BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In fulfilling its mission and vision, Proving Innocence collaborates with others dedicated to addressing wrongful convictions and relies on a thorough screening process to determine that the individual's claim of innocence is credible and can be substantiated upon rigorous investigation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In fulfilling its mission and vision, Proving Innocence collaborates with others dedicated to addressing wrongful convictions and relies on a thorough screening process to determine that the individual's claim of innocence is credible and can be substantiated upon rigorous investigation.
PROVINGINNOCENCE
THE WALKING FREE FUND 2020
In 2021, we have already given funds to 8 persons but are having technical difficulties. They will be posted soon!
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. Please DONATE to PI so that we may continue to help meet Michigan exonerees' financial needs when they first get out of prison! (Why do they receive different amounts of money?)
For more information, click on their picture
26 Years
Lacino Hamilton
$500
Lacino Hamilton was sent to prison in 1994 at the age of 19 and served 26 years of an 80 year sentence for a crime he did not commit. The only thing linking Lacino to the crime was a notorious professional jailhouse snitch who lied and testified in numerous cases.
Where to go from here? Lacino is trying to establish himself in the Lansing area where his support, centered around his lawyer, Mary Chartier, is located. He is currently looking for a car. Some friends have established a GoFundMe to help him off to a better start.
October 2020
20 Years
Marvin Cotton
$800
Marvin Cotton, age 22, was convicted of the shooting death of Jamond McIntyre in 2001.
Jailhouse informant Ellis Frazier testified that Cotton confessed to the crime while behind bars, however in a March 2014 affidavit Frazier stated “he did not confess to me about being a part of any crime like I testified to at the trial. All of the information and details in the police statement was pre-written and wholly composed by the homicide detective.”
Marvin would like to be an entrepreneur with some well developed ideas of what steps it will take to get there.
October 2020
25 Years
Anthony Legion
$800
Anthony Legion was wrongfully convicted with his co-defendant, Marvin Cotton, who also was a recipient of the Walking Free Fund.
While incarcerated, Anthony focused on studying the law. In 2005, he filed a federal petition for a writ of habeas corpus. In 2007 U.S. District Judge Paul Gadola granted the writ and ordered Legion's convictions vacated. This was ultimately turned over by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in 2017. During this time, Anthony helped many other inmates with their appeals.
Anthony is a paralegal and plans to do freelance work for his employment and intends to give significant attention to pro bono work of others wrongfully convicted.
December
2020