On Sunday, June 14, Cooley Law School Innocence Project will host a panel discussion, “Inside the Innocence Movement: A Panel Discussion with the Freed and Exonerated,” featuring exonerees Dell Crawford and brothers George and Melvin DeJesus. The event will be held in Cooley’s lobby.
Hear their first-hand accounts of how flaws in Michigan's criminal justice system resulted in them being wrongly convicted and what it took for them to finally be exonerated. Attendees will also hear from Cooley Law School Innocence Project staff about their work on behalf of those who have been wrongly convicted and incarcerated, and have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what they can do to recognize and prevent wrongful convictions.
Ann Garant, co-director for the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, will facilitate the event.
This event is free and open to the public.
Since its inception, the Cooley Innocence Project has screened over 6,000 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of 10 individuals: Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathaniel Hatchett (2008), Donya Davis (2014), LeDura Watkins (2017), Kenneth Nixon (2021), Gilbert Poole (2021), Corey Quentin McCall (2021), George DeJesus (2022), Louis Wright (2023), and Dell Crawford (2026). In addition, the Cooley Innocence Project has helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton, Ramon Ward, Terance Calhoun, and Crystal Mulherin, Duane Williams, and George Calicut Jr.
WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Cooley Law School – Lobby, 300 S Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933