and I was exonerated in Q: Cheri, can you start by sharing a few things that you’d like people to know about you? June 2003. I’ve been home awhile now and I have a A: My honesty, my endurance and my faith. The biggest thing is my faith. I believe lot of projects I’m excited about. I’ve got a one-man that if it wasn’t for my belief in God, I wouldn’t still be here fighting. My family is stage play about my experience, “Never Fight a Shark in also a big part of my life. Water” that I’ve performed across the country. I’ve had a few acting roles in TV and film. I’ve been making art by Q: Tell us about your family. painting on salvaged wood that was left behind after A: They’re hanging in there for me, that’s for sure. My dad is 82 years old and he takes . The devastation was so absolute that I care of everything. I want to be out to see him and spend time with him. His wife thought any bright spot that came out of that would be a is very sick, so he isn’t able to make the trip up to visit me very often. I have three blessing. The inspiration came for me when I spoke with children and 12 grandkids. It’s really a crew with my family. Three of my grandkids people who were pulling furniture out of their houses. I’ve only ever seen in prison, so I just can’t wait for the day that I’m out and I get to One woman broke down in tears as she pulled furniture surprise them. They are going to wake up one morning and I’ll be there and their out of her home: her father’s chair, her grandmother’s bed, stuff that had been in her mouths are just going to drop. life since she was a little girl. I thought ‘these are some beautiful pieces’ and I hate to Q: What made you first write to IPNO for help? see them go to waste. I decided to take all this stuff and create something lasting. A: I knew that I was innocent, but I didn’t know what to do. When I learned about Q: What have been the highlights for you since you’ve been out? IPNO, I thought to myself that freedom was possible now. Up until that point, I A: A lot of changes that have affected the criminal justice system. I think that’s a direct had just cried and cried in a little ball because I thought my life was over. I always result of innocence projects popping up around the country. A lot of cases that were knew that there had to be some other evidence in my case, but I didn’t know how in the dark for so long are finally getting exposure. It’s shocking when you think about I would ever find out what it was, until I heard about IPNO. the number of people who’ve been exonerated. When I was in prison, I wondered if Q: Before you were arrested and convicted, did you think that wrongful convictions these people were really doing the things they said they were doing?! To be on this happened? side and to see IPNO firsthand is amazing. That’s been the most dramatic change I’ve seen because there was a time in the prison when nobody was getting released A: Honestly, no way. I think I had seen something about it on TV, but it’s the kind of for about 10 years. That’s quite a contrast to now. That’s something I never thought thing that doesn’t ever enter your mind. You think, golly, that could never happen I’d see. That’s something I’m thankful and grateful for. I am always willing and ready to me, but then it did. to lend a hand. There are still so many changes to the system to be made. Q: What keeps you motivated in prison? Q: Any personal highlights for you? A: I’m praying every day that more eyes will open to God and so that he can send me A: I’ve got a few. Having gone from an “extra” to an actual actor is one of the things that back to my family. They need me and I need them. Ten years is a long time to be away. I feel good about. When I’m in a movie, I’m not an extra now. If I get this next role that I’ve auditioned for, it’ll be my biggest role yet. I’m always excited to have met Cheri thanks everyone for their such wonderful people along the way from all walks of life. They all believe in justice support and would love to and fairness. Not just word of mouth but actions as well. That’s one of the greatest receive letters from supporters. highlights. Meeting people from New York to Salt Lake City. Just going around the You can write to her at: country performing my play, going to churches and schools, and meeting local Cheri Hayden people. Truly decent people. DOC # 186878 Q: Anything you’re looking forward to? Louisiana Correctional A: I’m looking for peace and blessings. Good health, friends, and family. Peace of mind. Institute for Women P.O. Box 26 One thing is for certain, and I say this all the time I think one of the things that played St. Gabriel, LA 70776 into my being released and being able to sit out in the free world was my willingness to come to terms with forgiveness. Once I came to terms with forgiveness, many doors started opening. That’s how I was able to meet the woman who testified against me and walk away feeling like she owed me nothing. I still feel that way. I see her all the time. We speak. I hug her. I think forgiveness is the thing that got me out of prison, and I’m certain it’s what sustains me in my freedom. When I was able to let Cheri Hayden with two of her grandchildren. that happen, my path became clear. My determination became stronger.

12 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Winter 2018 | ipno exodus 13 - (Wilbert Jones) continued from page 1

IPNO’s efforts to free innocent prisoners and be reunited with his family. IPNO took his trial court. After hearing all the evidence, advocate for a more just criminal justice system case in 2001 and found clear evidence Judge Richard Anderson (of the 19th secured broad media attention worldwide, with that the crime for which Mr. Jones was Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge) coverage in over 100 outlets during 2018. convicted was a signature crime of found that because law enforcement a serial rapist who exactly matched failed to disclose information about the OUTLET / PUBLICATION the nurse’s initial description of her known serial rapist, who exactly matched Action News Now The Charles Smith blog assailant. Authorities at the time made the victim’s initial description of her American Press Louisiana Center for The Crime Report the connection between the serial rapist assailant and had committed a “mirror and the rape of the nurse at Baton Rouge image” crime close in place and time to Associated Press Children’s Rights The Daily Advertiser General Hospital, but never disclosed the Baton Rouge General Hospital rape, Black Star newsletter The Daily Herald this information. the judge threw out Mr. Jones’ conviction Bayou Buzz Louisiana Radio Network The Hill in October 2017. Judge Anderson Bella Naija blog Louisianans for Prison The Lens IPNO doggedly investigated the case for ordered a nominal bail that secured his brproud.com Alternatives The Livingston Parish News 13 years and eventually uncovered an Minneapolis Star Tribune unremarkable article from a newspaper immediate release two weeks later while Carpe Diem! The Los Angeles Times the State appealed the decision to the CBS Evening News Monroe Free Press The Louisiana Weekly archive about the serial rapist in Monroe News Star question. IPNO petitioned the courts Louisiana Supreme Court. On October CBS New York The Marshall Project 8th, the Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed Christian Science Monitor Mother Jones The Mary Sue blog for Mr. Jones’ conviction to be thrown out and asked the East Baton Rouge Judge Anderson’s decision, vacating Mr. Citizen Truth Myarklamiss.com The Mercury News District Attorney’s office to prosecute the Jones’ wrongful conviction, and three Crime and Justice News Nederlands Dagblad The Pew Charitable Trusts rapist responsible. IPNO was joined in days later, the East Baton Rouge District Daily Journal New Orleans Advocate blog the Louisiana Supreme Court by amicus Attorney’s office declined to re-try him New Orleans City Council The Ring of Fire Network Daily Mail briefs of survivors of violent crime, of and officially dismissed the charges New York Times The Root DNO (Defend New the national Innocence Network, and of against Mr. Jones. Orleans) blog News One Today.com former prosecutors. In March of 2017, Wilbert Jones spent more time Essence Newsmax Townhall.com Nola to Angola Newsletter while Mr. Jones’ case was pending imprisoned than any other prisoner Fox News Tulane Criminal Law before the Louisiana Supreme Court, his subsequently exonerated. Mr. Jones was Nola.com | Times-Picayune Society Gambit health took a life-threatening turn and arrested when he was 19-years old. He Nonprofit Quarterly Tulane University blog Globo.com he was taken from prison to the hospital. turned 66 on November 1st and his family NPR - Guilty Until Proven Guilty U.S. News and World IPNO petitioned the court to intervene threw him a huge surprise party – his first ohmidog! Report documentary and expedite his case so that he would birthday celebration with his family in Portal do Dog Vice HeraldNet not die in prison. The Louisiana Supreme over 46 years. Houma Courier PR Newswire Voice of the Experienced Court promptly remanded the case to the Houma Today Press Herald (VOTE) newsletter Ideal Digital Rice, Voelker LLC VRT NWS Independent Recorder newsletter WAFB - TV iNews RT News Network Washington Post Innocence Project blog San Francisco Bay Area WBOK - Radio Inside Edition Independent Media WDSU - TV Center (Indybay) KALB - TV WGNO - TV Shaun King KATC - TV WNYT - TV Slate Magazine KNOE News Wrongful Conviction with St. Charles Avenue Jason Flom podcast KOIN - TV Magazine KTBS - TV WTHI -TV St. Mary Now & Franklin WVUE- TV La Opinión Banner-Tribune Leafly WWL-TV Tampa Bay News WWNO/NPR - Radio Lexington Herald Leader The Advocate Lintelligencer WWOZ - Radio The American Press Yale News Little Things blog The BoomBox Wilbert Jones and his family speak to media upon his release from prison.

14 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Winter 2018 | ipno exodus 15 - (We did it!) continued from page 1 IPNO THANKS ITS RECENT DONORS, ESPECIALLY OUR SUSTAINING DONORS & THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN $250+. believed the defendant to be innocent. life was in the hands of a treacherous TO BECOME A SUSTAINING DONOR, VISIT WWW.IP-NO.ORG/DONATE. This Louisiana law dates from the Jim system that would convict me, even Crow era, in 1898, when an all-white though two of the jurors said, ‘Not delegation of legislators voted to guilty,’...How can you say a person has INDIVIDUALS FOUNDATIONS & change the state constitution to dilute been convicted beyond a reasonable BUSINESSES Rachael Agnew Dirk Margheim the potential impact of black voters and doubt if one juror says, ‘Hold up. Wait! Jeff and Morel Judy Perry Martinez and American Bar Endowment jurors. The mission of those legislators Something’s not right about this’?” Alexander Rene Martinez Baptist Community Ministries to protect and uphold white supremacy IPNO joined over a dozen civil rights Anonymous Robin Mercer Eugenie and Joseph Jones has finally been upended. Nearly one and criminal justice organizations – Nancy Aronson Frank and Tracy Neuner Family Foundation million Louisiana voters voted for called the Unanimous Jury Coalition Christal Badour Jim O’Connell Greater New Orleans inclusion and equality. – to urge citizens to “Vote Yes on 2” in Erin Bannister David Olasky Foundation the statewide ballot initiative. Coalition Anneshia Booker Glenda Olivier Lakeshore Foundation At least 12 men in Louisiana have been members included The Juror Project, the Richard and Donna Danny Peykoff Louisiana Bar Foundation wrongly convicted by non-unanimous Anti-Defamation League, the Louisiana Burger Josh Pitts Louisiana State Charitable juries. Their cases were not proven Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Lourdes Burke Katherine Randall Campaign beyond a reasonable doubt because one ACLU-Louisiana, Southern Poverty Law Melody Chang Ricciardone Family Lyft or two jurors on their respective juries did Center, Orleans Public Defenders, Voice Tina S. Clark, Esq. Charitable Fund Microsoft not believe they were guilty. One of these of the Experienced, and the Promise of Scott Clugstone Herschel and Mary Montana Productions men, Glenn Davis, was wrongly convicted Justice Initiative, among many others. Mike and Lynn Richard NeunerPate by a non-unanimous jury verdict along Coatney Family Zack and Liz Rosenburg Paypal Giving Fund with co-defendants Terrence Meyers and The issue drew national coverage Foundation Ms./Mr. Saglimbeni Porter Lyons Larry Delmore for the murder of Samuel and had wide bi-partisan support. The Mike Cockrell & Scott Hietz Severin Ralph E. Ogden Foundation George in Westwego, Louisiana in 1993. Louisiana GOP, the Louisiana Family Jennings Slade Simons Rice Voelker Fund for Their convictions were based exclusively Forum, Americans for Prosperity, Paul Danziger Russell Spitzer Recovery on one eyewitness with a history of drug Louisiana law enforcement leaders, and Royce Duplessis Miltiades Greg A. RosaMary Foundation abuse and incarceration who claimed to the Interfaith Coalition for Justice threw Judy Engelberg Stathakis Satsuma have been a witness to the crime. They their support behind the effort to make Patrick and Mary Ann Stevens Shell Oil Company: served more than 15 years in prison until jury trials more fair. they were exonerated in 2010. Less than Grace Fess - Verges Frank and Kristen Terry Foundation Matching Gifts As election day neared, many volunteers, two years after he was freed, Terrence Kathleen Fischer Art and Marcia Sideways Designs including IPNO staff, educated voters Meyers passed away. Jason Flom Waterman Stumptown Coffee by participating in phone banking, Hon. W. Ross Foote Robert Weiss and Delia The Ace Hotel Glenn Davis, whose daughter was born canvassing, participating in interviews Cat Forrester Anderson The Marcus Fund the day after he was arrested, told the and speaking at a variety of events. Margaret R. Gallo Harley Winer and Esther The Margaret & Daniel-Third Los Angeles Times earlier this year, “My Now approved by voters, the Dr. and Dr. Eric DeJong Point Foundation amendment will take effect in January Hoffman Lawrence Young The Roddick Foundation 2019. IPNO thanks YOU for supporting Susan Hoffman Michael Zeneg The Rusty Nail this important campaign and for casting Duane Hollis Prof. Donghui Zhang your vote for justice. Jerrell Johnson Alfredo Kemm Abdul Khan Boon Supply supports IPNO! Purchase Charlie King and great gift items like kitchen tools, Dana Caldwell King jewelry, bags and more at Boon Supply IPNO client Greg Bright Tom Klotz and IPNO gets 50% of your purchase. with a #yeson2 sign outside of his home Hannah Knipp Funds raised will be used to provide our Carole Landry freed clients with basic needs. Denny Leboeuf Boonsupply.com Katie Lott

16 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Summer 2018 | ipno exodus 17 (above) Essence Festival welcomed IPNO for the third year in a row, and awarded the 2018 Community Award to IPNO. Thanks Essence Fest and Montana Productions – see you next year! (right) In August, IPNO headed to the field for a Baby Cakes baseball benefit to enjoy the game, camaraderie and a fireworks show. Former client and board member Robert Jones threw the first pitch. September had IPNO and friends back at The Rusty Nail for a packed (below) IPNO joined Orleans and fun-filled “Cheers for Public Defenders and other Charity” happy hour. groups for the third annual Second Line for Equal For Wrongful Conviction Justice in early November Day on October 2, IPNO for a great day of marching screened the 1957 classic and making the voices of “12 Angry Men” at The those advocating for equal Broad Theater and hosted a justice in Louisiana heard. panel afterwards to discuss the film and non-unanimous jury verdicts in Louisiana.

18 ipno exodus | www.ip-no.org Summer 2018 | ipno exodus 19 Please consider supporting IPNO and our clients when you shop—

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