California Innocence Project

Help support the California Innocence Project! CLT Properties Real Estate Group has collaborated with CIP on a new and exciting opportunity. Support our efforts in freeing the innocent and changing the system by helping raise needed funds through everyday real estate transactions! How it works: CLT Properties will connect buyers and sellers with a top Real Estate agent with deep local expertise to represent them with their transaction. At the close of escrow, 20% of the commission earned will be sent by escrow directly to CIP. Head to our website and visit the Ways to Give tab to learn more or go to https://www.cltpropertiesgroup.com/. #XONR8

With the help of CIP, Derrick Harris was released from prison on October 6, 2020, after spending over 7 years wrongfully incarcerated. There are so many more innocent like Derrick that need our help. Please visit our website to learn more about wrongful convictions and how you can join our fight to free the innocent. #XONR8 https://californiainnocenceproject.org/ways-to-give/

Innocence projects have reviewed numerous arson convictions and found many of them to be based on unscientific methods of fire investigators. CIP client Joann Parks is a victim of false fire analysis. As the sole survivor of a 1989 house fire that killed her three children, investigators ultimately, and wrongfully, accused her of starting the fire. We know now, through new scientific research, that there are many innocent explanations for how the fire began, and that Joann was convicted for a crime she did not commit. She was finally released on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, after spending 29 years wrongly imprisoned. Each year, more arson cases are being re-examined by innocence projects and the application of the new scientific research has lead to more exonerations. Learn more at . #XONR8

BREAKING JoAnn Parks freed after spending 29 years in prison for a crime she did not commit! https://californiainnocenceproject.org/read-their-stories// You can help JoAnn get back on her feet by purchasing items from her @amazon Wish List here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3PSW0MIB5XJ42.... #XONR8

CIP's own Raquel Cohen and Jasmin Harris are with Edward Humes awaiting the release of JoAnn Parks. JoAnn’s case was covered by the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer in his book, Burned. JoAnn has been wrongfully incarcerated for almost 30 years. You can send her a gift from her Amazon.com Wish List here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3PSW0MIB5XJ42. #XONR8

In 1994, Quintin Morris was sentenced to three life sentences + 12 years for a crime he did not commit. He was released January 10, 2019, after spending over 27 years wrongfully incarcerated. #XONR8

Meet new CIP Board Member Robin Werner! Robin brings with her over 30 years’ experience working with a broad range of non-profit organizations throughout San Diego. She has been a long-time supporter of CIP and was instrumental in helping create a training manual for attorneys wishing to provide case reviews. Robin believes it is imperative to remedy problems in our criminal justice system and protect our civil liberties. A critical component of achieving these goals is ensur...ing the release of persons who have been wrongfully incarcerated! A graduate of Cornell University (economics) and Harvard Law School, Robin has worked as an attorney, educator, project manager, financial manager, and community volunteer. She has a proven ability to roll up her sleeves and get things done. We are very happy to welcome her to CIP’s Development Board! #XONR8 See more

Help support the California Innocence Project! Are you planning to buy or sell a home? We have partnered up with CLT Properties on an exciting opportunity. Support our efforts in freeing the innocent and changing the system by helping raise needed funds through everyday real estate transactions! CLT Properties will connect buyers and sellers with a top Real Estate agent with deep local expertise to represent them with their transactions. At the close of escrow, 20% of the commission earned will be sent by escrow directly to the California Innocence Project. Interested buyers, sellers, or real estate agents, please visit CIP.CLTPropertiesGroup.com for more information!

On Giving Tuesday, December 1, CIP is hosting its annual fundraising event to celebrate our exonerees. This year, our XONR8 Gala will be held virtually at 6pm PT. Register at https://californiainnocenceproject.org/gala/. Don’t miss this exciting event! #XONR8

After spending 20 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Horace took his freedom to the polls and voted today! The experience was life changing. Thank you to everyone at CIP for giving me this opportunity. Horace was exonerated in 2018. Read about his journey to freedom at californiainnocenceproject.org/read-their-s/horace-roberts/. #XONR8

Do you or your company want to showcase your support for CIP’s work at our 2020 Virtual XONR8 Gala? Consider becoming a sponsor! View our sponsorship opportunities at https://buff.ly/3eiTLTJ. For more information, email [email protected]. #XONR8

Please welcome our recent addition to the CIP Board, Yael Rakib! After graduating cum laude from California Western School of Law, Yael worked in juvenile dependency representing parents accused of abuse and neglect. At this job she was exposed to the bad science behind the shaken baby syndrome hypothesis and saw it used to remove custodial rights from innocent parents. Working in this area was difficult; however, she was grateful for the rewards of such meaningful work. Today, she manages her own successful estate planning and probate practice in San Jose, California. Welcome to CIP and our fight for justice, Yael! #XONR8

Big thank you to our friend Jason Flom who continues to support the innocent and fight for justice. For this year’s Virtual XONR8 Gala, Jason will be matching each donation made, up to $50k, to help our efforts. That means every dollar you donate will be doubled and go to direct services for our clients. Read the article below to learn more about all the ways Jason is helping those who have been wrongfully convicted. And don’t forget to check out his podcast Wrongful Conviction! Register for the Virtual XONR8 Gala at californiainnocenceproject.org/gala. #XONR8

CIP client JoAnn Parks was deemed suitable for parole! JoAnn was commutated by Gov Gavin Newsom in April and has spent the last three decades in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. This is a great step towards the fight for her exoneration. Great work to CIP attorney Raquel Cohen who represented JoAnn in her parole hearing on Tuesday! #XONR8

Say hello to one of CIP’s policy interns, @Katie! I am a recent graduate with a background in Strategic Communication and Hospitality Management. However, after spending much of this transformative year reflecting I’ve realized my passion for criminal justice reform and am currently considering furthering my education in law. I am grateful to work on this project alongside some of the incredible individuals that make up the California Innocence Project. Their eagerness to raise awareness, reform legislation, and advocate for the innocent continue to inspire me! I look forward to all the ways I can make a meaningful difference and fight injustice. #XONR8

We want your feedback! We’ve teamed up with the University of Pittsburgh students to examine our XONR8 gear. Take the survey below to help us see how we can improve our shop! https://buff.ly/2J0FqQa #XONR8

Registration is now open! Please join us on Giving Tuesday, December 1, for the 2020 Virtual XONR8 Gala as we celebrate our exonerees and freed clients. Registration for this year’s event is free but donations are greatly appreciated. All of the gifts you provide for CIP go to direct services for our clients and you can double your impact this year thanks to our friend Jason Flom who is matching your donation dollar-for-dollar up to $50k. Consider giving to us and to innocence. Registration and donation opportunities can be found at californiainnocenceproject.org/gala. #XONR8

Meet one of CIP’s new student interns, Daisy! During my undergraduate career, I worked as a legal research assistant at Butte County Jail. This exposed me to the injustices embedded in the American justice system. I chose to attend CWSL because of CIP and to become an advocate for those who feel underrepresented or discriminated against. I wanted to be a part of an amazing team that fights for justice. I am committed to bringing my knowledge, skills, and dedication to this organization. Thank you for joining our fight, Daisy! #XONR8

Join us on Giving Tuesday, December 1, for CIP’s XONR8 Gala! For the last four years, we have hosted an annual fundraising event in support of freeing the innocent. This year we are hosting virtually which means you can participate right from your home! You won’t want to miss this event so stay tuned for registration details next Monday! #XONR8

#newstudentspotlight Hello! My name is Rachel, and I am currently a second-year law student at California Western School of Law. I first became interested in wrongful conviction when I had the opportunity during undergrad to intern at a law firm that heavily focused on post-conviction litigation. Through that internship, I was introduced to the awful injustice some people face and the hopeless they feel by the justice system failing them. This experience motivated me to be... a part of the change and fight for the wrongfully convicted. I am honored to be a clinical intern in an organization that works diligently and passionately to fight against the injustice in our criminal justice system. I look forward to working alongside the CIP team and advocating for the wrongfully convicted and freeing the innocent! Welcome to the fight for justice, Rachel! #XONR8 See more