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Guilty Until Proven Innocent
A story about Californian Herman Atkins and his exoneration after serving a decade of his 47 year sentence. He was convicted in 1988 even though two witnesses gave inconsistent identifications at trial. Herman’s case is one that is featured in the documentary After Innocence (2005). Read more about the case
Shaken-baby Case will Rely on Forensics
A case out of Ohio gaining national attention is looking at reliability of testimony of experts in ‘shaken-baby syndrome’ cases and of ‘short-fall’ injuries. Read more about the case here.
Mother Cleared of Murder: 13 Years in Prison; Pathologist’s Faulty Testimony Led to Verdict
A second-degree murder charge has been withdrawn against an Ontario woman who spent more than 13 years in prison for the death of her toddler son following the faulty testimony of disgraced pathologist Charles Smith. The Crown told an Ontario justice Tuesday it does not wish to proceed with a new
Arizona Murder Mystery: Guilt of Man in 1962 Killings Thrown into Question
Part One: Conviction Questioned They were dead before their bodies hit the ground. In the moonlight, the gunman stood over the two of them and delivered one more shot for each, right in the temple. It was 1962, and the area was still pure desert, creosote bushes and scrub grass
DNA Testing Proves Gilbert Man’s Innocence in 2003 Rape
For all media inquiries please contact: Lindsay Herf • Arizona Justice Project Lindsay.Herf@asu.edu For Immediate Release December 22, 2010 DNA Testing Proves Gilbert Man’s Innocence in 2003 Rape Phoenix, AZ – DNA testing proves that Arizona Justice Project client John Watkins did not commit the 2003 Gilbert rape for which
New Film Recalls ’70 Pioneer Hotel Fire
Every December for the past 40 years, Albert Pesqueira thinks about the devastating fire at the Pioneer Hotel. He remembers what he saw and felt that night as a rookie firefighter. But this December he will bring his memories to life. Pesqueira is the creator of “Hot Pion: The Pioneer
Videos
Articles
Wrongful Conviction Day 2025
Wrongful Conviction Day Gathering In recognition of Wrongful Conviction Day, join us for food, a book give-away, and a brief presentation by the Arizona Justice Project. Date: October 3rd, 2025 Time: 4:00-6:00 PM Location: Thunderbird Lounge (on the patio)710 W. Montecito AvePhoenix, AZ 85013 RSVP to: katie.puzauskas@azjusticeproject.org
Arizona will offer payment for people who were wrongly convicted, imprisoned
Mary Jo Pitzl, Arizona RepublicOriginally published August 25, 2025 A new Arizona law that will compensate people who have been wrongly imprisoned traces back to one lawmaker’s own prison experience. For more than a decade, first-term Rep. Khyl Powell has been involved with prison ministry work, including three years as
The Price of Innocence
Arizona is finally bringing justice to the wrongfully convicted, on a trial basis. Nicole Ludden, Arizona AgendaOriginally published July 28th, 2025 Next year, Arizona will start the process of compensating people who’ve been incarcerated for crimes they didn’t commit. We told you about the push for an erroneous convictions law
Arizona Enacts Law to Provide Justice for the Wrongfully Convicted
New Law Sponsored by State Rep. Khyl Powell Grants Restitution and Record Expungement to Exonerated Arizonans NEWS RELEASE Monday, June 30, 2025FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arizona House of Representatives Representative Khyl Powell (R-14) STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Legislation sponsored by State Representative Khyl Powell to compensate Arizonans who were proven
Arizona Passes a New Law, Financial Compensation for Those Who Have Been Wrongly Convicted
STATEMENT FROM THE ARIZONA JUSTICE PROJECT July 2, 2025 Media contact: Katie Puzauskas602-844-1220katie.puzauskas@azjusticeproject.org On Friday, June 27, 2025, Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB1500 into law, making Arizona the 41st state to provide a legal avenue to seek financial compensation for years lost due to a wrongful conviction. Those who meet
Arizona to compensate wrongfully convicted under new law
Haley Williams, KPNX-TV PhoenixOriginally published June 30th, 2025 Those in Arizona who have been wrongfully convicted will be eligible for compensation under a new Arizona law. Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1500 on Friday, establishing a pilot program for individuals who have been incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. Under