250th person exonerated

Innocence Project client Freddie Peacock became the 250th person exonerated through DNA evidence in the United States. This is a major milestone — a moment to reflect on how much we have succeeded in using these exonerations to reform the criminal justice system, and how much work we still have to do.

Peacock was convicted in New York in 1976 of a rape he didn’t commit based on an eyewitness misidentification and a false confession that police claim he made during an interrogation. Peacock, who has severe mental illness, was freed in 1982, but continued the fight to clear his name. With the help of the Innocence Project, he obtained DNA testing that proved his innocence and led to today’s exoneration. His fight to clear his name after release is the longest of any DNA exoneree to date — for 28 years Peacock sought a complete exoneration, even turning down chances to end his parole because he thought staying on parole might improve his access to appeals.

The Innocence Project hears from thousands of people each year, the vast majority of whom are still in prison hoping the truth will finally come to light. While we work tirelessly to review their cases, we are also committed to preventing wrongful convictions in the first place. Today, as we mark the nation’s 250th DNA exoneration, you can help use this moment to raise awareness about the need to make our system of justice more fair, accurate and reliable.

Will you take action today? Take two minutes to send a letter right now to the editor of your local newspaper. To mark the 250th exoneration today, the Innocence Project has released a new report: "250 Exonerated: Too Many Wrongfully Convicted" To host an event in your community marking the 250th DNA exoneration, email us at info@innocenceproject.org.

Read more about Freddie Peacock’s case and take action today by sending a letter to the editor.


The Innocence Project — Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
100 Fifth Ave. 3rd Floor - New York, NY 10011
http://ip.convio.net/site/R?i=IFnqKlZji9zFjE4BS4xNTA..