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Walking Free Fund

Proving Innocence gives financial assistance when exonerees leave prison with no red tape. Since they often have literally nothing, this gives them some resources they can call their own, giving them some sense of dignity. They receive $750 or $1,000 depending on certain criteria. (Why do they receive different amounts of money?) Please DONATE to PI so that we may continue to help meet Michigan exonerees' financial needs when they need it the most!

Those who have received Walking Free funds are listed below beginning with the most recent. You can search by year, name or description.

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Dec 2023

$

1000

Kareem Swilley

Kareem was arrested when he was only 16. He was at city hall with his sister and grandparents when the murder occurred. Yet, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He has been out of prison since 2020 awaiting retrial. Unable to move on his life with a tether, he pleaded ‘no contest’ to a lesser charge in exchange for time served. Click on his photo for more details.

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Apr 2023

$

750

Kenneth Webb

Ken spent 35 years in prison. He is one of the sweetest persons you can meet. Ken has issues that make it necessary for him to live in an assisted living home. MIC helped get him established in an environment where he can now enjoy his days and is in a good place. The supervisor said that he finds it incomprehensible that such a gentle guy could have endured prison for as long as he did.

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Mar 2023

$

1000

Donyelle Woods

A long-time client of MIC, Donyelle received a commutation of his sentence by Gov. Whitmer. When we met him, he was already hard at work with his cousin who founded EnjoyDetroit.org, a nonprofit created to improve people's lives. Donyelle was not able to benefit from classes MDOC gives people about to be paroled and there is a lot for him to absorb after being in prison for 20 years. He has a supportive extended family.

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Feb 2023

$

750

Jeff Titus

Jeff Titus spent over 21 years in prison for something he did not do. Owner of some rural property, he was accused of murdering two hunters in the area with virtually no evidence. Jeff now lives with his sister as he tried to get used to living outside prison walls.

There are some great write-ups for more info by clicking on his picture.

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Jan 2023

$

1000

Kino Christian

Kino was convicted of murder in Oct 2007, based on dubious testimony and a jailhouse snitch. In 2014, family members FOIAed documents, never turned over to the defense. Discrepancies between the original and later testimony could have been used to question the reliability. The MI Supreme Court said they deserve a retrial, and the county chose not to retry. Kino is working as a paralegal.

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Dec 2022

$

750

Kelvin Nolen

Kelvin Nolen was wrongfully convicted of murder. MIC proved that the killer in the video is significantly taller than Mr. Nolen. They found a woman who was in the video who got a good look at the killer, knows Mr. Nolen and confirmed that the man she saw was not him, providing “new evidence”. With 8 years of his life missing, Kelvin is considering getting his license in order to be a truck driver.

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May 2022

$

1000

Tyrone Rogers

The COA granted Tyrone a new trial and vacated his conviction on Dec 17, 2020, but the prosecutor kept him in prison for another 15 months! Tyrone was not actually released until 5 weeks after the prosecutor decided to dismiss the case! Tyrone is using the money to make repairs on his car so he can look for work. He is initially living with his sister's family. Tyrone is very grateful for PI's assistance.

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Nov 2023

$

750

Louis Wright

Louis Wright was convicted of a rape. After 35 years of wrongful imprisonment, he was finally exonerated based on DNA evidence. Apart from Louis being in the vicinity of the attack, there was no evidence that he committed the crime.

At this time his only goal is to become reacquainted with his immediate and extended family.

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Apr 2023

$

1000

Alphonso Clark

Alphonso Clark spend 18 years in prison for something he did not do. He was the childhood friend of another exoneree, Kevin Harrington.

Alphonso is deeply appreciative of all those who have helped him. He intends to get his commercial DL and become a realtor, something he was doing when arrested. He also intends to do what he can to support the Nat’l Org. of Exonerees.

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Mar 2023

$

750

Mack Howell

After 7 1/2 years of wrongful imprisonment, Mack is glad to be out and living with his sister. He knows reentry can be difficult but he has a positive attitude and is looking forward to a hopeful future.

This was the first exoneration produced by the new Macomb County Conviction Integrity Unite under the direction of Gail Pamukov. Keep up the good work, Gail!

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Jan 2023

$

750

John Sanders

John Sanders was charged with Shaken Baby Syndrome and spent nearly 12 years in prison before the Mich Innocence Clinic brought in two medical experts who testified the child died of an infection; not abuse.

John intends to finish his Associate Degree in Business Administration and take things from there!

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Jan 2023

$

1000

C'Quan Hinton

C’Quan was convicted of murder in Oct 2007, based on dubious testimony and a jailhouse snitch. In 2014, family members FOIAed documents, never turned over to the defense. Discrepancies between the original and later testimony could have been used to question the reliability. On Mar 23, 2023, a very proud C'Quan displayed his Com Driver License!

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Oct 2022

$

750

Anthony Kyles

Anthony spent nearly 25 years in prison due to flawed junk science, which pointed to arson. This was later debunked.
Anthony is looking ahead. With a supportive family of four children, ages 26 to 38, a sister, brother-in-law and others, he is already looking at options for developing his own business, possibly in landscaping, something he has had experience with.

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Apr 2022

$

500

Terance Calhoun

Shortly after Terance was freed, he and his family left for Tennessee where they are from. We will try to keep in touch and we wish them the very best as he seeks the reestablish his life with the support of his family.

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Sept 2023

$

1000

Michael Griffin

Now exonerated, Michael is working to get on with his life. He and his fiancée, Kalesha, plan to get married May 3, 2024, the anniversary of his freedom.

Michael says he has no marketable skills since he was incarcerated at such a young age. It would be wonderful if someone or some organization can give him training and experience.

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Mar 2023

$

1000

Keith Robinson

Keith Robinson has spent 27 years in prison for something he did not do. His sentence was commuted by Gov Whitmer. With that comes a 4-year probation. Consequently, Keith is very careful in everything he does. Fortunately, he has a very supportive family who believes in his innocence. While in prison he received two culinary certificates. When he pulls together the money, Keith's dream is to have his own food truck.

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Mar 2023

$

1000

Eron Shelman

Eron was convicted on weak evidence in 1993. He maintained his innocence from Day 1 and, through reinvestigation and a bit of luck, Rachel Wolfe Law, which includes Anthony Legion (who previously received WFF funds) was able to locate witnesses the police did not speak to or disclose. Judge Walker agreed that had the jury heard the new evidence, the trial likely would have ended in acquittal.

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Jan 2023

$

1000

Joshun Edwards

Joshun was convicted of murder in Oct 2007, based on dubious testimony and a jailhouse snitch. In 2014, family members FOIAed documents, never turned over to the defense. Discrepancies between the original and later testimony could have been used to question the reliability. The MI Supreme Court said they deserve a retrial, and the county chose not to retry. Joshun is currently looking for work.

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Jan 2023

$

750

Dartanion Edwards

Dartanion was convicted of murder in Oct 2007, based on dubious testimony and a jailhouse snitch. In 2014, family members FOIAed documents, never turned over to the defense. Discrepancies between the original and later testimony could have been used to question the reliability. The MI Supreme Court said they deserve a retrial, and the county chose not to retry. Dartanion is now working for Amazon.

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June 2022

$

750

Ronnell Johnson

Ronnell has an amazing attitude. So positive and so appreciative for everything. We didn't talk specifics but Ronnell has every intention of leaving a positive mark on this world and for making the most out of his new lease on life. He is grateful to Imran Syed of the Michigan Innocence Clinic and for the new Conviction Integrity and Expungement Unit of Washtenaw County, MI.

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March 2022

$

500

Melvin DeJesus

Melvin and his brother, George, beam with joy after being exonerated after over 25 years of imprisonment. PI's Ken Bernard met with them, giving them each $500 to help them in the beginning of their new life. They are currently staying with their mother, Elizabeth, in Pontiac as they try to figure out the next steps.

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